In case you missed it, next week is mesh 2008 in Tortonto. It is Canada's Web Conference and Edelman is a sponsor and does the PR. The Edelman team in Toronto asked me to come up to blog and twitter for the duration.

As we gear up, I sent five questions to each of the mesh guys and here is Rob Hyndman's interview.

1. What is your favorite anecdote or moment from the past two mesh conferences?

Two mesh moments really stand out for me. The first has happened many times - moments when people have told me how mesh did something important for them - in their lives or their businesses. I've lost count of the number of times people have told me how mesh helped them find investors, partners, employees and so on. One founder told me that mesh was where for the first time his team actually came together and started seeing themselves as a company, united to a common goal.

The second happened last year - at the social that follows the end of the first day I introduced a client who had just launched his business to one of our panelists - a really smart guy doing very interesting work on the Web - and I realized in that moment that the panelist was a business hero to my client. We stood and talked for quite a while, and continued a great discussion later on that evening.

These moments are intensely satisfying - it's exactly what we set out to accomplish, and through the effort and contribution of a lot of people it's happened.

2. What is one of the things you are most excited about this year?

Last year we tried a new way of starting each day at mesh - we started working with Stephen Hart, a terrific local actor who is "the voice" behind the introduction to CBC's great radio show "The Current". Each day Stephen's amazing voice gets us started with a short intro about the topics of the day. When I hear that intro, and I see the way our community responds to the excitement of the day ahead, I get goosebumps. Works every time.

3. What is the rest of the year like for you, when you aren't in mesh mode?

Many of my clients are early stage technology companies that are also in our mesh community - early stage companies that are forming, funding, exiting or just executing on their businesses from day to day. So in a sense, I never stop meshing.

4. What digital trend do you expect to see have a break-through year in 2008?

I think 2008 is the year mobile really takes off. Almost all of the pieces are now in place. The iPhone has taught us that consumers are eager to do more with mobile platforms. 3G is on the verge of wider application. We haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what's possible when fast devices meet fast networks. This is going to be very exciting.

5. If you could pick a theme song for mesh08, what would it be?

Here is what I would like to say:

I never disagree with Mathew when it comes to music. He may spend a little too much time listening to Celine Dion, but other than that he's right on the mark.

Here is what I will say:

This will probably make no sense to anyone else but for me it would be "Tuesday Morning" by the Pogues. I can't listen to it without feeling positive about the future, and connected to the people around me. And that's what mesh means for me. It's about sharing a common passion for what the future brings. That song gets me *every* time.