A global social media story, live from Puerto Rico!

https://twitter.com/ADIConference/statuses/462002388732481536
I have written previously about the power of social media. My first ever tweet up. The power of Twitter. The story of the powerful #dementiachallengers hashtag. Meeting up with ‘imaginary friends’ …

But being invited to present a talk about social media at the Opening Ceremony at the World Alzheimer’s conference in Puerto Rico was … how you say? … in a different league. Especially co-presenting with my inspirational ‘imaginary friend’ Kate Swaffer 😉

We are still at the conference and time is short. Kate has already posted a thought-provoking poem. So I will just collect some of the tweets that hopefully give you a flavour of this exciting and colourful opportunity!

It had been quite a build up

Tweet while you wait.
We're on our way Kate! 💜#ADI2014 #jetBlueJFK #dementiachallengers global meet up! 💜 pic.twitter.com/ulQ1mJzqpN

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) April 29, 2014

https://twitter.com/ADIConference/status/461504028221145088

Nearly time for #ADI2014. This is what is in store! @ADIConference: http://t.co/s5SnSuXSz7

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

https://twitter.com/ADIConference/status/461949256900046849

Looking fwd to telling our global #socialmedia story at Opening Reception of #ADI2014 with @#Koalahugs @KateSwaffer 💜 pic.twitter.com/HiA3ELRPCe

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Roll on @ADIConference! Have just been practising with @KateSwaffer. Planning to get #ADI2014… #trending 👀!! 💜 RT

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

@AlzheimersVic @MareeMcCabe @AlzheimersAus yes, lovely times sharing fun moments also with @WhoseShoes pic.twitter.com/GldKwgawQL

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Fab group of passionate people awaiting start of #ADI2014 🙂 @KateSwaffer @AlzheimersVic @MareeMcCabe @AlzheimersAus #breakfast #tweetup

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

About to go live here at #ADI2014. @KateSwaffer and I speaking at Opening Reception. Let's get trending for people living with #dementia!!

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

@KateSwaffer: She's meant to be tweeting not playing with the bongo drums! #adi2014 pic.twitter.com/x9jxF1OiUW

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

@WhoseShoes @ADIConference looking good I expect some exotic pictures of shoes

— Dr Sarah Russell RN (@LearnPEOLC) May 1, 2014

Some exotic #shoes just for you @learnhospice 😉 #ADI2014 pic.twitter.com/4DGeTSIuFe

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

#ADI2014 @ADIConference room filling ip for opening ceremony @marcwort @glenn_rees @WhoseShoes @MareeMcCabe pic.twitter.com/N1I5ZvyTUK

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Better not sit here! These seats are reserved! Ooh, for us @kateswaffer 💜 🙂 #ADI2014 #dementiachallengers rock 🎶🎶 pic.twitter.com/5zLLgyer4z

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Emotional. Me n' my inspirational friend @KateSwaffer do indeed have an important global story to tell at #ADI2014! 💜 pic.twitter.com/rJyF4fnDmn

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

As always, it was nice to get messages of support from our friends back home

@WhoseShoes @KateSwaffer wishing you both the best of luck for #ADI2014

— Andrea Sutcliffe 💙💚💜 (@Crouchendtiger7) May 1, 2014

Thank you Andrea @Crouchendtiger7! Always lovely to hear from you! 🙂 @KateSwaffer #motivating #ADI2014

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

https://twitter.com/sammajumdar/status/461998893123653635

@WhoseShoes @KateSwaffer @dragonmisery @legalaware @bethyb1886 Well done Gill. Where are you two globetrotters now? #NY? #Paris? #Australia?

— Pippa Kelly (@piponthecommons) April 30, 2014

@piponthecommons Thanks Pippa… big #koalahugs to you too XOX

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) April 30, 2014

@WhoseShoes @KateSwaffer woo, hoo!

— Andrea Sutcliffe 💙💚💜 (@Crouchendtiger7) May 1, 2014

@beingmejo @KateSwaffer Have a great time at your conference…..give @WhoseShoes a big hug

— saffyishere (@saffyishere) April 30, 2014

@WhoseShoes @sammajumdar panicking yet???? X

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

@KateSwaffer @sammajumdar Panic? Moi?
No.
Well, not until I got that message!!! Aaargh!!!

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

@WhoseShoes @KateSwaffer love that photo Gill:-)) hoping there'll be a video clip of You & Kate #ADI2014 #koalahugs

— Pam Luckock (@luckockp) May 1, 2014

@WhoseShoes – so proud of you .. #BestofBritish
Flying the flag of excellence in #Dementia at #ADI2014@ADIConference @DementiaAllianc

— SuzieHenson-Amphlett (@SHensonAmphlett) May 1, 2014

https://twitter.com/MMShiells/status/461988536548614144
https://twitter.com/MMShiells/status/461987701408149504

@KateSwaffer #ADI2014 is going to be a powerful hashtag @ADIConference @legalaware @WhoseShoes @jstewartsa @Dembkclub @marcwort @MareeMcCabe

— Diverse Alzheimers (@DiverseAlz) May 1, 2014

@WhoseShoes @kenhowarduk @agnes_houston @ken_kenc @Norrms @GleefulKaz @KimSea2shore @charbhardy #ADI2014
enjoy and advocate !

— Chris Roberts.🍊 (@mason4233) May 1, 2014

@WhoseShoes @KateSwaffer Hope you have a wonderful time together, wish I was there! Enjoy!! xx

— Beth Britton (@bethyb1886) May 1, 2014

@bethyb1886 @KateSwaffer @WhoseShoes @dragonmisery hot hot hot x

— cachuchas (@dr_shibley) May 1, 2014

@DiverseAlz @KateSwaffer @ADIConference @legalaware @WhoseShoes @jstewartsa @Dembkclub @marcwort @MareeMcCabe Have a great #ADI2014 xxx

— Rose Harwood (@RoseHarwood1) May 1, 2014

Wonderful pix of 2powerful ladies whose power shines through. Lovely x the No. of their followers @ADIConference @KateSwaffer @WhoseShoes

— Simona Florio (@SimonaFlorio1) May 1, 2014

We sent out loads of tweets to get #ADI2014 trending!

Please RT to get #ADI2014 trending! Going live now! @legalaware @shirleyayres @nurse_w_glasses @helenbevan @KateSwaffer @DementiaAllianc

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Trending #ADI2014 our fab @ADIConference social media w @WhoseShoes @Care_Charts_UK @alznsw @YoungDementiaUK @legalaware @DementiaAllianc

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Let's hear it for people living with dementia! Help us us get #ADI2014 trending ! @helenbevan @ck4q @drsusanshaw @Crouchendtiger7 RT!

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Trending #ADI2014 @ADIConference @JacintaLynch @JeanGeorgesAE @JeremyHughesAlz @piponthecommons @robynverrall @andyhann1 @DementiaAllianc

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Help us us get #ADI2014 trending! @kenhowarduk @mason4233 @agnes_houston @ken_kenc @norrms @GleefulKaz @KimSea2shore @charbhardy RT

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Trending #ADI2014 wish you were here @ADIConference @kenhowarduk @ken_kenc @mason4233 @karenwatchman @DiverseAlz @sammajumdar @carriemarr

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

And lots more. Thanks for all the RTs, guys!

The Opening Ceremony was truly joyous – full of energy, music and colour – and some important awards

ADI Chairman welcoming all at #ADI2014 @ADIConference @DementiaAllianc @glenn_rees pic.twitter.com/nCA9EMWWFm

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Truly spectacular opening ceremony for fab #ADI2014 conference! pic.twitter.com/115qM7eKKM

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Honestly! He gets everywhere. Our family's… #stowawayteddy!! #ADI2014 pic.twitter.com/FGDapzcr0Q

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Wow… Opening ceremony #ADI2014 @ADIConference pic.twitter.com/pSScpytEZt

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Take two #ADI2014 @ADIConference @AlzheimersVic @AlzheimersVic @alznsw @alzheimerssoc @alzsthaus @AlzheimersAus pic.twitter.com/coxMHLVPZu

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Energy💥! Great to see such a vibrant start to #ADI2014. @legalaware @helenbevan 🙂 pic.twitter.com/Ka0rJcmlfO

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 2, 2014

Take 3 #ADI2014 @ADIConference @DementiaAllianc pic.twitter.com/LFCpGBW2xA

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Welcoming all at #ADI2014 @ADIConference @DementiaAllianc @marcwort pic.twitter.com/WKSfzkaMaX

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

@WhoseShoes @kenhowarduk @agnes_houston @ken_kenc @Norrms @GleefulKaz @KimSea2shore @charbhardy #ADI2014
enjoy and advocate !

— Chris Roberts.🍊 (@mason4233) May 1, 2014

Marc Wortman presenting fab awards at @ADIConference @marcwort @glenn_rees @AlzDisInt pic.twitter.com/GdWx01ibsa

— Kate Swaffer she/her 🌏🌼🧩🤐 (@KateSwaffer) May 1, 2014

Smiling. Very honoured to share the stage with these guys at #ADI2014 Opening Reception! ;-)) @kateswaffer pic.twitter.com/yvBXqOsxbz

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Kate and I told our story – how we have met through Twitter and blogging, become good friends and are taking our powerful messages across the world.

@KateSwaffer @WhoseShoes with a presentation at opening ceremony about social media @DementiaAllianc #ADI2014 pic.twitter.com/MYchwHSYpU

— John Sandblom (@jball49) May 2, 2014

https://twitter.com/marcwort/status/461997416779358208
We did a Pecha Kucha style presentation – 20 slides for 20 seconds each. But we did not set them up to run automatically, which gave us a little bit of extra time to set the scene and ad lib a little.

Our Pecha Kucha style presentation-without-the-pressure went down well @ #ADI2014 @helenbevan @ck4q 😉 pic.twitter.com/rJyF4fnDmn @KateSwaffer

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 2, 2014

We talked about some of the work we are doing together, including our Whose Shoes? tour of Australia, the Dementia Alliance International and NHS Change Day pledge.

Symbol of hope and empowerment from #ADI2014 💜 🙂 @KateSwaffer @DementiaAllianc @ADIConference @glenn_rees #dementia pic.twitter.com/pOlW9JNBlX

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 3, 2014

We finished with a little quiz…

So, we had a little test at the end. SO many different #socialmedia tools. But we love … Twitter!! 💜 #ADI2014 pic.twitter.com/9THVqmodr2

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Doughnuts 4 breakfast? Twitter!✔️
Where @kateswaffer? 4 square!✔️
Video? YouTube! ✔️
Recipe? Pinterest!✔️#ADI2014 💜 pic.twitter.com/ufdx1PU5y0

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 8, 2014

And everyone smiled and seemed to like our presentation 🙂

The power of #socialmedia. 2 Spanish ladies (run fab #dementia facility) liked presentation so much, invited us to come & stay! 💜#ADI2014

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

Great presentation from @WhoseShoes and @kateswaffer at opening of @ADIConference, thanks guys! #adi2014

— Amy Dalrymple (@amy_dalrymple) May 1, 2014

It felt as if our #socialmedia presentation was well received @KateSwaffer. Cos we both spoke from the heart 💜 🙂 #ADI2014

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 1, 2014

https://twitter.com/MAREP_UW/status/462003429439569921

Wonderful pix of 2powerful ladies whose power shines through. Lovely x the No. of their followers @ADIConference @KateSwaffer @WhoseShoes

— Simona Florio (@SimonaFlorio1) May 1, 2014

@simonaflorio1 @ADIConference @KateSwaffer @WhoseShoes I agree Simona a photo to treasure:-) two strong women #inspiration

— Pam Luckock (@luckockp) May 1, 2014

Exciting photos & tweets from @WhoseShoes & @KateSwaffer in Puerto Rico at #ADI2014 & now a blog from @dementia_2014: http://t.co/6aqIx0HyLr

— Jo Moriarty (@Aspirantdiva) May 2, 2014

Big shout out to @KateSwaffer and @WhoseShoes – currently approaching midday as 'global travellers' in San Juan currently #ADI2014

— geriatrics (@agn_online) May 2, 2014

So. How many new people are tweeting today? We can help you! @kateswaffer #ADI2014 pic.twitter.com/TghxnxqKz5

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 2, 2014

Listening to recording of fab Puerto Rico University group who played with such talent and passion at Opening Ceremony of #ADI2014 😉 💜🎶🎶

— Gill Phillips (@WhoseShoes) May 2, 2014

Happy times at the beginning of #ADI2014 with my pals @WhoseShoes and @KateSwaffer in Puerto Rico http://t.co/wSqyzlqeBs

— geriatrics (@agn_online) May 2, 2014

Enjoying tweets @WhoseShoes who is stepping into shoes of international correspondent at #ADI2014 until 11.59 tomorrow night.

— DementiaBook Club (@Dembkclub) May 3, 2014

I'm loving the tweets that @WhoseShoes is sending from Puerto Rico where she's a speaker at Dementia Alliance International #ADI2014

— Helen Bevan (@HelenBevan) May 2, 2014