Thanks For A Great Event!
For our 6th SoundBoard conference, we went BIG! In addition to offering concurrent session tracks, we also added a 2nd day. So many great speakers and amazing sessions, and as always we had a BLAST!
If you missed out, no worries. We’re already hard at work planning our next big event. Just be sure to join our mailing list so you can stay in the loop.
See You Next Time!
You can browse our upcoming events by visiting our Events Page, or join our mailing list to find out when our next one is announced.
Event Details
Work Hard, Play Hard!
All work and no play make for a decidedly not awesome conference. That’s why we’re planning events in some of our favorite local spots in downtown, Athens. Half the fun of SoundBoard is how good we are at having a good time. 😉
Here are the times of our networking parties. We’ll disclose the specific locations during the conference.
Thursday Night: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday Night: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM (Festivities immediately to follow the conference)
Staying Nourished
We’ll have a food truck on-site for lunch each day, and meal vouchers will be included with your registration. If you have dietary considerations, please be sure to let us know when you complete your registration and we will do our best to help our vendors accommodate.
There will be some snacks provided throughout the day. Same goes for coffee, water, and iced tea (sweet and unsweetened).
Everyone will be on their own for dinner, and of course are tons of other local vendors nearby if you decide you’d rather walk somewhere downtown for lunch!
Where To Stay
If you’re coming in from Atlanta this may be worthwhile: we’re going to have a lot of fun in the evenings and we promise it’ll be better networking and excitement than Spaghetti Junction traffic. Consider staying over, Athens is a treat to visit!
**PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH ROOMS BLOCKS AND DISCOUNTED RATES END 2/25/19
The Graduate Hotel Athens
We have a hotel room block at The Graduate Hotel, the site of our conference venue.
- You can call 706-549-7020 and say “SoundBoard” or use code: SO0320
- Or book online: Register: The Graduate Athens SoundBoard Room Block
*Please note that if you want to stay over Friday night to stay and party with us (woot!), then that is technically not part of the room block so you may need to contact the hotel directly to extend your stay.
Hotel Indigo Athens
We also have a room block at the Indigo Hotel which is located next door to the conference venue.
- You can call 1-866-808-1483 and reference “SoundBoard Marketing Conference”
- Or book online: Register: Indigo Hotel Athens SoundBoard Room Block
*Please note that if you want to stay over Friday night as well and party with us (woo-hoo!), then that is technically not part of the room block so you may need to contact the hotel directly to extend your stay.
Getting Registered
Registration will open at 8am each day. Be sure you’re completed your pre-registration online before coming to the event. You’ll know you’ve completed the registration emails when you’ve actually gotten your ticket with a QR code on it. We’ll do our best to follow-up with everyone beforehand individually to make sure no one is missing any emails.
There is parking in a lot behind the Graduate hotel, just go straight back when you pull into the main entrance, go all the way back towards the spa area, but then turn LEFT to get to the overflow parking.
When you arrive on-site, follow signs towards the Foundry. We will have a registration table setup in the breezeway just before you get to the vent rooms, where someone from our team will scan your ticket and get you checked in (you can show your phone, no need to print it out). If you ned to register on-site, we will be able to help you out with that as well.
Speakers & Session Schedule
The Future of Marketing In a Post AI World
By 2025 every consumer interaction will involve AI, changing what brands will have to do to stand out. Discover how chatbots, conversation interfaces, and other innovations will affect the future of marketing.
Strategy
with:
4:30 pm - 5 pm
Mar, 22
The Foundry
Analysts Panel
This informal panel will explore issues related to popular topics in our Analysts channel, with a focus on SEO. Tips, trips, and philosophies- all is game here!
SEO
3:30 pm - 4 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria II
Disruptive Content Marketing Shifts Are Already Underway
From search engines referring less traffic to websites, to the inevitability dealing with pay-to-play social channels, learn what fundamental things are already starting to change in the field of content marketing.
SEO
with:
4:30 pm - 5 pm
Mar, 21
The Foundry
Creatives Panel
This informal panel will explore issues related to popular topics in our Creatives channel. From art to ideas, let's get those creative juices flowing!
Content Marketing, Photography, Video
4:30 pm - 5 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria II
The Art of Engaging Multiple Audiences Through One Medium
We’re always trying to keep the needs of our target audiences in mind, even when dealing with unique interest groups. Explore possibilities to engage with more of your target segments in more meaningful ways.
Photography
with:
4 pm - 4:30 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria I
How to Launch and Market a Successful Brand Podcast
From the initial strategic planning and production challenges to the best ways to distribute and promote your content, this session will cover everything you need to know to launch a successful podcast for your brand.
Podcasting
with:
3:30 pm - 4 pm
Mar, 21
The Foundry
Creating A Mission-Driven Brand Strategy
How well does your company mission resonate with your marketing strategy's target audience? When it's time to develop a new brand facet, will you be able to recognize the opportunity and act on it?
Business & Branding, Strategy
with:
4 pm - 4:30 pm
Mar, 21
The Foundry
Organizers Panel
This informal panel will explore issues related to popular topics in our Organizers channel. Nothing in life comes without team effort, here we discuss how to get everyone moving towards the goal line.
Management, Strategy
3:30 pm - 4 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria II
What is Holding Me Back?
Strip years off your entrepreneurial learning curve and conquer common struggles associated with bootstrapping on limited resources to make this year your best ever, both personally and professionally.
Strategy
with:
1:30 pm - 2 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria I
Connectors Panel
This informal panel will explore issues related to popular topics in our Connectors channel. Life can be a lot like herding cats, here we pull it all together to get things done!
Networking, Social Media
4:30 pm - 5 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria II
Conversational Marketing and Facebook Messenger
Discover how Messenger is fundamentally transforming the way businesses communicate with their customers, and what your business can start doing to better implement conversational marketing.
Social Media
with:
1:30 pm - 2 pm
Mar, 22
The Foundry
Modern Retail in the Age of Assistance
In a world where our devices are assistive and not just reactive, how can you better connect to customers, drive action, and accelerate your marketing efforts? The answer will revolutionize your campaigns.
Paid Campaigns
with:
10:30 am - 11 am
Mar, 22
The Foundry
What You Don't Know Will Hurt You
As marketers we have come to rely on numerous sources for our information, but how reliable are they? Let's expose bad data and outline new approaches to get better answers from analytics, tools, and data providers.
Analytics, Data, SEO
with:
9:30 am - 10 am
Mar, 22
The Foundry
A Journey to Mature Brand Voice
How do you mature a brand that is already well-loved, or change a voice without breaking it? Explore key considerations and challenges such an endeavor may pose, and learn how to tackle them successfully.
Business & Branding, Design
with:
11:30 am - 12 pm
Mar, 22
The Foundry
Your Brand Is Only As Good As Your People
Whether launching a new brand or overhauling an existing one, you've likely given careful thought into how to best tell your story to your customers. But can the same be said for everyone else on your team?
Business & Branding, Internal Marketing
with:
9 am - 9:30 am
Mar, 21
The Foundry
Improved Storytelling Through Live Video
Live video is becoming more prominent across different social channels and many companies are embracing its potential. See some top tips for creating your own Live content campaigns.
Social Media, Video
with:
3:30 pm - 4 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria I
Pivoting For Success
Sometimes changing the path your on can help to unlock your full potential. Whether for your own career or your brand's marketing strategy/activites, learn how to recognize a good opportunity for making a strategic pivot.
Strategy
with:
11:30 am - 12 pm
Mar, 21
The Foundry
Data Literacy, Stewardship and Statistical Reasoning
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. We'll discuss using data efficiently, review the choices we face and determine how data literacy, statistical reasoning and algorithmic thinking help.
Analytics, Data
with:
4:30 pm - 5 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Advertisers Panel
This informal panel will explore issues related to popular topics in our Advertisers channel. Spending money is easy, let's discuss how to generate happy customers with a positive ROI.
Paid Campaigns
4 pm - 4:30 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria II
Website Structure For SEO
Learn how good site structure helps visitors navigate to important content while helping search engines better understand the website -- improving both usability and search traffic.
Data, SEO
with:
1:30 pm - 2 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria II
Fans to Followers to Friends: The Secret to Rapid Organic Social Media Growth
with:
1:30 pm - 2 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria II
Leveraging Data Relationships for Context
Real World Objects is a machine-oriented construct that helps explain relationships. Learn best practices for creating RWO's for your metadata and how to make them more machine-friendly.
Data
with:
4:30 pm - 5 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria I
Avoiding Common Pitfalls For Startups
Learn from popular mistakes and ensure your business has a rock-solid plan for mitigating risks. Strengthen your business plan, keep investors happy, and get ready to grow.
Strategy
with:
11:30 am - 12 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Finding Your Community
Don't be left alone in the cold! Discover some battle-tested and proven tips for building strong support systems in the often lonely world of entrepreneurship.
Networking
with:
10:30 am - 11 am
Mar, 21
Galleria II
Starting With The Story First
Storytelling is a powerful marketing tool that only works when the stories are authentic and relatable. Learn how to use real-life experiences to create stories to define and grow your brand.
Business & Branding, Content Marketing
with:
2 pm - 2:30 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Fostering Fans & Customers
Fans and customers aren't always the same thing. Explore the differences between the two and how to sometimes bridge the gap in this informal discussion, complete with live brand audits and examples.
Social Media
with:
10:30 am - 11 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria II
Improving The Customer Journey With Better Data
What pieces of data are critical in optimizing the online customer journey? Explore insightful tools and learn how to visualize trends to more effectively keep your customers on the road to satisfaction.
Analytics, Development
with:
2 pm - 2:30 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria II
Is White Hat Reputation Marketing Possible?
Online review management & reputation marketing is increasingly important, but is your strategy following Google's latest guidelines? Let's explore some more effective and sustainable methodologies.
Reputation Marketing
with:
2 pm - 2:30 pm
Mar, 22
The Foundry
The Power and Ethical Considerations of Harnessing Big Data
It's not only inevitable, it's already possible to exploit digital advertising platforms to run your own Big Data operation. How do we responsibly navigate this awesome power?
with:
3:30 pm - 4 pm
Mar, 22
The Foundry
From "Great Idea!" to Funded Startup, Getting Traction Against the Odds
The world doesn't care about your awesome product and your competitors aren't happy to see you. Discover how to gain traction by solving consumer headaches while balancing the demands of the fundraising roadshow.
Strategy
with:
9:30 am - 10 am
Mar, 22
Galleria II
Taking Advantage Of A Competitor's Laziness
What if you had an actionable strategy to take a competitor head on and successfully divert their intended traffic to your site? Utilizing basic search marketing tools we will discuss how to do just this.
Strategy
with:
9 am - 9:30 am
Mar, 21
Galleria II
Make Them Buy
When customers see your brand, what exactly comes to mind? This energetic session will include a live brand audit and equip you with the tools you need to elevate your brand messaging to the next level.
Business & Branding
2 pm - 3 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria II
Reality Bytes: How For Gen Z The Digital Experience IS the Human Experience
From socializing to buying online, Gen Z has seized the digital future and begun to blend it into the reality we all share, regardless of age. Explore what this all means for your digital experiences.
User Experience
with:
11 am - 11:30 am
Mar, 22
The Foundry
Is Your Instagram Graphic Enough?
Explore what works when it comes to creating successful Instagram content, and what misses the mark. This session will cover best practices and fundamentals for creating compelling social media graphics.
Design, Social Media
with:
9 am - 9:30 am
Mar, 22
Galleria I
Influencer Marketing For B2B
Influencers may be all the rage in consumer marketing, but can be even more effective in B2B. Learn how the power of PR, engaging micro-influencers, and tapping into traditional and digital thought leaders can advance your business.
Strategy
with:
9 am - 9:30 am
Mar, 22
Galleria II
How to Gain Buy-in for Change & Bring Your Ideas to Life
You’ve got a killer new idea, yet you hesitate to share it. Why? You know that without buy-in, all you have is a pipe dream. Learn how to gain team support & influence process change so you can drive results.
Internal Marketing
with:
2 pm - 2:30 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria I
Search and Social Advertising: 3 Tricks to Make Them Better Together
As more than 9 million advertises reach their customers online, many learn the tough lesson that thanks to frequent platform switching our campaign results get blurry quickly. Learn how to bridge the gaps.
Paid Campaigns, Social Media
with:
9 am - 9:30 am
Mar, 22
The Foundry
Breaking The Rules With Marketing Innovation
As the pace of change in the marketing and advertising space continues to increase, learn how to enable your brand to quickly adapt to new trends, technologies, consumer behaviors and media platforms.
Automation, Business & Branding
with:
9 am - 9:30 am
Mar, 21
Galleria I
It Takes A Little Friction To Generate A Spark
Successful marketing leaders kindle inspiration, fan the flame and bring a roaring fire to life. Learn how to build and lead a confident, diverse team that’s not afraid of a little friction to generate that spark!
Management
with:
11 am - 11:30 am
Mar, 21
Galleria II
10 Ways to Optimize Your Paid Search Campaigns Today
Google is constantly updating features and functionality in Search Ads. In this actionable working session, you will learn how to optimize your campaigns to perform better.
Paid Campaigns
with:
10:30 am - 11 am
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Blending Art & Science to Deliver Impact
Using data to change behavior not only drives short-term revenue but builds long-term customer value. Learn how to recognize behavioral decision points from data and how to intercept them to drive action.
Analytics
with:
10:30 am - 11 am
Mar, 22
Galleria I
Builders Panel
This informal panel will explore issues related to popular topics in our Builders channel. Getting smart on what it takes to create lasting value is what we're all about.
Automation, Data, Email Marketing
4 pm - 4:30 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria II
Automatic for the People
Chatbots don't have to suck. Come learn proven strategies that will keep your customers engaged, avoid negative reviews, and build stronger brand loyalty.
Automation
with:
11 am - 11:30 am
Mar, 22
Galleria I
4D Nurturing for 3X Marketing Results
Explore strategies for expanding your email marketing into evergreen personalized multi-touch experiences that include segmented nurturing, automated direct mail campaigns, Facebook/Google retargeting, and much more.
Automation, Email Marketing
with:
11 am - 11:30 am
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Controlling The Variables for Prospecting Success
Effective demand generation requires a message that resonates with your target audience. Learn how to uncover the truth about your prospecting challenges: Is it your Market, the Message or the Messenger?
Sales
with:
3:30 pm - 4 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Defend Your Narrative: An Introduction to Information Integrity for Brands
Disinformation campaigns and influence operations obscure truth and erode trust. You'll learn about information integrity and how to protect your brand from the negative impacts of false messaging.
Business & Branding, Data
with:
2 pm - 2:30 pm
Mar, 21
The Foundry
Designing and Building Email For Everyone
HTML email is popular, but isn't always accessible. Learn the design and development tricks required to build accessible and inclusive emails that drive better engagement and make all subscribers happier—regardless of ability.
Accessibility, Email Marketing, User Experience
with:
2:30 pm - 3 pm
Mar, 21
The Foundry
Blogging Is Back To Help You Accomplish Your Content Goals
If your brand is looking to earn trust, authority, and traffic it's time to dust off your blog. Discover how some smart brands are being rewarded for staying the course and maintaining their blogs.
Content Marketing
with:
2:30 pm - 3 pm
Mar, 22
The Foundry
When Overnight Success Takes 10 Years
Making it big "overnight" takes time, flexibility, listening skills, and knowing when to sometimes say "yes" when everyone tells you "no." Discover why great things can take time to build.
Management
with:
1:30 pm - 2 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Creating Stronger Opportunity Models For Your SEO Campaigns
Clearly communicate the potential financial value of your next SEO initiative and get stronger buy-in from your stakeholders with these best-practice methodologies and specific forecasting tools.
SEO
with:
4 pm - 4:30 pm
Mar, 22
The Foundry
Overcoming Your Fear of Sales
Explore modern approaches to classic sales techniques and gain the confidence to sell with style. With a little bit of knowledge and practice, you too can kick your revenue into overdrive.
Sales
with:
11:30 am - 12 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria II
How Bing AI Will Impact Marketing?
Discover how Microsoft is using Bing as the foundation for an exciting new suite of intelligent agents, apps, and services that will benefit customers and consumers alike.
Bing
with:
9:30 am - 10 am
Mar, 21
The Foundry
How to Close the Gap Between Marketing and Sales
Marketers are great at generating measurable leads, but tracking engagement once they are passed to sales is almost impossible. Start influencing the entire revenue journey by changing the way you approach new opportunities.
Analytics, Sales
with:
1:30 pm - 2 pm
Mar, 21
The Foundry
How Being A LinkedIn Expert Can Pay Off
LinkedIn is not just a place for job hunters. Learn how to leverage this multi-faceted, dynamic platform where people are looking for experts across all fields to better distinguish your brand.
Social Media
with:
9:30 am - 10 am
Mar, 21
Galleria II
Keys to Winning in Competitive SEO Landscapes
Technical SEO is no longer enough to win in modern-day competitive landscapes. Discover how to cut through the competition by focusing on searcher intent, user experience on-site, content marketing, and more.
SEO
with:
2:30 pm - 3 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Traditional vs. Digital Creative: Winners and Losers
How can the world of traditional creative co-exist with the demands of digital creative? What do each of these realms need to know about each other to thrive and more fully support your brand?
Design
with:
11:30 am - 12 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria II
Preparing On-screen Talent For More Engaging Live Video
There's a difference between hosting a regular linear broadcast and hosting a live social media broadcast. Learn important tips that will help you get the most out of your live video participants.
Video
with:
9:30 am - 10 am
Mar, 21
Galleria I
Be Your Brand
Learn how to create an irresistible brand story that speaks to your target audience and positions you as an expert in your niche.
Business & Branding
with:
11 am - 11:30 am
Mar, 22
Galleria II
How to Invent the Future of Marketing
Never before has the combo of exponentially advancing tech & transformative consumer behavior unfolded at today’s current scale & speed. Learn how to navigate this ever-changing future in this session.
Management
with:
2:30 pm - 3 pm
Mar, 22
Galleria I
Relationship Check In
It is one thing to be connected, it is another thing to be engaged in authentic relationships. Explore how to use humility, kindness, and courage to build and inspire community.
Networking
with:
10:30 am - 11 am
Mar, 21
The Foundry
Transforming Data Into Experiences That Influence Behavior
Data alone lacks the empathy necessary to drive behavior change. By combining data with interactive experiences, we can tell powerful stories that motivate people to make impactful behavior changes.
Data
with:
4 pm - 4:30 pm
Mar, 21
Galleria I
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* If a speaker has a last-minute emergency, please understand that we will make every effort to find the best possible replacement.
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