This is all you need to understand SMFEST better and be free from some myths about it.
SMFEST has recorded more than 3000 participants in the last 2 editions (2021 & 2022) with the themes: ‘Big Picture’ and ‘Creative Disruption’ respectively. This year’s edition promises to be more impactful and excellent with the theme, ‘The Game Changer.’ SMFEST is ready to truly change the game by setting the pace.
Despite being confirmed to be the biggest tech and social media event in the South East for two years consecutively, many people still have strange misconceptions about SMFEST. Popular SMFEST myths debunked in this article reveal truths about the event you never knew.
What is SMFEST?
First, it’s important to note that SMFEST is a yearly event with a worldwide reach. It aims to educate attendees on effectively using technology, social media, and innovation to promote their businesses, brands, and causes.
During the past two conferences in 2021 and 2022, many attendees gathered at the renowned Landmark Event Centre in Owerri to gain insights from a carefully chosen group of industry experts.
In the crowd were people who had certain myths about the conference in their hearts, while some others had missed out because of them. Let’s take a look at some of these myths:
MYTH 1 – SMFEST IS ABOUT LECTURES & LONG TALKS
Sadly, we must agree that many tech and media conferences always have many speakers lined up. Each of them takes turns climbing the stage and teaching for long hours. Most times, the audience loses interest. For this reason, many people have thought this is true of all tech events. It subtly became an SMFEST myth.
Unlike the norm, SMFEST being an event that promises innovation, has taken a different approach that eliminates the boring long lectures and talks by introducing a high-energy experience with interactive sessions and excellent speakers to drive a good conversation. Additions like fireside chats, spoken words presentation, games, etc., make the learning experience fun and memorable.
Many do not know this change as the majority miss out on events because of fear of experiencing fatigue that comes with listening to too many long talks. SMFEST is not a conventional conference; thus, this feeling is just a myth related to SMFEST.
MYTH 2 – IT IS FOR A CATEGORY OF PEOPLE
Generation X, Xennials, and Millennials easily exempt themselves from the mention of Tech. This leaves only Gen Zs on the table. Unfortunately, most Gen Zs insist they aren’t prepared for tech as they are easily overwhelmed.
It leaves us with the question, “Who exactly should be the face of tech, social media, and innovations? This question will find no answer if we continue to romance and accept this myth. The belief by different generations that tech is limited to just Gen Z has posed a significant threat to the maximization of tech and social media.
After taking cognizance of the demography of the participants that attended the previous editions of SMFEST, it was deduced that more than 80% of the participants are Gen Z. This further proved that people of the other generations consider this to be limited to Gen Z and this is only but a myth. SMFEST, a tech and social media event, is not limited to a particular demography.
More young people might be in the hall, but that doesn’t mean that older people aren’t allowed passage. Everyone that meets the criteria for being a participant in the event is very much welcome to partake, irrespective of your age.
It doesn’t matter your profession and location; in this time and age, we all need technology to drive sales and visibility.
See Also: SMFEST 2023 Theme; The Game Changer Prepares Tech Employees for The Future
MYTH 3 – THE TICKET FEES ARE EXPENSIVE
In the 2021 edition of SMFEST, top-notch speakers, such as the notable Nollywood actor Jim Iyke, were in attendance. He was a keynote speaker. Many who didn’t attend the event saw the quality of speakers invited, and excellence showcased through media platforms and concluded that the ticket that grants one access to SMFEST must be very expensive. This is yet another SMFEST myth.
SMFEST is not a profit-oriented venture. The conference is designed to create tech and social media awareness among participants. They are equipped with practical knowledge that helps them integrate tech and social media into their business for geometric growth. This reflects on the choice of speakers and resource persons.
SMFEST boasts of having the best lineup of speakers annually. In 2022, SMFEST hosted Mr. Funny (Oga Sabinus), who shared his journey and gave valuable tips on maximizing social media for profit as a content creator. SMFEST also hosted the likes of Naija Brand Chick (Nelly Agbogu), Mrs. Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze, Emeka Nobis, Obinna Ukachukwu, to mention only a few.
Access to these resource persons separately will cost an average person thousands of dollars. But SMFEST allowed participants to learn from them and gain access to them for a very subsidized fee. This is the community’s way of empowering Nigerians to become tech-savvy.
In previous editions, tickets cost as little as N3000, N7,000, etc. Although the ticket prices might change in the current edition, it is still very affordable. This is fair enough compared to the value added to every participant. Debunk this SMFEST myth today, and do not allow yourself to miss the next edition.
MYTH 4 – SMFEST IS A COMEDY SHOW
It is no longer news that many can easily mistake SMFEST as a comedy show as it has hosted a Nollywood actor (Jim Iyke, 2021) and a Social Media Content Creator (Oga Sabinus, 2022). The event’s beautiful branding and excellent look and feel can give the big comedy show vibes. Watching the pictures and videos of people laughing and happily engaging and connecting during the event can make you feel like it’s a comedy show. It is yet another myth.
As we’ve established, SMFEST is intentionally planned to host the best brains in different industries. These experts have leveraged tech and social media to innovate their businesses and brands to become of a world-class standard. The choice of speakers is a deliberate act, and these speakers understand the need to keep an audience engaged, so they apply best speaking practices that make the audience happy and easily connected.
SMFEST is not a comedy show. It is a value-oriented tech and social media conference. But who says you can’t have fun while learning? SMFEST offers you a fun learning environment.
MYTH 5 – SMFEST IS LIMITED TO SOUTH-EASTERNERS
The last 2 editions of SMFEST have been hosted in the city of Owerri, Imo State. This has drawn large reactions from different people, especially as plans are ongoing for the 3rd edition of SMFEST.
This quick labeling of the event as a South-Eastern limited event is untrue and should be considered a long-held misconception.
SMFEST is an event that accommodates individuals from different parts of the country and even beyond the shores of Nigeria. The previous editions have seen participants travel from different states and cities in Nigeria, like Lagos, Anambra, Benin, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Abuja etc.
This shows that the event is not selective of tribe, race, or color. It is a global vision born in Owerri with a view of expansion. SMFEST can be brought to your city, state, or country if you prove your location is ready to host this annual event.
It is tagged ‘SMFEST,’ so it is borderless and doesn’t discriminate. Rather, it is a platform that promotes unity in diversity. This can also be seen in speakers that have been invited so far. The selection is spread across different states as the major focus is having the best, not just regional speakers.
SUMMARY OF WHAT SMFEST IS NOT
- SMFEST is not a boring long lectures & talks event.
- SMFEST is not limited to a particular age.
- SMFEST Tickets are not Expensive.
- SMFEST is not a Comedy Show.
- SMFEST is not limited to South-Easterners.
SMFEST – HERE IS THE REAL DEAL
- SMFEST means Social Media Festival.
- SMFEST is focused on tech, social media, and innovations that drive growth to businesses, brands, and communities.
- SMFEST is the biggest Tech and Social Media Event in the South East.
- SMFEST hosts only the best speakers in core industries
- SMFEST produces an excellent fun learning environment for participants.
- SMFEST set the pace for using tech, branding, and social media to gather thousands of creative minds to learn, innovate and grow.
CONCLUSION
Misconceptions about a person, business, brand, or event have never been wrong. Myths are existent everywhere, and that is why there is always a need to debunk these myths.
I trust that the SMFEST myths debunked in this article have clarified what SMFEST truly is, as promised earlier.
If you still have questions about SMFEST, feel free to ask in the comment section, and we will gladly answer you. Get a ticket now to attend
