We can't wait to have you all join us in Montreal this October. The FBC2015 schedule is packed full of some of the most talented and well-respected people on the North American food scene who eager to join us and share their knowledge.
We are especially thrilled to have celebrity chef, television personality and owner and founder of Canada’s one and only national food magazine, Ricardo join us as our keynote speaker on Saturday and, the incomparable Mairlyn Smith joining us as our MC for the full weekend
The schedule is subject to change as we get closer to October and fill in some of our outstanding speaker slots. Check back here regularly for updates and more information. For more information, visit our speakers page or our sponsors page. Tickets are available to purchase here.
Friday October 23
Pre-Conference
10am - 2pm: Pre Conference Food Photography Workshop
Presenter: Andrew Scrivani with Tim Chin and Aimee Wimbush Bourque
In this course you will learn from a 12 year professional in the food photography industry. We will cover the basics of daylight food photography – exploring angles and light, food styling, prop styling and acquisition, and how to use all of these skills to craft your own food compositions and develop your own photographic style.
Conference Registration
2pm - 6pm
Collect you name tag, your SWAG bag and get settled in for the weekend.
5:30pm - 6:45pm Cocktail Reception
A chance to mix and mingle with your fellow attendees, speakers and sponsors.
7pm - 9:00pm Friday Dinner
Presented By: Turkey Farmers of Canada
9pm - 10pm Evening Entertainment - Devour The Food Film Fest FBC2015 Preview
Saturday October 24
7am - 8:45am Saturday Breakfast
Presented by Burnbrae Farms and Gourmet Garden
9am - 10am Opening Session
Presenter - Ricardo
Join us as we kick off the first full day of sessions and panels with celebrity chef, television personality and owner and founder of Canada’s one and only national food magazine, Ricardo. As one who has forged a career by taking chances, not being afraid to try something new and, sometimes, having a few stumbles along the way, Ricardo will inspire and entertain you with his story of just what is possible when you're not afraid to take a leap - big or small!
10am - 10:25 - Mix and mingle coffee break with Ricardo
10:30 - 11:30 You're Awesome: Cultivating a Magnetic Brand and Growing Your Community
Presenter: Meghan Telpner
There is a lot of noise in the blog world. Meghan Telpner, who began her first blog in 2001, has managed to make herself and her blog stand out while growing an amazingly loyal community around her work. The result is a fullt-time thriving business that includes publishing two cookbooks, and launching the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. Meghan will share how food bloggers can use their own unique awesomeness to differentiate themselves within their niche, and attract a loyal audience. Meghan will offer key strategies to invite you to start establishing a personal brand in a noisy marketplace, develop an offering that has value for your community, build loyalty, establish yourself as a leader and influencer in the blogging world, and become the go-to resource for media.
11:45 - 12:45 Legalese for Bloggers - Understanding the Basics
Presenters: Lesley Ellen Harris and Sarah Huggins
Food blogger and entertainment lawyer Sarah Huggins teams up with copyright lawyer and author of the book, Canadian Copyright Law, Lesley Ellen Harris, to cover some of the basic legal issues that Canadian bloggers face every day. Between them they will be discussing copyright issues - what you can use and share and what do when somebody uses your stuff - as well as the ins and outs of running contests on your blog and what to look out for in the contracts you sign - and when you should call a lawyer!
12:45 - 1:45 Lunch
Sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Canada
Enjoy a fall comfort food menu for lunch.
1:45 - 2:45 Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Food Bloggers
Presenter: Casey Markee
One of the premier SEO experts in North America, Casey Markee specializes in SEO for food bloggers. This is a topic that's confounding for most food bloggers but Casey will walk you through the basics and show you simple things you can do to improve your blog's SEO. He'll also talk about Google's new emphasis on mobile friendly sites and why it's important to make sure your blog is accessible to all audiences. Casey will also be giving away an SEO Audit to one lucky conference attendee ($800US value)
3pm - 6pm Free Time
Stretch your legs, take a nap, explore the city - this is your time to experience a little bit of what Montreal has to offer.
6:30pm - 9:30pm Saturday Dinner & Evening Entertainment
Sponsored by Canadian Lentils
Canadian Lentils is pleased to present an evening of fine food and entertainment with special guest, Quebec based nouveau cirque troupe, Cirque Éloize.
Sunday October 25th
7am - 8:45am Breakfast
Presented By Half Your Plate
Enjoy a healthy breakfast to start the day. Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies, grab a breakfast smoothie and enjoy a true Montreal tradition with fresh St. Viateur bagels, cream cheese and lox!
9am - 10am - Getting the Story - Working With Local Food Farmers and Chefs
Presenters: Jennifer Hayes, Chef Jay Nutt, Tiffany Mayer
Sponsor: Farm and Food Care Canada
Nothing connects us with readers like stories. Telling the stories of the local farmers, artisans and chefs who grow and cook the food you eat can bring new depth to your writing and create a meaningful connection with your readers. But how do you approach busy farmers and chefs? How do you get their stories? How do you find out where your food is coming from. This panel of a farmer, a chef and a blogger will give you the information you need to make those connections, ask the right questions and tell the stories of the talented hard working people who produce our country's food.
10am - 10:20 Coffee Break
10:20 - 11:20 Food Photography Q & A with Andrew Scrivani
Presenter: Andrew Scrivani
Renowned New York Times food photographer Andrew Scrivani will give a short presentation on the basics of telling a story with your food photography and then open up the floor for a spirited food photography Q&A. We invite attendees to submit questions prior to the conference for Andrew to include in his session.
11:40 - 12:40 Taking the Leap From Hobby Blogger to Professional Blogger
Presenters: Ayngelina Brogan and Davida Kugelmass
Aygngelina Brogan and Davida Kugelmass started out blogging for different reasons - neither of which included making money. But now, both of them earn a full time income from food blogging. It's not easy and they both know the art of the hustle. But it can be done and in this session they will walk you through very different approaches to earning a living from your blog - by making the mental switch from hobby to business as well as the ins and outs of earning income.
12:40 - 1:40 Lunch
We're bringing a Montreal institution to Le Westin with a smoked meat lunch from Schwartz's Deli! Complete with pickles and Cott's Black Cherry Cola! Takeout containers will be available for those who need to leave early to catch flights!
1:00pm - 3pm Blogger/Brand One on One
Details are still to come but you will have the opportunity to schedule short, one on one appointments with sponsor representatives. This is your chance to sit down face to face with brands you'd like to work with! Bring your business cards and be prepared for a working lunch.
3pm - FBC2015 wraps up
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