Professional Development #tourismchat

#tourismchat is a biweekly twitter chat (Thursdays, 2pm CST) that focuses on how social media is used in the tourism industry.

Our last chat, Aug 4, was about Professional Development. You can read through the transcript [pdf] but here are some of the chat’s highlights:

What blogs are you reading that are not-to-be missed?

@BeckyMcCray: I love the insights at Rural Tourism Marketing by @ruraltourism http://ruraltourismmarketing.com
@YfactorInc: Blogs I like are by @unmarketing and @dmscott they are marketing/SoMe focused but can be applied to
any field
@jennrush03: I’ve learned a lot from SocialMediaExaminer.com – great info on using twitter, facebook, linkedIn, video, etc.
@bsepos: I read http://www.wilhelmus.ca/ from the always insightful William Bakker of @ThinkSM
@WhosYourAnnie: the @travel2dot0 and @tnooz blogs are some of my favorites. Also Jaunted, Ad Age and PhoCusWright Connect
@rednikki: yes, Jaunted and HotelChatter as well
@Amy_Brock: I’ve always been a fan of http://dotcomconfessions.com/ (Jennifer Barbee’s) blog. Good stuff.
@marcellinho_nl: Tnooz, Phocusright, SocialMediaExaminer.com to name a few

What other chats do you participate it?

@DigitalKaitlyn: I just finished with PRWebChat and #Smmeasure, both excellent chats for marketing professionals!
@scullyano: I’ve dipped into #blogchat on Sunday nights, but it’s a lot.
@BeckyMcCray: For a firehose of blogging info, join #blogchat on Sunday nights
@Amy_Brock: the #luxchat is a great one, lots of travel and pr discussions there.
@TourismCurrents: We recommend #eventprofs if you want to connect w/meeting planners, and #assnchat for association
meeting planners.
@TourismCurrents: Two other good ones are #blogchat (online publishing insights) and #speakchat (if you speak or are looking for some.)
@BeckyMcCray: Many events and conferences now host their own twitter chats: #bwechat #sobcon etc.
@TourismCurrents: For heritage tourism and economic/downtown development, #builtheritage is new but very good.
@KellyDeanOttawa: I also like #TTOT, #TNI and #NUTS (last one not specifically Tourism). And #tweetdiner and #smManners for SoMe.

If you can only go to one conference this year, which one are you going to?

@rednikki: SXSW Interactive
@jeremy_harvey: Lots of great conferences out there, but #SoMeT will be tough to beat.
@scullyano: #DMAI11 was great. ESTO is usually really good as well. Future wish list: SXSW and #SoMeT
@BeckyMcCray: I’m more partial to @blogworld than @sxsw these days, but I may be biased!

Where do you get better advice: Facebook groups or LinkedIn groups?

@marcellinho_nl: If the choice is between those 2, I’d say LinkedIn
@AshleyTravels: I use Facebook groups more than LinkedIn so probably on FB. Besides, #tourismgeeks is impossible to beat!
@TourismCurrents: There are some good LinkedIn Groups but often wimpy moderating of spam. Facebook Groups shouldn’t win this, but they do.
@rednikki: I much prefer to connect professionally on LinkedIn, but sometimes also connect on Facebook
@AshleyTravels: I connect professionally on FB as well as LinkedIn. More active there as well. But, agree that LinkedIn is still important.
@Denezy: If there is a personal relationship, I feel safe to connect on Facebook. LinkedIn is almost TOO impersonal
@starmediaguy: I don’t use either for ‘connecting.’ I connect on Twitter. Think maybe Google+ will finally provide good prof ‘meeting’ space.
@marcellinho_nl: Definitely LinkedIn only, my facebook account is just to see what is going on when referred to, no professional use for me
@Joe_ExpCols: LinkedIn is so boring that I’ve connected more with people I need to be in touch with reg on FB
@jeremy_harvey: I don’t know. LI is sort of like my crazy aunt. I know I should visit her more often, but…
@KellyDeanOttawa: Industry people are finding me on FB – don’t have a choice!

What has been your best strategy for finding people who you want to connect with online?

@Denezy: hashtags, conferences, chats, stalking other peoples twitter lists
@TourismCurrents: Chats = invaluable. LinkedIn Groups run by @meetDMAI and the Tourism Geeks Facebook Group.
Speaking gigs offline.
@marcellinho_nl: Twitter, plain and simple.
@jeremy_harvey: On Twitter, checking out who the people I follow and respect follow.
@AshleyTravels I start w/conferences 1st: speakers, attendees, etc. Then check their connections to add more. Also chats like this.

Our next #tourismchat is Aug 18 and will focus on Strategies. Sign up for the Aug 18 chat and follow the #tourismchat hashtag!