Social Media Breakfast Chicago is an event where moderators lead small-group discussions over breakfast on a series of social media topics.

While the moderator will lead the discussion, the goal of breaking into small groups is to encourage everyone to participate by debating, asking questions, and contributing to the conversation. The event is open to anyone hoping to gain a better understanding of social media.

Social Media Breakfast Chicago was founded in 2009 and is hosted by Mike Pilarz. Learn more at www.smbchicago.org.  

Sponsored By:

All Proceeds Benefit:

Choose From One of the Following Discussions:

Table 1: Building a Community Around Your Blog From Scratch

Moderated by Francine McKenna, Founder & Author of re:TheAuditors.com

What We'll Discuss: If you blog it, will they come? Yes, but you'll have to work at it.  Francine McKenna will explain how, drawing on her experience taking re:TheAuditors.com from an unknown upstart to a thriving specialized news site about the business of the major audit firms.  The lessons learned apply to any blogger in any niche, and we'll discuss the hard work that goes into building a community around your blog, creating a link ecosystem to drive traffic and attention, recruiting guest bloggers, and other tools and tactics.

About the Moderator: Francine McKenna (@retheauditors on Twitter) is a freelance writer with credits in the Financial Times, Boston Review, Columbia Journalism Review, Accountancy Age, Accountancy Magazine, and various financial, media, and technology blogs. She was named a 2010 finalist for the Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Financial and Business Journalism in the online commentary and blogging category. re: The Auditors is her specialized news site about the business of the Big 4 audit firms. She also blogs at Forbes.com under the heading “Accounting Watchdog” and American Banker as "Accountable".   

Table 2: Measuring Results in B2B Social Media

Moderated by Brian Joosse, VP, Social Media & Digital Solutions, Symmetri Marketing Group

What We'll Discuss:  Still unclear how social media applies to B2B communications in a meaningful and measureable way? We will discuss strategies for deploying social media in support of B2B business goals, and the ways to measure results. Marketers for B2B companies will learn how social media can help with lead generation, thought leadership, relationship building, channel marketing, and customer service; and how to track efforts and document success, or pull iterative insights, via key performance indicators and secondary metrics.

About the Moderator: With more than 20 years of experience, Brian Joosse has evolved a knack for developing successful, innovative, and strategic interactive communications programs. He is deeply committed to the expanding potential of customer engagement and business-to-business marketing in the digital age and thoroughly understands the technologies and methodologies that can be used in the wired and wireless world. Before joining Symmetri Marketing Group, Brian was a senior Digital and Social Media Strategist in the Chicago office of Fleishman-Hillard, a global communications company, and co-chair of the agency-wide B2B Marketing Practice. 

Table 3: The Growing Role of a Community Manager

Moderated by Tim McDonald, Founder, My Community Manager

What We'll Discuss: Community Manager might be the hottest job title of the last year or two. With all that growth comes a lack of understanding. What exactly is a community manager responsible for? Does it vary from organization to organization? What are the challenges community managers face and how do we measure their performance? If you are looking to become a community manager, hire community managers or are a community manager, this will be an opportunity to begin defining answers to some of these questions. 

About the Moderator: Tim is the founder of My Community Manager, a community for community managers. The mission of the organization is to foster the growth of community management through mentors and serve as the resource for job descriptions, industry updates and best practices. Tim is also the director of communications for Social Media Club Chicago, founder of Lake County Social Networking, and co-founder of Chicago Community Manager Group. 

Table 4: How to Create Digital Content that Fosters a Digital Community

Moderated by Scott Smith, Director of Digital Strategy and Development, Chicago Magazine

What We'll Discuss: There is no shortage of platforms or strategies for creating digital content. But how do you create content that’s meaningful, relevant and timely for your audience? Moreover, how do you create a community of engaged, thoughtful readers who contribute their own time and intelligence to your digital properties? We'll draw on real-world experiences to answer these questions and more.

About the Moderator: Scott Smith is the Director of Digital Strategy and Development at Chicago magazine.  Prior to this position, he was the editor and director of content for Playboy.com, the Web Editor of Time Out Chicago and the co-editor of Chicagoist.com. He also has appeared as a commentator on WGN Radio 720, WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" and other local radio and television programs. In addition, he is a semi-regular conference and classroom speaker on the topic of digital media. 

Table 5: How to Make the Most of Google+ Today and Tomorrow

Moderated by Jack Monson, Vice President, Engage121 Inc.

What We'll Discuss: Is Google Plus a REAL contender to be the top social media network? How are consumers using Goggle+ now and how are marketers best preparing to engage with them? We will explore these questions and take a look at best practices, important functions, and potential opportunities that all marketers should be watching.

About the Moderator: Jack Monson is a VP at Engage121 in Chicago. Jack works with global brands, national franchises & chains, and top agencies in developing Social CRM solutions and uses Social Media Marketing and Public Relations tactics to achieve business goals. Prior to his 15 years of experience in media measurement and analysis, he was a radio host and program director. Jack is on the Board of Directors of the Public Relations Society of America, Chicago Chapter.

Agenda:

• 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM: Registration, pre-event networking, and breakfast
• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Small group discussions

Please Note:

• You must have a ticket to attend this event.
• Space is limited, so you may register only for yourself, and only for one table. Seating is not guaranteed if you register for multiple tables or on behalf of someone else.
• Tickets are nonrefundable after Monday, October 10 at noon CT.
• The Twitter hashtag is #SMBchicago

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