Come "Get Your Brand On" at Social Media Week!

After Tweeting, Facebooking, Instagramming, and Pinteresting my little heart out in 2012, I'm excited to announce that I was asked to be on the Social Media Week DC Advisory Board. Yippee! With that comes an invitation to throw an event, and I couldn't resist putting something smart and stylish together. 

I'm happy to introduce Get Your Brand On: How Social Media is Changing Our Identities (#SMWGetYourBrandOn), a guided discussion and debate about the role social media is playing in personal branding. Whether your online persona is the same as your real identity or if you position yourself in a completely unique way, we'll hash out the many ways that people use social media to brand themselves.  Co-hosted by some seriously brilliant social media mavens (check out their deets below), the panel will share how social media has impacted their professional career, and then act as devil's advocates in a group discussion that everyone can jump in on. 


VERY IMPORTANT THINGS:

1. It's free but RSVP is required, so hit up THIS SITE HERE to register! Attendance is extremely limited, so sign up right away.
2. It wouldn't be a GoKateShoot event if we didn't all get a little dressed up, so get your style on if you're so inclined and I'll be shooting as well as moderating. To set the tone, I will be in full nerdette glory in my glasses. 
3. Generously hosted by the Dunes, the event will also include a full cash/credit bar for you lushes who love a little sauce to get you sassy! You can follow the Dunes on Facebook and Twitter too.
4. Tweet and share with the hashtag #SMWGetYourBrandOn for ultra social media love!

I'll be moderating with a crack team that spans several industries and includes TWO charismatic ginger scientists. It's like seeing a unicorn in the wild, TWICE. Check the whole team out below - everyone's bio is insanely entertaining and I actually lol'ed. Yes, that's a thing. 

Eric Schulze, Ph.D. (@scienceric, @thirstDC) - Co-founder/Creative Director of Thirst DC

Eric is molecular biologist with a penchant for innovative communication, embryonic stem cells, and bacon. Mmm...bacon. He develops and teaches how to form creative communities using Science as well as efficient communication strategies for individuals and organizations alike. Eric works for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and serves as Chief Nerd, Creative Director, Head of Strategic Partnerships, and emcee for the popular social experiment and creative agency for nerds and geeks alike, thirst. Thirst has garnered national attention from the likes of The Smithsonian, NASA, National Geographic, The Washington Post, The Washingtonian, and numerous blogs and magazines. Eric is also a freakishly tall Ginger.

Tré (@tregallery) - Fine Artist and Director, Tré Inc. and Touchstone Gallery

Tré is an Art Photographer, Fine Portrait Artist, and Director currently based out of Northern Virginia and Washington DC. She travels all over the world to photograph, create, and film projects. For over a decade she has exhibited and sold her selected works to art collectors internationally. Having worked in NYC, LA, DC, London, Paris, and Tokyo her inspirations are diverse and ever-changing. Tré founded her Art Photography and Direction company, Tré Inc.® and Trémotion Pictures, her recently launched Short Film and Music Video production company. Having been in the Art Industry for over 14 years, she also offers Art Mentoring and Portfolio Consultations for artists just starting out and those needing constructive advise. Her latest Art Project is currently on exhibition at the Touchstone Gallery in Washington, DC, and yes, she trademarked her own first name.

Jamie Vernon, Ph.D. (@JLVernonPhD) - AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, U.S. Department of Energy

He sent an utterly charming first person bio, which you can check out here:"I am not a white-haired, bespectacled 80-year-old man perpetually adorning a white lab coat. And yet, I have manually mapped the location of a gene in the human genome, discovered a previously unknown functional fish gene, developed a patented genetic engineering technology, and personally manipulated the HIV virus in the laboratory.  I am a Southern-born, beach-loving, Yankees fan who  came to Washington, DC to help improve the "scientist brand".  My 3000 Twitter followers would probably describe my personal brand as one of serious respect for the role of science in society, but with an appreciation for diverse political and philosophical ideologies.  I believe Science is a brand that will benefit when the public comes to know that scientists are real-life, accessible, neighborly folks.  I coach other scientists on how to appropriately market Science, and how not to damage the brand.  Currently, I professionally serve as an AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy and Social Media marketer for the White House's U.S. Global Climate Research Program. When I'm not promoting science, I'm promoting science." 

Simon Owens (@simonowens) - Assistant Managing Editor digital U.S. News and World Report

Simon is an assistant managing editor at US News & World Report, and his writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Harvard's Nieman Lab, Forbes, and PBS' MediaShift. In addition to his journalism experience, he spent several years in the world of corporate PR and digital marketing. Brazen Careerist named him one of the 25 young professionals to watch in 2011.

Can't wait to see you!