EXCLUSIVE: Shalom Life Talks to IDIA’s Dan Jacob

Dan Jacob

Toronto’s Dan Jacob is the Co-Founder and Chief IDIA Guy at IDIA Events, an event management and production company known for hosting some of the most popular conferences and events in the city. He is a talented marketer, event producer, and entrepreneur who has worked with major organizations such as the National Hockey League, the Canadian Football League and Toronto’s Luminato Festival of Arts & Creativity.

Jacob is also the Lead Organizer and Co-Chair of TEDxToronto, Canada’s largest and fastest growing ideas conference. TEDxToronto has been featured in The Globe & Mail, the National Post, Metro News, BlogTO and the Torontoist. Since it’s inception in 2009, the conference has grown to an audience of over 700 people with an online viewership of over 25,000.

Shalom Life had the opportunity to speak with Jacob about IDIA Events, TedxToronto, and the key to planning a successful event.

How did you come to realize that marketing and event planning were for you? Were these career options you’d always wanted to pursue?

I began organizing events as early as I can remember but always saw it more as a hobby than I did a career. After university, I was hired into the TELUS Leadership Development Program, where I worked a series of 4 to 6 month business rotations in various departments, developing a better understanding of the telecom industry.

After trying various roles – from pricing to product development – I came across a position in event marketing & sponsorship and really loved it. I ended up securing a full-time job on the TELUS events team and worked for a few more years on national sponsorships that included working with top partners such the National Hockey League, the Canadian Football League and the Luminato Festival for Arts and Creativity.

While I enjoyed my time in the corporate world, I had always wanted to have my own business, and so I decided in 2011 to leave TELUS and start my own venture, IDIA Events.

What was the idea (pardon the pun) behind the formation of IDIA Events?

Generally speaking, people attend conferences for two main reasons. The first is to network and connect with others; and the second, is to learn something new.

However, a growing problem with many events is that they forget to focus on either of these two areas, so unfortunately many attendees are left with a feeling of disappointment, frustration and an overall feeling that the conference they attended was not time well spent.

IDIA Events aims to change that and produce exceptional quality events designed to better connect people and to help them learn something new. The belief is that by doing this, people will naturally begin to collaborate with one another that will lead to inspiring their dreams into action.

What’s your favourite part of what you do?

I love hearing stories about how people met at one of my events and have become business partners or are collaborating on a new project together. It reinforces my belief in the power events have to bring people together to create a positive impact in the world.

What makes a great event?

A great event is comprised of three things – the “3 P’s” – great people, a great program, and great production.

Great people means marketing your event to a group of people who are engaged in the subject matter of your event. This subject could be industry specific or more geared towards something broad like personal development – either way, the goal is to curate a diverse audience of people who all have a shared interest in being there but can also offer one another something unique. The combination of having a room full of people with a shared interest and unique skills -- allows you as an event organizer to maximize the networking potential of your conference.

A great program means finding engaging speakers and entertainment to build around a central theme that will leave your audience thinking about it for weeks after the event is over.

Finally, great production means mastering the logistical details that go into making a great event -- from the audio visual specifications, to the catering requirements – the devil is in the details and making sure you have top notch production will amplify the overall event experience for everyone.

What’s your number one networking tip?

Smile.

It makes you approachable and likeable without even having to open your mouth!

Seriously though. The best networkers are people who are relaxed and genuinely interested in getting to know others. Think about it. If someone is talking to you and it feels forced or phony – you probably don’t have much interest in continuing the conversation. Instead, try to find common ground with someone. It will make the conversation more interesting and memorable for both people involved.

Let’s face it - at the end of the day, people do business with people they like.

What would you consider your greatest achievement so far, professionally or otherwise?

My greatest achievement so far is having left the corporate world to pursue my long time dream as an entrepreneur. It’s an achievement I am proud of because it has required significant fortitude and focus in order to build my company to where it is today.

Are you involved in the Jewish community?

I am a member of Holy Blossom Synagogue here in Toronto and a proud alumnus of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) Camp George, in Parry Sound, Ontario.

What do you do in your spare time?

I’m an avid traveller – having spent time in a number of great spots such as the Galapagos Islands and New Zealand. I’m also training for my first triathlon, so there’s a good chance you’ll see me at our friendly neighbourhood JCC!

For more information about IDIA Events or TEDxToronto, visit http://www.idiaevents.ca or http://tedxtoronto.com.

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