Social media is a powerful marketing tool for elevating conferences at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC), turning events into dynamic, ongoing conversations. A well-planned conference social media strategy can drive registrations, enhance attendee engagement and extend your event’s reach far beyond the venue itself.
Whether you’re hosting a corporate summit, trade show or industry conference, leveraging social media for conferences before, during and after the event ensures you create a lasting impact that resonates with attendees long after they leave the Gold Coast.
Why Social Media Matters for Conferences at GCCEC
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s premier conference destinations, offering stunning beaches, world-class dining and a vibrant business hub—all within walking distance of GCCEC. A strong social media presence not only highlights the value of your event but also showcases the Gold Coast as a must-visit location for attendees.
How Social Media Enhances Conferences at GCCEC
- Showcases GCCEC’s premium facilities: Highlights the venue’s cutting-edge technology, flexible event spaces and prime Broadbeach location.
- Expand audience reach: Engages attendees beyond Queensland and attracts national and international participants.
- Boosts attendee interaction: Encourages engagement through live polls, Q&As and user-generated content (UGC).
- Highlights the destination appeal: Promotes the Gold Coast’s luxury accommodations, nightlife and post-event activities.
- Increases exhibitor and sponsor exposure: Helps exhibitors gain visibility by encouraging them to share content before and during the event.
A well-executed conference social media strategy can transform your event into an unmissable experience and keep attendees engaged long after they leave the Gold Coast.
Pre-Event Social Media Strategies
A well-planned pre-event campaign helps generate buzz, increase registrations and set the stage for an engaging and interactive conference.
Building Anticipation with Countdowns and Sneak Peeks
In the weeks leading up to the event, create excitement and engagement by sharing behind-the-scenes content and event previews.
- Countdown campaigns: Post daily or weekly countdowns on Instagram Stories, LinkedIn and X.
- Exclusive sneak peeks: Share images and videos of keynote speakers, venue preparations and exhibitor setups.
- Gold Coast destination teasers: Highlight local attractions, dining experiences and must-visit spots near GCCEC.
- Interactive audience engagement: Use X polls, Instagram question stickers and LinkedIn posts to ask attendees about their expectations.
- Early-bird promotions: Offer exclusive discounted tickets or VIP networking access to those engaging with pre-event content.
Using Event Hashtags Effectively
A well-crafted event hashtag is essential for tracking social media conversations.
- Keep it short, unique and event-specific: Example: #TechSummit2025.
- Promote it early and often: Include the hashtag in email campaigns, speaker slides, signage and registration materials.
- Encourage speakers and exhibitors to use it: Get them to promote their sessions using the official hashtag.
- Monitor and engage with posts: Use social listening tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social to track usage and respond.
Collaborating with Key Stakeholders
- Speakers and exhibitors: Ask them to share teaser content, behind-the-scenes moments and announcements.
- Local businesses and attractions: Partner with hotels, restaurants and tourism operators to cross-promote your event.
- Industry influencers: Get thought leaders in your field to share content and amplify your event.
Social Media Tactics During the Conference
Once the event is live, real-time engagement ensures maximum exposure and fosters active participation.
Encouraging Live Engagement (Live Posting, Stories and Q&A Sessions)
Social media can transform attendees into active participants by encouraging interaction.
- Live updates on LinkedIn and X: Post session highlights, major takeaways and speaker insights.
- Instagram and Facebook Stories: Share behind-the-scenes clips, networking moments and audience reactions.
- Live polling and Q&A sessions: Use X and Instagram question stickers to drive interaction.
- Livestream key sessions: Broadcast panel discussions on LinkedIn Live, YouTube or Facebook Live.
- Encourage attendee participation: Get attendees to share their experiences using the event hashtag.
Leveraging Influencers, Speakers and Sponsors
- Speaker social takeovers: Allow speakers to post on their social accounts for a fresh perspective.
- Influencer partnerships: Engage industry influencers to increase reach and engagement.
- VIP networking events: Create exclusive networking lounges and experiences attendees will want to share.
- Branded content opportunities: Set up photo walls and interactive installations that attendees can post about.
Driving Year-Round Engagement: Keeping Your Conference Community Active
A strong conference social media strategy doesn’t end when the last session wraps up. Keeping the conversation going year-round helps strengthen connections, build anticipation for future events and keep your brand top of mind.
- Turn event content into long-term social media assets: Share video clips of keynotes, create LinkedIn articles and repurpose audience questions into Instagram Stories.
- Create and maintain an online community: A LinkedIn or Facebook group allows attendees to stay connected and discuss industry trends.
- Share industry updates aligned with conference themes: Keep your audience engaged with ongoing content that reinforces the event’s value.
- Tease next year’s event: Reveal early details and exclusive sneak peeks to maintain excitement.
Creating Shareable Moments: Encouraging Attendee-Generated Content
Encouraging attendees to share their experiences at GCCEC expands your event’s reach and provides authentic promotional material.
- Set up Instagrammable conference spaces: Create branded photo walls or interactive installations to encourage social sharing.
- Launch a hashtag contest: Offer prizes for the best event photo, most insightful takeaway or funniest caption.
- Feature attendee posts on social media walls: Displaying attendee content in real-time encourages participation.
- Encourage speaker and sponsor shoutouts: Provide them with custom event graphics to share on their channels.
Assessing and Refining Your Social Media Strategy
To refine your conference social media strategy, track key performance indicators and use insights to improve future events.
- Engagement rate: Measure likes, shares and comments.
- Hashtag reach: Monitor how widely the event hashtag was used.
- Livestream analytics: Track how many people tuned in.
- Follower growth: Identify spikes in social media followers.
- Ticket conversion rate: Assess how many registrations came from social media campaigns.
By analysing your results, you can fine-tune your approach, optimise content strategies and enhance attendee interaction for future conferences at GCCEC.
Making Your Conference a Social Media Success
Social media isn’t just about marketing—it’s about creating meaningful experiences, building a connected community and ensuring your event has an impact beyond the conference hall. By leveraging GCCEC’s world-class facilities and the Gold Coast’s destination appeal, you can craft a conference that is both engaging and unforgettable.
Looking to amplify your event’s reach? Discover how GCCEC can help you create social media buzz for your next conference. Contact us today!