By Allan Maurer
RALEIGH, NC—A key way to getting the most from the Internet Summit or any conference says Wayne Sutton of NC Research Triangle-based Our Hashtag, is to define your goals before you attend. Sutton, one of more 75 Internet executives, entrepreneurs, and investors participating in the Second Annual Internet Summit in Raleigh tomorrow and Thursday, says usually, the number one goal is to learn.
The Summit, slated for Wednesday and Thursday at the Raleigh Convention Center, expects between 1100 and 1200 people at a sold out event to hear speakers and panelists from Google, Digg, Expeida, ESPN, Pandora and many other top Internet brands nationally, regionally and locally. Registration for the event closes today. (See: www.InternetSummit.com to register).
The second most important goal is to network for potentially profitable business leads, Sutton says. In a blog post at www.socialWayne.com, says that by defining goals ahead of going to a conference, you can then measure the outcome.
He cites a post by David B. Thomas of SAS who suggests asking the following questions after attending an event:
- Did you learn anything new?
- Did you build new relationships with possible partners?
- Did you create any new content before or after?
- Are you able to teach others about what you learned?
- Did you connect with someone new who you might be able to refer to someone else?
- Did you do more listening or talking?
- How many business cards did you pass out and obtain?
- If you’re planning a conference did you connect with a potential sponsor?
- Did you find answers to your questions you had before you left?
Sutton describes himself as an entrepreneur, strategist, and producer with a passion for video blogging and social media. He’s been in the Internet business since the early 1990s, as a former network administrator with hosting firms and founded Our Hashtag in August.
Sutton says his own goal for the Internet Summit is to learn from his peers, look for tips and new information on the Internet industry and build upon relationships he developed at other events and online. “It gives you a chance to put a face with a name and see if you can build partnerships that will be an asset to my clients.”
Sutton says he believes that he sees video and mobile as two powerful emerging technologies. In addition, he says he thinks a great new device coming from Apple computers next year may be a game changer, making it easier for people to push video online and participate in real time social media streams.
In the mobile space, Sutton notes, “The mobile industry is trying to catch up to the hardware.” Faster upload speeds are necessary to upload content such as video more effectively, for instance. But even now, he says, “Mobile is playing a big role in everything. I can go on my iPhone and get all the news I need, even video, and don’t require a PC or anything else.”
But, he predicts, “If you think we’re seeing some cool devices now, just wait a couple of years.”
If you want to connect with TechJournal South editor Allan Maurer at the event, send an email to allan@techjournalsouth.com.
Online: www. Wayne-Sutton.com; www.socialwayne.com; www.Internetsummit.com
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