Asa first-time speaker at DigiMarcon Honolulu in 2024, I’m sharing with you what the experience is like, the pros and cons, lessons learned, and what speakers and attendees should know before saying yes or booking tickets.
What is Digimarcon?
DigiMarcon is described on its website as the world’s largest Digital Marketing, Media & Advertising Conference & Exhibition Series, with over 40 events annually across more than a dozen countries. It is an event for gathering industry professionals to share strategies, emerging technologies, and marketing best practices.
DigiMarcon Hawaii (or Pacific) takes place in Honolulu, typically at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa. It promises a packed two-day program of keynote speakers, real-world case studies, networking, and insights into AdTech, MarTech, SaaS, and more
Why I Participated (and What I Was Offered)
In July, 2024, I received the following LinkedIn message from a man named Ben at DigiMarcon:
“We have an open speaking slot for our upcoming Hawaii conference on July 18 – 19, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. We’d love to invite you to join us as a solo speaker or panelist. We are pleased to offer you the following speaker package:
• A session speaking slot on the main stage (not a breakout) focused on an approved digital marketing topic
• A one-day VIP Speaker Pass granting full access to the event, meal & two complimentary drink tickets
• A Media Partner Branding Package, which includes acknowledgment and your company logo displayed on our event website, app, and social media messages
Please note that this is a complimentary speaker package with no cost involved. However, sponsorship requirements have been waived and it is a non-paid speaking engagement. You will be responsible for your own travel and accommodation arrangements if required. If you are interested in participating as a speaker, kindly send us your proposed presentation title and description (one paragraph) as soon as possible.
To ensure relevance to our audience of senior marketing management professionals, all presentations must focus on digital marketing topics such as Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Video Marketing, Search Marketing, Mobile Marketing, Digital Strategy, or Marketing Automation. After looking over your proposed presentation title and description, we will send you a link to our online Speaker Agreement for you to make arrangements for finalization.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you would be open to considering this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. We look forward to your response.”
My first thought was that it might not be a real conference. Or that it was spam.
But it was my first request for public speaking, which I was eager to do, so I looked into it. I googled DigiMarcon and DigiMarcon Honolulu to check out their websites. I learned that it was a global conference with events around the world. Some of the photos showed celebrities, such as Kevin Jonas from the Jonas brothers. Some events looked bigger and more successful than others.
After watching videos of past conferences and reading some reviews, I was convinced that it was a real conference. I didn’t recognize any of the current speakers listed for the Honolulu event. But speakers from other previous events included reps from Meta, Microsoft and other reputable agencies. Another sign that it was a legitimate event was that it was hosted at the Hyatt in Waikiki.
Still, the biggest sign that it wasn’t a successful event was that they were reaching out to me (a digital marketer who had no demonstrated track record with public speaking) and were not offering any payment. And they were reaching out with only 2 weeks’ notice asking me to prepare a 45-minute presentation.
Still, I figured it was worth the exposure, so I accepted and prepared my masterclass:
“Title: The Evolution of Google Ads: Demystifying Performance Max
Description: In my presentation, I will explore the evolution of Google Ads, emphasizing the shift from traditional Search Ads to the innovative AI-driven Performance Max campaigns. With accounts leveraging Performance Max experiencing an average 13% increase in conversions, the critical question is: are they always the optimal choice? We’ll delve into the distinctions between these campaign types, backed by real-world case studies, and provide actionable insights on when to utilize each for maximum impact. Join me to navigate the complexities of modern Google Ads and elevate your campaign strategies.”
Conference Day: What I Saw
Set-Up & Audience
The event looked professional: a manned check-in, tech support, banners, swag bags, and a speaker pass.
But attendance was sparse. There were maybe 30 people by my count on the day that I attended. I was surprised even that many real attendees had come, with conference tickets ranging from just under $500 to just under $1,000. Despite the low turnout, they were engaged, diverse in industry, and eager to learn.
Speakers & Atmosphere
I wasn’t alone in taking the opportunity for exposure. One speaker even had his daughter photographing him mid-presentation. But everyone truly delivered their best. Meg Hall, who presented before me, gave an engaging interactive presentation with a worksheet to help attendees determine what sets their brand apart and how to sell it, addressing pain points and problems solved. Topics ranged from SEO to branding and more, and attendees asked thoughtful questions.
My Session
When it came time to give my speech, I was a little nervous. I happened to be on crutches at the time due to a recently broken leg, so hobbling up onto the stage didn’t exactly make me feel a rush of confidence. But once I began, the nervousness faded. The audience was very attentive, especially to the bonus tip at the end, and many scribbled notes. The questions afterward were sharp and showed real attention. Watch the recording of my presentation here.
Networking
My personal favorite part of the event was the post-session cocktail hour. The food and drinkswere good. I connected genuinely with attendees, fellow speakers, and even walked away with a lead. For the speakers, the major value of the conference came in the conversations and networking, not the presentations.
The Video Letdown
We were filmed and told we’d receive recordings within a month, but they didn’t surface online until well over six months later, and I was never notified. That was very disappointing for me.
2025: A Different Offer
This year, Ben reached out again, but with even less notice (less than a week). And the speaker package had been downgraded (no meals, drinks, or parking).
So I respectfully declined, suggesting they reach out earlier next time.
Final Verdict: Is DigiMarcon Honolulu Worth It?
Pros:
- It’s real.
- Highly engaged audience.
- Networking that turned into business opportunities.
- A personal confidence-builder (and resume-builder).
Cons:
- No payment
- Heavy prep.
- Late invitations.
- Low turnout for a “main stage.”
- Unrealiable video delivery.
How DigiMarcon Honolulu can improve
DigiMarcon needs better speaker management. Speakers should have one month’s notice, at a minimum. Ben is trying his best, but he is always late and slow to respond when help is needed.
It is not marketed well. When I shared that I was invited to speak, no one I talked to in the digital marketing space had heard of the event.
This goes without saying, but paying their speakers and experts would lead to better speakers with greater expertise. At the very least, they should cover payment, meals and cocktail hour.
Who Might Benefit?
If you’re early in your speaking journey or aiming to build credibility, DigiMarcon Honolulu can be a worthwhile gamble, especially for the in-person connection and the “speaker” credential.
But if you’re experienced and your time is high-value, it’s probably not a good fit for you.
Looking for a public speaker in digital marketing?
I love sharing my knowledge at networking events. Reach out today to inquire.