SWARM Conference review
Hey all,
I want to share my experience at SWARM 2023 and what you, as a reader, can learn and take away to apply in your everyday life.
The Heartbeat of SWARM:
SWARM has been the gathering place for online community professionals since 2011, and it's the world's longest-running community management conference. It's more than just a conference; it's a community of passionate people who deeply care about their audience and how to create the best value for them, both in person and online.
The event was run on the gorgeous Sydney Uni Campus close to it iconic heritage buildings with guests from across the country from firms including NAB, Bunnings & Beyond Blue.
What My Talk Was About:
Unity = Virality was my message. As we bring people together, we can truly unlock the power of going viral in any sphere of life and make a difference. The question to you as the reader is, where can you find similarities and unite those around you? I spoke to the story of CurryTraits, our country Australia and how many online communities are applying the principles of unity = virality.
A Tapestry of Insights:
At SWARM 2023, I had the privilege of hearing from some incredible speakers, including Pritika Sachdev, Lisa Wong, Melyssa Troy, and many others. Each speaker brought their unique perspective, creating a colorful tapestry of ideas.
Here are two sessions I want to share about. Firstly, the AI session by Paz Pisaski, which discussed how we can use AI to help run our online communities. This session unpacked practical ways we can use AI to run our communities, including:
Generating ideas
Conducting research
Establishing operations
Writing in your voice (feeding and briefing the AI tool)
Summarizing content (e.g., videos to text)
Supporting members
Managing your inbox effectively.
The second session that challenged my view was "Safety by Design" from the government-initiated 'esafety' team. This is a completely new concept with how businesses operate in an online world. It blew my mind how legislation is changing rapidly and gave me confidence that governments are taking steps to ensure there is law and order online.
The Joy of Reconnection:
SWARM 2023 was a special event because we were finally able to meet in person again. After years of virtual events, there was a palpable sense of excitement in the air. Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones reminded us of the power of human connection.
In Closing:
I want to express my gratitude to Alison, Danielle, and the other members of the SWARM team who have been absolutely terrific in hosting and running the event.
My journey at SWARM 2023 was more than just a conference; it was a celebration of the power of community and connection. It rekindled my passion for what I do.
As I look ahead to the future of SWARM, I see endless possibilities. We will continue to build connections, share knowledge, and support each other in our community-building endeavors.
I invite you to join us on this inspiring journey. Together, we can create communities where connections thrive, and together, we can make a difference.
Be inspired.
Noel Aruliah
