Gander Creator Jam at Toronto Tech Week

Ben Waldman

A few nights ago, we hosted our first ever Gander Creator Jam as part of Toronto Tech Week. Actually… I guess it would be our first event, ever.

The idea: get together creators, users, and anyone interested in the direction we’re taking for Gander, and get some live input and feedback over drinks.

We figured “art gallery” is a good spot for discussions around creativity and social media, so we hosted at Beauchamp Gallery thanks to our Head of Community, Alison.

Not only did we get some great input and feedback on our interactive prototype, but we managed to meet a ton of people both in and out of the startup ecosystem and get our boogie on.

If you weren’t there, here’s what you missed. If you were, maybe you can find yourself in the pics.

A woman stands behind a small table speaking to two attendees at an event. The table has a laptop, pens, and flyers promoting Gander’s Creator Program, with posters on the wall beside her. Bright light from the gallery window illuminates the scene.
Event reception giving attendees the lay of the land.
Two men talk inside an art gallery, one in a beige blazer and the other holding a playful golden sign on his head. Colorful paintings and a digital display surround them, while more people converse in the background near the entrance.
DFFRNT prepping the prototype station.
A pile of square stickers printed with the Gander logo, illustrations of flying Canada geese, and the tagline “The Social Media You Want, Built for Canada,” displayed on a burgundy fabric surface.
So. Many. Stickers.
People gather and talk inside an art gallery, with colorful paintings on the walls. In the background, a digital screen displays the Gander app interface, while groups of attendees mingle and chat.
Attendees got deep into conversation around the warm glow of the Gander prototype.
Two men stand in front of colourful cityscape paintings at an art gallery. One looks at his phone while the other faces the artwork. On the wall beside them, Gander branding and a sign reading “Ideas Wanted: Ads & Monetization” are displayed.
Attendees doing attendee things.
A group of people gather and talk inside an art gallery, standing near colourful abstract paintings and a glass display case. The atmosphere is lively and conversational.
Event getting crowded… with lots of great conversations.
A wall poster showing an outline map of Canada with the text “The Social Media You Want, Built for Canada” and the Gander logo. Several sticky notes are placed on different regions of the map with handwritten comments. Illustrations of flying Canada geese are on the right and bottom of the map.
Users came from all over the country.
People mingle and chat inside an art gallery with colourful modern paintings on the walls, under bright track lighting.
Early in the evening convos kicking off… including some great ones with Aaron Rodericks from Bluesky.
Mafe all smikl
Two women laugh together in front of a wall decorated with flying Canada geese illustrations and Gander branding, appearing candid and joyful.
Our COO, Jen and her business partner Leslie from Wren Insight Group laughing about an inside joke that probably only they know.
A person wearing glasses and a denim jacket poses playfully, holding a round black sign with the word “gander” in white text next to their face. Behind them, a backdrop features flying Canada geese and the phrase “Join the Flock gandersocial.ca.”
Ben doing his best to draw your eye to our logo.
Six people stand together in front of artwork and a wall decorated with flying Canada geese illustrations. They are smiling and holding up playful cut-out props, including geese, a beaver, a speech bubble, the word “gander,” and a sign with symbols.
Wrapping up the night with the Gander event team.
A woman stands behind a small table speaking to two attendees at an event. The table has a laptop, pens, and flyers promoting Gander’s Creator Program, with posters on the wall beside her. Bright light from the gallery window illuminates the scene.
Two men talk inside an art gallery, one in a beige blazer and the other holding a playful golden sign on his head. Colorful paintings and a digital display surround them, while more people converse in the background near the entrance.
A pile of square stickers printed with the Gander logo, illustrations of flying Canada geese, and the tagline “The Social Media You Want, Built for Canada,” displayed on a burgundy fabric surface.
People gather and talk inside an art gallery, with colorful paintings on the walls. In the background, a digital screen displays the Gander app interface, while groups of attendees mingle and chat.
Two men stand in front of colourful cityscape paintings at an art gallery. One looks at his phone while the other faces the artwork. On the wall beside them, Gander branding and a sign reading “Ideas Wanted: Ads & Monetization” are displayed.
A group of people gather and talk inside an art gallery, standing near colourful abstract paintings and a glass display case. The atmosphere is lively and conversational.
A wall poster showing an outline map of Canada with the text “The Social Media You Want, Built for Canada” and the Gander logo. Several sticky notes are placed on different regions of the map with handwritten comments. Illustrations of flying Canada geese are on the right and bottom of the map.
People mingle and chat inside an art gallery with colourful modern paintings on the walls, under bright track lighting.
Two women laugh together in front of a wall decorated with flying Canada geese illustrations and Gander branding, appearing candid and joyful.
A person wearing glasses and a denim jacket poses playfully, holding a round black sign with the word “gander” in white text next to their face. Behind them, a backdrop features flying Canada geese and the phrase “Join the Flock gandersocial.ca.”
Six people stand together in front of artwork and a wall decorated with flying Canada geese illustrations. They are smiling and holding up playful cut-out props, including geese, a beaver, a speech bubble, the word “gander,” and a sign with symbols.
Ben Waldman Avatar
Ben Waldman is the CEO and co-founder of Gander social. For 25 years, he’s worked at the intersection of design, technology, and social impact, helping public institutions, non-profits, and mission-driven orgs tell better stories, serve their communities, and navigate digital transformation.