Web Directions North 2008 - Looking Back
Posted by: Carl Smith on Saturday February 2, 2008
It’s the Sunday night after Web Directions North 2008 and I was sitting here thinking over all of the great moments of the week. So, while everything is fresh in my mind, I wanted to send out this message of thanks to everyone we met at Web Directions North 2008.
Dave Shea
We appreciate you letting nGen play a part in Web Directions North 2008, and for not firing us when we asked you to follow your dreams. It’s an awesome conference and I hope you keep it going.
Maxine Sherrin
Thanks for being so helpful and tolerating our silly antics. You looked dead sexy in that nGen Works shirt at Whistler!
John Allsopp
I can’t thank you enough for all the kind words about nGen you shared with the WDN crowd, as well as explaining Australian Rules Football to us. We all know who’s number 1!
Derek Featherstone
Thanks for the insight into real world accessibility, and for helping me find out how to pronounce Gina’s name. Next time I promise I’ll listen. (Oops!)
Cindy Li
You always make us laugh. We’re on board for sponsoring the SxSW bowling tournament, so let us know how we can help.
Jeffrey Zeldman
Thanks for the kind words about Happy Webbies. We’re glad you enjoy them, and we’d love to see a picture of your daughter wearing your shirt.
Jonathan Snook
The look on your face was priceless when I said I didn’t know if anyone from Sidebar was at the conference. Thanks for not punching me. I swear I was busy trying to find a medium Eric Meyer shirt and just didn’t see you. Your happy day will come sir.
Jared Spool
Thank you for the tremendous workshop and talk. I will be explaining home pages as hotel lobbies for the rest of my career. Thanks also for the conversations we had, you opened my eyes to new ways of looking at things.
Gina Trapani
I really enjoyed speaking with you and loved hearing about how so many people came together to make Better Gmail a reality. Thanks also for Life Hacker, anyone who hasn’t checked it out really should.
Jina Bolton
I know we didn’t really get to talk, but it was nice to meet another Happy Webbie. I hope to see you again soon.
Indi Young
Best of luck with the (fingers crossed) new client. If we can help with the lay of the land at all please let me know. Also, thank you very much for the talk on innovation and mental models. I learned a lot from your approach at Adaptive Path and it was great to hear you speak in person. And yes, I’ll give Battlestar Gallactica a try.
Boris Mann
You, sir are a scholar and a gentleman. And you have a cool jacket. Thanks for referencing nGen Works in your talk. It is a huge compliment that you feel we’re doing things right. We are also looking forward to getting together to discuss Expression Engine with your team.
Eric Rodenbeck
Your approach to data visualization is amazing. I’ll always remember listening in on your conversation with Matt Webb and Jairus regarding science fiction. I have way too many books I have to read now.
Brian Fling
Although we only got to see each other for a few minutes, it was great to get to talk with you. I would love to find a way that we can keep talking so we can help each other continue to innovate and grow. I will gladly trade you content docs for a client guide any day of the week.
Cyndi Fling
Thanks for your beautiful smile, it warmed up Vancouver. Be sure and keep those guys in line.
D. Keith Robinson
So guys always lead with rock, do they sir? We’ll see about that at SxSW. I enjoyed our conversations, particularly about how our companies are growing and adapting to the challenges we face. I know our paths will continue to cross, and I look forward to hanging with the Blue Flavor crew in Austin.
Jeff Croft
Glad you made it to Whistler and we had a chance to share a beer and some laughs. We will definitely do the same in Austin.
Tiffani Jones
I have no doubt you will whip the BF boys into shape. Between you and Cyndi they have more than they can handle. Congratulations and best of luck in the new job. We’ll see you in Austin.
Matt Webb
I’m not really sure where to start. Our conversations were the kind I wish didn’t have to end. Not just because you listened to me rattle on about some idea or other. I felt I was learning the entire time I was around you. I hope you get the chance to look up my brother in London, and I really hope we find a way to stay in touch. Best of luck with your radio and finding a use for the other two buttons.
Andy Clarke
Thanks for adding that touch of style and class we so desperately need when this many geeks gather in one location. Your Stuff and Nonsense pin will be among my treasured possessions. What the … someone stole the damned thing. TRAVIS!
Adrian Vogel
Ah yes, how could we ever forget “The German.” Adrian, you are a true friend of nGen. Best of luck with everything when you get home. Stay focused and work hard, you are going to do wonderful things as a designer. I have no doubt we will see you again. P.S. Travis said he was sorry for whatever it was that upset you.
Kimberly Elam
It was great meeting you. Who knew so many Floridians would make the trip to Canada?
Josh Williams
We didn’t get to say hello, but I wanted to say thanks for BlinkSale. It has made our invoicing so much easier to manage. Next time you’re around I will track you down.
Daniel Burka
I enjoyed our conversation about the insane RFP that both nGen Works and silverorange received. Best of luck with Digg and Pownce.
Gloria Leung
Thanks for inviting me to the Radio-Canada table for lunch. You made me feel like we had been long lost friends. Best of luck with everything you have to juggle.
Paul Jarvis
We really appreciated the invite to watch the LOST season premiere at your place, that damned WDN flu bit half our team though. We’ll take a rain check!
Pascal Laliberté
Thanks for providing me support with your calm demeanor while the drunken Englishman tried to convince me the only hope for America was to re-unite with the empire. I enjoyed hanging out throughout the conference. Best of luck at the university and in your future endeavors.
Tyler Roehmholdt
Thanks for all the kind words about Happy Webbies. I wish we had gotten a chance to talk more, but I know we’ll keep the conversation going online.
Holly Brewer
Do your best to stay sane around all the crazy guys you work with at Ascentium. I enjoyed spending time with you that night at Earls and hope to see you again soon.
Sune Brostrom
You definitely win the coolest card award, but then again you work for Lego so it’s an easy victory. Safe journey back to Denmark and I hope we get to talk again soon. You know, if Lego Denmark needs an awesome web development company …
Jairus Pryor
Thanks for the conversation on the way up to Whistler, and in the bar that night. I have no doubt your current project at Bank of Canada is going to be everything you want it to. I look forward to hearing how the world ends, and staying in touch.
Dawn Waswick
I have your small Eric Meyer shirt, I swear!
Happy Webbies Fans @ WDN
Wow! That’s really all I can say. It was wonderful hearing from all of you how much you love Happy Webbies. We appreciate that we can put a smile on your faces, and we’ll keep them coming. Please post your photos on Flickr tagged Happy Webbies so we can see you enjoying the shirts, pins and desktops.
Until we meet again, thanks for all the laughs and inspiration!
Filed under: Design, Interweb, nGen News
Dave S.
02.04.08 at 1:58pm
Thanks for your hard work on the bag art, and for making the trip up to snowy Canada. You guys rock, and the conference was all the better for having the four of you around.
Tyler Roehmholdt
02.04.08 at 3:26pm
All I can say is you have to work on your 5-pin Carl. It was great meeting you and I definitely look forward to interacting with you and your team more, on and off the professional circuit.
Keith
02.04.08 at 5:58pm
It was great to hang out with you man (and the rest of the nGen crew (Hi guys, hope you feel better!)) I’m really looking forward to seeing y’all in Austin!
Carl Smith
02.04.08 at 8:20pm
@Dave Thank you sir. We fully intend to be there next year and raise it up another notch. You heard it here first, we’ll stay for the second day in Whistler in 2009!
@Tyler I won that first game so tread lightly, but the second game I stunk it up. I swear it was that Canadian beer that had me seeing 10 pins towards the end. Just give me a call, we’d love to talk more.
@Keith SxSW will be a blast this year! If we’re lucky they’ll all be recovered by then. Poor fellas.
Adrian
02.07.08 at 3:08am
I really enjoyed the time! Thank You!
And no – I’m not upset with anybody – except you Carl ;)