Social Media Marketing by Cheryl Lawson.
1. Social Media is about engaging
2. Social Media is about enabling the conversation
3. Social Media marketing requires a strategy just like all marketing
5. Be social, Be human, Explore, Have Fun

I recorded this video as a supplement to my panel appearance at the Tulsa AMA luncheon in January.

At CES, the Galaxy Note was displayed as a powerful phone with an 8 megapixel camera that could double as a tablet.  The pen was touted as a creative’s dream, showing cool drawings made using the only the Galaxy note.  Cool Right?!  Then the  Super Bowl ad aired.

There were tons of video reviews and drooling geeks over the new, what’s next is already here phone from Samsung.

At CES, Samsung paid caricature artists to sit and sketch images of people.  People who waited  in lines longer than anything I’d ever seen just to have their funny image scanned on a free T-shirt.   You know what happened next.  That really awkward Super Bowl ad aired.

Then came the Twitter backlash.  This is just one example of how Samsung completely killed the buzz from CES.

At no time during the International Consumer Electronics show did I hear or think  Palm Pilot.   (and I owned several Palm Pilots in my day).

My question is,  Why would Samsung spend all of that money at CES to create a fantastic buzz about this new product… and then all of that money to ruin it with an over the top Super Bowl ad?

March 15-16, 2012, Social Media Tulsa will host the second annual #SMTULSA Conference at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Tulsa.

“Last year, Becky McCray gave the opening keynote at our very first conference and we’re so excited to have her preview her new book at this year’s conference, said Cheryl Lawson of Party Aficionado, LLC and founder of Social Media Tulsa. Becky’s ability to connect the changes in today’s business world to small towns is phenomenal. When she speaks, you can see the light bulbs going off in the audience as they collectively nod their heads.”

Read the full Prweb news release:  Becky McCray Previews New Book During Social Media Tulsa Conference 2012

This was my second year at the annual juggernaut.   Not only did I need to plan out my travel and agenda, but I had to prepare for the inevitable aches and pains that come along with covering 1.861 million net square feet of exhibit space with 153,000 of my closest friends.

Some stuff I brought with me, others I purchased on site.

Here are 20 things you should have available in order to survive CES.

1. Bring plenty of business cards. I know, I know. Everyone at this conference is highly connected and wired, however, the wifi and cell connections at this monstrous convention can be slow to
non-existend.  I ordered Meet-Meme cards just for the conference.

2. Gum. Or something to keep your breath fresh through out the day.

3. Smartphone. Laptops and tablets are great, but after miles of walking even the lightest tablet can add weight to your bag.

4. Charge. Bring back up batteries, and don’t forget to bring the charger for each gadget you pack.

5. Coffee. I bought this three pack of Starbucks’ Via at the airport. While there will be coffee in most hotels. You might need a boost to make it through the parties.

6. Lip moisturizer. Las Vegas is dry. Keeping some lip balm handy is a must. C.O. Bigelow is one of my favorites.

7. Hand sanitizer. For all of the handshaking.   Hugs are a good (and welcomed) alternative.

8. 5hr Energy. If you’re going to be in Las Vegas for more than 3 days, you might want to invest in one or two of these.

9. Sunglasses.  Not only to protect your eyes from the bright NV sun, but to hide the zombie eyes when you venture downstairs to breakfast.   I’ve gotten a lot of miles out of my Maui Jims

10. Saline Nasal Spray. For the airplane ride and to fight off the dreaded conference bug. aka “nerd flu.”

11. Vitamin B.  Another way to keep energy levels stable.

12. SD Cards. Back up for your digital camera

13. Dayquill.  Just in case you catch “nerd flu”

14. Water. Stay hydrated. No matter how fit you are, your muscles will ache from all of the
walking and standing.

15. Cough Drops. Doubles as a breath freshener and helps if you start to contract the aforementioned ”nerd flu”

16. Oh my aching feet. Aleve will help reduce the swelling and soreness.

Not pictured in the above:

17.  Wear comfortable shoes.  Ladies, you can start with a comfortable wedge, then a sneaker, by the final day you’ll probably be in flip flops. (note:  Dont’ start with flip flops)

18.   Don’t skip meals.  If your hotel has a restaurant.  Have breakfast before you leave for the day.   There is plenty of food at the convention center, but the lines can be very long and the food is pretty pricey for what you get.   The patio grill outside of the Hilton had some pretty good burgers.  (Stay away from cheese)

19.  Take the Monorail.   With stops at both the Las Vegas Hilton and the Convention Center, The Monorail is the most affordable way to get to and from the convention center.   Try to stay away from peak times.  Either depart earlier or later than the crowd.

20.  Find a hot tub.  I was so fortunate that my hotel had a hot tub.   Relax for a moment and then get back to CES!

Full disclosure.  none of these links are affiliate links,  just me playing around with Pinterest.   I use the term “nerd” with the utmost affection and affiliation.  Oh, and I did get a massage after I returned home.

I hope to see you at CES 2013!

I completely geeked out in this booth.  Admittedly I was first attracted to the purse charging the cell phone, but when I saw the board room table with the charging pads, the light went on.   This is amazing technology for event and conference professionals.

Here’s their info:

Fulton Innovation,the leader in wireless power, is taking wireless technology to the next level by increasing spatial freedom with interoperability that enables a device to be moved around both on and above a surface while maintaining efficient and continuous charge.

The ability to wirelessly charge through a metal surface is another industry first that Fulton demonstrated during CES.

Fulton has developed an advanced wireless power solution that can be built into almost any surface, including packaging and publications.

At CES, Fulton demonstrated a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly powered by its eCoupled intelligent wireless power technology. The magazine will light up on the shelf using wirelessly powered printed electronics –a low‐powered, low cost, truly flexible example of wireless power in action.  The prototype demonstrates how wireless power can be used by publishers and advertisers to attract readers’ attention, and drive new revenue streams.

I was particularly impressed by the wirelessly charged board room table. Just imagine a conference center or hotel venue where all of your attendees can charge their devices while sitting at their conference table.

Learn more about Fulton Innovation and eCoupled Technology
A subsidiary of Alticor Corporation, Fulton Innovation is dedicated to commercializing new and
innovative technologies that improve the way we live, work, and play. Fulton is working with a wide
range of industry‐leading companies to integrate wireless power technology into infrastructure and
electronic devices to enable consumers to live a truly wireless life. http://fultoninnovation.com/

Where do you see this technology headed for event and conference professionals?

From Facebook Marketing to The Art of Hiring, OPEN Forum Crash Courses are trivia-based learning experiences designed to help you focus on the information you need to help you grow your business.

I did take the crash course.  I looked at my score and chose the  mini cupcakes.

More of my favorite booths and gadgets from #CES to come.

2012 CES Grows


The 2012 International CES was the largest in the event’s 44 year history, with a record number of more than 3,100 exhibitors across the largest show floor in CES history – 1.861 million net square feet of exhibit space – and drawing a record of more than 153,000 attendees, including more than 34,000 international attendees. More than 20,000 new products were launched at the 2012 CES, which also featured top executives participating in keynote sessions, including those from Qualcomm, Mercedes, Wal-Mart, Intel, Ford, Verizon, Unilver, Ford, eBay, GE, Google and Facebook. Executive delegations from thousands of global companies, from Apple to Zeo, attended the 2012 CES to meet with current and future customers.

CEA is currently reviewing requests for 2013 CES keynotes and will be making announcements in the coming months. In addition, the 2013 International CES is already generating significant interest as space selection for next year’s show began this week. For example, 95,000 square feet of exhibit space in the 2013 CES iLounge Pavilion has already sold, and Mazda and BMW have committed to 2013 CES exhibit space along with Ford, Kia, Audi and Hyundai, creating an even larger Apple-related product and automotive presence at the 2013 CES.

2012 CES Excites

Technology innovations generated excitement across the 2012 CES showfloor including the launch of dozens of ultrabooks, OLED TVs, Android 4.0 tablets, next generation smartphones and 3D printers.

The 2012 CES was a star-studded event with numerous Hollywood celebrities in attendance including Eliza Dushku, who served as the Official Ambassador for the CES Entertainment Matters program, as well as Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Wil.i.am, Wayne Brady, Jillian Michaels, LL Cool J, Ryan Seacrest, Will Smith and Kelly Clarkson.

The 2012 International CES featured government leaders from the U.S. and around the world including FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Dean Heller (R-NV), Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), Representative John Shimkus (R-IL), Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Representative Lee Terry (R-NE) and FCC Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Robert M. McDowell. Also, several ministerial level officials and commissioners from Canada, Columbia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon and Oman also attended CES.

This week, more than 2,000 news articles profiling the innovations at the 2012 CES have appeared in the news media, an increase in media coverage of more than a third over 2011.

2012 CES Catalyzes

“The 2012 CES was the most phenomenal show in our history, generating more energy and excitement across every major industry touching technology than ever before,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA, owner and producer of the International CES. “CES is the change agent, the catalyst, that brings executives from a wide range of industries together and helps them create better ways of doing business together. The breadth and depth of the 2012 CES, which featured more innovative technology products than anywhere else on Earth, is a testament to the dynamic and innovative global consumer technology industry, which will reach $1 trillion globally this year.”

Industries with increased presence at the 2012 International CES include healthcare, automotive, entertainment, advertising and marketing.

Each CES attendee has an average of 12 business meetings that enable them to accomplish a significant amount of networking and business with professionals from a range of industries around the world.

2012 CES Exhibitor Quotes

“I was able to do a year’s worth of meetings in two days because CES is the one place, one show, at which ‘everyone’ attends. There is no more efficient way to get high level meetings with a broad section of companies within the CE ecosystem.” Dave Hagan, President and CEO, Boingo Wireless

“CES is unparalleled in its ability to bring together, in one place, all the folks we need to see to grow our business. I met with CE manufacturers and retailers, chip and handset makers, radio broadcasters, regulators, automakers, press and financial analysts, all in the space of a few days. It’s supercharged productivity.” Bob Struble, CEO, iBiquity Digital Corporation

“We are witnessing the promised road of convergence with CES as the ringleader. Devices are talking and many different industries are listening, beyond electronics: media and Internet, energy and utilities, telecommunications, automotive, health and wellbeing companies are migrating to this show. Truly a social media of connected devices is forming, with CES ‘friending’ industries.” Scott Burnett, Managing Director, IBM

CEA conducts an independent audit of attendance at the International CES and verified figures will be available in the spring. For more news on the 2012 International CES, visit CESweb.org. The International CES will return to Las Vegas January 8-11, 2013.

Read the entire Prweb news release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/SocialMediaTulsa/Conference_LizStrauss/prweb9073306.htm

Since November of last year, consumers been able to use Google Maps in select places to get detailed floor plans and indoor location information within a few meters, as well as an accurate floor level location. Today, Google expanded the list of places with indoor maps by partnering with MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and others, to provide indoor maps for Caesars Palace, Bellagio, The Venetian, The Palazzo, MGM Grand and many more.

And for those of you who catch gadget-fever with CES in town, Google has partnered with a number of Best Buy stores in the Las Vegas area.

Starting today, Google is also releasing some of the first floor plans in Google Maps that were uploaded through the Google Maps Floor Plans tool. From malls to convention centers, museums and educational institutions from California to New York you will now be able to see these floor plans in Google Maps for Android.

The 2012 International CES® opened its doors today featuring a record number of exhibitors, more than 3,100 companies on a show floor that will exceed 1.85 million net square feet of exhibit space. Pre-show media events with innovative product launches kicked off the 2012 CES, with cutting-edge products including ultrabooks, voice and gesture-based technologies, smartphones and OLED TVs. Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association, the 2012 International CES, the world’s largest tradeshow for consumer technology, opens today and runs through Friday, January 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 2012 CES show floor covers 1.851 million net square feet of exhibit space – more than 37 football fields filled with consumer technology innovation. The 2011 CES featured 2,865 exhibitors across 1.65 million net square feet.

You may not come close to 1.851 million net square feet of exhibit space, but I can see Google Maps Floor Plans becoming a major tool for event and conference professionals.

I’m hoping to be a lot less lost during this year’s CES.