The Community Roundtable

Empowering global community leaders with research-backed resources, training, and tools.

Connect 2024

Connect 2024 is an in interactive, IRL event for online community builders. 

Connect blends expert community builders with unique networking, collaboration, and learning opportunities for every level of community leader. Participants walk away with meaningful new connections and ways to improve their community program immediately.

Equally relevant for individual community builders and teams, Connect provides an unparalleled combination of interactive sessions, expert-led workshops, and thoughtfully designed networking opportunities.

Community teams (3+ people) receive bundled pricing, and many choose to use Connect as a team retreat.

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Edward Ford: Evolving Community from a Project to a Platform

Evolving Community from a Project to a Platform
Edward Ford - VP of Client Engagement at Medidata

As a community manager at McGraw-Hill, Thomsen Reuters, and Verizon Edward developed a keen awareness of how community approaches can provide outsized benefits across an organization. His experience moving from community management to client engagement gave him an appreciation for the interconnectedness of different business units and how to apply community management concepts to help strengthen weak ties and solidify strong ones. In this session, Edward will share stories from his career journey and then invite several panelists to join him to discuss how communities:
  • Shape how people view your organization
  • Are a secret weapon during a crisis
  • Navigate the rapid pace of change in a dynamic business landscape

About Edward Ford

Edward uses his experience in communications, marketing, social media and community to help brands innovate, delight customers and positively impact the world. He’s comfortable with ambiguity and builds teams that deliver unique experiences for customers, partners, and employees to drive business outcomes. He's worked at McGraw-Hill, Thomsen Reuters, and Verizon and is currently the Vice President of Client Engagement at Medidata.

WHY PARTICIPATE IN CONNECT?

"I found this conference to be very helpful in helping me think differently and to take back what I've learned and apply it to my own community."
"Great conference! I really loved how small and intimate it was. I was very comfortable speaking and asking questions!"
"People really interacted with each other rather than just sitting and listening to speakers! Everything about Connect makes it easy for attendees to become participants."
"Connect feels like a big community hug. I love not having to explain my job!"
"The combination of the sessions, especially the three breakout sessions, really provided me with a TON of value and tangible take aways."
"The presentations, sessions, workshops, and breakouts were all very practical and so honest."
"This was my third year attending the Connect conference from The Community Roundtable. It was once again the most valuable conference I attended all year."
"I truly felt engaged and energized throughout the entire event."

WHO ATTENDS CONNECT?

Connect attracts community builders at every level of the organization - from community specialists to CMOs. Many organizations choose to send their entire community team, using Connect as a chance for them to learn, grow, and collaborate together.

Below is sample of recent organizations that sent community builders to Connect:

AGENDA

Connect is unlike any community event you've attended before (unless of course, this isn't your first Connect!) 

Attendees have the opportunity to network and collaborate with their peers, exchange best practices and ideas, and get feedback from industry experts. Connect is a unique opportunity for online community professionals to learn from the best, connect with their peers, and develop the skills they need to succeed in the rapidly-evolving world of online community management.

2024 AGENDA*

Monday - October 21, 2024

  8:00 AM
Registration // Breakfast
  9:00 AM
The State of Community Management Jim Storer, The Community Roundtable

                     Interactive panel featuring John Reynolds (Social Edge), Jon Allen (Verint), & Alan Aisbitt (iTalent)

10:30 AM Break // Networking

11:00 AM Lightning Talks - Community Technology

12:00 PM Birds of a Feather Lunch - Technology Topics

  1:00 PM Technology Demos


                  - A Real Time Tour Through Verint Communities, Jon Allen and Ramzi Banna, Verint
                  - AI Smartchat for Community Platforms, John Reynolds, Social Edge Consulting
                  - SmartConX and ConXServices Connecting the Community Experience, Fred Walters, iTalent Digital

  2:00 PM Deep Dive Community Workshops


                   - Nine Characteristics of World-Class Communities, Verint
                   - So, You Need to Migrate? A platform migration workshop., Social Edge Consulting
                   - Community x AI: The Double-Edged Sword, iTalent Digital

  3:00 PM Break // Networking

  3:30 PM A Conversation with Community Leaders


                    A roundtable discussion featuring Lisa Allison (Analog Devices, Inc.), Kim Blanck
                    (The Conference Board), Emily Hagedorn (Yelp), with Peter Broadley (CSA Group) - Moderator

   4:30 PM Presentation of the 2024 Community Leadership Awards

   5:00 PM Networking Cocktail Hour

 

Tuesday - October 22, 2024

  8:00 AM
Breakfast // Networking
  9:00 AM
Insights from Day One // Connections Activity

10:00 AM Lightning Talks: Community Super User Programs


                   - The Most Valuable Neighbor Program at UKG - Melissa Spinella (UKG)
                   - AECOM’s Technical Practice Network (TPN) - CariAnne Behr (AECOM)
                   - Leveraging Community Skills for Digital Transformation - Emily Gullickson (Cambridge Associates)

11:00 AM Break  // Networking

11:30 PM Lightning Talks: Community Operations


                    - The Essential Engine of Success - Simi Basu (ESRI)
                    - Driving Better Engagement: PTC’s Support Express Lane Olivier Le Pord (PTC)
                    - Community Operations: EngineerZone - Geneva Cooper (Analog Devices, Inc)

12:30 PM Birds of a Feather Lunch - Unconference Topics

  1:30 PM Rock Paper Scissors Posse!!

  1:45 PM Evolving Community from a Project to a Platform - Edward Ford (Dassault Systemes)

  2:45 PM Break  // Networking

  3:15 PM Lightning Talks: AI & Community


                    - AI Everywhere - Leo Daley (UKG)
                    - Building the Case for AI Stephen Vicino (Analog)

   4:15 PM Collaborative Keynote & Closing Remarks

   5:00 PM Closing Happy Hour

All Sessions

All
Edward Ford: Evolving Community from a Project to a Platform
Community Workshop - Nine Characteristics of World-Class Communities - Verint
Community Workshop - Community x AI: The Double-Edged Sword - iTalent Digital
Workshop: So, you need to migrate! Social Edge Consulting
Panel: A Conversations with Community Leaders
Panel: The State of Community Management 2024
Lightning Talks: AI & Community - Building the Case for AI - Stephen Vicino (Analog)
Lightning Talks: Technology
Lightning Talks - Super User Programs
Lightning Talks: Super User Programs - The Most Valuable Neighbor Program at UKG- Melissa Spinella (UKG)
Lightning Talks - Community Operations
Lightning Talks: Community Operations - Community Operations: EngineerZone - Geneva Cooper (Analog)
Lightning Talks: AI & Community - AI Everywhere Leo Daley (UKG)
Lightning Talks: Mapping the Community Journey
Lightning Talks: Super User Programs - Leveraging Community Skills for Digital Transformation - Emily Gullickson (Cambridge Associates)
Lightning Talks: Community Operations - Driving Better Engagement: PTC’s Support Express Lane - Olivier Le Pord (PTC)
Lightning Talk: Insurance Use Cases - Ruth Neighbors (Social Edge Consulting)
Lightning Talks: C-Suite Insights with Community
Lightning Talks: Super User Programs - AECOM’s Technical Practice Network (TPN) -CariAnne Behr (AECOM)
Lightning Talks: Community Operations - The Essential Engine of Success- Simi Basu (ESRI)
Lightning Talks: AI & Community
Community Technology Demo: AI Smartchat for Community Platforms, John Reynolds, Social Edge Consulting
Community Technology Demo - "SmartConX and ConXServices Connecting the Community Experience - iTalent Digital
Technology Demo - Real Time Tour of Verint Communities, Ramzi Banna, Verint

REGISTER

Connect 2024 will take place at Convene Boston on October 21-22, 2024.

Connect 2024 registration is open to members of The Network and their community teams and stakeholders. Registration includes all on-site activities, lunch, breaks, and networking events. Yes, there is unlimited coffee!

A limited number of tickets are available for non-members.

Early bird pricing is applied automatically through 6/21/24. Registration is limited and will sell out.

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C12 - TEAM LEADER TRACK

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The C12 is an invitation-only experience for individuals leading community teams. Limited to just 12 participants, C12 is co-located with Connect and will spend about 60% of their time in general sessions and 40% in sessions developed specifically for team leaders.

C12 leaders will have exclusive access to dedicated space on-site and explore the issues and ideas they share.

To learn more about C12 or request an invitation please contact us.

SPONSORS

Connect partners with a small group of innovative technology and service providers. Space is extremely limited and we've sold out the past four years.

If you'd like to sponsor Connect and attend the Community Technology Summit please contact us ASAP.