The Social Media Conference Suriname (SMCS) has been successful executed since INEFFABLE N.V. starts it in 2017. To bring national and international speakers together who shed some light into the business of social media. The past five years, this SMCS, evolved from a one day event to a five day event in 2020. During this year, the Social Media Conference Suriname, honored their own name, by going fully digital. It was also the year when Suriname had their first COVID cases.
My role during the Social Media Conference
Since the introduction of Social Media Conference in Suriname I was part of this now prestigious event as a video journalist. My written stories or video productions in Dutch was part of creating awareness to this ‘new’ style of business. There is money to make in social media. In the USA and other parts of the world online business was already on the go, and crypto currency was introduced. We still had to figure out how our internet connection would be stable, with the only monopolist, providing us this service. But I might say even with the frustration of internet- the ‘nerds’ came with a solution. The same monopolist came with campaigns to invest in digital. Programing events were being held to create more program developers and give other programmers a challenge to create new products such as applications. Other individuals created their own awareness during international digital celebrations. Even the ICT Association came with different topics within digitalization.
Friends at the SMCS
During the physical part of the SMCS I wasn’t only working- I tried to network a couple of time, but not aware of what I could do for myself. SMCS has a variety of topics; social media platforms, e-commerce, marketing & sales, business aspect and professional development. I was genuinely interested in learning more within this non-traditional way of business. At this conference even creators started to get a platform- this time it were photographers on Instagram showing their creativity.
Many of my friends participated at this Instagrammed. For the most part I was just fan-girling and enjoying the conference. The best part of conferences are network events- there you can meet other people in a different setting and talk on a more informal way.
#SMCS21
The jubileum year of Social Media Conference. My very first real participation as an attendee. I have to say, it takes a team to produce & execute this and being part of this event 5 years. I salute this team! We are known in Suriname not for our consistency or continuity on events. This also due to sponsor, manpower and many other reasons.
To be honest I did not immediately bought the ticket when I got my first newsletter in my inbox. I waited for who the speakers might be this year. Sometimes, I come across the same group of speakers and that might let you think if it will be something new that they will give us. Again, in Suriname there is also no evolving in content- like you don’t learn something new- it’s always is the same as last year. BUT not the SMCS! Every year there is something new happening digitally. The internet is not waiting and sleeping- so, most of the time- the same speaker has an added value. After I saw the speakers and saw two of my friends, who I am a fan of, I was waiting for discounts. If I learn something in the USA, it is that discount is what makes you almost an American citizen. I got my discounts and was officially a participant of the 5th SMCS. Super excited.
Added value after Social Media Conference
I can still grow and achieve the highest honor as a (video) journalist, and on the same spectrum the profession is not standing still. A video journalist is now a mobile journalist. Only different is the mobile phone. Then again this person is also online, being a digital journalist. My duty is to evaluate where I can strive as the next journalist in a digital era. I already know that I won’t be in the traditional spectrum of media. My current project even holds something in Social Media Management, Email Marketing and Content Creating. Everything but journalism, but beats me writing is a skill and journalists have that skillset. The Social Media Conference did added value, because I understand the skillset of the different professions within social media. I can even see if podcasting would be a thing. During the Humphrey program I did come across a podcast I like to recreate in Suriname. My stories on Whatsapp gave my contacts a way to be part of the American experience. I talked a lot about logging with friends- and I have so much material to start creating those vlogs. For this current project I even got more perspective on social media management. I want to be recognized, because it kind of hurt that I am 10 years in media, and nobody knows me. On the other side I feel that I didn’t presented myself as someone who had something to add value to her community.
