Las Vegas-Attendees at last week’s International Vision Expo West kept up with the latest news at the meeting via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Before the show even began, organizers used the social media platforms to promote special offers and contests, post videos, answer questions, and provide details about the meeting. On site, they posted photos on the event’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/visionexpo), tweeted (Twitter handle #visionexpo) about exhibitor specials and news from the show floor, and recorded videos for an official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/intlvisionexpo) that featured guests, special events, and celebrity appearances, as well as new products and technologies as they were unveiled on the exhibit hall floor.

“Social media remains one of our key communication channels, allowing us to stay connected with the vision community year-round,” said Tom Loughran, vice president for Reed Exhibitions, which co-owns the show with The Vision Council. “This past week, Neilson’s new Social Media Report reported that social networks and blogs reach nearly 80% of active U.S. Internet users. With numbers like that, we know it’s becoming increasingly important for us to stay engaged.”

Vision Expo-related social media efforts garnered more than 11,700 fans, followers, connections, and video subscribers from more than 20 countries, according to organizers. They continue to share information about consumer outreach initiatives, product and technology advancements, and business-building tips via social media through the outlets.

For more articles in this issue of

Ophthalmology Times Conference Brief

click here