Thanks to Free State Social for sponsoring Silicon Prairie News this week. You can learn more about the conference at FreeStateSocial.com or find them on Twitter at @FreeStateSocial. This sponsored post was written by the team at Free State Social.
How many times a day do you hear the phrases “Google it,” social media movement sweeping the world? At Free State Social you’ll connect with comrades in arms and will extend your social network beyond 140 characters.
Free State Social, the forum for social media will make its debut in Lawrence, Kansas April 29-30, 2010. Yes, Lawrence, Kanas is the locale for this conference that will feature national speakers including Jeremiah Owyang of Altimeter Group, Ellyn Angelotti of Poynter Online, Shawna Coronado of The Casual Gardener, Sarah Evans of Sevans Strategy, Scott Raymond, co-founder of Gowalla, and Chris Brogan, co-author of the New York Times best-seller Trust Agents.
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And why Lawrence? The communities in the Midwest are at the forefront of the social media movement and the Lawrence area is a hub for innovative thinking and social media use.
The list of highly respected speakers excites several local social media authorities currently working within the social media realm.
“I follow and network with many of the speakers on social media outlets and it is really exciting to be able to hear and interact with them in person,” says John Kreicbergs, an interactive account supervisor at Bernstein-Rein Advertising in Kansas City.
In addition to the A-list speaker line up (Chris Brogan pictured left), the conference will also provide ample networking opportunities for fellow social media users to rub shoulders in real life. Thursday night, the conference will host a “tweetup” at Lawrence restaurants and bars for attendees to mingle, get to know each other and the speakers. Small group discussions lead by the conference speakers will be offered via a Friday half-day conference add on for VIP ticket holders.
“This is a tremendous networking opportunity,” says Lou Heldman, Wichita State University communication professor. “It’s a chance to talk to a lot of other people from Kansas and beyond who have expertise and interest in social media.”
Attendees will take what they learn at this conference back to their respective hometowns where they will apply it to everyday social media issues. Shalyn Marsh*, Visit Topeka, hopes to use what she learns at Free State Social to help increase the bureau’s web presence and be more useful to their audience.
“A lot of social media is so cost effective or free to use,” says Marsh. “It’s an investment to pay to learn how to use free marketing successfully.”
Free State Social will be held at The Oread hotel, a brand new venue located less than a block away from the University of Kansas campus.
Silicon Prairie News readers can get a pack of two standard tickets for $500, or a single ticket for $275. Each ticket purchase includes a Free State Social t-shirt. Use the discount code SPNews when you register on the Free State Social website. Be advised that VIP tickets are sold out, and standard admission includes April 29 only.
Two lucky individuals will be chosen to attend Free State Social at no cost. For details and to register visit FreeStateSocial.com. You can friend and follow attendees and speakers on many social networking sites, including Facebook.com/freestatesocial and Twitter: @FreeStateSocial, #FSSocial.
*Update Thursday, 9:05 a.m. – Marsh’s last name was orginally spelled Mash. The correction has been made.
