I was “out of the office” all day Monday attending the 140 Characters Conference – the first one in Des Moines.
“The key focus of the conference is on how real time technology (twitter, Facebook are two examples) is changing business, agriculture, media, education, sports, celebrity – everything. Speakers present in 10 to 20 minute segments. The #140conf events provide a platform for the worldwide twitter community to: listen, connect, share and engage with each other, while collectively exploring the effects of the emerging real-time internet on business.”
Even though you can view the entire conference on Des Moines Amplified’s Events Channel, I thought I’d share with you a few Flip videos I took of some of the presenters to give you a taste of what you can expect next year:
Running for Office in a Real Time World | Alexander Grgurich
Real-time information and the social web are not only transforming business and industry, they are also transforming the way political campaigns work to get candidates elected.
Internships are the Key to Stopping Brain Drain | Claire Celsi
Internships are crucial in anchoring college educated young people in communities all over Iowa. Internship programs introduce and root students to the community, provide businesses with valuable and affordable help, and give students a leg up.
5 Lessons on Crowdsourcing a Book | Drew McLellan
How the 3 Age of Conversation books came to be, the lessons learned and the value of the project.
Impromptu Presentation | Andrew Clark
On Exhibit: Social Media and Museums | Lindsey Smith
The growing presence of social media within the museum field and the impact it is having on both museums and their guests.
The Power of One (Hundred and Forty) | Angela Maiers
There used to be a time when only big business and big government could change the world. The voice of one was crowded out by the power, might and noise of larger systems and organizations. Twitter changed that.
Social Capital Management | Ben Stone
Business gets done because of relationships. I think organizations can strengthen and use those relationships, both inside and outside of the organization through Social Capital Management.
Small Iowa Company, Big Social Results | Derek Balsley
Through our social media efforts, we’ve completely transformed the way we interact with our customers and we’ve empowered them to tell their own success stories and share their passions with other customers who’ve had similar experiences.
Don’t Sweat | Jon Thompson
I don’t consider myself very good at social media, yet it is still an effective tool for me. Don’t worry about it so much.
Vine Me | Josh Fleming
Context is King.

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for being a good sport with your Flip cam! I enjoyed the event and learned a ton.
Ben Stone
Hi Suzanne! I sat next to you during the morning sessions at #140. Great debriefing of the event here! Hope to run into you again in the future.
All the best,
Heather Lilienthal