San Diego played host to this year's Social Media Marketing World (SMMW 2024), drawing over 5,000 professionals from across the globe. Among the attendees were Daniel Fisher (Head of Marketing), Aaron Lassey (Digital Manager) and Maria Maoate (Marketing Coordinator), all representing Cook Islands Tourism.

The event featured 120+ expert-led sessions, providing an opportunity to learn about the latest trends and strategies in social media and marketing. Topics ranged from influencer marketing and content optimisation to emerging platforms, data analytics and AI. It was also a fun-filled event with live music, photo walls, and high energy.

For Cook Islands Tourism, SMMW 2024 provided a valuable opportunity not just to learn but also to highlight the destination. It helped raise awareness about the Cook Islands, connecting professionals from all around the world and promoting the islands' location, beauty and attractions.

As they return to the Cook Islands, Daniel, Aaron and Maria bring with them a deeper understanding of the industry's rapid evolution and the importance of staying ahead, as well as knowledge that will help shape the future of marketing efforts for Cook Islands Tourism and the country.

With these new skills under our belt, the next steps are to share these strategies and advancements with industry through workshops and playbooks, expected before the end of the financial year.