Sharing truths at a camp for marketers

If you go to a conference and don’t post about it right away on LinkedIn… did you even go?

This time, I waited.
Partially because the cell signal was so low.
But also because it was different.

I spent a few days at Camp re:Connect, held at the classic Camp Wenonah up north.

Normally, it’s full of kids in the summer. This time, it was full of marketers — agency folks, in-house professionals, and independents — all taking time away from downtown Toronto chaos to connect, reflect, and recharge.

A camp for marketers

I’m not the outdoorsy camper type. I really don’t love tents.
Thankfully, that wasn’t an issue.
This rustic camp was equipped with all the basic amenities.

How’d I end up there? Camp re:Connect is hosted by Jocelyn Butler, who I first met years ago through Project: Spaces, a Toronto co-working space. She invited me to speak on an educators’ panel at this camp, and I’m grateful she did.

Jocelyn and her team created something rare — an event built with wellness, connection, and personal growth at the centre.

There was even a mini FuckUp Nights woven in, which was really cool since both of us had recently shared our own talks in that format. And it was hosted by Neil, co-founder of the co-working space that both Jocelyn and I founded our agencies out of.

A slower pace, great setting, and deep sessions

Unlike most industry events, this one wasn’t about cramming in sessions or working through a rigid agenda. It was intentionally slower.

There was no pressure to network or sell. There was time for side conversations, reflection, and late-night fireside chats. And of course space to swim in the lake, sit in Muskoka chairs, or just breathe fresh air.

It was a mix of people just starting out in their marketing career and those 20–30 years into running agencies.

I didn’t open my laptop once.
That’s rare.

What do marketers talk about at camp?

The camp sessions reflected where marketers are at in 2025,here are just a few:

• The Red and Green Flags of Working with Agencies session reminded us how much brand–agency relationships depend on trust and clarity.

• Prompt Daddy gave a reality check on AI — how to use it effectively without losing your voice.

• The Crisis Comms session, Lessons Ripped from the Headlines, highlighted why every brand needs a plan before a crisis hits.

• Leading Without All the Answers reinforced that leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about confidence, mentorship, and humanity.

• The Science of Happiness and Persuasion explored how happiness is marketed vs. how it’s actually lived.

Sessions on storytelling, design, and content creators emphasized that creativity and connection are still at the heart of our work.

And the FuckUp Nights bonfire was a refreshing reminder that failure fuels growth.

What are our talent learning?

The session I spoke on, The Learning Landscape Panel, surprisingly fit in perfectly to wrap up the 3-day event.

Together with José Rosales and Leigh Mitchell, I explored the realities of marketing education today and what it means for both students and the industry.

From our different perspectives, these key themes emerged during the panel:

• Soft skills matter as much as technical skills. Many students struggle not only with research and presentation but also with teamwork, negotiation, and conflict management.

• Education isn’t a guarantee. Investing in a degree or certificate doesn’t automatically lead to a job, which adds to students’ anxiety. There’s many more students graduating than agency/marketing roles available here.

• Experience beyond the classroom is critical. Guest speakers, mock interviews, volunteering, and side projects can give students the reality check they need.

• Mentorship is huge. Industry professionals can have an outsized impact by giving even a small amount of time.

I shared that one of the biggest fears for students is simply not knowing what’s on the other side. They know there’s competition — but they also don’t know what they don’t know. I remind them that they’re not done after this program.

That, along with something I share even with experienced founders and leaders in my workshops: it’s okay to be more than one thing.

And when it comes to preparing them for the realities of work, I added this:

For me, that balance — between being supportive and being real — makes teaching even more meaningful.

What did I take away?

There were definitely some insights and new perspectives from my fellow speakers and attendees in the industry.

But I didn’t come home with pages of notes or a list of “top 10 takeaways.”

Instead, it was something more rare: space to think (with no meetings, classes, calls, and in an epic setting).

Space to reflect on my own goals and next steps. Space to step away from my everyday environment and remember not just being present, but checking in with myself.

Sometimes the lesson isn’t in what you write down — it’s in what you allow yourself to feel and think when you slow down.

What you can do

If you can’t get to a camp anytime soon, I definitely think it’s worth creating your own version of a retreat.

It could be a day in nature, a mini retreat, or even just a day away from the desk to think and reset.

When we take the time to reconnect — with ourselves, with others, with our work — we return not only better professionals, but better teachers, creators, and leaders.