Social Media Expo Jacksonville 2025

Social Media Expo JAX is a half-day interactive learning and networking experience taking place on Friday, October 24, 2025, as part of the University of North Florida School of Communication’s annual Media Week. Open to industry professionals, agencies, UNF staff, faculty, students, and the public, the event brings together professionals and students to exchange ideas, gain practical insights, and explore the latest trends in social media, digital marketing, and communication.

This year’s theme, “Video for Digital Marketing & Communication: Tacticals & Practicals,” focuses on real-world strategies to create, optimize, and leverage video to grow your brand and engage your audience. The program features keynote sessions, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions led by local experts including Ashley Aguilar, Marquis Thornton, Chris Delacruz, SoldBySharla, and Frank Goodin.

Through lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities, attendees will leave with actionable strategies and best practices they can apply immediately in their work or studies.

Find out more at https://smexpojax.com

Info: Frank Goodin introduces the “AI + U” framework—an approach that blends human creativity with artificial intelligence to create more impactful content. Drawing from real-world examples, he explores how creators can use tools like GPT, Midjourney, and automation platforms to boost their unique voice—not replace it. In a time of algorithm fatigue, this session offers practical ways to stay authentic, intentional, and connected while embracing the power of AI.

Info: Chris will explore the personal and technical elements that shape a signature editing style. He’ll walk through tools like Dehancer for color grading, explain how your personal passions can influence your creative decisions, and dive into how your edits should evoke the right emotional response for your audience. Attendees will leave with fresh inspiration and tactical insights on how to bring more of themselves into their work—regardless of what software they use.

Info: This quick, step-by-step tutorial will show you how to use Edits, Instagram’s newest video editing app, as part of your business content strategy. Edits is a user-friendly tool, perfect for beginners looking to create engaging content for their social media pages. We’ll walk through its best features, demonstrate how to edit a video, and show you how to schedule posts directly to Instagram—ideal for busy business owners on the go. The session will also include a checklist of tips to ensure you capture high-quality content to use within the Edits app.

Info: In this session, Stephen Freeman will share how businesses can use video more strategically by first clarifying what they want to say and who they’re saying it to. From scripting and storyboarding to final edits, learn how intentional messaging transforms video content from noise into a powerful tool that drives real results.

Info: Marquis Thornton will explore what creative burnout looks like, why it happens, and how to overcome it. Attendees will learn to recognize the signs of burnout, understand its causes, and discover practical ways to protect their creative energy. The session will also cover redefining productivity and building healthy recovery practices—reminding every creator that burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken, just human.

Host or Publisher University of North Florida