GSMCON2023: Add-on workshops & VIP experience now available

Elevate your participation in the 2023 Government Social Media Conference by adding on one or more pre-conference workshops or be part of the new VIP ticket experience!

Workshops are hosted by experienced industry professionals, where we’re taking a deeper dive into some of your most requested topics — including data reporting and Instagram — to get the latest need-to-know info important to govies who handle social media. New this year, all pre-conference workshop participants will get a digital certificate of completion! Workshops are only held in-person at the GSMCON2023 venue on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Brand new for 2023, we’re rolling out the red carpet for an exclusive VIP ticket experience where attendees will get:

• Access to every pre-conference workshop on Monday, May 1
• Admission to All Access sessions during the conference
• Exclusive VIP networking activity & meal the evening of Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
• Private VIP device charging station access in our expo
• Bonus swag to commemorate your experience
• Attendee badge upgrade

How to register for workshops or the VIP ticket? Purchase workshops for $100 each or the VIP experience bundle for $450 when you register for GSMCON2023, or if you already registered, please reach out to us and we’ll send you a special link to add-on workshops or upgrade to a VIP ticket. 

Workshops

All add-on, pre-conference workshops are only held in-person on Monday, May 1, 2023. Workshop participants can expect in-depth sessions with small group activities. Every person who completes any workshop will receive a digital certificate of completion!

Government Social Media 101 -  Best choice if you’re a new socialgov or want to learn the basics, completely revamped for 2023!
This workshop is an introduction for communicators who are new to managing social media for government agencies. If you already have a basic level of social media knowledge and need to learn how to effectively manage social media for government, then this workshop will give you a strong foundation to build on. Start off by learning the framework for handling public sector social media (such as policy, strategy, accessibility and First Amendment), then get practical advice on successfully creating content, publishing, monitoring and engaging with the public on the major social media platforms.

During this workshop led by the GSM professional association Training Committee, you'll also get a heads-up on what other conference sessions to look out for, how you can get involved in this community, and you'll walk away with a new network of colleagues to aid in your professional growth.

Topics covered include:

• How to build your framework for government social media management
• Challenges of handling social media in government & skills needed
• How to best utilize the platforms
• Tools for efficiently managing content
• Best practices for handling comments and negativity

Instagram 201: Beyond Chasing Trends and Posting Photos
Learn to harness all the tools within Instagram and go beyond posting a single photo in this hands-on, deep dive workshop created for those who want to go beyond the basics and learn more in-depth practices on the platform.

As a participant, you will learn:

• How to engage your audience in Stories
• Practice creating Reels from start to finish
• Best practices for captions
• Common pitfalls to avoid
• General tips and tricks for Instagram as an advanced user
• And much more!

You'll leave this interactive workshop — led by Eva Kirschbaum with the Town of Gilbert and Frances La Rue with the City of Anna, Texas — buzzing with ideas and with a thoroughly planned campaign ready to bring back to your organization that can be applied to any project that comes your way. With this framework, it'll feel easy to fit today's trends into your established plan.

Creating Effective Social Media Reports Your Boss Loves & Understands
How do you effectively communicate the impact social media makes on your agency's communication goals? Do your leadership teams truly understand the value of social media and what you're accomplishing? Want to create streamlined, organized reports that never get overlooked?

Back by popular demand and updated for 2023, you won't want to miss this add-on workshop all about gathering data, analyzing and creating effective reports. After years of managing social media for an international NGO, a Fortune 500 and now her social media agency, October Social Media, Sabrina Merritt is ready to pass on her social media reporting knowledge to you. This hands-on interactive workshop features individual and group learning that will improve your current social media reports. Whether you put your report together manually or use social media software, there is something for everyone.  

In this 2-hour workshop, attendees will learn how to create and organize social media reports that: 

• Connect your social media performance to agency goals 
• Are designed specifically with the end user in mind 
• Are easy to read and understand 
• Make a case for your social media/communications needs in the budget 
• Establish YOU as the Subject Matter Expert within your agency 

Workshop participants will also learn: 

• What social media metrics you should be tracking on a weekly, quarterly and annual basis. 
• How to communicate your social media goals and strategy across different documents and leadership touch points. 
• How to educate and inform leadership on social media metrics and reporting. 
• How to socialize your new reporting style throughout the agency. 

If you're someone who struggles to communicate the impact of your social media, need to enhance your current reporting or wants the framework to start effective reporting at your agency today, then this workshop is perfect for you.

Register today!

Early-Bird discount ends November 14, and afterwards, ticket prices for in-person tickets increase by $100 and virtual tickets increase by $50!

At GSMCON, the largest social media conference for government agencies, attendees will meet either in-person in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada or virtually from wherever you are, May 2-4, 2023. You can expect an experience not found anywhere else where you’ll…

• Genuinely connect with your socialgov community, social media network reps, and vendors
• Hear from industry expert speakers in over 30 sessions (speakers will be announced in mid-November)
• Get the best learning for this niche field. 
• And so much more!

We can’t wait to see you at GSMCON2023!

Team GSM is hard at work planning a special hybrid event for our over 800 attendees who are already registered to join social networks, expert speakers and each other March 29-31 either in person in Dallas, Texas or online at the 2022 Government Social Media Conference. Save the most on your ticket by registering now before prices increase on February 26, 2022. We can’t wait to see you at GSMCON2022!

Building your network of fellow government social media professionals is a major piece of the socialgov puzzle.

They’re the support system you can rely on, ask questions to, bounce ideas off of, solve challenges and celebrate wins with. These people are the industry leaders paving the way, the ones who share creative ideas and who truly understand what you go through, whether it be on the local, state or federal level. 

Where do you even begin finding — or expanding — your network in a niche field like government social media?

While meeting online in places like the GSM Community Facebook Group or free GSM network can be a great place to start, there’s nothing quite like getting together, meeting face-to-face and truly connecting with each other. The best place to do this? At the 2023 Government Social Media Conference, happening May 2-4, in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada! Attendees don’t only walk away, or log off, with the best learning specific to socialgovs at the largest social media conference for government, but they’ll also have opportunities like the Welcome Reception, networking breaks, special activities and so much more to build their network.

Find out more about the unique networking opportunities only found at GSMCON2023:

Welcome Reception

Get connected with fellow attendees before the conference officially starts! 

In-person attendees can expect to attend our 2.5-day event with perks like meeting people face-to-face at the Welcome Reception, happening Monday, May 1, 2023 at the Lex Nightclub, conveniently located at our host venue, the fun-filled Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Sponsored by Optimere, you’ll be treated to music, light snacks and the continuing tradition of one complimentary drink ticket. 

If you’re planning to attend solo, don’t worry! We’re incorporating guided networking to help break the ice to easily meet fellow peers at this fun, unique venue.

If you’re joining us online, you’re invited to a virtual-only hour-long Welcome Reception where we’ll have just as much fun with our virtual host and other online participants.

On-site activities & built-in breaks

Every day at GSMCON, we make sure to build a program where you actually get to meet other professionals, speakers, vendors and social network reps outside of the general and breakout sessions.

In-person attendees start their day with a continental breakfast and can participate in morning on-site activities. Make sure to visit the expo stage for special programming like raffles, games and more or head on over to vendors to get a chance to learn about new products (and maybe some swag!).

New for GSMCON2023 and based on attendee feedback, general session programming during lunch will be replaced with a new opportunity for table-mates to connect with each other! Instead of lunchtime keynote remarks, attendees can expect to find a seat and have a few available icebreakers to get to know the fellow professionals at your table better.

Each afternoon, there is a planned Networking Break for attendees to relax in the Lounge, take a break, participate in activities at the expo stage and so much more. 

Special activities & after hours

Want to eat like a local? The Restaurant Romp is a fun way to do so! In-person attendees can sign up to participate in Tuesday night’s Restaurant Romp where you can dine with other attendees at several different eateries in the area. This is a great way to get to know other attendees in a fun, no stress setting.

When in Reno, you can’t not see some of the surrounding areas! Spend after hours exploring the Reno-Tahoe area with fellow attendees in Reno’s Downtown and Midtown areas or take our complimentary shuttle to Lake Tahoe. Want to stay close at the host venue? There’s plenty to do! Go bowling, try axe throwing, head to the golf driving range, and so much more just steps outside your hotel room door. 

The Government Social Media Conference is the largest social media conference for government agencies, where attendees from across the U.S. and around the world can expect a unique experience not found anywhere else, and we can’t wait for you to join us! You’ll make lasting connections with different people and the info you need to do your job with more efficiency and less stress, protect your agency, communicate effectively with your community, and get to know the people who truly know your position — your socialgov community. Register before Early-Bird pricing ends to save the most.

Best communicate with the public you serve and get connected with fellow socialgovs by registering for the 2023 Government Social Media Conference happening in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada! Join our free network for bi-weekly Government Social Media Chats or professional association for member-only webinars. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on training, events and more.

We support the largest network of government social media professionals in the U.S. by guiding government agencies through complex social media issues. Government Social Media helps you successfully communicate with the public you serve, protect your agency and keep public trust while finding your support community.