The other day I was contacted by Lee, who is behind the eComm Conference in San Francisco., because he’s decided to start an initiative that will hopefully have a ripple effect, creating some truly positive change.
Let’s have a public test of the effectiveness of social media. Let’s do it with the aim of measuring the reach and usage of social media (and hopefully with some serendipity regarding the results). Let’s do it in a way that helps us understand the role and significance of social media on the emerging communications landscape. [eComm Blog]
How it will be done: Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Yesterday after many more family good times, we piled into the car and drove over to the Quad Cities (which consist of Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, and Bettendorf) to catch my first-ever AHL game.
Driving through the countryside from Iowa to Illinois we followed a breathtaking sunset that made the entire sky glow from orange to pink. Farmers’ fields spanned for miles while barns the colour of the ripest apples were perched next to veranda-wrapped homes. I also got my first view of the mighty Mississippi River as we crossed over it to reach the arena.
The Quad City Flames (formerly the UHL’s Quad City Mallards) play out of the iWireless Centre in Moline, Illinois. Last night they played the Milwaukee Admirals who are affiliated with the Nashville Predators.
No matter how much I cheered for the home team, that actually consisted of many good BC boys, I couldn’t bring myself to chant “Let’s go Flames”, being the true and loyal Canucks fan that I am.
For John‘s nephews, mom, and brother it was our way of exposing them to our favourite sport and in some way, a little piece of where we’re from. John really enjoyed teaching them all about the calls, the plays, and a little more about what he does as a part of that ‘day job’ of his.
I enjoy a good hockey game on any level and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. The Flames had speed, a phenomenal goalie, and the boys were pretty happy to see a fight only few minutes into the game. In QC the fans were pretty die-hard and everyone deserved that OT win by the Flames. They had chants, slogans, horns, cowbells, and they pretty much had a “sea of red” with all those sporting jerseys in attendance although unfortunately I was also reminded of this article:
Abbotsford is actively pursuing an American Hockey League franchise, and is negotiating with the Calgary Flames and others to get a deal signed before the 2009-2010 season.
Local businessman Lane Sweeting confirmed in an exclusive interview with the Abbotsford News yesterday that the Quad City Flames, Calgary’s AHL affiliate, is just one of the teams being sought to fill the 7,000 entertainment and sports centre when it is completed in spring 2009. [Abbotsford News]
If more hockey came to our region we’d have the WHL Vancouver Giants, NHL Vancouver Canucks, WHL Chilliwack Bruins and AHL Flames — I must admit it felt pretty good to be so far away from home and still be among people who loved their home-town team and loved the game and I’m not even sure Canucks fans in Abbotsford would support the “Flames”… or would they?
[poll id=”23″]
You can follow QC Flames news through their Twitter account, which I discovered after they added us both after the game last night.
Update March 12, 2009: Calgary has signed a deal with Abbotsford and the QC Flames will be moving.
“The Calgary Flames farm team in Quad Cities, Illinois is set to flicker into oblivion at the end of the season. After months of speculation, the Flames released the Quad City ownership group Thursday from the remaining three years of their minor-league affiliate agreement with the NHL club.” [Calgary Herald]
In June of 2008 I stopped by Subeez on Smithe to check out a breakfast event with Jeff Pulver. I didn’t know what to expect aside from a hot meal and “real time tagging” (in true social media meetup form) however I ended up walking away with a whole lot more.
“Jeff Pulver is the Chairman and Founder of pulver.com, and one of the true pioneers of the VoIP industry and a leader in the emerging TV on the Net industry. Leveraging well over a decade of hands-on experience in Internet/IP communications and innovation, Mr. Pulver is a globally renowned thought leader, author and entrepreneur… …Additionally, Mr. Pulver is the founder of FWD, the VON Coalition, PrimeTimeRewind.TV, Vivox and is the co-founder of VoIP provider, Vonage.” [Jeff Pulver – About]
Jeff Pulver is also one amazing person; after knowing me for mere minutes he seemed to understand what I was going through at the time and offered immediate encouragement, reassurance, and insights that pretty much blew me away. He contributed to the Vancouver Blogathon campaign and was also responsible for getting me on the bill at CES even though I’m unable to make it (since we’re in the middle of an Iowa visit).
I would encourage all those able to come and join us for Jeff’s next breakfast in Vancouver that will take place January 11th. Please RSVP on the Facebook event in case we need to make reservations or for people like Raul (who tipped me off about this event) who are not on Facebook, leave a comment and he’ll add you to the reservation number.
Also if you have a suggestion for a great breakfast spot for a big group of people, let us know.
If you are not in Vancouver you can meet up with Jeff in the following cities in early 2009: Jan 13 – Los Angeles, Jan 14 – San Francisco, Jan 21 – New York City, Jan 22 – Boston, Jan 28 – London, Feb 4 – Philadelphia, Feb 5 – Washington, D.C.
I’ve been watching the NHL Winter Classic, which has the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings facing off on an outdoor rink at Wrigley Field in Chicago. It’s been great seeing the action along with a room full of Cubs fans to boot.
John found this clip a few weeks ago. “There is so much about this commercial that gets me excited and gives me goosebumps all at the same time. Also makes me shed a tear for the late, great Harry Caray[wiki].”
This game is pretty big news, and an excellent event to get the city of Chicago even more involved with their young team filled with stars. My sister in law even found an article about a Napa Valley winery that created a “Winter Classic Wine”.
On its face, hockey wine seems a bit like opera beer. After all, watching a player pull his opponent’s jersey over his head so he can throttle him blindly doesn’t exactly seem like a Merlot-sipping occasion. But the league’s VP-consumer products marketing, Jim Haskins, said the league’s fan base is more of a wine-drinking crowd than the sport’s blue-collar stereotype suggests.” [Advertising Edge]
The social media realm has also been really excited about NHL Director of Corporate Communications Mike DiLorenzo who has been Tweeting about the event and included early photos of the rink being setup.
It’s been a great game and the reference to Tiger Williams when Eager celebrated his goal was priceless. There’s nothing like an old-time hockey game and there’s also no place like Wrigley.
Related Post: A New Year and the Winter Classic (2008)
This is part two of my 2008 review in photos, covering July through December. After writing 840 posts throughout the year and welcoming a half-million readers to my site, 2008 was a phenomenal year.
July 2008
July 2008 Archives
I was a media partner for Surrey’s Canada Day celebration (the largest of its kind in Western Canada) so John and I hung out in Cloverdale, enjoyed the sunshine and caught some great concerts. A few days later I arranged blogger day at Playland with a few super cool friends.
In July I also established a great relationship with the Vancouver Aquarium and had a few visits to explore the facilities and learn more about the great work they do. I spoke at and liveblogged WordCamp Fraser Valley, was a media partner for Surrey’s Fusion Festival, I was on Shaw TV’s Urban Rush to talk about Blogathon and the first-ever “Blogathon Vancouver” raised over $12,000 collectively for charities thanks to 12 amazing bloggers in town.
August 2008
August 2008 Archives
My first Seattle Mariners game, our big trip to Kansas City, and being a judge for the Grey Goose Arbiter of Cool contest made for an adventurous August.
We also took a soggy trip up Grouse Mountain and I flew to Calgary to be with my friend Tanya at a difficult time.
September 2008
September 2008 Archives
In September we kicked off a new season of The Crazy Canucks by doing a photoshoot with the Canucks. The result was seeing our faces across the city on the side of buses, on SkyTrain cars and at SkyTrain stations.
Photo credit:
JMV on Flickr
Jeffery Simpson interviewed me for the Georgia Straight in an article my father said was the best explanation of social media and microblogging he’d read to date and our new company, sixty4media was a media partner for the Internet Marketing Conference.
A group of us bloggers were also invited Willy Wonka-style into the Molson Brewery for a night of tours and tastings. It was a pleasure to meet Mr. Rickard himself along with Mr. Molson.
Raul, me, and Gord Rickard – Photo credit:
Tris Hussey on Flickr
September was a big month for blogging as I headed to Las Vegas for BlogWorld (with the help of DreamBank), interviewed one of my all-time favourite bands, Less Than Jake, and I participated in National Digital Media Day.
I also liveblogged the Project Tunisia fundraiser, and helped put on WordCamp at BarCamp.
October 2008
October 2008 Archives
In October I invited the lovely Colleen to join me at the Gibson’s Finest Iron Bar Competition, I interviewed the director, actor, and producer of the short film Centrigrade, and I had media accreditation (through my E!Online gig) for the Vancouver International Film Festival – (and I had my first ever dress sponsor (thanks to HBC) for the closing gala party). I was also able to cover a reception for the Gemini Awards in Vancouver.
This was also the month I started my weekly radio spot on Talk 1410am with Pat and Val in the afternoons.
October also had extensive coverage for the Provincial by-elections where I was able to interview several of the Vancouver Centre candidates and I liveblogged Interesting Vancouver.
November 2008
November 2008 Archives
In November I was on a panel at the Making a Scene conference, I covered a store opening/charity announcement, and I had a speaking engagement for a group of First Nations youth embarking on a social media journey.
I was also very busy preparing for the first annual Best of 604 awards although I was still able to report on the civic elections in Vancouver.
December 2008
December 2008 Archives
The Best of 604 awards raised over $1,800 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and celebrated local web stars and heroes.
I started two traditions this year… Blogathon Vancouver (based on the original global Blogathon) as well as the Best of 604 Awards. I’m looking forward to both of these events that celebrate bloggers while also raising funds and awareness for very worthy causes. I’m very proud of the hard work my peers have put into all of these events in which I’ve been able to participate and I’m thankful every day that each of you choose to return to Miss604.com and read my content.
Related Posts: 2008 in Review: Vancouver Concerts, 2008 in Review: January to June
