I'm still in Canada, but back in Vancouver now after a fun visit (and long ferry ride!) to Victoria to attend the Social Media Camp event.
I'm staying with Tawnya Sutherland (left), business peer and good friend, while here. In addition to the event we've been brainstorming, meeting up with other friends in the area, and having an all around great time! We came back early yesterday in fact to go see a Circque du Soliel show. 😀
Social Media Camp was an interesting event, for a number of reasons. If I know you at all, I'll bet your two biggest questions are: 1) did it pass the "Lynn Terry Test" *grin*, and 2) will I attend again next year? ...
The #1 Thing That Impressed Me Most About Social Media Camp
There were almost 700 people attending this second SMC event, with around 450 at last year's first Social Media Camp in Victoria. What was most interesting about the attendees though, was the fact that almost all of them were locals - from the Vancouver and Victoria areas.
Most of the events I attend bring a crowd from around the world, or at the very least from around the country. There were very few of us there that were not local - myself, a guy from Connecticut, and perhaps one or two others.
It really made my southern accent stand out. 😛 LOL
Victoria is a very tech savvy city, often called "Techtoria", and definitely ahead of the curve in regards to Social Media. They have embraced it full-on, both on a personal level and in the professional community.
Many of the speakers were local, as were the vendors. The majority of attendees held a Social Media position in their corporate job, or were local business owners looking to expand their Social Media reach.
The Content & Sessions at Social Media Camp
There were a combination of levels in the various sessions, but the content was mainly for beginners. There was a lot of basic training on topics like using Twitter, how to set up a blog for your (local) business - that's actually interesting to read, finding your Social Media voice, etc.
I attended several sessions, but spent much of my time in the Genius Bar (right). It was a very comfortable room set up with tables and couches where you could relax, network or just brainstorm with others. They also had casual sessions on specific topics which were quite interesting.
It was a great atmosphere!
While much of the content in the main sessions was basic for me personally, it was on target for the event demographic. It may go without saying that after 14+ years online, what's "basic" to me was actually very enlightening & helpful to others.
I was sitting outside the Victoria Conference Centre enjoying the sunshine during a break, and had a nice conversation with a lady attending that asked me, "What is a blog, exactly?" She wasn't alone, and many others commented at how much they got out of the detailed training offered at SMC.
Tawnya did a session alongside Craig Cannings on Outsourcing Social Media, which was actually a controversial topic.
Many people teach that you absolutely must manage all of your Social Media yourself in order to have an authentic voice in the space. Also that you need to be personally available and personally engaging with your target market.
I don't disagree with those points, but I also know from firsthand experience that it's impossible to manage and maintain it all yourself, particularly as it grows, and still serve your market by creating new content and/or marketing your business.
Tawnya and Craig did a fabulous job explaining how you can strike that balance between authenticity and outsourcing. It was definitely one of my favorite sessions.
(I agree, I'm probably biased 😉 lol)
The Podcast Tent: Bringing the "Camp" to Social Media Camp!
Going with the theme of Social Media Camp, a bright set of local podcasters "set up camp" in the hallway.
Inside their tent were camping chairs and microphones - and a whole slew of other podcasting equipment.
Bob Garlick and Kim Plumley host the Garlick and Plum Jam podcast.
Setting up the tent was a brilliant idea because, much to their surprise, they had a waiting list of people on both days that wanted to climb in the tent and podcast with them!
I had to check it out of course, given my love of podcasting, and really enjoyed meeting the Bob and Kim. Super nice people! I checked back several times on the first day, but the tent was occupied the entire day from beginning to end...
I got smart and showed up early on day two, and hopped in the tent with Bob & Kim to kick it off with the first podcast of the day.
You'll want to find Garlick and Plum Jam on iTunes and subscribe to hear my episode, and the others from Social Media Camp. You can also subscribe to their feed for updates. Definitely worth checking out, along with their other ventures which you can find at their site.
Venue, Vendors and Victoria
I can't go without mentioning how wonderful the location and venue were. Victoria is a beautiful island with a very welcoming environment and friendly atmosphere. The views are simply amazing, in every direction.
The venue for the event was the Victoria Conference Centre. It was conveniently located downtown with endless shops and restaurants in easy walking distance. Just outside the Social Media Camp conference area was a gorgeous garden and fountain area where you could step out to enjoy the sunshine. Nice!
The staff was friendly, there was an all-day coffee service throughout the event, and lunch & snacks were even provided for attendees.
This was our view across from the Empress Hotel, which is where we stayed while in Victoria. It's attached to the Victoria Conference Centre:
Tawnya and I got together with Barb Sabathil for a lovely dinner at the Milestone Grill there on the water. The picture truly doesn't do the scene justice. Imagine warm sun, a cool breeze, good friends, sidewalk entertainment, boats and sea gulls coming and going, all topped off with a fabulous evening meal...
Oh - and the Vendors!
There were quite a few exhibitors there and they set up along the hallways. Unlike many events I've attended, they were not at all "pitchy" but instead more "fun & friendly". There were games to play, prizes to win, and you could sit down and test drive various technologies and programs. It was very well done.
And there was swag. Lots of swag. I love geeky event swag!!
Social Media Camp Victoria 2012
Will I be back for SMCV12... ?
I'm already planning on it. 😀
SMCV11 definitely passed "the LT test" - lol. I had a fabulous time, really enjoyed Victoria, and would love the opportunity to get to know the tech community here better.
I do think they could use more talks on monetization, but I understand they have an aversion to talking (out loud) about profit and sales here in Canada.
That's what I gathered at least, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
It was the one main difference I noticed between Social Media Camp and other events I've attended across the US. Other events tend to focus heavily on ROI and specific sales metrics.
That said, many of the people I spoke with personally were very interested in monetizing their online properties and increasing their sales, so I do think there's an opportunity to introduce those topics at future SMC events.
Perhaps I'll volunteer for that. 😉
I know this was a lengthy recap, but I wanted to give you a detailed account of my first experience both at SMC and here in Canada. It's been a very fun trip, and productive as well, and I am thrilled I had the opportunity to check out this new and growing event.
I'm off to get ready for a fun dinner with friends here in the Vancouver area. It will be a great night of catching up and brainstorming with Vera Raposo, Alice Seba and Tawnya Sutherland.
I'll have a few more updates for you as well, including my run-in with HootSuite (ack! lol), so stay tuned. In the meantime, have an awesome day. I hope the weather is as fabulous where you are as it is here in Vancouver this week!
Best,
p.s. Tawnya Sutherland has been a gracious host during my first visit to Canada. She let me completely take over her coffee pot, her dog and her back deck - LOL.
If you're not familiar with Tawnya, you may want to check out some of her work:
Good stuff!
About Lynn Terry
Sounds like a place I would love very much. Glad to hear you're having a great time there.
The tent looks like a lot of fun. And I can't wait to hear about your run in with Hootsuite.
Tell all the ladies I say hello!
I said hello's for you over dinner last night. It was such a nice time. Wish you were here! They threw me quite the surprise birthday dinner, Canadian-style, complete with a 5-course meal and lovely local gifts. It was great fun, and so nice to catch up with Alice & Vera while here.
See you in Colorado Springs next month!! 😀
Thank you for a detailed, honest and accurate assessment of SMCV11 Lynn. I'm glad you enjoyed both the camp and Victoria, got to meet some new folks and do some networking. And we certainly look forward to having you back next year, perhaps in a speaking capacity if you're interested.
Indeed the majority of attendees are local (British Columbia), although we were happy to have people from as far as Fort St. John BC (1,400KMs) and one from Acapulco, Mexico. As we gain wider awareness and promote SMC more internationally I project next year will be closer to 50/50 local vs. other parts of Canada and the USA, with numbers of 1,000 plus.
The presentations and video recording of some of the sessions will be on the site sometime this week.
Thank you Chris. I look forward to checking out recordings of some of the sessions I missed, and going back over those I attended. There was A LOT of content!
I would love to talk to you more about how I can contribute next year. Count me in for being there regardless. I am already looking forward to it. 😀
Hey Lynn,
Great recap thanks! Happy that your trip to the Great White North has gone well. I love the Van/Vic area and have spent many happy times there. It is also great that you are getting to meet up with Tawnya, Alice and Barb, three great Canadian ladies. Enjoy the remainder of your stay and I wish you bon voyage (good trip) back home.
Gary
Thank you Gary - it's been a great trip with much fun with friends in the area! The weather is gorgeous here, as is the scenery. I head out early tomorrow morning, and am already plotting my next trip back. 🙂
Oops,
I keep messing up my Twitter ID. Sorry, I think that is right this time
I've don't that so many times on these KeywordLuz comments!
Lynn what a fun (and honest of course) review of SMC! It sounds like a great event with a very targeted market. I'm heading over to itunes right now to sign up for the podcast you recommended. I'm always looking for great podcasts to listen to.
I'm subscribing as well. They are great folks, and I have a feeling it will become a favorite podcast. 😉 Kim Plumley has some other interesting ventures I am off to check out, including thebookbroads.com ...
Hey Lynn, it was lovely to meet you at #smcv11 and I too enjoyed the time I spent in the Genius Bar! Whoever came up with that idea was... well... a genius! 🙂
Your assessment was a pleasure to read. See you on-line and see you next year!
PS Just a little note: Victoria is a city among many on Vancouver Island 🙂
I agree - genius indeed! Thank you for the note, I am still learning so much about Canada. Kim (from the podcasting tent) was kind enough to give me a very detailed book so I can study up before my next trip back 😉 lol.
I look forward to seeing you again at SMCV next year!!
She likes us! She likes us! 🙂
So glad you enjoyed your visit to Victoria and SMC, Lynn. Thanks for your thorough review of the conference; it sounds like the folks there did another fine job of it this year.
It was great to spend some time with you, and I'm delighted to hear that you'll be back next year! 🙂
I do, I do! 😀 LOL Thank you. I had so much fun getting together with you and other friends for dinner while in Victoria. If we don't get to see each other again before SMCV12, we'll definitely plan to get together then!
Hey Lynn,
Thanks for allowing me to "hitch a ride" to the conference via your detailed post here. 😉 I liked the Podcast Tent - what a great idea.
I love Victoria, and seeing your picture of the harbor brings back memories of coming into that harbor a few times on boat from my mom's house in Washington state. I'm glad the weather cooperated!
Peggy
It was cold and rainy when I arrived. I'm glad it cleared up too, because it's been beautiful since the second day. 😀
The podcast tent was definitely cool. I hope they do that again next year. Brilliant!
Hi Lynn
So glad you liked Canada, the weather here in Ontario has been gorgeous too. Haven't gotten out west but would just love to visit sometime...have to get my business ramped up some more to pay for a visit! How's that for motivation?
Sounds like a great motivator to me! 😉 The weather has been fabulous. I've decided this must be the perfect time of year to visit Vancouver. Toronto is on my travel list too, so if I don't see you on one side maybe I'll see you on the other!
Your detailed account made me wish even more that I had been able to go. Even though one of my sons has lived in Vancouver for a few years now and another one moved there in the fall, I have yet to visit the west coast. No more excuses, next year I'll be there for SMCV as well. Plus, it's nice to hear you publicly state that you plan to come to Toronto:)
I'm glad you're planning to come next year, Carol! The venue is fabulous, and I think you'll really enjoy it. 😀 And yes, I do plan to visit Toronto. Hopefully within the next year, even. It's been on my list for ages! If you hear of any events in the Toronto area I might like, let me know. 😉
Lynn... I had a fabulous time at SMCV11 and it was a bonus that you could attend this with me. You are like the sister I never had!
This was my second year at SMCV11 and it only gets better each year.
I highly enjoyed the networking in the Genius Bar and loved this new added perk to the 2011 agenda. And the meat martinis at the networking gala night were to die for! Not to mention there was always coffee or tea available all day which I was pleased to have as many conferences now cut corners by omitting these small perks. It is these small perks that make an event even more enjoyable at least for me.
Great work SMCV11 and Lynn and I will be there next year for sure!
The coffee service was *great*. Very good coffee, always fresh and very well tended. I was super impressed with the venue and the service there.
Thank you again for inviting me to join you at the event, and stay with you in Vancouver. I had a fabulous time, and can't wait to do it again!! 😀
Hi Lynn,
It was grea to have you join everyone in Victoria for Social Media Camp. I wish I has the chance to meet you and Tawnya, but there were so many great seasons and people. Hard to get to everyone. I live in the Vancouver area myself. Don't mean to be picky, but just thought I'd point out that Victoria is actually within or on Vancouver Island. Lot's of travelers make that mistake I believe (re: Victoria is a beautiful island).
Regarding sales in social media, I'mm all for it. Sales metrics and the correct way of optimizing analytics for relevant ROI that is. Vancouver & Victoria have a lot of casual enthusiast users for non-business sales purposes. Thus the reason for a lack of sales/ ROI talk. Personally, I prefer to touch on storytelling first and then how the relevant goals of the campaign tie into successful ROI analytics. I don't believe in non-authentic/ pushy/ spammy use of social media (ie: Referral Key).
I won't going back unless there is a broader audience attending or I am invited/ accepted to speak. Content was mostly too basic for myself as well.
Ps. My blogging efforts are on hold 'till the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Too distracted as a Canucks fan to blog right now.
I regret missing the chance to meet you, Jason! But you're right, there was so much going on, and so many people. Hopefully next year I can meet more of them. And if you're not planning to attend, let's at least meet up while I'm in Vancouver before of after the SMCV12 event. 😉
I am learning A LOT about Canucks and islands - haha. It's an easy assumption based on the ferry ride to get there. I agree with you on ROI vs "spam" - definitely. I hope it's obvious which side of that line I stand on. 😉
I think this was the time to learn more and more by attending this camp.Can the other interested people from other continents can participate in next camp.
I can sympathize with having a southern accent since I am from Columbia hah. However, I think conventions like this are always a great way to learn and network with other people in social media. Trade shows and continual learning is key.