MRIA - Conference 2011

Kelowna Magic!!

MRIA 2011 Conference “Ripe with Innovation”

Video Highlights of the 2011 Conference

Cameron Welch

Kelowna's own Slam Poet

The 2011 MRIA Conference in Kelowna - a visual overview

The 2011 MRIA National Conference in Kelowna flew past. We now bring you a couple of conference memories through the lens of conference photographer George Dimitrov. Presentation materials will be made available within the next week with the conference highlights video on June 25. Thanks also to all who participated in the post-conference survey. Click on the thumbnails to view larger versions.


Tony, Lesley, Sarah and Jeanette at the Sunday Welcome Reception. The very professional support of Lesley and Sarah from Synergy Events made the logistical and creative part of this conference a unique experience. Synergy also proposed the first ever MRIA conference App!	Being very creative in the Tradeshow area to attract the crowds!	Having a super time on Sunday evening: Liz, Don and Margaret.

Vernon's Andrew Johns... funny with a never-ending repertoire!	Okanagan beauty and wine	Having a jolly good time!

I see it like this ...	Enjoying a glass of fine Okanagan wine and views of the lake, during the Welcome Reception

Official Opening: Monday


Monday morning started with the performance 'Heavy in your Arms" by the Mission Dance Centre.	Andrew Smith – an amazing tap-style guitarist playing for the opening ceremony. Andrew. Andrew is one of a handful of Canadians to have won the Kerrville Newfolk Song writing competition.	Kelowna's own Slam Poet Cameron Welch practising the piece he wrote specifically for the conference. Cameron, a 19 year old UBCO student received a standing ovation.

Xwyluxalqs and Skyaka, the great-grandchildren of the Okanagan hereditary chief Nkwala, commonly known as the Upper Nicola Indian Band, performed two traditional songs for the Opening Ceremony.	Opening Keynote speaker John Furlong, CEO of VANOC (Vancouver Olympic Committee) held the audience spellbound with his presentation on "The Vision that changed a Nation,". John explained how marketing research kept the VANOC team in touch with Canadians and their expectations for the Games.	Gary Bennewies of Pinnacle Sponsor Ipsos Canada, introducing John Furlong.

Over to Finn Raben, an Irishman from Amsterdam and ESOMAR Director General, moderator of our first panel discussion on Privacy and Ethics in the research industry. In the realm of social media research and 'listening' on Facebook and Twitter, appropriate guidelines are critical. Finn was joined by David Stark, Patrick Glaser and Brian Bowman.	Cam Davis chokes up at some of the responses offered during the “test the team” educational session: 'Not a Trivial Pursuit '!	Keynote speaker Kees de Jong of the Netherlands with his presentation: "Panels are People?" With the growth of online research and declining response rates all round, Kees explained how critical it has become to build and retain engagement with respondents and panellists (i.e. people), and specifically bring respect, enjoyment and engagement back into marketing research.

Monday Evening: Our Gala Welcome Reception


And then it was time to have fun again, celebrating creativity, innovation and excellence!	Our entertainers for the evening were Sassabrass – a Vancouver band. HOT appetizers at the welcome reception!	It’s magic!

Getting in the mood.	Now young man, I don't care how good your wines are in the Okanagan, where I come from we drink beer.	Several industry legends attended

The second annual Hotspex Rock-Paper-Scissors contest held during the Welcome Reception on Sunday, with several valuable mobile prizes.	Kimberlee didn't win the Rock-Paper-Scissors contest, but received a special award for the most spirited contestant!

Sizzling with Excellence - Our Gala Banquet and Awards Ceremony


Hospex sponsored the Gala Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Vancouver band Sassabrass carried the Sizzling theme through.	Recipients of the Certified Marketing Research Practitioner (CMRP) certificate. Some of the 2010/2011 recipients accepting their awards in Kelowna.	The Kraft team!

David had us all in stitches with his falsetto impersonation of Mother Superior in the Sound of Music.	Just amazing! Did you hear that voice!	And Ruth, you're our girl! Thanks also for playing so superbly on the piano on Sunday morning! You are certainly multi-talented!

And after a spicy Spanish Dinner and Awards the dancing started!	Some were hot...	Magic table decorations

Shake your boogie!!

Tuesday Morning! Our Plenary Energizer with the Drum Cafe!

Many delegates needed an energizing session on Tuesday morning following the Gala dinner. (Sad to say some missed it all together!) We brought in the Drum Café from Richmond – led by Munkie (a Zimbabwean)! We all found our inner rhythm – as can be seen from the pictures below!

Back to serious discussion


Keynote speaker Ari Popper, still breathing heavily after active participation in an energetic drumming session, presents ‘The latest innovations in We’search’.	Enjoying the moment	I could stay in the Okanagan...

Plenary panel discussion on "The survey respondent – headed for extinction?" moderated by Shane Skillen, with active debate by Janine Keogh, Norm Baillie-David, Rasheeda Qureshi and Kristin Luck.	The closing plenary panel discussion on "Trends and Challenges – the new Face of Marketing Research." Moderated by Bernie Malinoff, with Jean-Marc Leger, Don Mills, Gary Bennewies and Tom Anderson left us with much food for thought!

The Closing Party! French, Funky and Fruity!

And then it was time to celebrate with Kraft!


Donnalee's (live) table legs caused a stir. She would move them whenever somebody took an appetizer!	Artist Angela Bonten in action.	Doing the can-can!

Amazing and talented cartoon artist Mark Siermaczeski from North Vancouver captured our mood at the end of the evening! Be careful what you share! Mark can be reached at mark@crueltyfreecartoons.com. And that's it for Kelowna 2011!! Let the Good Times Roll and see you in St Johns!!!

Tony & Jeanette
Your hosts in Kelowna

Stay up-to-date! The Kelowna Connection

For frequent updates on the 2011 National Conference watch your inbox for the Kelowna Connection eNewsletter.

Past issues can be viewed here:

• June 14, 2011
• May 16, 2011
• April 19, 2011
• April 1, 2011
• March 28, 2011
• March 15, 2011
• March 3, 2011
• February 15, 2011
• January 19, 2011
• January 10, 2011
• November 4, 2010

Looking forward to seeing you in Kelowna!