"I've been following all this conversation around MPI WEC and the socia media gurus with interest, dismay, delight, dread, and confusion. I guess I never really saw the need to have SMGs to begin with: • If the point was promotion: MPI staff should put whatever it is they want to promote out there and people will RT if it's interesting. If it isn't, it'll fall on deaf ears..."

"I'd go hands-on at the conference itself, if you can't beforehand, and provide stations near registration or some other central gathering point that would have some computers and people available to help show folks how to create a flickr account and upload digital photos, tweet, whatever else you want to introduce. Maybe have your keynote speaker and a few (seeded if need be) audience members i..."

"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..."

"Sadly, most of the meetings I've been to lately haven't done much with social media, except for ASAE. My best from this year's ASAE con was when I was hanging out with some friends, talking and texting and tweeting. I just had said something about feeling guilty about not putting my full attention on the people I was with when the person next to me held up her Blackberry to show a Facebook mess..."