NACAC’s 73rd National Conference in Boston kicks off in just a few days and there are so many ways to get involved. As the social media manager for NACAC I might be biased, but I think that getting involved with the conference on social media is one of best ways to connect with your colleagues and ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action.
But what are the best ways to do that? Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your national conference social media experience.
- Follow our official channels and use our official conference hashtag — #nacac17.
Be a part of the conversation. Using the #nacac17 hashtag allows you to reach beyond your followers and audience and connect with fellow attendees, exhibitors, speakers, or even just those who are following along from home.
If you use a social media dashboard tool, like TweetDeck or Hootsuite, consider adding a #nacac17 stream to more easily follow the conversation both leading up to the conference and while you are in Boston.
Following our official channels will give you the most up-to-date information about the conference and will even give you some special behind-the-scenes peeks. Stay tuned to our Instagram Story for an early look at conference setup and be on the lookout for Facebook Live videos that feature interviews with speakers and snippets from interesting sessions.
- Network online and in real life.
Using the #nacac17 hashtag is a great way to connect with your colleagues all over the world before the conference begins. But once we are together in Boston, why not take some of those online friendships offline? One of the benefits of the national conference is the opportunities it offers for networking. Lay the groundwork online and make plans to meet up in person. Feel free to use the new Social Media Spot Café & Lounge, located in the Exhibit Hall, to connect with online friends!
- Share your knowledge.
There are 157 presentations that you can choose from at the conference. You can’t possibly attend every session that catches your interest, but you can follow along with them online. Similarly, you can share what you’ve learned at a session with the #nacac17 community.
Hear a particularly poignant quote? Tweet it out. See a great slide? Snap a picture and post it. Share your biggest takeaways and see what others has to say about the session.
- Participate in the #NACAC17PHOTOCHALLENGE on Instagram or Twitter.
The national conference is extra photogenic this year, so we are offering prizes for people who participate in our social media photo challenge. There are 12 photo challenges and we have prizes for attendees who post photos of all 12, are the most creative, or who include the most people in their posts.
This contest is available on Instagram and Twitter. I know I am a bit photo obsessed, so I can’t wait to see what moments everyone will be capturing.
- Enjoy the moment.
While there are so many ways to get involved on social media, don’t get so involved in your online life that you forget to enjoy the moment. You came to the national conference to learn and grow and to have fun, so look away from your screen and soak it all in.
See you in Boston!
Ashley Dobson is NACAC’s communications manager for content and social media. She’ll be presenting a TECH Lab session on digital marketing, social media, and engagement at #NACAC17.