Marketing takes on many different shapes and sizes and can reach audiences large and small. The upcoming "Unchained" Social Media Marketing Conference at the Heard Museum has a pretty interesting line up. I had some good conversations with Greg Swann last week after an Unchained Preview. I really like some of Greg's marketing ideas and philosophies but don't agree with everything we discussed. Greg, Brian Brady and I do agree that the power of social media marketing can do great things for our respective businesses.

Greg does a great job with his blog and freely admits that there are those who love it and those that hate it. I guess you could say that I fall somewhere in-between. When the topic of Phoenix Light Rail came up, Greg said, "You know, we have been bashing that thing" with his trademark grin.. Yep, I know but that certainly does not change my opinion . Taking examples from a person that thinks light rail is a "boondoggle," or saying that construction makes it "impossible for people to drive," is a difference of opinion that we might have. The location of the conference is along Central Avenue and near the future Central / Encanto Light Rail stop. This again got me thinking of the many areas along the route. I believe a ton of people in the neighborhoods along Central are getting excited to live near light rail. I have read some really great transit related blogs locally and nationally (along with some really bad ones) and find that there is a large group of people interested in a lifestyle of convenience and accessibility that these systems can provide. While it is still pretty early to tell, I am betting that Phoenix is ready for light rail and that the system will change many of these areas more than people realize.

I am looking forward to attending the Unchained Social Media Marketing Conference in Phoenix this Sunday-Tuesday, May 18-20th and to learning more about social media. I hope to be able to buy Greg lunch, or maybe a drink somewhere along the light rail line. :-)