MEDIA RELEASE
3 August 2017
International social media experts head to New Zealand to inspire
and motivate Kiwi business owners
Social media is a thriving tool for New Zealand enterprises and one that will be the topic of hot discussion at The Social Media Conference 2017 – The Evolution (#SMCNZ17) next month.
The event, which will see 20 top experts in the social media space descend on Auckland for two days over 15 – 16 September, is set to give Kiwis new insights and tools to drive business growth and extend their influence online.
“New Zealanders are some of the most active social media users in the world – 90% are on social media sites for personal use and 93% use social media for business. #SMCNZ17 will deliver a unique opportunity to learn from influential social media experts from around the world and in New Zealand,” says Wanita Fourie, founder of The Social Media Conference.
Three international speakers will be major drawcards this year; Ireland’s Samantha Kelly (Tweeting Goddess), social media award winner, TEDx speaker and social media strategist; John Kapos (Chocolate Johnny) a third-generation chocolatier who owns a successful chocolate store in Australia and then took his brand global through social media platforms; and esteemed US author, speaker and business consultant Vicki Fitch.
“New Zealanders love using social media – I think it stems from their natural ability to use traditional word-of-mouth techniques. Social media provides a platform to build communities online which appeals to Kiwis who value a strong sense of community both on and offline,” says Fourie.
Whether you’re just starting out on your social media journey or you are a social media expert, #SMCNZ17 will appeal to a wide audience. The Conference will address corporate/government social media as well as social media for small businesses, and look more closely at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Influencer marketing, LinkedIn and how to create social media strategy that works.
“We’re putting the focus on the evolution of social media – looking at where we’re going and how to best use it to our advantage and leverage it for success. We expect people from all walks of life – corporates, agency and digital experts, small to medium business owners and social media influencers to turn out.”
Fourie, who heads up the Online Business Academy, started The Social Media Conference four years ago. This year, the event has support from Business Mentors NZ, Network NZ and Net Branding and there are still opportunities for other sponsors to get involved. For participants who can’t attend in person, they can log in to the Conference’s live stream on Facebook.
Fourie says Kiwis have been the biggest adopters of LinkedIn globally – 95% of NZ professionals have a LinkedIn profile (approximately 1.6 million Kiwis), but not all users leverage it to get their full potential – a common problem she’s seen across all platforms.
“While this annual event provides unlimited networking and learning opportunities, the biggest opportunity is for participants is to garner the latest skills and knowledge to grow and market their businesses in most effective ways possible,” Fourie adds.
ENDS
THE SOCIAL MEDIA CONFERENCE
#SMCNZ17
SKYCITY Auckland
15 – 16 September 2017
Early bird tickets $997.00 until 25 August 2017 – use the coupon code ‘toba’ for a further $250 discount. Tickets $1497 after 26 August 2017
Live streaming tickets: $297.00
www.socialmediaconference.co.nz
For more information, to arrange interviews with the guest speakers contact:
Linda Shackelford
Expand PR
027 886 1760
[email protected]
For sponsorship opportunities contact:
Wanita Zoghby-Fourie
021 2200 313
[email protected]