Wollongong triumphs in social media showdown

Wollongong has won hosting rights to the inaugural Australian Social Media Tourism Symposium (SoMeT13AU) after decisively beating Townsville 6191 votes to 3780 in a 12-hour Facebook face-off.

SoMeT describes itself as the premier international conference for tourism professionals looking to share ideas and network. Its Australian event, to be held on 17th and 18th July, will attract digital destination marketing professionals from across the Asia Pacific region and marks the first time the symposium has been held outside the US.

Destination Wollongong General Manager Mark Sleigh said Wollongong's win came about because of the strength and unity of the local community and strong support provided by Destination NSW.

Sleigh explained "we would like to thank all those who supported us by voting and spreading the word right across the three-round process.

"This was always about more than winning a conference because the exposure Wollongong will receive as the conference venuewill position us very well as a major digital player on the world map."

Sleigh said the conference would also provide a considerable economic boost to the Wollongong region as social media experts from all around the world post and tweet about their time in the city.

To find a suitable venue for the conference, destinations were invited to submit a proposal outlining their hosting credentials. Seven cities were chosen to participate in the knock-out competition.

Apart from the venue, votersfrom around the world were also asked to come up with discussion topics and the key guest speakers, giving the symposium a truly international flavour.

For more information call 1800 240 737, www.visitwollongong.com.au

21st February 2013 - WOLLONGONG PUTS SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS TO THE TEST IN BID TO HOST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 

26th December 2012  - AUSTRALIANS UNABLE TO ESCAPE WORK AND SOCIAL MEDIA WHILE ON HOLIDAY

14th November 2012 - DESTINATION WOLLONGONG’S NEW HEAD KEEN FOR THE CHALLENGE 

10th May 2012 - MIDDLE EAST OPERATORS ENGAGE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST TOURISM

26th August 2009 - SOUTHERN GATEWAY CENTRE OPENS WINDOW TO NSW SOUTH COAST