A veritable who’s who of social media experts from Chicago’s biggest companies are being signed up for the first Social Media Week Chicago along with hosts, events and in-kind sponsors.
The Sept. 19-23 event is being organized by the Zócalo Group, a division of Omnicom, and the Chicago Tribune and will be held at locations across the city.
Social Media Week’s mission is to explore how local and regional societies, cultures, and economies are becoming more integrated and empowered through a global network of communication.
“There will truly be something for everyone and unlike other conferences, nearly every session is being offered free of charge,” says Paul M. Rand, CEO of Zocalo Group, a full-service Word of Mouth and Social Media Marketing agency.
“One of the event’s truly unique aspects is the open invitation to the community to share their perspective on social media,” says Kristen Smith, executive director of Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) the event’s marketing partner.
Adds Rand: “Sessions are diverse and offer attendees tremendous choice when seeking out the social media, mobile and word of mouth marketing topics that matter most to them.”
Events and speakers are being added weekly. Venues thus far are Tribune Tower, Tribeca Flashpoint Academy and the Illini Center.
A sampling of the week’s agenda includes:
• Developing an Enterprise Wide Social Media Solution, featuring representatives from Nissan, Unilever, AON.
• How Chicago Restaurants and Chefs are Using Social Media, with chefs from the Elysian Hotel’s Ria, Lockwood, Whistler, the Peninsula’s Avenues Restaurant, and the founder of Hoosier Mama Pie company.
• The Power of Social Media for Social Activism: How it Can Create or Advance Social Movements, with Rolling Out Urban Style Weekly, Write Design Company, MG Media, CDW, and more.
• Marrying Online and Offline Efforts, featuring executives from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, and Museum of Science and Industry.
• WOMMA Talkable Brands Exchange, Getting to the Bottom Line: Is WOM Worth it? And What Exactly is it Worth? featuring executives from Keller Fay, Converseon, Ogilvy 360 Digital Influence and Brains on Fire.
• Social Media Week Opening Night at Rockit, hosted by Billy Dec, CEO of Rockit Ranch.
To join Social Media Week as a participant, or to suggest a topic or serve as a hub host or event sponsor, click here and chose the “Summit Event” tab.
Or if you have a product or service that can make events more fun, functional or productive, click here and chose the “Get Involved” tab to become an in-kind sponsor.
