Last night was Waterloo, Ontario's first installment of "Ignite Waterloo". Here's what they have to say about themselves: "Ignite Waterloo captures the best of Waterloo Region’s geek culture in a series of five-minute speed presentations on topics ranging from The Best Way to Buy a Car to Hacking Chocolate. Imagine that you’re on stage in front of an audience of hundreds of people, doing a five-minute presentation using a slide deck that auto-forwards every 15 seconds, whether you’re ready or not. What would you do? What would you say? Could you stand the pressure? Every week, find out how some of the smartest minds on the planet dealt with this situation as your host, Brady Forrest, highlights a different talk from Ignites around the world."

Having really enjoyed the event, there are a few key points & speakers I'd like to share.
We started the evening with a cupcake decorating contest. (I wasn't sure weather to eat mine or enter it.) Karl actually won honourable mention for his Igloo Cake claiming that "global warming has been hard".
Jesse Rodgers started the presentations off by inviting us into his alternative 'unconference' and opened our eyes to lots of noteworthy events in the area.
Mark Connolly's chorus about the evolution of the modern 'album' taught the audience about our historical and future uses of the word & who knows where we'll go with it!
Nicholas Oddson reiterated what we already knew about Waterloo's "ToTE" program as well as the personal and social benefits of improv comedy. (Theatre on the Edge plays live improv shows every Thursday evening at Waterloo's Button Factory)
Jason Shim broke out the Kleenex box for me as he dove deep into the world of love in the virtual/real world.
David Stewart inspired my inner photographer with unique ways to display those beautiful panoramas my camera automates.
Kevin Thaler gave us an insight into the police force and the changes it has gone through in the last twenty years... not to mention showing off some year-book photos.

These are just a few of the many great speakers at the event. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised at the sheer quality and confidence of all of the speakers. We walked into this event not knowing what to expect, but were blown away by its organization and implementation. There are plans for another event in the spring and we would love to get involved... but how can we do that without signing up to be a speaker!!?? ;)

Check out their site for more details: www.ignitewaterloo.ca