Social media is dead? Far from it, according to these guys.

I wanted to highlight this upcoming social media and digital marketing event in the UK, as it’s such a rarity to see a genuinely well thought-out, transparent, inclusive, and SME-focused social media conference and training event out there in this country.

The imminent WhatsNextEvent, running all day on 06 February in Cardiff, is the brainchild of Welsh-based social media consultant Allan Blair Beaton, and it’s worth promoting.

Mainly because of the open nature of this conversationally-enhanced social media guy. So refreshing, so rare, so…well…social.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In short, it’s panning out from the Agenda, to be a great day of digital marketing learning and social media education from a real Pro. The list of speakers and seminars organised for the day are useful, and not a hint of selling of skills looks evident. Bravo.

I spoke to Allan on the phone last week, and instantly liked his viewpoints, passion and lack of corporate marketing speak. A totally open, friendly, witty, down-to-earth and knowledgeable guy.

The kind of person you’d want on your team, that’s for sure.

Highlighting this event makes sense to me – in light of the plethora of London-based social media workshops being organised by new-to-the-block social media and blogging advocates (the biggest culprits seem to be PR agencies who have just set up a blog and social media services, making them overnight ‘experts’ in the field to the unwary) – and even more so, because the speakers and organisers of the WhatsNextEvent have all been living, breathing, and delivering on social media, SMM, digital marketing and more for some time.

They’re in the field, at grassroots level, leading the way, and now sharing their knowledge. Perfect.

I’m pleased to see such a strong regional training and education offering out there for SMEs looking at social media marketing – it’s long overdue. The amount of organisation and commitment to get this kind of event up and running is huge, of course.

So, to Allan and the team delivering this fantastic day, congratulations. I’m sure it will be a success on every level.

And, if you’re wondering what it’s all about, and you can get there – why not attend? This kind of education is rarely available.