I just returned from the New Communications Forum: Blog University held in Napa Valley last week.
The conference lived up to its hype-- it was international, it was educational, and it was fun. Held at the Silverado Resort, which lent a vacation flavor to the ambience, this conference was abuzz with all things new and technical, yet didn't lose the all important focus on people-- real people, the living, breathing, eating, sleeping people that make up the world : personal and business, alike.
Elizabeth Albrycht and Jennifer McClure organized a stimulating and exciting conference with a large group of not only A-list bloggers, but also PR execs and company reps who were eager to learn more about blogging. That the conference was a huge success is testament to the hard work these two ladies put in, and to the willingness of so many people-- there's that word, again, people-- to participate, either as speakers, presenters, or attendees.
Blogging is a people task...as a business tool (Matthew Pobody said it's "a new tool in the toolshed"), it surpasses a static brochure, even a company website. Now, no one said companies should trash those traditional marketing methods... in fact, as Matthew notes, blogging is just another part of any companies overall marketing plan-- not a replacement of such.
Meanwhile, presentations by the likes of Shel Holtz, on Crisis Management using blogging, and discussions with Evelyn Rodriguez on her thoughts about the personalization of blogging, not to mention-- well, yes, to mention-- listening to Small Business Trends blogger, Anita Campbell talk about branding via blog, one can't help but embrace the power of the written word--in marriage with appropriate graphics--to influence customers, vendors, prospects, and partners, alike, and how it's a vital part of this new online business tool.
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