When is a conference not a conference? When it's digital

Bookmarklets, mashups and apps, oh my! The terms and trends of digital media are ever changing and increasingly focused on engaging the millions of people - potential customers and clients - who spend lots of time on the Internet.


And for the second year in a row, ADCLUB Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) are joining forces to help digital gurus make sense of it all through the 2009 Digital Hub Initiative’s Non-Conference.


"This is a place to get insights into digital innovations that are on the horizon, discuss challenges for the industry, and talk among your peers," said conference chair Rose Wesselman, senior media strategist at Northlich.


This year's conference is Sept. 24 and 25 at downtown Cincinnati's Hyatt Regency, 151 W. Fifth St. Breakout sessions will move the non-conference out of the hotel, to city watering holes, theater spaces and other venues. There's also a free job fair for students and the unemployed at the Hyatt on Sept. 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.


Last year's conference hosted approximately 200 attendees - organizers' expect to attract 300 this year. Most attendees come from the Greater Cincinnati area, including Louisville, Indianapolis and Lexington.


The conference is a way for communicators of all stripes to network, share ideas and learn ways to develop a strong and effective digital media presence. Four scheduled keynote speakers will outline key digital concepts and techniques. They are: 

• Winston Binch, Crispin Porter + Bogusky’s vice president and managing director of interactive;
• John Battelle, chairman and publisher of Federated Media
• Peter Kim, senior partner of social business design company, the Dachis Group and
• Bob Gilbreath, chief marketing strategist at Cincinnati-based Bridge Worldwide.


A host of area organizations are supporting the non-conference, including the Cincinnati Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Digital Signage Association, Cincinnati Social Media, the Cincinnati Chapter of American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA), The Circuit, The Women's Circuit and Cincinnati Women Bloggers.


Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Sources: Darcy Little, Sunrise Advertising and Rose Wesselman, Northlich senior media strategist

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