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- Who You’ll Meet, What You’ll Learn, and Why It’ll Sell Out
Who You’ll Meet, What You’ll Learn, and Why It’ll Sell Out
SocialWest 2025 is almost at capacity! Here’s what’s drawing Canada’s marketers in.
In partnership with
Hey friend,
Have you been to a SocialNext event?
You may have heard of Canada’s top marketing conference from a friend, colleague or somewhere through the grapevine of the digital world. What started as a scrappy gathering of marketers eager to learn, connect and share in Calgary, Alberta has since evolved into a national staple, with events in place in five major Canadian cities. It has grown into a cornerstone of Canada’s marketing industry, fostering community, collaboration, and professional development from coast to coast.
And at the heart of it all is SocialWest.
Have you heard of SocialNext Events? |
Coming Up
From Indie Roots to National Stage
Founder, Mike Morrison hosted the first SocialWest in 2016 in a small indie theatre, Globe Cinemas, marketing it as the largest social media and digital marketing conference on the Prairies. Today, it has grown into Canada’s largest digital marketing conference, now taking over the TELUS Convention Centre in downtown Calgary and renowned venues across the country.
Though SocialWest has grown to welcome over 900 marketers from all corners of Canada, its foundation remains unchanged. The event continues to champion inclusivity, representation, and radically practical learning, with high-impact sessions and a vibrant, welcoming community.
But it’s not just the venue or audience that’s evolved. Over the past nine years, the voices on the SocialWest stage have reflected the growth of the marketing industry itself. The event now features some of the best and brightest in Canadian marketing, from mainstream leaders to emerging changemakers, sharing what’s relevant, what’s working, and how to apply it effectively.
SocialWest 2025 features two and a half days of powerhouse sessions with 40+ speakers delivering real-world insights you can take back to your team. This year’s lineup includes:
Neil Patel – Internationally renowned digital marketing expert & keynote speaker
Blair Enns – Agency trailblazer in a featured session with the Institute of Canadian Agencies
Julie Ogilvie – Customer Journeys That Convert
AJ Jones – AI Can Make Your Marketing Worse (Unless You Know What You’re Doing)
Caley Dimmock – What’s Actually Working in Meta Ads
Jennifer Radostits – Building Calgary’s Brand
Dave Thomas – Master Your Unfair Advantage
Rae Scott – Social Search Trends
Derek Hovinga – Content Beyond Brand Awareness
…and 30+ more of the sharpest minds in marketing. Explore the sessions and meet the full speaker lineup.
If you can’t resists this lineup (we absolutely can’t), you’ll need to act fast. There are fewer than 100 tickets left! Secure your seat by midnight Friday, May 23 to save $150.
Get your ticket and be part of a community that truly represents, elevates and energizes Canada’s marketing industry.
Community Spotlight
Meet Anniston Ward, a powerhouse marketer at Metricool, where she helps social media managers, freelancers, and small business owners simplify their strategy and scale smarter.
Over the past two years, she’s done it all—SEO copywriting, influencer campaigns, email marketing, PR, and large-scale events. Her well-rounded experience and digital know-how make her a go-to resource for modern marketers.
Wondering which social platforms are actually worth your time in 2025? Catch Anniston breaking it down with real data, case studies, and actionable tips on the SocialWest stage. Her expertise will help you discover where to focus your energy, how to tap into new markets, and how to drive growth without maxing out your team or your budget.
About Metricool: Metricool is an all-in-one platform that helps marketers, agencies, and businesses plan, manage, and analyze their digital presence. From social media scheduling and performance tracking to competitor analysis and reporting, Metricool makes it easy to streamline your strategy and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Join Anniston and the Metricool crew June 11-13 at SocialWest.
Join us in the SocialNext Marketing Alliance for free webinar and workshops every week. Plus, build your network and make connections with marketers across Canada.
Upcoming Webinars, Workshops and Partner Events
Mental health advocate Brittany Krystantos shares how she’s built a powerful digital platform to inspire connection, courage, and community change. In this uplifting session, she explored how young people can harness social media to spark impact, embrace vulnerability, and become true changemakers.
When: Wednesday, May 21 @ 10 AM MST/12 PM EST
Where: SocialNext Marketing Alliance - RSVP
Privacy and Your Business: An Introduction to PIPEDA
Join Cyberimpact’s Geoffrey Blanc and advisors from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada for a free session on how businesses can comply with PIPEDA and better protect client and customer privacy. You’ll get an overview of Canada’s federal privacy law, its 10 Privacy Principles, and practical insights tailored for businesses.
When: Thursday, May 22 @ 9:30 AM MST/11:30 AM EST
Where: Zoom - RSVP
Multiply Your Impact: Unlocking the Power of Strategic Partnerships
In a world of tight budgets and big expectations, collaboration is the new competitive edge. Join Crystal MacGregor, marketing leader at Food Island Partnership, as she shares real-world strategies for stretching your marketing dollars and building powerful cross-sector partnerships.
When: Wednesday, May 28 @ 10 AM MST/12 PM EST
Where: SocialNext Marketing Alliance - RSVP
There’s fewer than 100 tickets left for Calgary’s SocialWest! Don’t miss your chance to be in the room with 900+ Canadian marketers, June 11–13. Save $150 when you buy before midnight on Friday May 23.
Did you hear the news? Arlene Dickinson is coming to SocialEast! She’ll be joining us as a keynote speaker in Halifax, NS on September 25 & 26. Secure your seat to see Arlene!
More SocialPacific updates to come! BC’s largest marketing event returns to North Vancouver on October 30, 2025! Get your tickets at the best price, now.
Canadian Marketing & Business Weekly Brief
Hudson’s Bay to sell brands to Canadian Tire for $30 million - Canadian Tire is acquiring Hudson’s Bay’s iconic stripes and branding in a $30M deal. As Hudson’s Bay restructures, what could this brand handoff mean for both companies?
MEC returns to Canadian ownership - After five years under U.S. ownership, MEC is back in Canadian hands. The new leadership group plans to re-centre the brand around community, sustainability, and outdoor culture.
“Buy Indigenous to Buy Canadian”: CCIB campaign empowers action - The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business has launched a national campaign spotlighting Indigenous-owned businesses. A new badge and searchable directory aim to drive visibility and economic inclusion.
Tariffs hitting prices, say Loblaws and Walmart - Loblaws and Walmart are warning of rising costs tied to U.S. tariffs, with price increases already marked in-store. As trade tensions ripple into the retail experience, how are marketers preparing for the impact?
American brands are downplaying their U.S. roots in Canadian ads - Amid trade tensions, brands like McDonald’s and Kraft Heinz are localizing Canadian ads. Will softening their American image help regain consumer trust?
Trends & Insights: Take Note
Cyberimpact’s State of Email Marketing in Canada 2024 Report is officially here. They reveal key trends, challenges, and what’s working for Canadian marketers when it comes to email strategy, deliverability, and engagement.
Catherine Cormier, CPO of Assent, sat down with Canadian Business to dive into how organizations’ can build an ethical supply chain.
For all our Social Media Managers, HeyOrca has released their 2025 Community Benchmark Report. Dive into the latest insights on how social media managers are planning, positing and performing across platforms in 2025.
If you’re on the hunt for your next career opportunity, Growclass has created The Marketer’s Guide to Getting Hired to help job seekers stand out.
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Find Your Next Career Move
Manager, Digital Marketing Journey – Scotiabank (Toronto, ON)
If you're looking to enter the finance industry, Scotiabank is hiring a digital marketer with 3–4 years of experience running full-funnel campaigns across paid, owned, and organic channels. You’ll lead end-to-end customer journeys, optimize performance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive real impact.
Social Media Manager – Specsavers (Burnaby, BC)
Specsavers is hiring a Social Media Manager with 3 to 6 years of experience leading campaigns across platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This hybrid role focuses on content creation, influencer partnerships, and community building to grow brand visibility and engagement across Canada.
Head, Product Marketing – Neo Financial (Calgary, AB)
Ready to shape the future of fintech? Neo is hiring a senior product marketer with 10+ years of experience in go-to-market strategy, positioning, and cross-functional leadership. You’ll lead integrated campaigns, unify messaging across channels, and influence how millions of Canadians engage with Neo’s financial products.
Marketing Content Coordinator – Blume (Remote, Canada)
Blume is hiring a creative and highly organized content coordinator with 1 to 3 years of experience in social media, video editing, and community engagement. You’ll produce on-brand content, manage influencer and event activations, and bring the brand to life across digital and IRL touchpoints. Bonus if you’re comfortable being in front of the camera.
Thanks for being here!
See you (hopefully) in Calgary,
The Marketing News Canada team
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