Intercultural Dialogue Institute - Family Dinner

At one time in January, I received an invitation to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald for a Intercultural Dialogue Friendship Dinner. I had almost forgot about it and didn't know anything about it until Ryan Jespersen of BT Edmonton reminded me of it a few days before. I was not even sure if I should attend as I could not find an email or any information about it. I wondered why they would pick an ordinary citizen like me to attend this.  I checked the website on a previous dinner and suddenly became excited about it when I saw that many people from politicians to influential people in the community would be there. It's not that I wanted to attend some "hoity- toty" event, but rather that I would be honoured to be in their presence.

I arrived to find many people from what I thought were from the eastern countries of the world. I learned later that many were from the country Turkey.  I became educated on small aspects of their culture as the night ensued.  I was intrigued by their country slide show which was presented during dinner. I was moved by a performer's playing of his flute which was so much like the Native flute in Canada. To feel it touch my heart in the same way, bridged the gap between them and me in the way of music. There was an artist there who did art with water and drops of what I presume was oil.

Our table 13 had two children who greeted us at the entrance with little candy and they were in their Turkish outfits. They were adorable and well mannered.  Their mother never had to scold them at the table and told us they are very privileged to be there in the no children event.

I was able to introduce myself as First Nation roots but raised by a German Mother and Swiss Father who adopted me. Therefore, I felt sort of neat to say that I was also of Swiss citizenship which I received when I was adopted.

At our table, I learned of different roots of the ones at my table. One beautiful lady from the University of Alberta was from United States and her Father was African American and her Mother was German. Another man's roots were from Norway and a lady's roots came from England. So, everyone had different walks of life and occupations, but that even seemed to connect us on one common ground.  Even though everyone came from various backgrounds, it really meant nothing at the present moment because we were all Canadian citizens contributing to life in our own God given ways.

The following information is from the Intercultural Institute's website to explain about their Friendship dinner.


Annual Dialogue & Friendship Dinners IDI dinners are organized to contribute to the progress of intercultural-interfaith dialogue and peace. With the participation of esteemed guests and people from different faiths, cultures, and ethnicities, these gatherings have come to symbolize our desire to achieve a genuine cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.


IDI hosts the Dialogue & Friendship Dinners in many cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. Since 2004, each of these dinners has served approximately 200 attendees; who come from all walks of life; including the members of the government, members of parliament; ambassadors, bureaucrats, business people, media members, professors, as well as religious and community leaders.


So, I walk away from this experience thankful that I chose to spend some time with the community of Edmonton instead of watch a certain hockey game in which they lost anyways. I was filled with a passion for people and a hunger for more relationships of beautiful souls, that know no color. Yes, I passed out my business card, but not with the intention to make new clients, but rather to connect in the future if possible.


If you want to search some tweets from last night, Please type hash tag: #yegdialogue

Red Carpet Photos at Brand Like a Rock Star

BMP - Boller Photography was a sponsor for this red carpet event at the River Cree Resort & Casino on January 31. People were all charged up and full of energy this evening as they just survived a cold Arctic blast for the past few days.  I'm sure we would not have seen as many skirts if it was the previous night of -20+ degree weather.

This event featured Steve Jones  and his book Brand Like A Rock Star.  His book was inspired by Jimmy Buffet's song Margaritaville and how it evolved into a multi million dollar brand. It taught me that bigger is not always better with other brands that they discussed. A very inspiring little talk leaving the audience wanting him to return for more business inspiration.  There was various networking of businesses at the event including lots of real estate people.

 Kymberly Allison was host to this event and started the night with an energy bar of social media tips for individuals to use in their business.  She came in dancing like a true rock star with a very sexy dress. Jennifer Kennedy also Emceed the event of Kennedy Real Estate 

I believe you can judge an event's success as to how fast the people leave afterwards? Well, in this case, few people left afterwards as many stayed to mingle with other "balcony thinking" people.  Just having a logo and representing a huge corporation is not good enough if you are in the business of selling yourself.

Independent Jewellers was a sponsor at the event and gave away diamond gold earrings!

Click on the Link for some of the fun photos of the night. Boller Photography Facebook Page.  Book Boller Photography for your Red Carpet Events. We will provide prints for your guests in less than a minute!

Kymberly Allison of Marketing RX

Nicola Doherty and Tracey of BLO hair.

Tips for Booking Photo Booths.

So for the last two years you have attended photo booths at your cousin's wedding and probably have the "wall of shame" photo on your fridge for months now. You have attended wedding shows like bridal fantasy or Bridal Expo and seen the growing companies out there. Like our company, they have tried to give you the best magical experience inside and now it's time for you to decide what works best for you.  There are various packages available in terms of time you can have the booth.  I will give you tips for our photo booth company.

The most recommended package that I recommend for brides is a 4 hour package. I don't think you need a 6 hour package as there is a lot of dead time where you are paying for a photo booth but not using it.  The most common weddings that I have rented to are the ones that use the photo booth at 930 at night and beyond. Speeches and that video show you thought was cute, go way beyond the time that was planned and the photo booth contract is ticking away with dead time. You are paying for his / her "time" and will most likely quit at the same time that night.

There is a 2 hour package available, but I try to talk weddings out of it, and not so that I make more money. It's because for the most part, the guests don't find the 2 hours sufficient and complain at the photo booth host for the short time almost every time.  The wedding party usually does end up buying extra time, but the overtime is usually more expensive than if they had just bought the normal 4 hour package.

Sometimes, I have the photo booth go for cocktail hour and stop for a few hours until the dance and party start. It really helps if the bride offers dinner for the photo booth host in cases like this at no extra cost to the package.

Our photo booths can accommodate Aunt "Hilda" in a wheel chair if needed. Sometimes we have to add a chair for the little people if some brides invited their nieces and nephews before being sent away to the baby sitter for the night.

The size of the photo booths are 5 ft x 5ft of space that can fit in most corners, hallways, or nooks. We have even been in clothes closets. It is sometimes an ideal situation for the photo booth to be outside of the main ballroom so the guests can use it without disrupting the speeches and activities.  The enclosed photo booths are great for the shy crowds as they can go inside without people watching them. More inhibitions as lost in the enclosed photo booths. It can be a place of romance in that most couples of all ages, manage to steal a kiss for the night inside away from the guests.  What goes on in the photo booth stays in the photo booth and gets captured on the CD for the bride and groom.

Therefore, ask your photo booth company how many people can fit inside the photo booth. Some companies can only handle 2-3. Our photo booths accommodate 8-10 inside. I have seen up to 14 people for some photos with creative positioning.

If weddings are during the week or Sundays, ask for discounts because I would offer this for the slow times.  I am always open to discounts if asked. There is a saying "Ask for what you want".

Like other companies, the packages include unlimited photos, albums, and free CD.

Book with our photo booths at BMP photo booths