Social Media Portal interview with Meaghan Edelstein from GSMi

Social Media Portal (SMP) profiled interview with Meaghan Edelstein, Producer at SMSS Denver

Social Media Portal (SMP): What do you do there at GSMI - and for the Social Media Strategies Summit Denver 2012 (SMSS Denver 2012)?

Meaghan Edelstein (ME): I am the producer for SMSS Denver - I recruit all speakers, create the agenda, market and am the moderator at the event. In addition I will be facilitating one of the four workshops.

In 2008 I began my blogging career, writing about my personal experience with cancer. Through my blog and self-branding, I was able to gain national attention. I then went on to establish Spirit Jump, a grassroots nonprofit organisation with a mission to provide hope and comfort to the many men, women and children battling cancer. Prior to my career in social media I worked for as a Congressional Aide for United States Congressman John W. Olver.

Through my blog and nonprofit organisation I have become heavily involved in social media. I?ve been an in-house social media director and freelance consultant. In September 2010, I joined the Global Strategic Management Institute as a conference producer and Senior Editor for the Social Axcess Blog.

I am also a regular contributing writer for Mashable and write guest posts for Tech Tonic as well as a licensed attorney in the state of Florida. I have spoken at numerous social media conferences including Blogworld, NTEN and Gravity Summit. I have been featured on such programs as NPR, Good Morning America and CBS on The Hill in Washington DC. I have also been quoted in numerous Mashable articles, Cure Magazine and Inc.com.

SMP: Briefly, tell us about SMSS Denver 2012, what is it and when / where is the event scheduled?

ME: What: Whether your organisation is just starting out or in the forefront of social media, Social Media Strategies Summit will take your social strategy to the next level. Through hands-on workshops, case studies and keynotes, our Denver summit will provide attendees with emerging strategies, tactics and the top dos and don'ts of social media marketing.

When: 21-22 August 2012

Where: Sheraton Denver Tech Center, 7007 South Clinton Street, Greenwood Village, CO, 80112 USA

SMP: Who are your target audience and why (and who should attend)?

Though the speakers put out information that is targeted at upper-level management, we are able to assist attendees less familiar with industry terms and vocabulary, such as a small business owner that may not have corporate experience.

He or she may be looking to increase his company?s social media presence, by affording them the opportunity to engage the speaker afterwards to ask questions. GSMI staff members are always on-hand to make sure attendees, of all levels, walk away from our conferences with a full understanding of the knowledge and insights the speakers have presented.
 
The event largely appeals to:

• Chief Executive Officers
• Chief Marketing Officers
• Chief Branding Officers
• VPs, Directors and Managers of various descriptions

SMP: Why was SMSS Denver 2012 started, and how long has it been going?

ME: Social Media Strategies Summit, Denver is a first time event with regards to the city. However, SMSS has been running successfully since 2010. Denver will be our 8th time running SMSS.

SMSS Denver was started because we began to see a need for our event in cities that do not see high-level social media summits.  Through extensive research we pinpointed cities that are growing with regards to social media and Denver was number one on our list.

SMP: What is SMSS Denver 2012event doing that?s different?

ME: Unlike traditional summits, Social Media Strategies Summit, Denver will reveal the secrets behind how leading brands use social media to consolidate and expand their market share, as well as gain valuable market data.

In addition, we do not fill our summit with panels but instead focus on high quality solo presentations, case studies and attendee participation.  This is a learning event and focused on providing key takeaways.

SMP: What will be the highlights at the event?

ME: Four interactive workshops.

Keynotes from brands such as:

• Dennis Wakabayashi, Senior Manager of Digital Marketing, Boston Market
• Ronnie Ramos, Managing Director for Digital Communications, NCAA
• BJ Emerson, VP Technology, Tasti D-Lite
• Shelley Scipione, Digital Marketing Director, Sports Authority
• Marcy Massura, Digital Supervisor, Weber Shandwick
• Dana Lira, Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Warner Bros.

SMP: What are the most important things that attendees can take away from the event?

ME: A better understanding of how to successfully implement, manage and measure social media marketing efforts.
 
SMP: What are the low moments of what you have been doing so far in terms of the SMSS Denver 2012 event?

ME: I haven?t really experienced any low moments while producing this event. We?re very excited to bring a social media conference of this calibre to Denver.

SMP: What are the high moments of what you have been doing so far in terms of the SMSS Denver 2012 event?

ME: Our conferences attract the social media industry?s top speakers. Getting a chance to work with so many talented thought leaders, and listening to their presentations about the present and future states of this emerging field is truly exciting.

SMP: How can agencies and brands get involved in SMSS Denver 2012?

ME: Attending is the best way for them to get involved because it gives them a chance to interact with not only other attendees and sponsors, but also our speakers. Our conferences are designed to encourage interaction between the speakers and attendees.

This is something that sets the Social Media Strategies Summit apart from other conferences. We also encourage agencies and brands to reach out to us to develop media partnerships for all our events. This gives companies the rare opportunity to present their organisation to attendees for free.

SMP:  Why is social media such an important talking point and why will it continue to be throughout 2012 and into 2013?

ME: Social media allows organisations to consolidate and expand their market share, as well as, gain valuable market data. It allows companies, educators and celebrities to directly talk to their audience in near real-time. 

No other outlet in history has allowed large groups of consumers to directly tell a company what they like or don?t like about a product or service this rapidly and accurately. A company can now, because of social media, release a product, and literally seconds later have a general idea of how thousands or millions of consumers view their product. It also give the consumer a real voice, and the chance to make valuable contributions in the development of a product.

SMP: Best way to contact you?

ME replies with:

Twitter: @gsmionline
Tag: #SMSS
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GSMIweb
Linkedin Group: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Social-Media-Strategies-Summit-4228911/about

SMP: Is there anything else we should know?

ME: Thank you at SMP for everything you?re doing, and, remember, our Social Media Strategies Summits are a great way to learn how to get ahead in this ever-evolving industry, not only because of the content that the speakers present, but also because of the chance we give attendees to really engage the speaker.



SMP: What did you have for breakfast and lunch?

ME: Breakfast Burrito (Eggs, Cheese, Potatoes and Carne Asada) For those of you who have never been to California, USA and tried an authentic breakfast burrito: I truly feel for you.

SMP: What?s the last good thing that you did for someone?

ME: The last good thing I did was not talk about the good things I do.

SMP: If you weren?t running or working on SMSS Denver 2012, what would you be doing?

ME: Tackling ?Infinite Jest? by David Foster Wallace

SMP: When and where did you go on your last holiday?

ME: I went to Phuket, Thailand at the beginning of June. A little rainy, but a great time overall. I saw an elephant named ?Tony? play a harmonica.

SMP: What?s the first thing you do when you get into the office of a morning?

ME: Large cup of coffee and SMP News   

SMP: If you had a superpower what would it be and why?

ME: I always answered ?flying? to this question in the past, but after watching the character ?Claire? on NBC?s ?Heroes? I think I?d pick the ability to heal from any type of injury.