Digital First Canada (DFC) has officially announced the speaker and session lineup for its first-ever Creator Summit in Vancouver, set to take place on April 25, 2025, at TELUS Garden in downtown Vancouver. The event marks the west coast expansion of DFC’s flagship summit, following three successful editions in Toronto.
The upcoming summit is designed to connect Canada’s leading content creators, platform executives, and digital entrepreneurs under one roof for a full day of education, networking, and industry collaboration. Positioned at the intersection of digital innovation and entrepreneurship, the Creator Summit will offer attendees exclusive insight into the evolving landscape of digital content and creator-led business models.
A First for Vancouver
This marks the first time Digital First Canada has hosted the event outside Ontario, underscoring the growing importance of British Columbia in the global digital content economy. Known as a hotbed for video game development, AR/VR technology, and large-scale media production, B.C. is home to some of the world’s most innovative creators and digital storytellers.
“We’re excited to feature a lineup of leading digital-first creators from British Columbia, which as a province, is a key player in the global creative economy,” said Scott Benzie, Executive Director of Digital First Canada and CEO of Buffer Festival, which produces the summit. “With an attractive mix of artistic and technical talent, B.C. creators produce award-winning content enjoyed by global audiences.”
Summit Highlights
The Vancouver Creator Summit will feature a series of Spotlight sessions hosted by major platforms including YouTube Canada, TikTok Canada, and Snapchat. These sessions will dive deep into trends, tools, and monetization strategies from the platforms that define the digital age.
Other sessions will explore a range of timely topics, including:
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AI and Content Creation: How artificial intelligence is transforming creative workflows.
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Turning Your Content into a Business: Monetization strategies for creators of all sizes.
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Platform Best Practices: Direct insights from the companies behind today’s most influential platforms.
Attendees can also take part in hands-on workshops, interactive panels, and structured networking opportunities designed to spark collaboration and new business ventures.
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Notable Speakers
The summit will bring together some of the most influential figures in Canada’s digital content space. Confirmed speakers include:
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Mia Plays – A gaming content creator known for her entertaining and inclusive approach to live streaming and community-building.
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Morghan Fortier – Co-founder of Skyship Entertainment, one of Canada’s leading digital-first children’s media companies.
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Kristie Smith – A lifestyle and family content creator, sharing her milestones as a new mom with her community on Snapchat.
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Andrew Peterson – Head of YouTube Canada, offering a platform-side view of current trends and future opportunities for Canadian creators.
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Norissa Samuels – Creator Partnerships Lead, Canada at Snapchat, who will speak on the app’s growing creator ecosystem.
Key Partners and Supporters
Digital First Canada has brought together a strong network of partners to support the event. Founding partners include YouTube Canada and TikTok Canada, with TELUS STORYHIVE and Snapchat joining as Gold Partners.
Additional sponsors and supporters include:
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FASKEN – Legal and business support for creators.
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Canada Media Fund (CMF) – Championing Canadian storytelling through funding initiatives.
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Creative BC – Supporting B.C.-based creators and content development.
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Independent Production Fund (IPF)
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Capilano University
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Canadian Creator
This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to building a sustainable and supportive ecosystem for creators across Canada.
Supporting Canada’s Digital-First Future
Digital First Canada is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting, celebrating, and advocating for creators who prioritize digital platforms as their primary medium. The organization aims to provide resources, community, and visibility for creators at all stages of their careers.
“Our summits are more than just conferences — they’re incubators for ideas, connections, and the next generation of digital entrepreneurs,” added Benzie. “Whether you’re just starting out or have a million subscribers, there’s something here for every creator.”
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The Vancouver summit promises to be a pivotal moment for Western Canada’s digital content ecosystem, offering creators, brands, and platforms a unique opportunity to collaborate in one of the world’s most scenic and innovative tech hubs.
How to Attend
Tickets for the Vancouver Creator Summit are available now through DigitalFirstCanada.ca, with additional details on scheduling, speakers, and workshops being updated regularly.
To request press credentials or media interviews, please contact the DFC press team at press@digitalfirstcanada.ca.
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About Digital First Canada
Digital First Canada is a national nonprofit that supports and advocates for Canadian digital-first creators through events, programming, and policy engagement. The organization’s marquee events, the DFC Summits, are produced in partnership with Buffer Festival Inc., an internationally recognized celebration of online video and creator culture.
For more information, visit digitalfirstcanada.ca and bufferfestival.com.
