MTO Summit Lines Up Top Keynote Speaker

Ever wanted to know how to move your show's Web site beyond just an online brochure? Or how to use social networking to drive traffic, not just to your showfloor, but also to your Web site itself, before, during and after the event?

In that case, maybe MeetingTechOnline's MTO Summit 2008, Nov. 5-6 at the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare Hotel, is for you.

The recently confirmed keynote speaker, David Meerman Scott, makes a living telling people how the Internet has changed the face of marketing and opened doors to reach more people than ever before, especially with the use of online social media. “The Web is totally changing the way we marketers work,” Scott said. “For the first time, we can become publishers of information ourselves.”

Instead of relying on mainstream media or other forms of broad access to get the word out about an event to attendees and exhibitors, he added, now people can utilize online tools such as video, podcasts and blogs, to name a few.

“David M. Scott is an inspiring social media strategist,” said Stephen Nold, MeetingTechOnline publisher. “MTO Summit is a gathering of the brightest minds defining the impact of innovation on events and exhibitors. I would not be surprised if this premier event will launch products and services that will change the way association management, show producers and corporate event marketers build relationships.”

According to MTO officials, Scott's keynote will include “a step-by-step action plan for harnessing the new rules of marketing and PR ... showing how to identify audiences, create compelling messages, get those messages to the most consumers possible and lead those consumers directly into the buying process.” Scott is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, seminar leader and author of the No. 1 best-selling PR and marketing book, “The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to use news releases, blogs, viral marketing and online media to reach buyers directly.”

Scott's keynote will kick off a packed agenda at the summit that includes two technology education tracks, focusing on exhibition systems and social media. The exhibition system education track will feature, among others, Johnnie White, director of meetings and conventions for the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, leading a session titled “Incorporating All Stakeholders in the Meeting Planning Logistics Process for an Event.” At the same time, in the social media education track, Susan McPherson, vice president of Global Trade Show Services for PR Newswire, will lead the session “Utilize Web 2.0 and Video Tools to Increase Success and Drive Revenues.” For more information and to register, go to summit.meetingtechonline.com/ or call (888) 633-8651.