Wednesday, October 27, 2010

It's a social media world

In less than two weeks, the world's largest gathering of public health professionals will come together against the backdrop of the great Rocky Mountains for APHA's 138th Annual Meeting and Exposition. Of course, we'd prefer to enjoy the view (and share the latest public health research) with you in person. But if you can't make it to Denver this year, there's no need to miss out entirely. And if you are in Denver with us, it's bonus time.

Blogspot. Facebook. Twitter. Flickr. Foursquare. LinkedIn. YouTube. APHA's got 'em and we're gonna use 'em to reach you wherever you are during the Nov. 5–10 Annual Meeting. In fact, it may be impossible not to know what's going on this year. Like public health, we're gonna be everywhere, all the time.

Here's the breakdown:

APHA's Annual Meeting Blog: Well, I guess if you're reading this, you already know. But I can't resist a little more self-promotion. Your trusty APHA Annual Meeting bloggers will be covering everything the meeting has to offer, from scientific sessions to the annual crack-of-dawn fun run organized by the Association's Physical Activity Special Primary Interest Group. We'll be posting many, many times a day from Nov. 5-10. Make it easy on yourself and sign up here to receive free blog updates via e-mail.

APHA's Annual Meeting Twitter and APHA's Public Health Twitter: Our Twitter feeds will be on fire this year with constant updates and information. Look for the hashtag #apha10 for Annual Meeting-related news or #aphasummit for Twitter updates on the APHA Summit on Health Reform, which convenes in Denver on Saturday, Nov. 6. And if you're tweeting from the Denver meeting, we hope you'll use the hashtags too.

APHA's Flickr Page and Flickr Pool: More of a visual person? Check out APHA's Flickr pages for photo updates from the Annual Meeting. And if you're bringing your camera to Denver, upload your photos (and cavity-free smiles) to APHA's Flickr pool.

APHA's Facebook page: Who isn't on Facebook these days? Visit APHA's Facebook page for news from Denver and connect with fellow public health professionals from around the world.

APHA's YouTube channel: You don't want to miss this year's Opening Session with renowned social justice speakers Drs. Cornel West and Bill Jenkins. And you won't have to. Visit APHA's YouTube channel for video highlights from the Opening Session and browse the Association's other YouTube offerings, such as APHA's new animated preparedness video.

APHA on LinkedIn: Keep it professional before, during and after the APHA Annual Meeting.

APHA's Foursquare page: The newest addition to APHA's social media family, Foursquare lets users "check in" to different locations. Use Foursquare to check in to various locales during the Denver meeting, such as the Public Health Expo, and you could win soon-to-be-announced public health treats.

With so many virtual connections, we thought it'd be nice to connect in-person too. Stop by the new APHA Social Media Desk in the Mix and Mingle Lounge of the Colorado Convention Center to meet members of APHA's Social Media Team, view a scrolling Twitter screen to see what your colleagues are tweeting about, or pick up a social media sticker for your Annual Meeting badge to let others know how you're using social media to enhance your Annual Meeting experience.

Not enough info for ya? Visit APHA's Social Media @ Annual Meeting page (which has a new scrolling Twitter feed) for more.

See you in Denver (no matter where you are)!