Alfredo Tan | Senior Director at Facebook

Alfredo Tan is the Senior Director at Facebook, where he leads a team responsible for strategic marketing relationships with agencies and Fortune 500 companies across Canada.  Prior to Facebook, Alfredo was responsible for a broad portfolio as a Senior Director at Yahoo! in charge of leading the Mobile, Business Development and Search Marketing teams. He also managed the Rogers Yahoo! Partnership across media, internet, and wireless. Alfredo has also worked as a Strategic Alliances Director at Sympatico MSN and was responsible for media sales, business development and strategic partnerships.

Alfredo started his career as a lifestyle coach and personal trainer, holding numerous national certifications. He was also a writer and fitness consultant for a Toronto-based adventure magazine.  Alfredo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science & Biology from the University of Toronto, a Master’s degree with a specialization in Information Systems & Technology from McMaster University.  He has also completed several Executive Programs at the Harvard Business School.

12:00 noon - 1:30pm | Keynote Lunch | The World Has Gone Social and That’s Why Businesses Need to Harness the Power of Friends Influencing Friends

John DeHart & Ken Sim | Nurse Next Door

John DeHart and Ken Sim are two of Vancouver’s most decorated business leaders. John, with a background in high-tech startups, and Ken, with a background as an investment banker, met in 2001 and launched Nurse Next Door based on their own personal experiences. Since they began changing the way healthcare is delivered to seniors in Canada they have accumulated a number of significant business achievements for themselves and Nurse Next Door. As individuals, the two were named to Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2005 and received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2006 as Emerging Entrepreneurs. They are also both graduates of the EO/MIT Birthing of Giants program. For Nurse Next Door, the two have managed to grow the company from an idea at a coffee shop to one of Canada’s fastest growing brands. Achievements include being named to BC’s top 10 employers list three years in a row, most recently in the #1 spot, a place among the best franchise systems in North America list and recognition as one of Canada’s 75 best employers.

10:00am | Main Conference & Tradeshow | Special interview with Ken Sim & John Dehart of Nurse Next Door

Markus Frind | CEO and Founder, Plenty of Fish

Plentyoffish.com was started in 2002 by Markus Frind as a way to expand his skills in the programming language ASP.NET. Because the site was free to use, unlike many other dating sites at the time, it began to quickly gain popularity in Canada and eventually spread to the US, UK and Australia. Seeing the potential to turn a learning experience into a business, Markus implemented the use of Google AdSense ads, and due to the rapidly growing user base, the site began generating substantial revenue for its founder.

For several years, the popular dating site was run entirely by Markus and his girlfriend Annie from their Vancouver apartment.  In 2008, Markus opened POF’s first office to expand its operations; from a one-man show run out of the CEO's apartment Plentyoffish expanded to a business run by 23 employees, including tech, marketing and customer service staff to help manage the ever-increasing base of users from around the world.

10:00am | Main Conference & Tradeshow | Special interview with Markus Frind, Founder Plenty of Fish

Mike Agerbo | CEO, Blink Media Works / Host, GetConnected

Mike Agerbo is today's digital living and business expert. As the digital visionary, he can be heard nationally on Corus Radio's GetConnected program every week. He is also the star of GetConnected TV seen across Canada on BNN - Business News Network and G4Tech TV. You can also catch his regular news appearances on Global TV, City TV, and CTV.

Over the last 15 years, Mike has been an integral voice of the digital revolution.  Mike has hosted numerous technology related programs; speaking on topics ranging from business and home to mobility and parenting.  His message of digital living is carried across various media platforms and directed towards all ages and backgrounds.

As a trusted expert, Mike is a highly recognizable figure in the world of digital technology and consumer electronics.  As a key influencer in today’s digital generation, he is relied upon to deliver the low-down on the coolest gadgets and products to hit the streets.  His laid back and personable style combined with his ability to speak of real-life features and benefits cuts through the techie clutter and appeals to a wide audience.

As executive producer and host of GetConnected, Mike brings his extensive knowledge, experience, and entertaining personality to consumer audiences.  He also takes his show on the road as a sought after digital living speaker and subject matter expert across North America.

10:00am | Main Conference & Tradeshow | Special interview with Mike Agerbo, CEO of Blink Media

Nicolas Gaudreau | Vice President – Digital Media for Yellow Pages Group

Nicolas Gaudreau is Vice President – Digital Media for Yellow Pages Group, held by Yellow Media Inc., which also owns Canpages. He was appointed to his position in September 2009.

Before joining Yellow Pages Group, Mr. Gaudreau was Vice President and General Manager of Nurun, a global interactive advertising agency. He was responsible for developing a strategy to expand existing markets, developing new customers and revitalizing existing customers.

During his 20-year career, Nicolas Gaudreau has also held progressively senior positions in the telecommunications, technology and engineering industries. Notably, as an executive with Bell Canada, he had demonstrated success in building the company’s online strategy. In his capacity as Vice-President, Interactive marketing, Mr. Gaudreau managed all aspects of www.bell.ca and grew online sales by 25% and increased self-service by 25% resulting in significant annual cost savings. Prior to that, Mr. Gaudreau held the position of Vice-President Marketing Quebec and was accountable for marketing activities for Bell Residential Services which included voice, video and Internet. In addition, he assumed marketing responsibility for the integrated marketing programs in Quebec and Ontario overseeing loyalty initiatives and customer experience.

In his past position as Vice-President - Marketing Product Management for sympatico.ca, Mr. Gaudreau contributed to building Canada’s largest media site, www.sympatico.ca, by increasing traffic by 200%, reaching more than six million consumers a month and surpassing Yahoo! and AOL. He also increased the portal revenues by 100% by launching innovative e-commerce and online media placement opportunities.

A graduate from McGill University, Nicolas Gaudreau holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in telecommunications. Mr. Gaudreau also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration at the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD).

2:45pm | Main Conference & Tradeshow

Norman Attridge | Senior Manager in Small Business Banking, TD Canada Trust

Norm has been working with Small Business Owners now for over 20 years in progressively more senior positions. Presently, Director Small Business Banking for British Columbia and Yukon with TD Canada Trust, he leads a team of some 60 Small Business Advisors and 9 Area Managers. Once a Small Business Owner himself, he has been able to leverage and share those experiences to help Small Businesses grow.

Norm’s passion for Small Business extends to the leaders of tomorrow as well. He sits on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement British Columbia as well as the national Board of Junior Achievement of Canada and teaches financial literacy programs to the youth of BC.

11:00am | Main Conference & Tradeshow | Planning for Success – a business plan that works

Paul Tobey | CEO, Training Business Pros

As CEO and founder of Training Business Pros, Paul Tobey has affected the lives of thousands with his engaging and experiential training in such areas as internet marketing, social media, presentation skills and personal development. Also known as the "Street Smart Marketer" Tobey is listed in the Internet Marketing Hall of Fame and is a search engine optimization specialist.

1:45pm | Main Conference & Tradeshow | Marketing and Mastery

Ravinder Rakhra | Regional Director, Office of Small and Medium Enterprises, Public Works and Government Services Canada

Ravinder Rakhra is the Regional Director in the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) with Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), Pacific Region.

Ravinder has been with PWGSC since 1990 and has a varied background with the Department. She has an academic background in finance and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the Justice Institute of BC.

In her current role, Ravinder is responsible for engaging, informing, and advising small and medium enterprises (SMEs) who are interested in doing business with the federal government. Working with individual businesses, trade, professional and industry associations, academics, non profit, and aboriginal groups the regional office provides information sessions, advice, and support to suppliers, contractors, and professional service providers. The regional OSME also represents the views of SMEs to ensure clear and transparent policies and tools.

3:45pm | Main Conference & Tradeshow | How to Do Business with the Federal Government