I completely agree. It was suggested after last year’s event that the conference needed to be divided into streams based on level of knowledge. It’s unfortunate that this wasn’t done as I think it would have helped.

Matt, your review of SMCV11 is quite astute. I agree with many of the points and concerns you’ve raised. I feel that this year’s event, over that of the event in 2010, was not an improvement, but instead a step backwards in many profound ways.

Like you and others, I also felt that many of the presenters used their presentation time as a selfish marketing opportunity and didn’t provide much in the way of tangible information one could take back to work (or their personal SM interactions) on Monday. But for many of the sessions I attended, I was more concerned with the extreme level of mis-information being provided. For instance, the self-proclaimed advanced Twitter presentation was cringe-worthy. Hearing a supposedly well-respected member of the Social Media community in Victoria tell presentation attendees not to use the #yyj hashtag unless they have something worthy of that hashtag to say, ’cause it is cluttering up that stream for those of “them” whom that hashtag is meant for, was utterly shocking! I suspect that those presenters do not play well with others. As well, the good tweets vs bad tweets examples given during that presentation were quite alarming. I left that session hoping that anyone new to Twitter (especially anyone representing a business) would not take those tips and the advice given there as the gospel on Twitter or Social Media. At best, those presenters came across as arrogant and self-serving. Shame on them.

With all due respect to how much work it is to stage an event such as this (don’t kid yourself, it is a heck of a lot of work!), anyone who is familiar with the local Victoria organizers will have already assessed that the SMCV11 experience was a direct reflection of how those individuals themselves approach Social Media and the level of expertise those individuals and local businesses have themselves. A quick assessment reveals that the organizers must not have a very good grasp on the depth and magnitude of Social Media and Social Media Marketing.

My experience to-date with the local Social Media community, is that many of the players with the actual SM expertise and a healthy understanding of how flexible one must be to engage in these new communication mediums, are flying under the radar for the most part. Many of them didn’t even attend the event.

I tip my hat to Dan Parks for his location based Social Media presentation. Dan knows his stuff and he has more than enough enthusiasm, energy and passion for these tools than all the camp presenters combined. Rob Heppell’s presentation was also commendable… Heppell knows his stuff. I would highly recommend that any business looking to get involved with Social Media and don’t know where to start, should give those guys a call before calling anyone else.

At least now we know who not to call from those who presented over the two days. Yes, I mean you too Dr. Pacheco-Vega. Is it good for business (or for your soul) to tell people that you oggle guys on the bus? (See the online Urban Dictionary definition of “oggle” to be completely shocked or titillated by what he was actually saying to us. And he often tweets about this under his avian alter ego, that he also told us was the username he talks to his students with… huh? Seriously? Students need mentors, not Perez Hilton’s brother from another mother!)

The biggest disappointments or “epic fails” for me for the entire camp were the keynote speakers and the sinking feeling that SMCV11 was potentially succeeding in reducing Social Media Marketing to a dog and pony show.

For anyone in business who attended SMCV11 and are wanting to utilize these incredibly persuasive and positive marketing tools (SMM), please don’t be discouraged. Please don’t feel as though this is an elusive carrot that only the Twitterati will ever understand and enjoy. Getting involved and having fun with Social Media for your business and/or personal communication use, is way easier than anyone at SMCV11 even dared to admit.

The keynote speakers were among the biggest offenders for me during the entire camp. Jay’s presentation was certainly more inspiring than Amber’s, but both of those keynote addresses felt like a throw-back or an hommage to marketing in the 80′s without getting too much into how Social Media can really work for your business. Yes, I am that old, and yes, I understand how Social Media works better than most teens and the Generation Z. They may have invented these tools and/or are a big part of making them fly, but everyone under the age of 20 are not ALL Social Media experts by default. As Rob Heppell said, the tools of delivery have changed, not the principles [of marketing].

Sure both Jay and Amber talked about engagement, but it is one of those buzz words that just makes anyone using it, sound like they know more than anyone else. For me it is like the use of the phrase or term “best practises” in the design and marketing community. Don’t say that to your clients! It is one of the most un-authentic things we can say. Tell it like it is… Social Media is ever changing and you have to stretch-out and be more flexible than ever… with your thoughts and ideas, than ever before!

Buckle-up and enjoy the ride! Social Media is exciting and we are so fortunate in this day and age to have these tools available to us!

PS: I won’t be going to SMCV12 either… fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Sorry to the organizers (and importantly to the hard working volunteers), but it is how I feel after attending SMCV two years in a row.

And hey, how come no one mentioned Mashable the entire two days? Maybe I missed it, but if you don’t know about them, check ‘em out!

I agree with your analysis 100%. What’s particularly disappointing for me is that this the exact same feedback a number of us who attended last year’s inaugural conference provided to organizers after last year’s event. And this is the reason why a number of us (myself included) did not attend this year. Lack of changes + increased ticket price = little value or ROI, from my perspective.

They also need to change their practice of charging speakers the ticket price to speak at the conference! This will only perpetuate ‘elementary’ presentations and sales pitches. (note: I expect the keynote speakers are not charged but I know that everyone else is).

I was also highly disappointed by the awards component of the conference. I love the concept and agree wholeheartedly that we need to celebrate the success of social media from a West Coast perspective however it was not executed well at all. The online voting system was compromised (contained a common online voting wordpress glitch that did not allow everyone to vote) and the category information was incomplete in some instances. A good idea poorly executed degrades the value of the award and casts a negative shadow on the conference and conference organizers.

I truly hope they make significant adjustment next year because I would love to learn and grow with my peers, without having to pay the price to travel to Toronto or the USA to do so.

Nice tips.
You’re right putting SEO above everything else does take away from being customer centred. They will find you but will they like what they find when they get there?