HeyOrca Community
Summit 2025
May 8, 2025
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Toronto
Join us at our very first Community Summit, where we'll explore the impact of community and the
future of marketing. With less than 100 seats available, this intimate event offers a unique
opportunity to connect directly with presenters, industry leaders, and your peers.
Tickets are now SOLD OUT! Sea you on Thursday!
The future of marketing is community
Our speakers are community building experts from across North America. They've been in the trenches, building and cultivating open and closed spaces where brands and communities thrive.
How to execute and optimize brand collaborations for success
Carson Mason
Manager of Advertising Copy/Content
Community building strategies to incorporate diverse representation
Kevin Tydlaska-Dziedzic
CEO
Crop-tops and condoms: building communities using online haters
Joshua Counsil
Founder
Turn followers into
advocates through community-led marketing
Joe Teo
CEO & Co-founder
Turn followers into
advocates through community-led marketing
Christina Garnett
Chief Community Officer
AI or authenticity? Building communities that feel real on social media
Emily Baillie
Digital Marketing & AI Educator
Building community through founder-led marketing and thought leadership
Daniel Francavilla
Marketing Advisor & Brand Strategist
The Brand Halo Effect and its powerful impact on community-building
Kellie Anderson
Social Media & Brand Manager
Panel: The importance of private
communities in 2025
Tara Salloum
Creative Lead
Tanya Cruz
Director of Communications
Kylie McCracken
Director of Communications/Strategy
Katee Duarte
Co-Founder
Christina Garnett
Chief Community Officer
What to expect
12+
speakers
100
marketers
8
presentations
5
networking breaks
The schedule
8:00
Doors open
8:00 - 9:00
Networking and light refreshments
9:00 - 9:15
Opening remarks
Joe Teo, HeyOrca
9:15 - 9:45
Turn followers into advocates through community-led marketing
Joe Teo and Christina Garnett, HeyOrca
9:45 - 10:15
How to execute and optimize brand collaborations for success
Carson Mason, Papa Johns
10:15 - 10:30
Networking break
10:30 - 11:00
AI or authenticity? Building communities that feel real on social media
Emily Baillie, Compass Content Marketing
11:00 - 11:30
Community building strategies to incorporate diverse representation
Kevin Tydlaska-Dziedzic, BKN Creative
11:30 - 12:45
Lunch break
12:45 - 1:00
Dive back in contest
Lysle Hood, HeyOrca
1:00 - 1:45
Panel: The importance of private communities in 2025
Christina Garnett, HeyOrca; Katee Duarte, Duarte Group; Tanya Cruz, The Influence Agency; Kylie McCracken, Oyster Creative Co.; Tara Salloum, Counter Culture World
1:45 - 2:15
Crop-tops and condoms: building communities using online haters
Joshua Counsil, Good Robot Brewing Company
2:15 - 2:30
Networking break
2:30 - 3:00
Building community through founder-led marketing and thought leadership
Daniel Francavilla, Daniel Does Consulting
3:00 - 3:30
The Brand Halo Effect and its powerful impact on community-building
Kellie Anderson, TechWyse
3:30 - 3:45
Closing remarks
Joe Teo, HeyOrca
3:45 - 5:00
Closing reception
The venue
HeyOrca’s Community Summit will take place at StartWell, a coworking space at 786 King St. W. in Toronto, easily accessible by the Go Train and TTC street car, and with paid parking nearby. See our FAQ for more details.
Frequently asked questions
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, this venue is not wheelchair accessible. The venue is on street level but there is a step to enter the venue and another few steps inside to access the washrooms.
Which hotel would you recommend?
We recommend that you check out a few hotels: Hilton Reverly (a 20 minute walk or 6 minute drive away); Gladstone (a 25 minute walk or 8 minute drive away); Sonders - Artesa (a 32 minute walk or 11 minute drive away); and Hotel Soho (an 18 minute walk or 9 minute drive away).
Which airport should I fly into?
Toronto has two airports to choose from. Pearson Airport (YYZ) is located just outside of the city and hosts most major airlines. Billy Bishop (YTZ) is a smaller airport located downtown that hosts Porter Airlines, Air Transat, Air Canada, Spirit Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines.
Will food by available at the event?
Water, tea, coffee, and small snacks will be provided throughout the day. There was a lunch add-on available for tickets, but as of April 23, that option is sold out. Luckily, there are many restaurant and cafe options available within a short walk from the venue.