Halifax Social Media Gets Personal

Though I have been immersed in marketing for over 20 years, I am still getting my feet wet in the Web 2.0 world. Often referred to as social media, the technology tools that facilitate online communities are broadening and being integrated into business applications and personal networking. I have spent the last 6-months reading marketing blogs and researching some of the online social media applications to see what is happening in communities across Canada. It will probably not surprise you that the epicentre of the social media activity in this country has not been here in Atlantic Canada. However, I had always felt there there must be a social media community here in Halifax, but could not track it down.

Through One Degree I came across an announcement about a social media meet-up organized for Halifax social media types last night. I decided that I would venture out to see what this was all about. I arrived with the pre-conceived notion that this was a regular gathering and that I would be a little out of place. Interestingly, the organizers felt the same way. It turns out this was the first attempt at actually getting social media folks in Halifax to be social in the good ole fashioned way. Considering it was a first attempt, there were over 20 who turned out for the meet-and-greet. The community was represented by marking, PR, Tech, government, and non-profit sectors. A very diverse group that discovered a common thread in discussions around blogs, podcasts, twitter, and “what’s next”.

Thanks to Colour for their support of the evening. I dare say all left feeling a new-found sense of social media community and encouragement that this was only the beginning of something special. Isn’t it nice when we can step outside of technology and get real again? Looking forward to our new network!