Toronto... there and back again, an IAB Adventure

So off I travelled again to Toronto to take my final IAB Canada course in Interactive Digital Marketing. For those who missed the first part of my adventure please find it here. The traffic was still horrendous, the trains were unorganized, my taxi drivers were eerily quiet (probably because they knew little English) BUT none the less I can say I appreciate Econo Lodge rooms more than Howard-Johnston suites... although their beds leave nothing to compare!

Another full house of eager 'students' of business professionals and students later and we were off on our journey of mobile marketing, video advertising and what the future holds for us all...
The same as before we were welcomed with open hospitality and a spectacular view of downtown Toronto life. Our teacher was marvelous- and it didn't help that the content isn't as ... dry and tedious as SEO. Again the day's survivors were awarded certificates and bid farewell until the next course (I only wish I had the money & time to take more, surely anyone who has either should look into bettering your knowledge with these seminars - they are certainly Creative.Dunning Approved!)

As terms of my 'graduation agreement' I needed to write two "mini reports" on what I learned from each course; I have uploaded them for your viewing pleasure but please don't take them too seriously... They did start our very essay/report styled but as I had to continue through my course content my ambition started to fade quickly. It also doesn't help that the "textbooks" they give you are the thickness of bricks..

 

That being said I would gladly share any more added information on either topics with anyone inquiring. Of course I am keeping all of my seminar material (maybe I will make posts or videos on it so that many will not have to suffer learning on their own as I did.)

Life after Disney... in Toronto??? An IAB Adventure..

After returning back to college life in Canada after the Disney International Exchange Program I was left with the dilemma of how to graduate on time with the rest of my classmates... One of my professors found a solution in IAB Canada, an interactive advertising bureau that is fully-dedicated to the development and promotion of digital/interactive advertising in Canada.

IAB Canada is the national voice and de facto thought leader of the Canadian digital marketing and advertising industry, and is a not-for-profit association representing Canada’s most well-known and respected advertisers, agencies, media companies, mobile and video game marketers & developers, measurement companies, service providers, educational institutions and government associations operating within the space.

The Game-plan? I take 2 day-seminars (at a thankful student discount of course) in two of the courses I missed during my Spring semester, write a report on what I learned & my experience, all in exchange for the passing grade and certification that I have full knowledge in those subjects enough to graduate properly!

The Solution?
Course #1: Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Course #2: Interactive Digital Marketing

So as much as I HIGHLY distaste Toronto... (Not the city or the people in general... for the most part... just the congestion) off I went on a 2hr 'Escape' VIA train ride at 8:30 at night to arrive at my hotel at basically midnight... I now know I probably should warn the hotel of my overly late check-in... although it is funny to walk up to the front lobby and see the scared looks on their faces when I try to open their locked doors and say "Good evening I have a reservation.." (ugh I distaste Toronto...)

I received a beautifully warm welcome from IAB's head hostess & clerk Amberlea Bruch and indulged in a more awakening breakfast fit for business professionals alike (heaven to an allergy-sufferer!)

There were many big names in the 'classroom' that day, Mercedez-Benz, Canadian Tire, George Brown College and ING Direct just to name a few - and all job positions ranging from account directors, media buyers and financial teams.

I won't get into the details of our long day (plus they gave us a 'textbook' the side of an old desktop computer and twice as thick..,) and I thought college was bad, wait until your in a room with business professionals that for a day get to become college students all over again! But it was definitely interesting to view first-hand how our current industry leaders think, analyze and learn.

The day's survivors got a beautiful certificate to show their knowledge and strength! I'm sure in the near future I will post a blog about my understanding of SEO and Google Analytics... (whether it will be factual or funny I have not yet decided..) In any case, for a day I suppose Toronto was fun... if not tolerable. And although I distaste Toronto I was thoroughly impress with my Interactive Digital Marketing course!