When I-40 reopened to traffic in December '09, St. Louisans shared their feedback and sentiment on their social profiles. Was that conversation encouraged by MoDot? Did they listen & monitor closely? Our panelists this month will be discussing how transit agencies and their advocates are integrating social media in their marketing efforts to educate and communicate with their audience.  Public transit provides a unique perspective since it is not only a government agency and community asset, but also a consumer choice. 

The evening begins with drinks and networking at 5:30pm. We will be having free chips & salsa and the Happy Hour will be extended until 7pm ($1 off beers/margaritas, $1.50 tacos & taquitos, $2.50 Corona, Corona Light & Lone Star). The panel discussion from 6-7pm will bring together a group of three of St. Louis' specialists to answer questions and discuss how transit companies are starting to use social media.

Courtney Sloger, @STLTransit, is the inaugural Online Media Specialist for Metro Transit in St. Louis, and seeks to educate and engage riders and non-riders alike.  A member of the Communications Department, Sloger edits and contributes to Metro's transit blog,www.nextstopstl.org and maintains the Agency's other official social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr.  She also serves on the Board of Directors for Sustainable St. Louis, and on the steering committees for Missouri Votes Conservation Educational Fund and the St. Louis Master Bicycle Plan.  Passionate about alternative transportation and urban sustainability, she likes to unplug by biking, paddling rivers, and dragging St. Louis bloggers on a bus.

Tom Shrout,  www.cmt-stl.org, is the executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. CMT has been using social media to reach out to not only its members, but also to identify other transit advocates. How will social media affect the organization and out reach of not-for-profits. Tom will have some observations.

Allison Collinger: http://www.ahcconsulting.org, @ahawkcollinger ,A pioneer in integrating marketing communications and community affairs for sports teams, businesses and non-profits, Allison Hawk Collinger brings an innovative approach to strategic communications, emerging media, community issues and non-profit management.

Bring your friends and join us for the SMCSTL monthly meetup. Enjoy some good friends, networking, conversation and drinks. You don't have to be a member to attend, this event is free to everyone.