2010
Yesterday I attended the inaugural 140 Characters Conference Detroit at the gorgeous Fillmore Theatre. Perhaps I’m a bit biased because I was involved with making this conference happen, but I think it went pretty darn well! And if you search through the #140conf Detroit hashtag stream or talk to anyone who attended or watched via Ustream, you’ll see most people agree.
Every conference has takeaways – ideas we generate from what we learned from those who were imparting knowledge on us. 140conf Detroit was no different, except that in my mind, there was one main lesson learned.
The real time Web is powerful.
I’m trying hard to not get on my soapbox and preach to all those who still think the Web and social media are just for nerds and tech geeks who have nothing better to do with themselves put play online all day. But I sincerely hope that anyone who may have previously doubted the impact the Web can have on people, business and society aren’t nearly as cynical after 140conf Detroit.
Need some solid proof? Read on.
The entrepreneur panel consisting of Todd List, Pat Williams and Dan Walker taught us how the Web can help people who take a risk and start a business on their own. Sidenote to this – Todd didn’t talk about this yesterday, but he once shared at Tweetea that he credits Twitter for helping him make friends and encouraging him to be more social and active.
Stephen Clark from WXYZ-TV taught us that Twitter can be a bridge that closes the gap between traditional and new media. It provides a channel for people in the community with amazing stories to share those directly with the reporters and anchors who broadcast local news to us every day.
Speakers like Nicholas Provenzano on the education panel taught us how the real time Web is a tool teachers can use to collaborate for education reform, more closely connect with students and provide a creative platform for education.
Anissa Mayhew taught us that the Web can be a channel for providing support when life throws an unexpected curve ball our way. Anissa had a sudden stroke, and while she was in a coma, friends, supporters and people who didn’t even know her used the Web to send her messages, console her family and stay updated on her recovery process.
Nelson de Witt taught us how the Web can bring together a family living in separate countries and divided by war and tragedy.
Julian Bond taught us how Twitter can give the public an inside look into the operating room during a surgery, and how creative use of video can result in new patients.
Beverly Cornell taught us how Twitter is the reason she got back her stolen laptop.
If that’s not enough proof for you, then read Jonathan Oosting’s article on MLive about 12 social media ideas and success stories from 140conf Detroit.
Trust me when I say that I know social media has to be more than one big “I love the Web!” fest. Investing time and resources in social media and the Web must eventually result in action, change and growth. I heard Charlie Wollborg loud and clear when he challenged everyone to quit patting themselves on the back and instead get active.
So, what part are you playing in sharing the power of the social Web? Are you telling others about success stories? Are you inviting people to events and conferences so they can learn/see for themselves? Are you spending more time preaching than using the real time Web to create real results?
With those final thoughts, I leave you with the trailer of a soon-to-be hour-long documentary that John Hammond debuted at 140conf Detroit. It’s about Detroit bloggers who use the Web to spread the positive word about amazing things happening in their community.
PS: A sincere thank you to Jeff Pulver for bringing 140conf to the Midwest and Michigan, as well as Chris Barger from GM and all the other sponsors, volunteers, attendees and supporters who made this conference possible. See you next year!
