The Motivation Show Set Up - Let's Crowd Source This Baby!

This week I'm traveling to Chicago to take in the 2009 Motivation Show and the HRTech Conference.  I've set up some time with fellow FOT-ers (that's Fistful Of Talent for you non insiders) and a couple of other meetings to reconnect in the real world.  But I want to really drive some conversation this year.  If you're at the show and want to connect - DM me on the twitter stream at @incentintel. I'll be concentrating on the Motivation Show - but may have some info on any overlap I see between the two. 

I've been disappointed in the Motivation Show in the past but this year I'm going into it with a different attitude - and it's pretty much driven by social media.

Participating Not Just Attending

I'm going to tweet the hell out of the show - I'm going to bring my "leetle friend" (flip camera) and do some on the floor interviews for posting on Vimeo and I'm hoping to see some new things that just might connect to some old things in my head so I can come up with better ways to help my clients.  I'm energized this time and it's because I'm a participant not just an attendee.

I'm going to create content for the show through daily (hopefully) updates on the blog, immediate updates through twitter and "multi-media" with my camera.  It will be a bit more work than just walking the floor and taking pot shots at some of the off-the-wall offerings.

My Strategy

To get the most out of the show I'm hoping I can drive more participation from other "attendees" and get them to be "participants" as well.  Here's how I'm hoping to do that:

Twitter First

First and foremost I've put together a twitter strategy.  The show has a twitter hashtag of #motiv.  I'll be using that in most of my tweets but I'm expanding it a bit to get the most out of twitter search.  I'm putting this up in advance of the show so that I can enlist more twitter-ers who are attending and create a bit of a groundswell around the technology and the benefits it will bring.  I'll be tweeting updates, pictures, etc., as I walk the floor and talk to people I find interesting.

My HashTag Strategy:

• #mshow – as I mentioned the show has stated they want to use #motiv - but I checked it on twitter search and it has been used for something out of the Neatherlands - may cause confusing to use the that tag - so I'll use both at first and see which get's traction and switch to the one with the most use.  Through crowd-sourcing we'll arrive at the best tag. 
  
  UPDATE - the Motivation Show wants to use the following #moti. I had it wrong when first published.
   
• #(breakout ID number) – hashtag for individual sessions.  There are a variety of breakouts and meetings at the show.  Each one has a unique identifier.  If we all use the #number plus the #motiv (or #mshow) we should be able to search easily for info on the breakouts.
• #msparty – if I hear of a party that sounds good - I'll be tweeting it with this tag - including time/place/contact if I can.
• #msalert – I'll be using this tag to highlight special news from the Motivation Show in general – change in venue, special news, anything special, urgent and important.
• #mstweetup – tweetups are face2face meetings arranged by tweeters.  I'll use this tag if I hear of one or if I want to set one up.
• #msmustsee – based on what I see at the show I'll alert others to what I think are great booths, ideas, shows, etc.
• #mshowfail – pretty self explanatory.  From long lines to backed-up bathrooms.
• #msfuture – recommendations for future show inclusions – my wish list for the future
• #mshowblog – I will include this tag when I'm posting and encourage others who are blogging the show to use it to advertise their posts as well.  Hopefully, I'm not the only one!

If you are on twitter and attending the Motivation Show I encourage you to copy this strategy and share it with others.  The more of us who use the same tags - the more benefit we all will get out of the technology and the show!

Blog Second

I'll be gathering info during the day and depending on how much fun I have each night I'll be putting together a quick update on the show - what I saw (with pictures from my trusty camera phone) and possible video depending on who will talk to me.  They will be quick and to the point - almost a "dear diary" type post to just give those who are not attending (and maybe those who are) a bit of the flavor of the show from my point of view.

Virtual to Real Third - Find I2I

And finally, I'm hoping to have some fun, meet some people and do a little company branding while in Chicago.  I'm also taking the idea of logo-identified shirts to the next level. 

We've all seen the polo shirts and the button down shirts with company logos on the left breast of the shirt. But if you think about it that only works when someone is within about 2 feet of the wearer.  Based on my experience anyone who is further away can only see that there is a logo, but can't really make out what it is. 

Well, I2I doesn't want to be like everyone else and we think there is a better way to drive brand AND connect with folks and therefore I'm introducing the first (as far as I know) logo-identified sport coat!

Check out the picture!  I'm planning on wearing this sport coat as much as I can at the show and I encourage you to find it and introduce yourself to me, add me to your twitter followers and subscribe to the site.  I want to meet you - and want to continue the conversation after the show. 

If you hate the idea tell me that - if you love it - always open to hearing that as well.

And you never know - if you find the I2I logo at the show there just might be a prize!

C'mon attendees - let's rock the show and tell those old-school incentive companies there is a new gang in town and they have social media and aren't afraid to use it!

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=632019852]

Okay, this is totally off topic...

...but I was laying in bed last night and I heard you whispering in my ear...

...from my clock radio.

BBC on NPR. Good job!

[Paul Hebert]

I get that a lot from my female readers...

Thanks - it was a lot of fun! I posted on it Friday. There's a video of me in the studio. NSFW :)

[Beth Albright]

Paul: I'll be at the show on Wednesday (presenting an introductory on social media). I'll be watching for that sport coat as I walk the show. I like your tweet strategy.

[Midori Connolly]

Interestingly enough, I couldn't find the hashtag for The Motivation Show anywhere in my communication from the conference organizers. So this means that we've seen people using #motivationshow #moti #ITME and even some other random variations.
Good example of why a strong social media strategy for your event that delineates instructions for your attendees from day one is so important!
Great blog, it's fun to see more people enjoying meetings and events as active participants rather than passive attendees.
Midori Connolly, Chief AVGirl
http://www.twitter.com/greena_v

[Allen]

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