“Do you think social media is a fad?” That was the first question asked last night by Tony Bucci, CEO of Bucci Insurance, at the networking event, “Are You Ready for the Future?”
More than 50 local business owners gathered at the Airport Radisson Hotel in Warwick, RI, to learn how they could use digital marketing and social media to grow their businesses. Bucci Insurance of Rhode Island put on the event along with Astonish Results to help local businesses and show them how partnering with Bucci could bring them new business via the Internet. The local business owners and employees were presented with information on how to leverage social media along with a blended marketing strategy that could excel their practices and heighten their sales.
Event Attendee and CEO Tony Bucci
The preferred vendor’s page on the Bucci Insurance website allows local and regional businesses to promote their products and services for FREE. Customers with Bucci are allowed to print off and use the coupons from the site at local businesses. It is a win-win situation for the area.
Along with learning about Facebook, Twitter, blogging and networking, the attendees heard from three inspiring speakers on the subject. President of Astonish Results, Tim Sawyer, started with his electric, high-energy attitude sharing how digital marketing is the only way and that it’s here to stay. “It is the give to get mentality that will get you business,” said Sawyer. Networking and making connections with other people and businesses is the only way to grow your own. The person who thinks about only the cash first will not excel in the digital age.
Next, Keith Stokes Rhode Island Director of Economic Development, spoke on how Rhode Island is working on researching how to bring more tourists to local businesses who travel to RI for the day. He capitalized on the point that networking is key to making a tourism strategy work. Keith is looking at a similar program in Charlestown, South Carolina called City Slickers, bringing millions to their tourism industry each year.
Last but not least was ABC 6 News anchor Andrew Gobeil. Andrew spoke on how media is changing and how as news personal he sees it every day. “The news on the television is only one source of information,” says Gobeil, “We cannot cover every story. That is why we link it to our website. People are using the web more than ever now to research what is going on in their community.”
Many business owners and employees were in attendance. Michelle C. Meenagh of On the Spot Photography was on site snapping photos and learning about social media, Edward Laurenzo an Enrolled Agent for Tax Representation attended to learn how to bring his business onto the web, and the owner of RI Air Duct Cleaning Inc. was in attendance at his second Astonish Results networking seminar. He attended the last seminar in North Attleboro with Berry Insurance, and was so interested in leveraging social media he came to last night’s event to hear more.
Speakers Keith Stokes and Andrew Gobeil
The night ended with great conversation, and business networking. The dedication and positive culture of Bucci Insurance was shown and many were excited to learn more about becoming a preferred vendor.
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