With the participation of 22 international speakers, the Social Media Club held its first Conference in the Gulf at Elite Hotel, Muharraq, with sponsorship provided by Zain Bahrain. The event was attended by more than 120 delegates and was watched live online by more than 800 people worldwide. Mr. Adel Maymoon, Board member of the Social Media Club - Bahrain Chapter and Chairman of the Conference's Organising Committee said: "The Social Media Club (SMC) Conference held under the theme of "Think Social" was one of the biggest social media event to be held in the Gulf during 2011, as it attracted the participation of 22 international speakers who included 16 international speakers and experts who made unique social media presentations in addition to the involvement of 6 other speakers in the main discussion session of the Conference." Mr. Maymoon added: "The Conference enjoyed a broad participation by the concerned professionals from Bahrain and overseas. Around 120 delegates from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and other countries took part in the event. More than 800 people watched the live transmission of the Conference sessions online through the Bahrain News Agency (BNA) website from various Gulf states, Arab countries, Canada, United States and Britain." The Organising Committee Chairman said the social media speakers discussed key aspects of this new and vital area that has become of great importance worldwide. They spoke about how to draw up the necessary plans and strategies for the successful use of the social media for both individuals, ministries, government organizations and the private sector. The speakers dealt with the production of the effective social media content and advertising through different social media. The Conference included a key discussion session in which professionals spoke about the transformation from the conventional media to the new media, especially the proper social media and best means of presenting effective and attractive content to reach more and more audiences. Meanwhile, Mr. Ali Sabkar, Social Media Club - Bahrain Chapter President said: "The Social Media Club which brings together experienced social media and e-marketing professionals, has been keen on holding this major event in Bahrain for coaching and training young entrepreneurs and specialists on the basics of social media, uses of social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linked-in, MSN and other websites, planning media campaigns through the social media networks in addition to the exchange of expertise and best practices in this field. The event involved explanation of social media concepts and ethics and how to educate the community about uses of social media." Mr. Ali Sabkar added: "The Bahrain Chapter is part of the world Social Media Club and holds monthly meetings and gatherings for all community groups to educate them about the social media and e-marketing, information and telecommunications technologies in addition to disseminating the social media culture for the good of the whole community. The success of this Conference in attracting a large number of delegates and speakers is also the tangible proof of the significance of its contents and coverage. The SMC will hold more public events in December to be announced in due course." Mrs. Samya Husain, Zain Bahrain Corporate Relations Manager praised the outstanding success of the first conference of its kind to be held in Bahrain and the biggest social media event in the Gulf region. It has attracted a broach participation from key international speakers and experts and Zain Bahrain has been proud of sponsoring this convention that goes a long way to supporting the community to benefit from the growth and development of social media round the world.