How do you have an open chat with event professionals separated by thousands of miles and several time zones on a weekly basis? Well according to one group, you limit their responses to 140 characters and you host it on Twitter.
Co-founded by our VP of Communications Dana Freker Doody along with Traci Browne of Red Cedar Marketing and Stephanie Selesnick of International Trade Information Inc., the weekly online discussions operating on the hashtag #ExpoChat is the only resource of its kind for those working in expositions, meaning exhibitors, corporate marketers, trade and association show organizers, suppliers, content writers and facilities personnel.
Community response to ExpoChat since it began 18 months ago has been positive and productive. Those involved have done business with others they met via the chat; rookie exhibit managers have found mentors; others have found job opportunities.
“It was important to us when we created ExpoChat to embolden a group of people networking online to hear and voice their opinions about issues specifically affecting people and companies working inside that trade show box,” says Freker Doody. “Our struggles and successes are different from other event professionals, and our community often is fragmented by separate association memberships. ExpoChat has a ‘Love All, Serve All’ mentality.”
In fact, regular participants in #ExpoChat include a rookie exhibitor who recently completed her first trade show exhibit experience alongside a few pros who have been at it for 30 years. They share passion for their work, and embrace new technology tools like Twitter to open new worlds.
“We meet online every Wednesday, and we welcome new participants!” says Selesnick. “Schedule some time to check out our chats at 3 p.m. Eastern/Noon Pacific. We post topics, often submitted by participants and centered on real-world solutions on our blog at expochat.wordpress.com.”
