Would there be any benefit to starting an open Facebook group for people (customers, vendors) attending Sage Summit to join and learn about events during the week. They could also ask questions or be directed to someone who has a solution to what they're asking.
Why Facebook? Simply because virtually everyone has an account, probably uses it on their phone (VERY important for the conference) and we don't have to train people in what FB is.
We could do this on our website - however we would lack a way to capture information for later use. With a Facebook group you at least have a place that people login and exchange info. We can presumably contact them after the event. This could be useful for potential members, sponsors, customers.
We could do this on Socialcast though we cannot easily add non-members, etc.
This would need to be a pretty open group and since you could have both customers and VARS you would need to treat all comments as public.
I'm not 100% sold - but I like the ability to have a place where we can be in contact with customers and vendors and also be in touch after the event. Private 90 Minds discussion could be on messenger.
On the downside we've tried these types of groups in the past and there always seems to be some level of handholding. Hopefully that wouldn't exist with a service like Facebook that almost everyone uses. There's also a risk that you invite your customers and they're exposed to other VAR, etc.
Ultimate goals:
1. A place to invite non-members to discuss the conference (convert theme to paying 90 Minders)
2. A place to invite customers (goodwill)
3. A way to keep in touch after the conference (convert them to paying 90 Minders / help customers who may be using a non-90Mind VAR)
4. A way to urge people to join our newsletter (non-member)
Private conversations between 90 Mind members could be in FB Messenger.