AFP breaks new grounds with its 1st Social Media Summit

Breaking new grounds, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be staging its 1st Social Media Summit on July 11, 2014 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Spearheaded by Media and Civil Affairs Group and Civil-Military Operations School of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP, and organized by public relations agency ArdentComm, the one-day conference will discusss key social media trends and issues as a tool to enhance online engagement within the Armed Forces and key partner organizations.

The Social Media Summit is also aimed at boosting and synergizing AFP’s online initiatives and strengthening nationalism and public service awareness through social media networks.

CRS Commander BGEN ROMEO G GAN AFP said: “According to reports, Internet users in the Philippines will reach 41 million by the end of 2014. Google recently reported that the Philippines is second top Internet user in South East Asia (39.43%), 6th in Asia, and 16th in the world. The UN Telecommunications Union reported in 4Q 2013 that more Filipinos are turning to the Internet to nourish relationships and build networks, read news and information, view video, buy products, and transact business. Currently, there are about 71 million Filipinos who are using Internet-enabled devices. This data provides us insights on understanding the Filipino mindset.”

In this light, BGEN GAN said AFP has deemed it fit to organize the summit “to improve information and communication management in the organization, enhance the skills of social media managers, build a bigger network with AFP’s civilian counterparts, and establish a structure or mechanism that will synergize and harness social media efforts to achieve organizational and national goals.”

The 1st AFP Social Media Summit will provide participants the opportunity to get insights on:
– Maximizing engagement and conversions with followers;
– Fine-tuning social media campaigns;
– Understanding social media channels beyond Twitter and Facebook;
– Managing online communities;
– Understanding that social media networks are critical in today’s public service;
– Using tools to leverage and maximize social media management efforts; and
– Measuring the effectiveness of social media initiatives.

The conference is expected to be attended by Information Officers from various units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of National Defense, Philippine National Police, Academic Institutions and other Government Organizations and Agencies. Non-government and Civil-Society organizations will also be invited.

AFP Chief of Staff GEN EMMANUEL T BAUTISTA is scheduled to deliver the keynote address of the conference.

For more information about the 1st AFP Social Media Summit, please visit
http://AFPSocialMediaSummit.dwdd.com.ph/.