Love a bit of social and online? Online Influence Conference (OiConf) is coming to Bristol next month with an armful of online treats for your business. Turning training days and overdone expos on their head, OiConf aims to deliver world class content on and offline.
The event on Thursday 20 October sees masterclasses on the rise of the chatbot, workshops focusing on messaging apps, panel discussions with industry leaders in the tech sphere and networking over a drink or two (or three).
With past speakers from brands such as AirBnB, BuzzFeed, Google, IBM, Microsoft and Twitter, it’s an opportunity to meet and mingle with some internationally respected speakers that you would normally have to travel to see.
“From a digital perspective Bristol’s where it’s at”
We spoke to Paul Shepherd, event organiser and founder of digital agency Coup Media, to find out why he’s bringing OiConf back to Bristol. He tells us, “From a digital perspective Bristol’s where it’s at. It’s the UK’s biggest cluster outside of London and it’s a city many of the team have (or do) live and work in. We trialled our first event last year and the reaction was great, so we made the decision immediately to come back – bigger and better!”
Look who’s talking
This year’s line-up includes speakers such as: Jeremy Basset, head of digital for Unilever; John Watton, senior marketing director for Adobe; Rachel Hawkes, global head of social for TUI Travel (the travel group that includes Thompson and First Choice); and Ben Phillips, global head of mobile for media-buying agency Mediacom.
“There’s such a wealth of talent in the region that we couldn’t possibly host an event without highlighting at least a snapshot of that talent!”
They are also looking for South West businesses to take the stage. Paul explains, “There’s such a wealth of talent in the region that we couldn’t possibly host an event without highlighting at least a snapshot of that talent!” [If speaking sounds like your cup of tea/pint of cider, you can get in contact via email].
“The tech community can find their peers under one roof”
There will also be an exhibition zone showcasing some of the brightest new content agencies, data platform providers and social specialists. Paul says, “The tech community can find their peers under one roof, understand how some of the biggest players in tech approach and overcome the latest challenges, secure new business and investment, and enjoy a few drinks in great company after the event (on the house, of course!)”
Get involved with innovation
In true social fashion, OiConf welcomes opportunities to collaborate, as Paul tells us, “We’re always looking for innovative companies to interview and host roundtables for Oi.tv. With shows already in the calendar for Cardiff, Bristol, London, Manchester and – potentially – NYC now’s a great time to talk about working with us. Also, we’re always looking for content contributors, bloggers, writers and film crews, so drop us a line for a chat!”
“As a fellow Bristolian it gives me an enormous sense of pride to welcome them into our buzzing city”
Ashley Wheeler, commercial director for OiConf, says “Bristol has always had its very own unique identity – it is a creative and innovation hub, so it is the natural host for an event that is really challenging how social and mobile drives the future of business. Bristol has also given us the ability to attract the industry’s biggest names, and as a fellow Bristolian it gives me an enormous sense of pride to welcome them into our buzzing city.”
20 October, 8am-6.30pm, Mercure Holland House, Bristol, BS1 6SQ. You can book your tickets online through their website, alternatively, there are still some exhibition and sponsorship slots available, contact ashley@coupmedia.com for more information. True to form you can follow what’s happening at the conference on plenty of social media channels, follow @OiConf on Twitter using the Hashtag #OiConf, on Facebook @OiConference and on LinkedIn, Instagram or SnapChat.
Look out for soon-to-be launching Oi.tv which will house all of the content in short form video.
[Image credit: Panel discussion – Huw John]
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