Brad Ridler

Marketing Project Lead, dmg::events

Brad Ridler is a transplanted Ontario boy with a love for travel, adventure and rollercoasters. Never one to shy away from new opportunities, Brad’s diverse background includes stints in and around North America as art director, copywriter, marketer, magic-maker, designer, salesperson, blogger and more.

Ridler’s journeys have taken him from his hometown roots in Acton, Ontario, over to Sandusky, Ohio for a summer at Cedar Point,  and all the way to Orlando, Florida to work as a Cultural Representative at Walt Disney World Resort.  Looking to set down more permanent roots and take on new challenges, Brad ventured out to Calgary and joined the bustling energy industry.

He currently works as Marketing Project Lead at dmg: events, organizer of over 15 trade shows and conferences including Global Petroleum Show, Canada’s largest energy event. Ridler is consistently seeking out challenging and rewarding projects that are directed at engaging prospects, delighting customers and exceeding expectations.

We asked Brad:

The OGM: What does sustainability mean to you?

Brad: Sustainability is being aware of choices in the present that will affect the future, and making plans that take that awareness into account.

The OGM: Have you had a mentor?

Brad: I’ve had many influences in my life who have all contributed to who I have become today. My parents are both excellent role models that have helped steer and guide me through my life, along with various leaders in the organizations that I’ve worked at.

The OGM: What does success mean to you?

Brad: Having true work-life balance, along with never giving up. Continually adjusting my trajectory as necessary to achieve professional and personal goals – all while taking advantage of what life has to offer!

The OGM: If you were to describe your career in three words what would they be?

Brad: Unpredictable, diverse and educational.

The OGM: What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in the Energy Industry?

Brad: Read as much as you can and ask questions to become informed. Don’t get hung up on any particular information source. Make decisions based on your own research and moral compass.

The OGM: Describe a milestone in your career?

Brad: Moving across the country for an opportunity. Leaving friends, family and familiarity behind to take on new challenges. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

The OGM: Describe a challenge you faced in your career?

Brad: Gaining the confidence to speak up and ask questions when I disagree with something. It’s taken a long time to hone the ability to question leaders and management in a way that comes from a place of what’s best for the business without sounding like a critic.

The OGM: What impact does Technology have on your career?

Brad: It’s gigantic. Technology is everything, I can’t even imagine what my career would be without it. Marketing and pretty much all business today is based on continually testing, measuring and adjusting using the best tools available. Technology makes that easier.

The OGM: What do the next 5 years look like in your career?

Brad: If it’s anything like the previous 5 years, very exciting and unpredictable. Five years ago I was working in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World Resort and could never have imagined that I would be where I am today. I credit that to taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, never letting fear get in the way.

The OGM: Were you always interested in a career in Energy?

Brad: Not at all, it was never on my radar until I moved from Ontario to Alberta. Once here, the opportunities became very clear.

The OGM: What interests you to sustain a career in the Energy industry?

Brad: It’s a massive industry that spans the entire globe and impacts everyone on some level. It provides a lot of opportunities to learn and grow.

The OGM: Do you have a role model you look up to?

Brad: I don’t have one specific person. Anyone who is passionate in what they do is a role model to me. I like to read as much as I can from thought leaders for inspiration and to stay informed. Learning about new perspectives, opinions and ideas help drive me forward both personally and professionally.

The OGM: What does Energy mean to you?

Brad: Energy is the essence of everything. Whether literal or figurative, it’s a powerful influence on life as we know it.

The OGM: What is your favourite APP on your phone?

Brad: Facebook. It allows me to get quick snapshots of what’s going on in the world, along with friends and family members I don’t get to see that often. It helps me keep in the loop without taking up a lot of time.

The OGM: What impact will the Millennial Generation have on the Energy industry?

Brad: I dislike the term Millennial, only because it helps quickly paint a massive group of people with broad-based stereotypes. Let’s call us the younger generation.

We are having a huge impact on the energy industry. Companies are being forced to rethink their policies, procedures and business models based on our input. All of these are good things.

We’re shaking things up because we’re informed, like to ask questions, and offer solutions for issues people may not even know existed. Status quo is not accepted. We operate based on honesty and social responsibility, never accepting “we’ve always done it that way” as an answer to our questions. We are continually driven by solutions that take everyone into account, not just our own generation. The end goal is always to make things better.

We’re helping shape a new era of energy that’s accountable and transparent.

The OGM: What’s your take on Social Media and our ever changing digital world?

Brad: I have a love – hate relationship with social media. It’s fantastic to get information on anything and everything, connect with people who are outside your network and stay in touch with friends and family. The flip side is everyone has a voice and opinion, and some people take advantage of the platform to spread hate and negativity. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a partial addict, but my goal on any social platform is to inform, be positive and make people smile.

The OGM: What Social Medium do you use on a daily basis?

Brad: Facebook

The OGM: Do you use Social Media for work?

Brad: Absolutely, it’s a huge focal point. We’re always working on getting a more diverse audience to our trade shows and conferences, and social platforms are where we can reach our targets in a familiar ecosystem.

The OGM: What do you think of Social Recruiting?

Brad: It’s a natural extension for recruiters to cast a wider net and find the best people. It can also help recruiters find out what a person is really like day to day, versus the pristine version that gets portrayed in interviews.

The OGM: Why do you love what you do?

Brad: The events industry is very diverse; it’s always evolving and changing. The opportunity to wear many hats and learn every single day is why I love what I do, all while working with professionals who are filled to the brim with passion and expertise.