Cyborgs Gather in Kihei to Hear Maui’s Social Media All Stars

By Katie McMillan

AMauiBlog: @AlohaKim, @Peterliu47, @DigitalSplash, @JenRusso, @TommyRusso-@katiemac asked abt a workshop for experienced users? See her twt #MauiSMUG

If you have no idea what the above means, you might want to attend the next Maui Social Media Users Group, aka SMUG.

Cyborgs mingle between breaks

Many Maui business owners, public relations and marketing professionals, and the curious at heart, turned out en masse last Thursday at the Research and Technology Park in Kihei to find out about more about the seemingly mysterious world of social media. It was clear that many in the audience realized it was important for their businesses to participate, yet plenty of questions were being asked about how to make a social media campaign effective.

“Who cares what I ate for breakfast,” states one participant in questioning the relevance of status updates on Facebook.

The panel of pros consisted of Tommy and Jen Russo of Maui Time Weekly, Peter Liu of Kaiscapes Internet Consulting, Liza Pierce of A Maui Blog, and Jeff Bennett of Digital Splash Media. The panelists encouraged the audience to Tweet their questions, which would be displayed live via a digital projection of Tweet Deck.

Tommy and Jen Russo from Maui Time Weekly

Now that 46% of Americans use Facebook, its relevance can no longer be questioned. If you missed this opportunity, you don’t need to worry. The Maui SMUG group will be hosting several workshops on a monthly basis sponsored by the Maui Economic Development Board. Go to http://bit.ly/gbkIRO for a complete list of the upcoming schedule as well as registration information.

If anything, you won’t ask an embarrassing question at a party such as, “What is a hash tag?”

The Social Scene covers island buzz—from people and parties to the chitter chatter of what people are talking about on Facebook and Twitter. Send your Social Scene tips to [email protected].