Global Conference to Feature Almost One Hundred Free Sessions by Leading Social and Digital Experts
CHICAGO – Social Media Week Chicago 2012, organized by the Chicago Tribune and Zócalo Group, announces that registration is now open to the public. Anyone interested in exploring the social, cultural and economic impact of social media can sign up at www.socialmediaweek.org/chicago to participate in a lineup of free events taking place Sept. 24 through Sept. 28. To see a full list of Chicago events, go to the ‘Schedule’ tab and select Chicago from the drop-down menu.
Social Media Week (SMW) Chicago 2012 offers a unique global platform that will provide participants with cutting-edge information and the latest trends in social and mobile media. Social Media Week Chicago celebrates its second year as it joins 13 other cities around the world. Events highlight the intersection of social media and a wide range of topics including business, technology, politics, arts, sports and education.
Those wishing to attend Social Media Week Chicago are encouraged to register for individual events soon as space is limited. All events are free, but registration is required. New sessions and events will be added regularly. Participants can also follow event activity through the newly launched Social Media Week mobile app powered by Nokia (http://socialmediaweek.org/mobileapps/).
Social Media Week Chicago 2012 is expected to feature nearly 100 sessions — exceeding the number of events featured in 2011 — highlighted by influential industry keynote speakers and a roundup of some of the brightest tech, business and community leaders in the digital space.
This year’s SMW Chicago keynote schedule is also sure to draw a crowd with its exciting lineup of local and global experts, including:
Rick Wion, Director of Social Media, McDonald’s Corporation
Monday, 9/24 from 4-5 p.m. at the Chicago Architecture Foundation
Erik Qualman, Founder and Author of “Socialnomics”
Tuesday, 9/25 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Tribune Tower
Brad Keywell, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Lightbank, Groupon and Chicago Ideas Week
Tuesday, 9/25 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Tribune Tower
John Tolva, Chief Technology Officer, City of Chicago
Thursday, 9/27 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Chicago
Chicago’s Startup Masters featuring Logan LaHive, Founder and CEO, Belly; Matt Maloney, Co-Founder and CEO, GrubHub; and Genevieve Thiers, Founder, SitterCity
Thursday, 9/27 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Riverfront Theater
Chris Kaskie, President, Pitchfork
Friday, 9/28 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Tribune Tower
Matthew Adell, CEO, Beatport
Friday, 9/28 from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Tribune Tower
For more information on Social Media Week Chicago, visit http://socialmediaweek.org/chicago/ or follow the conversation on Facebook or @SMWChicago and #SMWChicago on Twitter. For exclusive interviews, reviews and insights related to the social space, check out the Social Media Week Chicago blog at http://socialmediaweek.org/chicago/chicago/blog/.
About Zócalo Group
Zócalo Group is a full-service word-of-mouth and social media marketing agency, helping leading consumer and business to business brands become the most talked about and recommended in their categories. Based in Chicago, Zócalo Group has received numerous industry awards for brand programs and measurement initiatives. Zócalo Group is a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) and Ketchum. For more information, please visit www.zocalogroup.com.
About the Chicago Tribune
For 164 years, the Chicago Tribune has been a market-leading publication of the Tribune Company. Reaching five million readers each week in print, online and through radio, television and live events, the Tribune is known for its public service journalism and watchdog reporting. In 2010, the Tribune launched Trib Nation, a community outreach and audience engagement program that includes a broad menu of live events such as Chicago Forward: Conversations About the Future, a series of public policy discussions; programs by columnists and other journalists; literary events including Author Talks, Lit Fest, and Literary Awards; and classes and seminars under the banner TribU: Lessons for Life.
About Social Media Week
Social Media Week is owned and operated by Crowdcentric Media LLC and is a global platform connecting people, content, and conversation around emerging trends in social and mobile media. Delivered primarily through a network of internationally hosted conferences and online through social media, Social Media Week literally connects hundreds of thousands of people every year through learning experiences that aim to advance our understanding of social media’s role in society. To learn more, visit http://socialmediaweek.org/.
