The conversation continues as mesh returns to Toronto’s MaRS Centre from May 20^th to 22^nd for in-depth discussions and workshops looking at how the Web is reshaping our world. For a third year, Canada’s premier Web conference brings people together to connect in real time, share what’s new and interesting online, and be inspired by a full slate of panel discussions and workshops.

meshU

The conference

Starting May 21, the mesh conference offers a full slate of panel discussions and workshops. Kicking things off each morning, this year’s four keynote conversations are:

• Matt Mason – Author of the recently published The Pirate's Dilemma: How Youth Culture Is Reinventing Capitalism, Matt is also a former pirate radio and club DJ in London, England, as well as the founding editor-in-chief of the seminal magazine RWD.
• Lane Merrifield – Lane is the EVP of Walt Disney Internet Group, and also the Co-founder and General Manager Club Penguin, one of the most popular virtual worlds for children, which was acquired by Disney last year for $700-million.
• Garrett Camp – Co-founder of StumbleUpon, which was acquired by eBay for $75-million last year, Garrett is responsible for product design and strategy, and has guided the site from inception to its current 3.5-million users.
• Ethan Kaplan – Head of technology at Warner’s Bros. Records, Ethan is responsible for all consumer-facing Web properties, technology initiatives, business development and research/development.

Based around the broad themes of media, society, marketing and business, all panel discussions are moderated to ensure exciting and interactive conversation. Here’s a taste of who will be sharing their thoughts and instigating discussion at this year’s conference:

• Daniel Burka, Digg’s creative director, Pema Hegan, co-founder of GigPark, and Candice Faktor of OurFaves.com discuss how social media sites are replacing TV and newspapers as our primary news source during The New Front Page.
• In Video is Everywhere – Dina Kaplan, co-founder and COO of blip.tv, Andre Gaulin of CTV and Guinevere Orvis of the CBC discuss the explosion of online video, and where the medium might be headed.
• David Usher, the singer/songwriter who can be found at CloudID, talks with Graham Henderson of CRIA and Jeff Remedios of the Arts & Crafts record label about how the Web is affecting the music industry in Where's the Business in Show Business - Music and the Web, a discussion moderated by David Gratton of Project Opus Technologies.
• Private vs. Public explores the changing notions of privacy online. Philosophy professor and author Mark Kingwell debates the relationship between data and disclosure with Nancy Baym of Online Fandom.com, a discussion moderated by Rachel Sklar of The Huffington Post.
• Michael Garrity, co-founder and CEO of CommunityLend, talks with Maggie Fox of Social Media Group and Rohit Bhargava about identity and Building a Brand on the Web.
• Michael Masnick, founder, and editorial and strategic director of Techdirt Inc. talks about what marginal content production costs mean for businesses and producers alike in the Infinite Good panel discussion.
• Julia Johnston, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of mEgo, Inc., Leah Culver of Pownce and Ryan Carson of Carsonified share the lessons learned on the road to building a successful startup in Founders’ Stories, moderated by venture capitalist, columnist and CNBC analyst Dr. Paul Kedrosky.

Be sure to check out the complete schedule and the full list of panelists, speaking on a wide range of topics.

15 Minutes of Fame

Back again this year is 15 minutes of fame, offering start-ups an opportunity to showcase why they’re the best thing to happen to the Web. On each of the conference days, three of the best and brightest online start-ups get five minutes each to tell attendees why they’re wonderful. Watch videos of last year’s winners to see how it’s done.