Beyond the Slopes: Building Partnerships and Creative Momentum at DotSki
Attending DotSki in Whistler, BC — hosted by our generous partners at Dotdigital — offered a powerful reminder of the human connections at the heart of e-commerce growth. In a remote-first world, being surrounded by smart, curious, and kind marketers in real life doesn’t just inspire — it unlocks new perspectives, opportunities, and energy we carry back to our clients.
Dotdigital, the customer experience and data platform behind the event, has long been a leader in helping brands automate and personalize customer journeys. Their team curated a conference that balanced insightful panels and fireside chats with the real magic: connection.
The Human Side of Growth
We talk a lot at SLTC about partnerships—and this trip reaffirmed why they matter. From sharing ideas over après cocktails to exploring Whistler with the #NotSki crew (let’s just say I’ve retired from skiing — and yes, I made a hashtag), I came home with more than new contacts. I came home with new collaborators. When you get the chance to truly connect on a human level, it creates the kind of trust and shared vision that drives better outcomes for clients. That’s the kind of partnership SLTC is built on.
Reigniting Creative Strategy in the Wild
Sometimes, the best strategic ideas come when you're not at your desk. Whether it was trading stories with other agency leaders or laughing with new friends on the Vallea Lumina night walk through Whistler’s enchanted forest, this trip sparked a renewed creative energy. It reminded me of the power of stepping away in order to come back stronger, and why we prioritize fresh thinking and innovation for the brands we serve.
New Tech, New Possibilities
DotSki also gave us the opportunity to deepen relationships with some exciting tech partners — tools and platforms we’re already thinking about for our clients:
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Rebuy: A real-time personalization engine for Shopify brands. Great for clients looking to boost AOV and product discovery. (shoutout to Rich Matukaitis from my #NotSki squad).
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Kickbox: Email verification that protects deliverability and sender reputation. Perfect for scaling brands reworking email funnels.. My new pal Hank Hoffmeier’s DotSki blog post even inspired this one!
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Gadget: A flexible app dev platform for Shopify and BigCommerce. Ideal for brands needing custom functionality without heavy dev overhead (thanks Franco Varriano!).
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Nishe: Richard D’Souza introduced us to their A turnkey retail marketplace builder for creators and media brands exploring ecommerce revenue models.
All of these conversations point to a bigger takeaway: SLTC clients don’t just get our team — they get access to a curated network of trusted, innovative partners across the ecommerce ecosystem.
Whistler Highlights, #NotSki Edition
No ski boots for me, but I did join an unforgettable crew who bonded over breathtaking views, tasty beverages and plenty of comfort food. We took the Peak 2 Peak Gondola — boasting the world’s longest unsupported span of 3.024 kilometers and the highest lift of its kind at 436 meters above the valley floor — and immersed ourselves in the beauty of the mountains. There’s something about changing your scenery that helps you change your mindset, too.
Final Takeaway
If you’re looking for a partner who understands that real growth comes from connection, strategy, and creativity, SLTC is here. We don't just attend events. We show up with purpose, bring ideas back with impact, and continually expand the circle of what’s possible for the brands we support.