Future Midwest: Your Chance To Learn From The Best

Feel behind the social media curve? Not able to keep up with the latest in digital technology? Or maybe you're using both digital tech and social media to help your company grow, but would like to learn some ways to refine what you're doing? Couldn't make South By Southwest this year, but would like someone would enlighten you to the latest trends? Wherever you are on the curve. There isn't a company or entrepreneur who couldn't benefit from attending Future Midwest this Friday and Saturday. It takes place in the Royal Oak Music Theater in Royal Oak, MI – a suburb just north of Detroit. So, if you're in the Detroit area or can get here by Friday, it's something you should look into. 

Considering the lineup of speakers all in one place, it's a bargain. Social Media icon Joe Jaffe, host of Jaffe Juice, kicks things off Friday morning. Digital pioneer Jay Adelson, former CEO and Chairman of Digg is a keynote speaker. The heads of social media operations for both Ford (Scott Monty) and GM (Chris Barger) will speak. Shiv Singh, of Razorfish, will talk about the Digital Renaissance. Scott Haunam of Daggerfin will conduct a workshop called "Brand up and be counted." And there's many, many more speakers and workshops.

The evenings look to be fun, too. Thursday night, it all kicks off with Tech Cocktail – visiting Detroit for the very first time. It will be at the Black Fin in Royal Oak and features booths by new and upcoming tech companies and products. Your $15 ticket also gets you two cocktails. Friday night, the local social media crowd hosts TechKaraoke at Royal Kubo in Clawson (just up Main Street from Royal Oak). This event is free, just show up and pay for your own drinks.

I will be part of the Yaffe Group contingent attending all the events and will keep you posted on what I learn. So, if you can't make Future Midwest, come back over the next couple of weeks for more posts featuring the knowledge gained during this three day digital/tech/social media event.

Mike McClure, Yaffe Exec Creative Director & Social Media Guy