Silicone Bitch Summer Edition: Social Media Day Miami and Other Events

Silicone Bitch hasn't posted in a while here, but that's because we've been busy actually making a living at social media, plus fishing for tarpon on the gulf coast of Florida and taking naps in the doldrums of summer. But even though the humidity is sticky, Miami isn't sitting still.

SOCIAL MEDIA DAY

Ah, June 30. This is the day that Mashable decided would be cool to celebrate all things social media worldwide. Little does Pete Cashmore know we're in the early throes of Hurricane Season and that most of us would rather sink our toes in the sand while sipping a frosty beverage, but no matter.

A group of Miami's top social media influencers have volunteered to put together with an afternoon of workshops and panels at Zadok Gallery in Wynwood followed by cocktails and networking. A Social Media Day breakfast at Preemo's Tech Bar in South Miami is in the works. Social Media Day will be a great opportunity for newbies or even the jaded to network and learn in a casual conference format.

Ditch the beach that day and head out to tweet your ass off at Miami's largest social media gathering.  Registration is FREE and strongly encouraged, please visit Eventbrite.  For additional, last-minute details, visit Social Media Day Miami on Facebook. Follow hashtag #smdaymia on Twitter, too.

IGNITE MIAMI AND TEDx MIA

Ignite Miami, our local version of Ignite talks around the world, challenged speakers to present great ideas in 5 minutes with 20 slides rotating every 15 seconds. On May 29th, yours truly regaled the audience of 300 plus at The Stage Miami with a talk on #toptenlies -- remember the little hashtag that could? Yeah, seriously, what's a little white lie in Miami when we have cannibals roaming the streets?

Other speakers discussed everything under the sun -- from crossing off milestones on your bucket list to turning a reef project gone bad into art to hyperlocal coverage of Little Havana.

Ignite talks are like TED on the fast lane.  And speaking of TED, TEDx Miami will be broadcasting talks from the mother ship event in Edinburgh at The Stage Miami on June 28.  Find more information at TEDx MIA.

View Ignite Miami videos on YouTube.

INSPIRATION UNIVERSITY

On May 25, yours truly moderated a panel on blogging at Inspiration University's day-long social media conference for women entrepreneurs, which took place at NOVA Southeastern University in Davie. Panelists included successful business women and creative bloggers Raw Candor, Mi Caminar and Coral Gables Story.  Inspiration University is a great resource for women in South Florida looking to learn, share and expand their networks through quality programming that's not some bozo pitching a business.  No bait and switch here -- expect real learning and informative, educational events.  Check out Inspiration University.

WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL HOLISTIC CONFERENCE

And speaking of stuff that's good for women: Dr. Elizabeth King, founder of The International Holistic Center in Fort Lauderdale, is putting together a day of speakers and panels at the Ritz Carlton on July 13.  The tag line for the conference, which claims to be more of a movement rather than a one-day affair, is "Suits, Stilletos and Lipstick: The Balancing Act." Yours truly will be speaking and moderating a panel on social media focused on the balance between online and "real" life.

Of particular interest to Sex and the Beach readers: Julia Yarborough, an Emmy Award winning broadcast and print journalist who created the road trip blog Highway to a Husband, will be speaking at the conference.  Dr. Sonjia, who opened the School of Sensual Satisfaction in Miami Beach (yes, it's a real school) and authored Sex in South Beach, will also be behind the podium.

To register, visit Women's International Holistic Conference. A portion of the silent auction proceeds benefits Big Mama's Team of Life, a local charity.