The NSI gang arrived in Banff, Alberta on Saturday evening during a torrential downpour. There had even been reports of snow earlier in the day. Sheesh!
NSI Director of Programming Melissa Kajpust and NSI Program Manager Brandice Vivier are at the Banff World Media Festival to host the NSI Power Hour on Tuesday, June 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Crump Room. And I’m here with CEO John Gill, Chris Vajcner Director of Communications & Revenue Development to do the rounds and meet with our fellow industry folks.
I’ve been to nextMEDIA in Banff once before in 2007 or 2008 but this is my first time attending the full-on Banff World Media Festival.
Banff is stunning. One of my favourite places in Canada. Admittedly I haven’t travelled a lot but I think it would be pretty hard to beat the beautiful snow-capped mountains.
View from my hotel room in Banff
On Sunday afternoon we hung out in the Rundle Lounge at the Banff Springs Hotel (sadly, not the hotel I’m staying in) for meetings. I’d happily meet daily there. The views are stunning.
Chris Vajcner and Melissa Kajpust in the Rundle Lounge
NSI’s CEO John Gill striking a pose in the Rundle Lounge
After attending several festival sessions, we all went to the CBC opening reception on Sunday night where we bumped into two thirds of the NSI Features First team Fragments.
Yukon Film and Sound’s Iris Merritt with Neil MacDonald, John Gill and David Hamelin
I’d arranged to meet up with Christine Lim, CEO of Merging Media. It was the first time I’d met Christine though we’ve been emailing back and forth for a while. So we raised a glass to celebrate.
Me with Christine Lim
We stopped to take a few more snaps of the Banff backdrop before heading off for some much-needed dinner.
Me and NSI boss John Gill
Sunday night was an early night for me. Others headed off into the night to meet with more industry friends.
