What a season for business it was! After months and months of preparation; after accumulating more lieu time than I can count; I finally packed my bags for my first-ever business trip in my new career with TrojanOne.

As the marketing coordinator for TrojanOne since last August, I had been heading-up PR, marketing and advertising for the Forum. I had immersed myself in all things Forum, and kind of felt like I had already experienced it. But, to my delight, experiencing it far surpassed any preconceived notions I had about Canada’s premier sponsorship conference.

What I did know: We attract Canada’s sponsorship and marketing elite. Sixty per cent of delegates have over 10 years of experience or more. We were having over 40 speakers from blue chip brands, corps, agencies, properties and not-for-profits. We were going to Whistler, BC. We were partnering with the Canadian Paralympic Committee. We were attending some Paralympic events and the Closing Ceremony. I was excited. I was going to work my butt off!!

What I didn’t know: That I could almost learn more by networking than by attending any session. That it’s okay to network at a bar. That there was NO recession (circa Mark Harrison’s lesson #1). That contrary to expectations, the Canadian sponsorship landscape actually increased last year. That JOHN FURLONG, Vancouver 2010 visionary and VANOC president, would be a surprise guest speaker (thanks to one amazing delegate)! That Steph Dixon would somehow inspire me MORE in person than she did in our phone interview. That I could be brought to tears by sport. That I can still kick anyone’s behind in limbo. That I can be full of stamina on a nightly routine of three-hours sleep. That Whistler is AWESOME. That I CANNOT wait until next year!

Admittedly, I am not surprised by the amazing feedback myself and the Forum team received from delegates. People are sad that it is over. They are sad if the recent 2010 conference was their first one. They met people who speak the same sponsorship language, yet taught them new things. They have already submitted requests to attend next year. The value they walked away with was incredible. It was worth more than the investment. They had too many rum and cokes at night. They had too much fun. They loved our special details, our daily morning emails, our choice of partners, our Whistler Blackcomb discount, our post-conference pub nights, and most importantly: our team. For many, it was the best conference they had ever attended.

We wanted to take it to the top of the mountain. And to the top of the mountain, we climbed.

We have undoubtedly set a new standard. With this standard came a new motivator. We will strive, as a team, to surpass its success year after year. Annually, the Forum partners with a different world-class property, making it unique to the industry. Next year we are partnering with Octane Racing Group Inc. for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.

Get ready, Montréal! We are coming. And we are bringing 300 delegates with us across the finish line!