Bigfoot social networking conference bringing national speakers here
Several national speakers and local professionals have been lined up to present at an inaugural social networking conference organized by the North Mason Chamber of Commerce. Dubbed Bigfoot, the June 4 all-day event is geared toward a variety of audiences, from small businesses to non-profits and government agencies.
The North Mason Chamber of Commerce has garnered nationwide recognition as a leading chamber for social networking. The chamber’s president and CEO, Frank Kenny, has been speaking regionally and nationally on the topic of how social media can help grow a chamber and benefit local businesses — using his own chamber as an example. North Mason doubled its membership in two years, crediting the growth to its aggressive social networking approach.
The chamber has been active on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as developing its own social networking site for members, www.mynorthmasonchamber.com. Kenny has been teaching one-hour classes at the chamber on a monthly schedule, and was looking for a way to reach a wider audience when he brainstormed the idea with a few local likeminded professionals, then decided to sell the idea to the chamber’s Board of Trustees.
“The conference is specifically designed to help small businesses and non-profits benefit from the free social networking tools that everybody is now using. If you aren’t up to speed with social networking, your organization is at a distinct disadvantage, and getting more so every day,” Kenny said.
The speaker lineup includes bestselling author Barry Moltz, internationally acclaimed Rabbi Daniel Lapin, bestselling author and founder of Made for Success Chris Widener, and social media expert Shauna Causey. Kitsap Peninsula area professionals Bob Ingram, Mindy Byers, Rich Jacobson and Stephanie Horton will be among the breakout sessions presenters. The topics for the 10 breakout sessions will include “how to expand your digital Bigfoot,” online etiquette and creating relationships, among others.
The conference has attracted several national sponsors, including Mashable — The Social Media Guide and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as local businesses.
“The response has been overwhelming. We already have hundreds of fans on the Bigfoot Facebook Fan page and Twitter,” Kenny said in early April. “The conference facility is set up to accommodate 250 guests and we already have 253 confirmed fans with the conference still two months out.”
The conference is billed as a unique event in the region, and organizers plan to make it an annual event and “the” premier social networking event in the Northwest.
“Internet social networking is all about relationships and visibility. So are chambers of commerce. This conference has contributed to us being recognized nationally as leaders in social networking among chambers of commerce,” Kenny said. “We were recently referenced as one of the top four chambers (out of approximately 7,000) by the president of the American Association of Chamber Executives. Our members appreciate us taking a leadership role in this important technology and even more important, providing the education and training necessary to maximize the benefit to their businesses.”
http://kpbj.com/headlines/business_tools/2010-05-05/bigfoot_social_networking_conference_bringing_national_speakers_
The North Mason Chamber of Commerce has garnered nationwide recognition as a leading chamber for social networking. The chamber’s president and CEO, Frank Kenny, has been speaking regionally and nationally on the topic of how social media can help grow a chamber and benefit local businesses — using his own chamber as an example. North Mason doubled its membership in two years, crediting the growth to its aggressive social networking approach.
The chamber has been active on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as developing its own social networking site for members, www.mynorthmasonchamber.com. Kenny has been teaching one-hour classes at the chamber on a monthly schedule, and was looking for a way to reach a wider audience when he brainstormed the idea with a few local likeminded professionals, then decided to sell the idea to the chamber’s Board of Trustees.
“The conference is specifically designed to help small businesses and non-profits benefit from the free social networking tools that everybody is now using. If you aren’t up to speed with social networking, your organization is at a distinct disadvantage, and getting more so every day,” Kenny said.
The speaker lineup includes bestselling author Barry Moltz, internationally acclaimed Rabbi Daniel Lapin, bestselling author and founder of Made for Success Chris Widener, and social media expert Shauna Causey. Kitsap Peninsula area professionals Bob Ingram, Mindy Byers, Rich Jacobson and Stephanie Horton will be among the breakout sessions presenters. The topics for the 10 breakout sessions will include “how to expand your digital Bigfoot,” online etiquette and creating relationships, among others.
The conference has attracted several national sponsors, including Mashable — The Social Media Guide and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as local businesses.
“The response has been overwhelming. We already have hundreds of fans on the Bigfoot Facebook Fan page and Twitter,” Kenny said in early April. “The conference facility is set up to accommodate 250 guests and we already have 253 confirmed fans with the conference still two months out.”
The conference is billed as a unique event in the region, and organizers plan to make it an annual event and “the” premier social networking event in the Northwest.
“Internet social networking is all about relationships and visibility. So are chambers of commerce. This conference has contributed to us being recognized nationally as leaders in social networking among chambers of commerce,” Kenny said. “We were recently referenced as one of the top four chambers (out of approximately 7,000) by the president of the American Association of Chamber Executives. Our members appreciate us taking a leadership role in this important technology and even more important, providing the education and training necessary to maximize the benefit to their businesses.”
http://kpbj.com/headlines/business_tools/2010-05-05/bigfoot_social_networking_conference_bringing_national_speakers_
