Non-Tech Industries Could Care Less About Blogging Their Conferences
Steve Rubel asks if blogging should be banned at conferences and makes it to Techmeme. His post was spurred by Nielsen BuzzMetrics which banned blogging at its “by invitation only” client conference on citizen-generated media. I think it’s a bit strange that BuzzMetrics did this, too, but I’m sure they had their reasons so I won’t second guess. I do think Steve is right on one point: bloggers writing about your conference is great promotion for next year.
This debate only happens around blogging and tech-oriented conferences at the moment. I spoke at the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executive Group at the Ritz in Key Biscayne on Friday, and I can promise you there was not one blogger in the room of 150+ people. There was also no wireless Internet and no open laptops. While speaking I realized practically the entire audience was engaged and taking notes. I was able to look people in the eye. Their questions were great. It can be wierd presenting to a bunch of folks with their noses in their notebooks.
By the way, based on all the questions I was asked after my NRA talk and in the hallways I’d say one of the burning issues in the minds of these executives was how to deal with employees who are posting highly negative comments about their employers and their co-workers. I’m expecting some follow-up calls on this issue this week and will post on it once I understand more of the details and think about it. The Big 7 of restaurant brands will get even more aggressive about embracing social media in the coming year.
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