SoCom expands into a year-round social commerce platform

Social Commerce Holdings is unifying its events, media and membership businesses under SoCom after acquiring assets of the SoCom conference. The move positions SoCom for more U.S. and international events in 2027 and a broader role in the growing social commerce economy.

Why it matters: - SoCom is moving beyond a conference brand into a year-round platform for the social commerce economy. - The expansion brings together live events, media, research, membership and mentorship under one name. - The shift gives operators, brands and platforms a single place to connect as social commerce grows across markets.

What happened: - Social Commerce Holdings said SoCom is entering its next stage under a single master brand. - The company acquired assets of the SoCom conference. Financial terms were not disclosed. - SoCom will now serve as both the broader platform name and the identity of its events. - New SoCom branding and websites are set to roll out soon.

The details: - The unified platform will combine SoCom’s news, research and podcast properties with membership, mentorship, industry recognition and an expanding event series. - SoCom LA is scheduled for October 14–15 at Westdrift Manhattan Beach. - SoCom New York is scheduled for November 10 at Sony Hall in Times Square. - Prior events this year were held in Los Angeles, New York City and Salt Lake City. - The event series is expected to continue into 2027 with additional U.S. and international gatherings planned for Miami, Los Angeles, New York, London and Hawaii. - SoCom is being built as an independent platform connecting the people and companies driving social commerce under one global brand. - Stuart Johnson, founder and CEO of Social Commerce Holdings, said the acquisition is part of a larger effort to accelerate the platform. - David Vanderveen, strategic advisor and podcast host at Social Commerce News, said the goal is to create a year-round platform where the channel can connect, learn and share what is working.

Between the lines: - The acquisition appears aimed at consolidating brand equity, relationships and community around a single identity. - The move also suggests Social Commerce Holdings wants SoCom to function more like an ecosystem than a one-off event series. - Recognition for the original builders of SoCom helps preserve continuity as the brand scales. - SoCom Live events were created by Max Benator and Lauren Stevens, whose Orca agency later became part of Third Commerce after an acquisition. - Benator and Stevens will be recognized as SoCom Live Founders. - Benator said the conference now has the focus of a world-class trade events team under Stuart Johnson’s leadership. - Benator, Stevens and Third Commerce will remain strategically connected to SoCom through a multi-year relationship with sponsorship, visibility and participation.

What's next: - SoCom’s new branding and websites will launch soon. - The company will move forward with SoCom LA in October and SoCom New York in November. - Additional events are planned for 2027 in the U.S. and abroad. - SoCom’s research membership, mentorship program and digital hub are part of the broader rollout described in the company’s platform vision.

The bottom line: - SoCom is evolving from a conference into a broader social commerce media and events platform with national and international ambitions.