Instagram

When you open your phone, which app is your go-to? For most people around the globe, from teens to savvy seniors, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms for sharing experiences with friends and family. Posting images to a profile and adding pictures to Instagram stories are modern ways for users to keep others informed on different aspects of their lives. When it comes to hosting events, making an impression on guests is key to a successful event and its impact on social media.

Social media has drastically changed since I was in college. Thanks to Instagram, Twitter and FB, the hashtag symbol is becoming a larger topic when it comes to following, reporting and engaging with companies, friends or events. I personally love following the buzz during events that I cannot attend via hashtags. Savvy event planners can use hashtags to help our industry and business grow.

Just as writers experience the dreaded writer’s block, event planners, too, can get stuck in a rut. The Internet is a great place for sparking ideas, but options are limitless. How does one find inspiration with so many different things to search? Pinterest is a classic go-to, but Instagram might be the stronger choice. Instead of scrolling through an endless amount of pictures—some relevant and others completely useless—following someone you admire will give you more successful ideas you can incorporate into your events. We’ve listed a few accounts that boast exceptional ideas.

Visit Philadelphia has been ranked third on a U.S. city list of social media engagement based on a study done by independent social media agency Sparkloft Media.

Cities that topped the organization were Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Results were based off of liking, sharing and commenting on posts. Visit Philadelphia was also ranked fifth in numbers of fans and followers.

While Visit Philadelphia ranked third, it did beat out its direct-market competitors—New York, Washington D.C., Boston and Baltimore—on Facebook and Instagram.