Behind every great conference is a team making the magic happen, and for Blockchain Futurist Conference, Laura Leparulo is one of the driving forces.
As marketing director of Blockchain Futurist Conference (and co-founder of ETHWomen!), Laura has been instrumental in its growth into one of North America’s largest gatherings for blockchain, Web3, AI, and emerging technologies.
Since launching in 2018, the conference has become known for its immersive venues, high-energy networking, and conversations with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Vitalik Buterin, Charles Hoskinson, and Eric Trump.
Laura’s background spans global event production, marketing, media relations, sponsorships, and attendee experience, with technology events held in cities across the globe from Toronto, New York, and Chicago, to Sydney, Rome, and Bangkok.
And, through ETHWomen, which takes place alongside Blockchain Futurist Conference, she has also helped create more opportunities for women to connect, learn, and build careers in Web3.
This week on SheCrypto, Laura joined me and co-host Laura Suárez León to talk about how it all started, and the origin story is one of my favorite parts of the whole conversation.
The story begins with her sister, Tracy Leparulo, in Kenya.
Tracy was running a microfinance program there through her university, teaching women the basics of starting a business and saving money. When she returned to Canada and tried to keep the program going, she hit a wall: sending money overseas was a nightmare. Her search for a better way led her to Bitcoin, then to Ethereum, which was being built in Toronto at the time.
She organized Canada’s first Bitcoin Expo, in 2014, volunteered to help the early Ethereum community run its first event, and then, in 2018, launched what would become the country’s largest Web3 gathering: Blockchain Futurist Conference.
Since then, the event has been wildly successful, and, in 2024, it was acquired by Emerald, America’s largest producer of B2B trade shows - which just made it even cooler with the original team continuing to run it.
Laura also opened up about something we talk about constantly at SheCrypto: access.
While plenty of conferences have drifted toward corporate pricing, Futurist has stayed stubbornly community-first. (They even launched a free ticket program with us here at SheCrypto!) As Laura put it, this technology was supposed to level the playing field, and the events around it should, too. We compared notes on how hard it can be to get event access for people who are building but aren’t backed by a Fortune 500 badge, and it made me appreciate their approach even more.
And then, there’s the magic of the event itself.
The venue is unlike anything else in the conference world. It takes place at Rebel Entertainment Complex and Cabana Pool Bar, which is the largest day club and nightclub complex in North America, with a multi-million-dollar stage, 250 feet of LEDs, lounge-style sponsor booths, and an outdoor cabana where, as Laura says, the deals get made. This year, attendees can even arrive by water taxi, courtesy of sponsor Tetra, with a skyline view of Toronto on the way in. Are you ready for it?
Blockchain Futurist Conference returns to Toronto July 21–22.
Bringing together more than 10,000 attendees, 250+ speakers, 200+ partners, and 100+ media organizations for two days of innovation, networking, and the future of digital technology, Blockchain Futurist Conference a part of Canada Crypto Week.
Here are few things at the top of my personal list:
the ETHWomen sessions (always packed, and Laura’s favorite, too)
the podcast stage (Psst! I’ll be ON IT Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. with Chris Champion. Come and hang with us!)
the SheFi breakfast
the invite-only regulation and compliance briefing bringing Canadian policymakers to the table
some Pudgy Penguin action
the NFT gallery featuring more than 120 artists (with a metaverse gallery for those attending from afar)
the AI and blockchain bootcamp for beginners
the Cayman Finance rum bar,
and yes, a certain giant Pepe cottage lounge you’ll have to see to believe.
Honestly, I am so psyched. It’s been a minute since I was in Toronto, and I have been ready to go back. Between Canada Crypto Week, Blockchain Futurist Conference, all the side events, and catching up with friends from around the world, it’s one of those trips where every hour feels packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and have fun.
A huge thank you to Laura and the entire Blockchain Futurist Conference team for welcoming me and SheCrypto back year after year. It’s been amazing to grow alongside this event and to help bring more women into the room.
Planning to attend? SheCrypto and the Women In Bitcoin + Blockchain Fund will be onsite both days and we would love to connect! Message me on Telegram @itskac.
Need a ticket? Email tickets@shecrypto.org to request a complimentary conference ticket while supplies last.
We can’t wait to see you in Toronto … and in the future. ✨
XxOo,
Kelly Ann Collins
Note: All SheCrypto content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Not financial advice. Always DYOR.
