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Social Media Seminar Expands

TNB EventsAs previously reported, the Hawaii Social Media Seminar is set for Thursday, April 14. The event features four speaking sessions, a lunch panel, and a pau-hana “tweetup.” And in recent weeks, the program has grown, with the addition of a panel coordinated by the Hawaii Chapter of the Social Media Club, and new speakers and moderators.

New to the agenda, a discussion of “The Influence of Social Networks,” featuring Tara Coomans of Akamai Marketing, Rob Bertholf of San Francisco-based Chapter Three, and Tammi Hitchcock of 3 Peas Media. SMC Hawaii president Roxanne Darling will moderate.

There is also a new session on “Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Social Media Optimization (SMO),” moderated by Coomans and featuring representatives from local companies like Farmers Insurance Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, Aqua Hotels & Resorts, and Teddy’s Bigger Burgers.

Yelp! Community Manager Emi Hart has been added to the panel on “How to Leverage Group Buying,” alongside Andrew Roth (PLAYHawaii.com), Douglas Kato (Qmania) and Titus Nakagawa (Groupon). Former newscaster Diane Ako, now director of public relations at Halekulani and Waikiki Parc hotels, will moderate.

And nightlife blogger Christa Wittmier has been added to the panel on “Blogging and Tweeting for Business,” joining John Heckathorn (Honolulu Magazine), Catherine Toth (Nonstop Honolulu), Toby Tamaye (AT Marketing), and Jason Genegabus (Honolulu Star-Advertiser). Dan Zelikman (Civil Beat) will moderate.

As originally announced, Mike Prasad, owner and founder of BITLOVEMEDIA, will be sharing his story of building an Internet business, and Nick Unsworth will tell you how to “create a tribe of raving fans, followers, and customers that buy everything you sell.”

The Hawaii Social Media Seminar will take place on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dave and Busters at the Ward entertainment complex. Tickets are available online (via Eventbrite) for $75 plus a $5.12 fee.

Ryan Ozawa

Ryan Kawailani Ozawa has immersed himself in new technologies and online communities since the days before the web. From running a dial-up BBS in the early '90s to exploring today’s dynamic world of "Web 2.0" and social media, he has long embraced and evangelized the ways in which technology can bring people together.