After nothing less that a year of anticipation for this years Mesh, it is over. Normally I feel a little low after a great high at events like this but this year is different for one main reason. This year I feel like the event was only the beginning of some of the most important conversations I have had in my life. In addition Mesh was much more than Canada's Web Conference, it was a crucible of change, inspiration, and meaning.
I do not know of another technnology geek fest that is a catalyst for personal transformation and challenge towards contributing to the world in a meaningful way. I think one of the unique aspects of Mesh is the tight community that is forming where honest and real life conversations can be had.
I was all built up for listening to some of people who are making great inroads in the web world yet I only got to one session. Each day as I made my way towards one of the sessions I would meet someone and start chatting and end up sitting down to dig deeper. For me this is a great sign of the success of the event. I met very interesting people and discovered some phenomenal ideas worth exploring more.
The one session I did get to attend was Rob Hyndman's chat with Austin Hill and Tom Williams about technology and philanthropy. It was an outstanding session where the real personalities came through and important dialogue took place. Tom just posted on his personal experience of the session which gives meaning (no pun intended) to why it was so significant.
In short, hats off to the crew who pulled it all together and brought many friends into an environment which will influence Canada significantly. Thank you...
Thanks Sarah, the webofchange conference looks very interesting. Hopefully I can scam my way out there in Sept...
Posted by: Mark Dowds | June 11, 2007 at 08:22 PM
"I do not know of another technnology geek fest that is a catalyst for personal transformation and challenge towards contributing to the world in a meaningful way."
That is because you didn't yet know about Web of Change. :) But you just offered a pretty good description of it...
Posted by: Sarah | June 11, 2007 at 04:55 PM
Hey Mark, could you please post (or email me) your team building workshop slides? Thanks.
Posted by: Marc Chriqui | June 02, 2007 at 09:39 PM
Lee,
I shopped the idea around with a few folks who seemed to like it. I am looking forward to chatting about it more and maybe getting a wider group to participate. You were missed...
Posted by: Mark Dowds | June 01, 2007 at 09:17 PM
Sounds fantastic! I'm sorry I missed this year, but I had some pressing items to address at the office, which all seemed to work out for the best.
Mark, did you run into any ideas along the lines of the Entrepreneur pool we've been talking about? Sounds like these was a great cross section of people at Mesh to float this concept.
Peace.
Lee
Posted by: Lee Dale | June 01, 2007 at 07:21 PM
Dave, it was a pleasure to put a face to the name...I would love to connect. do you live in the city?
my email is mark@creationstep.com
Posted by: Mark Dowds | June 01, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Mark, we finally met and shook hands, but that was it. Would love to get together over the next couple of weeks for an actual conversations.
DAVE
Posted by: Dave Hyndman | June 01, 2007 at 02:40 PM