Conferences discuss social media & tourism, Web 3.0

Changing the face of tourism

One of the key reasons for the Social Media & Tourism Forum is to enable a networking platform for the much-needed conversation on the potential social media has for changing the face of tourism in Africa.

Over the course of the first two days, attendees will be exposed to some of leading digital marketing presentations focused on using social media to boost South Africa's tourism industry. On the third day, attendees are invited to attend a full day post-conference workshop focused on practical examples of using social media for a travel agency, hotel or tour company.

Open communication channels

Ola Odejayi, research and business development manager at Global Prospectus Training says that while many local tourism companies are starting to use social media, there are still many ways that they can open communication channels with people travelling to South Africa and improve their Return on Investment (ROI).

"While travel and tourism companies are using social media, I think a lot can still be learned about engaging with the right target market and measuring your social media investments and success," says Odejayi. "When people travel to South Africa, they read user generated content, such as Trip Advisor. Marketing your travel company, tour packages or destination can no longer be a one-way engagement; we need to start being interactive with our niche audiences. In order to reap the benefits of social media, we need to start looking at ways to build online communities and show social media users what South Africa has to offer."

Speakers

Speakers were chosen for their experience in digital advertising and exposure to the tourism industry. "All are experts in social media and digital marketing, but also have different levels of experience in the travel industry. Our goal was to enlist people who would be able to develop solution-driven, practical presentations as well as give innovative ideas to the travel, tour and hospitality industry so that attendees can leave the forum and know exactly how and where to start their social media initiatives," says Odejayi.

• Mike Saunders (CEO of DigitLab);
  
• Marvin Tumbo (founder of Social Light Media, Kenya);
  
• Wesley Lynch (founder & CEO of Realm Digital);
  
• Steuart Pennington (CEO of South Africa The Good News!);
  
• Francois Muscat (internet marketing consultant at WSI);
  
• Angus Robison (executive creative director at Native);
  
• Janalyn Froese (online marketing manager at Singita Game Reserves);
  
• Melanie Minnaar (MD at Halo);
  
• André Strauss (digital strategist at Tisco Media);
  
• Jacques Maritz (JM Media Facilitators);
  
• Ruth Ibrahim (co-founder & MD at Yellow Mesai, Tanzania)
  
• Maggie Verster (social media enthusiast)

Francois Muscat will present the post-conference workshop on 1 March from WSI. The workshop will be a full day of hands-on social media marketing training. Guests will learn how to transform all the ideas from the conference into workable strategies during this interactive session.

The cost of the conference and workshop is R6999 (VAT included) and attendees will receive a Blackberry Smartphone as a complimentary gift. To book, email moc.asgniniartpg@alo.

Web 3.0

The Web 2.0 conference will zone in on Web 2.0 and more importantly Web 3.0 innovations and issues. Organised by Alpha Omega Events, it will expose attendees to some of the most prominent thought leaders and experts in the field of digital marketing, technology, ecommerce, internet security and social media marketing.

Gert Botes, MD of Alpha Omega Events, comments, "Ecommerce and Web 2.0 is emerging and developing at a rapid pace. The Web 2.0 Conference will feature practical presentations and innovative talks regarding Web 2.0 and will be addressing Web 3.0."

Some of the topics that will be discussed include website conversion optimisation; Google Panda and how this influences SEO; online community engagement; LinkedIn networking; trademarks and copyright aspects relating to social media; Web 2.0 and social media in the finance industry. There will also be a Web 3.0 workshop, which will explain the transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0 and the future of social networks, hardware, software and productivity.

Speakers

• Wesley Lynch (CEO of Realm Digital)
  
• Jonathan Hall (CEO of Virtual Works)
  
• Leon Lategan (MD of Purple Cow)
  
• Andrew Papadopoulos (trademark director of DM Kisch)
  
• Elmi Bester (manager of the CSIR Knowledge Commons)
  
• Francois Muscat (internet marketing consultant at WSI)
  
• Debbie Marriott (director at Bowman Gilfillan)
  
• Rafe Dyer (innovation manager at Deloitte Touche)

Registration price is R5995.00 per person. To book, email Gert Botes on az.oc.stneveoa@treg.