I’ve been in the tech industry (or at least connected to it) for almost 10 years. It all started back in 1999, with a school project on social capital, the tech boom, and discovering the ‘wonders’ of the internet.
Since that fateful class project (GeekRave.org) which led to the incorporation of my first business (in cahoots with 10 other eager classmates and a dynamic professor who unknowingly propelled me into a career in technology and events), my exploration into the world of technology has been anything but boring. Here’s the recap…
1999 – Signed up for a class project at Simon Fraser University to study the effects on social networking and social capital in the midst of tech euphoria.
2000 – Class incorporates GeekRave Productions Inc. Company puts on large-scale events for the tech industry in Vancouver, BC to connect high-tech enthusiasts and facilitate business partnerships. First event attracts over 900 people. Company holds four events in total over course of 2 years. At it’s peak, it attracted over 2500 techies.
2001 – A dream to build the world’s biggest portal for tech professionals is born. The incorporation of Techvibes Media Inc. and the birth of a portal – www.techvibes.com. The online community grew to over 30,000 members globally, with over 50% of those being from Vancouver, BC, the portal’s home town. Simultaneously, the company holds networking events to compliment the online community and connect members face to face. The first event, held in December 2001 attracted 50 people. At it’s peak these events grew to attract over 900 people. (Note: the company is now under new ownership and is run by industry veteran Rob Lewis)
2003- Techvibes Media Inc. is renamed MyZone Media Inc. to facilitate the growth of more portals. clubzone.com, datezone.com, casinozone.com, petsmo.com, and discovervancouver.com.
2004 – Comdex, eWorld, and other large scale tradeshows are leaving the Canadian market. I have a desire to see this type of event come back so we begin planning a conference and tradeshow for 2005.
2005- The birth of the Massive Technology Show. It’s held at Science World in Vancouver, BC and attracts over 2000 people. The conference featured tech celebrity David Chalk, Novelist and futurist Jim Carroll, as well as many tech CEO’s and President’s from Vancouver’s business community. The event also included over 70 exhibiting companies showcasing technology for business.
2006 – The Massive Technology Show is spun off from Techvibes/MyZone into it’s own separate entity with myself attaining sole ownership. It’s last show under Techvibes occurs in March 2006 and is moved to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centred for the 2007 and 2008 Vancouver shows.
2007 – The Massive Technology Show takes on a presence in the Edmonton market. The event attracts 500 people from the alberta market and features the General Manager of Yahoo Canada, Kerry Munro, as the keynote.
I join GetConnected TV as a co-host of season 2 and then co-host and executive producer for seasons 3 and 4. This becomes my first experience in television and radio.
2008 – The Massive Technology Show expands to Toronto. It’s inaugral event attracts 1000 people and features 40 technology displays. The Vancouver event gets 5000 people through the doors.
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So why, after all these years, have I finally decided to start my own blog? The answer is this simple…I’m finally in a place where I’m ready to share everything I’ve learned about technology, business, and life with the rest of the world. I’ve realized that there’s no point to learning and exploring if you can’t share both the journey and the findings.
So what can you expect in the posts to follow? I plan to share everything from helpful tips about running a small business, to general post on what’s happening in technology, as well as updates on my involvement in the industry.
So here it comes…the inner ramblings of Lindsay Smith ;)
Posted by techlinz 
