Mitch Joel rocked Social Slam 2012
Each April something magical happens in Knoxville, TN.
Yes, the city tucked into the Smoky Mountains has the most beautiful spring in the country.
But right in the middle of downtown, on April 4-5, 700 people will gather for Social Slam, an amazing digital marketing meeting of the minds.
I have been told countless times that this is the best social media event in the country. There are some obvious reasons why, and some less obvious ones. First, the obvious:
- Ticket prices are under $100. Why? Because this is being run as a non-profit venture and we want everyone to come. If this were held in a large city, the ticket price would easily exceed $1,000 for the day. This is an inclusive event that everyone can afford.
- The content is inspiring! There are more than 25 acclaimed speakers in a one day event, including renowned marketing author John Jantsch, Xan Pearson of the Chicago Bulls and White Sox, Tom Webster VP of Edison Research, Country Music Maven Jessica Northey, Digital Marketing Whiz Matt Ridings, Brand Against the Machine Author John Morgan, Triberr Founder Dino Dogan, Social Media Celebrity Kim Garst, and London-based consultant to NASA Gabrielle Laine-Peters.
- This will also mark the U.S. speaking debut of Australian Jeff Bullas, one of the most celebrated and beloved social media bloggers in the world.
- There is a strong emphasis on personal networking. The ticket price includes a networking party April 4, networking breakfast and lunch April 5, and a free post-party that will raise the roof! And the speakers don’t run into the green room when they are not speaking. They’ll be sitting there with you and taking your questions throughout the event.
- There is something for everybody. Break-out sessions focus on beginning, intermediate, and advanced skill levels.
Jeff Bullas will make his American debut at Social Slam
- Everybody will get free blazing wi-fi … and electrical outlets! Each year, the Social Slam team over-delivers with special surprises for every guest. Last year attendees received free professional headshots and a copy of my book Return On Influence
- By popular demand, Social Slam is offering small, in-depth workshops with some of the speakers. “Social Slam Plus” will occur April 4, the day before the main event. Come a day early for these one-time-only 3-hour workshops on: designing your organization for social media success (with Matt Ridings), content strategy and development (with me), and starting social media from scratch (with Jeremy Floyd and Gabrielle Laine-Peters).
OK, that’s pretty awesome, right?
But there is also something intangible that makes Social Slam the most remarkable conference you will attend this year.
In addition to hearing from some of the most experienced professionals, Social Slam is also a place to shine a light on the bright NEW minds in the business. There will be no fewer than 10 speakers making their first appearance on the national stage, including rising stars Laura Click, Christopher Craft, and Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez. The glass ceiling shatters at Social Slam.
Since this is the only national social media conference entirely run by volunteers (the amazing Social Media Club – Knoxville), you won’t be pressured from sponsors or getting any hard-sells. This is a conference built from the heart, as a labor of love — kind of like the way that whole Internet thing started!
This is place where you will learn, energize, and network with the brightest minds in our business. There is tangible “vibe” of friendship, inclusiveness, and openness you won’t find anywhere else. And at $89 per ticket, I guarantee it is the best marketing conference value in the world.
It’s a homecoming for the {grow} community. Are you in?