An Event to Hashtag, Like and Follow

How CMA Boosted Philadelphia’s Digital Marketing Community on Its Biggest Day

CHALLENGE

Marking its 10th anniversary, Social Media Day PHL has become the organization’s flagship event, offering a full day of networking and professional development for digital marketers across the region.

With ambitions for broader reach, the founders sought a partner to enhance planning, promotion, and growth.

CMA, a Philadelphia chamber member with strong local ties, stepped in as the ideal partner, helping to expand resources, grow membership, and streamline operations.

SOLUTION

CMA made Social Media Day PHL a must-attend event for Philadelphia’s digital marketing professionals through targeted campaigns, engaging content, and timely email and social media promotions. Each message was crafted to build excitement and create an unmissable experience.

Here’s a framework of how CMA positioned the event as the premier hub for digital professionals:

• Conference Planning & Coordination: CMA managed key aspects of the 2024 Social Media PHL Conference, from seamless registration setup to marketing, catering support and on-site logistics. CMA’s event team provided dedicated around-the-clock support, allowing event organizers to focus on connecting with attendees.
• Sponsorship Development: Expanding Social Media Day’s sponsorship base, CMA maintained a sponsorship database, engaged leads and increased sponsorship visibility, boosting the conference’s offerings and financial stability.
• Marketing & Branding Initiatives: CMA created customized marketing materials, including monthly e-blasts, social media posts, various digital and print event signage and a branded entrance video designed to capture attention and not let it go the very moment visitors walked in. This multimedia approach strengthened brand presence, built excitement and encouraged social sharing.
• Community Engagement: With a member-centric approach, CMA fostered a sense of community through consistent, resonant messaging that reinforced the value of lasting professional connections and top-notch industry education. Tactics included personalized email outreach highlighting speaker topics, attendance tips and interactive social media posts designed to encourage engagement and networking.
  

RESULTS

Social Media Day PHL went viral on event day, with hashtags trending and shared posts, likes and follows pouring in.

Through its partnership with CMA, Social Media Day, Inc. transformed its annual conference into a must-attend event, expanded its reach and cemented its place as a “must connect” resource for Philadelphia’s digital marketing professionals.

Here are the standout results that highlighted the event’s success:

• Viral Video Spotlight: CMA produced a high-energy video designed to capture attention the moment attendees entered the event. Displayed on an expansive 11,520 x 2,160-pixel screen, the video featured dynamic motion graphics, vibrant color schemes and Philadelphia-inspired visuals that celebrated the city’s social media culture.
  
  The social buzz surrounding the video turned it into a conversation starter, Instagram Reel and TikTok background for attendee posts and a memorable highlight.
• Increased Social Media Engagement: CMA’s campaign generated 1,049 interactions across platforms over three months, with LinkedIn (553 engagements) and Instagram (432) showing the strongest performance. Spanning 20 posts, the content included engaging visuals, interactive elements, and a community-focused narrative. The campaign’s impact continued beyond the event, enhancing the organization’s online presence and reach.
• Sponsorship Growth and Increased Financial Stability: CMA streamlined sponsorship support and visibility, improving coordination and delivering a more seamless experience for sponsors. These efforts enhanced the attendee experience and bolstered financial sustainability, enabling event organizers to reinvest in member resources.
• Boosted Attendance and Brand Recognition: Attendance for the 2024 Annual Conference saw a substantial increase, reflecting the success of CMA’s marketing and registration support. By delivering a highly organized, professionally executed event, CMA helped Social Media Day PHL strengthen its brand as a central hub for professional development in Philadelphia’s social media landscape.
  
  Attendees provided raving feedback about the seamless event experience and the impactful presentations, which fostered learning, networking, and industry insights.
• Strengthened Community Connections: CMA’s communications built a sense of community among members, positioning the conference and its seminars as key resources for professional growth. This effort created an engaged network that turned to the organization for industry insights and connections.