I recently attended the Social Media and PR Summit at Univ of Whitewater. I had to sit on the far edge of the room and not leave because of outlets and I wanted to tweet the conference. I got one other presentation in another location but ran out of battery near the end. They should have seen this list by Social Fish before that time. Also there should be a blog room provided as there has historically been press and media rooms for writers to get away and "do there thing"

They did post a screen of live tweets but it was at the front of the room and not really accessible if you didn't have a plug or binoculars.

Great suggestions! I would add to the boundaries point "expectations". Do you want bloggers posting before the event to build anticipation? Do you want a certain number of posts throughout the event? A wrap up post? Once the event is in full swing it can (ok, it WILL) get hectic; I found it very helpful to know ahead of time exactly what was expected of me so I could make sure I posted with the expected frequency.

Good suggestions, all. I'd add giving the bloggers some recognition and exposure, too. I liked what ASAE did to pull in feeds from related blogs for its annual Web hub. I'd like to think that associations know those who are blogging in their space (especially their conference rooms), and would want to find ways to get them exposure to members just as the bloggers are giving the meeting exposure among their readers.

Jeff, that's exactly the type of idea I had imagineered (heehee) for a few of our clients!
My concept was based on a modern version of a press box. Although typewriters and telephones are replaced by laptops and blackberries, the idea is still the same; enable your "press" (which is a shifting definition) to get the word out about your event and content pronto!

I would love to see a list of technology friendly properties. Those that offer free WiFi, have well-placed outlets and strong cellular signals. It would be great to be able to enable bloggers to do their jobs without it being a huge financial burden on the planner to offer modern conveniences.

I would love to have an app for all of that! :) Outlets, WiFi, and plenty of caffeine!

What about a "closed" meeting? Where do you draw the line between the "viral" effect of blogs and social networks and the need for an organization to keep some information private, or an event where media is not invited and the speakers may be a lot more candid than if they were "on the record?"

For the unschooled blogger that I am, it seems that Lindy is saying that she uses AT&T as her wireless carrier. Is that better than another? Are there any reasons that AT&T is preferred? Was I just reading the blog posting incorrectly?

Eric,

Good Question.

I think Lindy was just commenting that he is an iPhone user (as am I). Not sure about Lindy, but I am a passionate iPhone user first, then an AT&T customer second...at least that's how I rationalize it. To her point, iPhone is only available through AT&T Wireless although there's rumors of it being available on Verizon in 2010 or 2011.

I digress, but I don't think she is suggesting all bloggers need to be AT&T subscribers.Hope that helps!

For all of the bloggers out there, what phone do you use? If you are an iPhone user, do you have trouble with the touch screen keyboard? I have used a friend's iPhone on occasion. When I do, I usually touch the key beside the one I want. That's why I like the Blackberry because it lets me click real buttons. Comments?

Here's an interesting article on the AT&T/iPhone relationship: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/business/13digi.html?_r=1&em
Eric, it takes time to adjust to the iPhone keyboard, but gets a lot better as you use it more often. The landscape mode is also available in most programs, which gives each key more space than in standard mode (and much more space than key sizes on a BB). I made the switch from a Curve to an iPhone in August and have no regrets.

Eric,

I'm an Android user myself & have found it very helpful in all my social media work. I couldn't have survived Conference last year without it. I happen to be a G1 user, which is on the T-Mobile network, but now you find Android on T-Mobile, Verizon (2 different phones now) & I think Sprint has one. Definitely enjoy the Android platform, and I have a keyboard. (So does the Motorola Droid which is on Verizon)

Sure not as many apps (about 10k to 100k on iPhone), but the ones it does have are very functional. Plus are you really going to download 100k apps? ;)

In the end it's really about finding the phone that fits your needs, whether it's an iPhone, an Android, a Pre or a Blackberry doesn't matter as long as it's doing the job you need it to do.