Why I'm Returning to the Power of Networking

There was a time in my career when networking wasn't something I scheduled. It was simply how I lived.

As a television producer, my days were built around relationships. Every story started with a conversation. Every opportunity came through a connection. Every successful production depended on trust, collaboration, and the willingness to pick up the phone and stay connected.

Somewhere along the way, many of us drifted from that.

The pandemic changed how we work, communicate, and build relationships. Virtual meetings replaced coffee chats. LinkedIn messages replaced face-to-face conversations. Convenience replaced connection.

This year, I've made a conscious decision to return to something that has always been one of my greatest strengths: networking.

Not networking for the sake of collecting business cards. Networking with intention.

My goal is to reconnect with people, build meaningful relationships, create strategic partnerships, and most importantly, follow up. The truth is that opportunities rarely come from a single introduction. They come from nurturing relationships over time. They come from showing up consistently. They come from staying connected long after the event is over.

That realization is one of the inspirations behind Live Wire: The Power Networking Event.

In July, we will gather at The Globe and Mail Centre to celebrate the second anniversary of Book A Speaker, a milestone that means so much to me personally. What began as an idea to connect organizations with exceptional speakers has grown into a thriving platform built on one simple belief: relationships matter.

Book A Speaker was never just about booking talent. It was about creating opportunities. It was about helping people find the right voice, the right expert, the right connection at the right moment.

As we celebrate two years of growth, it felt fitting to create an event that embodies the very foundation on which the company was built.

That is why I am incredibly excited to welcome Dr. George C. Fraser as our keynote speaker.

For those who know me, you know I don't use the word "legend" lightly.

Dr. Fraser is the original Power Networker.

Long before networking became a buzzword, George Fraser was teaching people how to build relationship capital. He understood that success is rarely achieved alone and that our networks often determine our opportunities. Through his books, speaking engagements, and decades of leadership, he has helped thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives understand the transformative power of connection.

His influence has shaped generations of leaders, including many of us who may not even realize we are applying lessons he first taught decades ago.

Having him join us for this special evening is both an honour and a reminder of what networking is truly about.

It's not transactional.

It's relational.

It's about creating genuine connections that can change the trajectory of a business, a career, or even a life.

Live Wire is being designed as more than an event. It is a room intentionally filled with decision-makers, entrepreneurs, executives, connectors, and community builders. It's a place where conversations can turn into collaborations and introductions can become partnerships.

The world is moving faster than ever, but I believe the fundamentals still matter.

People do business with people.

Trust still matters.

Relationships still matter.

Showing up still matters.

As I look ahead to the next chapter of Book A Speaker, I am excited to get back into rooms, shake hands, have meaningful conversations, and build the kind of partnerships that cannot be created through an algorithm.

If there is one lesson I've learned throughout my career, it is that every opportunity is connected to a person.

Live Wire is a celebration of that truth.

I hope you'll join us as we reconnect, re-engage, and rediscover the power of relationships.

Because your next opportunity may be one conversation away.