Conference

Join us in March 2026 for BLEND: Business + Design, a conference designed for professionals and students. Hear from designers, leaders, and innovators who share real stories and actionable strategies for turning work into purpose, leading through change, and building meaningful careers. With inspiring talks and hands-on workshops, BLEND equips you with practical skills you can apply immediately. Connect with a community that values courage, optimism, and growth.

Presented by Co-operators, the uXperience Design Jam for Spring 2025 is all about Omnichannel Opportunities. Help reimagine how we can spark leads and build trust—online, offline, and everywhere in between. 

This Design Jam runs from June 13th - 20th, starting asynchronously from June 13th - 19th, then in-person on June 20th for final prep and presentations to the Co-operator judging team.

BLEND: What to expect

At Blend, you'll connect with like-minded professionals, hear stories of designers and leaders facing the future and redefining realities, and participate in workshops that will help you in your industry.

This year features keynotes and workshops from industry leaders and the BLEND after-party. And the best part? You'll be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about breaking boundaries as you are. We're talking about entrepreneurs, creatives, and boundary-pushing thinkers who will inspire you to think bigger and bolder than ever before.

Over the day, you'll be inspired as we hear inspiring stories of people in our community of designers breaking boundaries and overcoming obstacles to redefine our world.

We'd love for you to be part of the conversation. We promise it'll be worth the investment.

When is it?

Join us on March 1, 2025 at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business. This event includes refreshments, lunch, and light appetizers at our networking social evening.

For more information including schedule and speaker line up please check out the Blend website. 

Calling All Creative Minds!

Welcome to the MVP Challenge, a one-day design + business challenge for high school students, hosted by the University of Waterloo Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business.

Are you passionate about design, creativity, and pushing boundaries? Look no further. Showcase your creative thinking and problem-solving skills as you work with a group to develop and pitch your next great idea.

Minimum Viable Product - Your MVP is the thing that makes your idea stand out!

BLEND: What to expect

At Blend, you'll connect with like-minded professionals, hear stories of designers and leaders facing the future and redefining realities, and participate in workshops that will help you in your industry.

This year features keynotes and workshops from industry leaders and the BLEND after-party. And the best part? You'll be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about breaking boundaries as you are. We're talking about entrepreneurs, creatives, and boundary-pushing thinkers who will inspire you to think bigger and bolder than ever before.

Over the day, you'll be inspired as we hear inspiring stories of people in our community of designers breaking boundaries and overcoming obstacles to redefine our world.

We'd love for you to be part of the conversation. We promise it'll be worth the investment.

When is it?

Join us on March 2, 2024 at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business. This event includes breakfast, lunch, and light appetizers at our networking social evening.

For more information including schedule and speaker line up please check out the Blend website. 

10 Year Celebration of the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business

uXperience Design Jam: Designing for Mental Health

BLEND: What to expect

At Blend, you'll connect with like-minded professionals, hear stories of designers and leaders breaking boundaries, and participate in workshops that will help you in your industry.

This year features keynotes and workshops from industry leaders and the BLEND after-party. And the best part? You'll be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about breaking boundaries as you are. We're talking about entrepreneurs, creatives, and boundary-pushing thinkers who will inspire you to think bigger and bolder than ever before.

Over the day, you'll be inspired as we hear inspiring stories of people in our community of designers breaking boundaries and overcoming obstacles to redefine our world.

We'd love for you to be part of the conversation. We promise it'll be worth the investment.

When is it?

Join us on March 25, 2023 at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business. This event includes breakfast, lunch, and light appetizers at our networking social evening.

For more information including schedule and speaker line up please check out the Blend website. 

We are excited to announce that BLEND 2022 is happening virtually on March 12-13! 

Design is the cornerstone of technology. We can solve problems, fulfill our needs, shape our world, and change the future through design.