What Future for Paid Social Media Events in Montreal?

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Are Paid Social Media Events Still Profitable? That’s exactly what I’m wondering when I realize that the two last paid social media conferences booked in Montreal were cancelled because they’ve failed to sell enough tickets. I cannot say that I’m not concerned because each social media event, paid or not, helps the local social media marketing industry which I’m part of. So is there a market for these conferences in Montreal?

Conférence sur les médias sociaux de l’Institut Canadien (cancelled)
In past September, there were two social media events scheduled in the same week. was free and very successful while the other one, the was charging few hundred dollards to attend a 2-days conference and got cancelled at the last minute. Is there any explanation why orgnanizers have been doing such conference but have failed when trying to do the same in Montreal? What’s wrong with Montrealers and paid social media events?

Journée Infopresse sur les médias sociaux (cancelled)
Another big player in the organization of conferences in Montreal is . They plan dozens of one day event through the year. Past winter that had a first and more recently they had scheduled another event on social media ( but content has been removed) that was cancelled too. Last time I’ve spoken to Infopresse organization, they told me that they’ll probalbly reschedule that social media day but yesterday, via , I’ve noticed that their contains no sign of any social media day. Since they neither plan any SEO, SEM or SMO related event, I see that as a great opportunity for any group or company to take the lead and organize such an event in Montreal.

BTW, I’ve been interviewed in the latest edition of Infopresse magazine, go grab your copy it’s December issue and it’s a digital communication special edition. They have interesting articles about the future of Web agencies, online reputation management, corporate blogging, online PR with bloggers and more. You will also be able to find all the information related to the latest Boomerang Awards and a full directory of all digital companies in the city.

12 Responses to “What Future for Paid Social Media Events in Montreal?”

  1. Says:

    I wasn’t aware of these social media days. I would be very interested in any SEM or SMO related events but I only hear about the ones in the States.

    I think the Podcamp MTL was a big success though. I am aware that it is free but I have no answer to your question.

  2. Says:

    You’re in to help me organize a SocialMediaCamp this summer? I have commited to about one event per month next year, Jan, Feb and March are already planned but after that I’m quite open to ideas and I think we could make a great follow-up event to last year FaceBookCamp with a wider reach and scope.

  3. Says:

    well maybe you could write a post summing up why social media events and conferences are great (a top 10 list, someone?), and what attendees can get from those.

  4. nicolask7 Says:

    @heri thank you for the idea, i’ll surely write about it

  5. nicolask7 Says:

    @Sylvain I’m definitely in, anybody else interested?

  6. Says:

    I think PodCamp Montréal had an effect on the cancellation of the Conférence sur les médias sociaux de l’Institut Canadien because it was just days before. There was 3 times more conferences at PodCamp and it was free. When you can have more for free, which event are you going to choose?

    But Free has a price and that price is sponsoring and the time-investment from a handful of believers who are crazy and passionate enough to get things done. Same thing for all camps.

    There is still place for big corporate events where you have to pay like the WebCom. You have there some speakers you won’t find at Camps. Well, some of them may go but not all of the at the same time. Priced events still have a good value if they have good speakers like WebCom Montréal has.

    Guys, you can count me in for a SocialMediaCamp, even if you need a hand for the organization, Also don’t forget that the main topic of a PodCamp is also social media, not podcasting alone. Should we bring the 2 together?

  7. Says:

    @nicolask7 After seeing your list I might be interested.

  8. nicolask7 Says:

    @Patrick great
    @Sylvain: was there any plan to make another PodCamp Mtl next summer? if so, you’re right, it would be important to consider doing only one major event instead of two.

  9. Says:

    @nicolask7 I am in.

  10. Says:

    Social media are almost entirely supported by advertising, difficult to monetize otherwise and will be challenged by the advertising crunch.

    So, on the one hand, we could speculate that the social media industry is in for a tough ride and it translates into a lack of interest for the type of events you mention.

    On the other hand, some might argue that social media will come of age as “traditional Internet advertising” (i.e. banner placement) will take the hit full force and the focus will shift to “social marketing”, a very cost effective strategy.

    2009 will certainly be interesting.

  11. Says:

    I haven’t heard of any related events in Montreal… now I see them as canceled… Make me question my plans for the 2009 IM Seminar in Montreal I was planning…

  12. Says:

    @nicolask7 The date is not defined yet but there will sure be another PodCamp Montreal at the end of summer / beginning of fall.

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