Search Engine conferences

[Mac 5]

I heard about the Search Engine Watch's conference in Chicago December 5th-8th, also other cities and dates listed on below website.
http://www.jupiterevents.com/sew/fall05/index.html

Is this worth the expense of going to? When is the next conference at the Googleplex? I've read reports from it in the WPW forums, always wanted to go. Are there other ones around?

[mike]

Well the Googleplex is in Mountain View (very near San Jose) so that party is associated with SES San Jose which is later in the year (August or Septmeber I think). The conference itself isn't at the Googleplex, they bus folks in for a party after sessions one night though. It's a cool place.

Search Engine Strategies has several shows throughout the year though and they are all good and (in my opinion) well worth the trip/expense.

We (Jason Miller, Chris Richardson, Rich Ord and me) will be in Chicago next week for the SES conference. It will be the 1st SES I've attended in Chicago (actually my 1st trip to Chicago period) but I expect it will be as good as the SES shows I've seen in other cities.

If you go be sure to give me a yell. We need a secret WebProWorld handshake or something maybe...

[dharrison]

On that same note, is anybody going to the London SES Conference in May 2006?

Next year I will be expanding my business in the SEO field (studying now).

Would it be of any relevance to a small business owner like me?

[JuniorOnline]

Hi dharrison

is there a link for this conference taking place? cant seem to find it?

thanks,
T

[dharrison]

Sure, try http://www.jupiterevents.com/sew/london06/index.html

It is on 31 May to 2nd June. Are you going then, Junior?

[SEOforGoogle]

Having attended the SES conference in Chicago last year, I can tell you that it's well worth the price. Not only do you pick up valuable nuggets of information, but you also get to talk to some of the same industry leaders you read about.

But most importantly, you also get to network and put a personality behind the name and face.

I am currently attending the ILM 05 - which is based on local search - and I would highly recommend this conference to anyone in the seo industry.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by dharrison

Would it be of any relevance to a small business owner like me?

yes absolutely. not only are the sessions worthwhile, you can also meet a ton of company reps in the display hall, which should give you a good idea of what you are up against.

[JuniorOnline]

i would love to attend conferences about SEO in the UK - specifically london. if anyone knows anything coming up please let us know.

[dharrison]

Thats the only one I know at the mo Junior.

Chris - thanks for your advice but when you say "company reps" and knowing "what I'm up against", one assumes you mean big companies (which is the last thing my small business is).

[Chris]

deb, if london is anything like san jose or chicago, not all the exhibitors will be Google-sized. there will be a lot of the mid-level-to-small-biz-sized SEO and bid management companies displaying.

in my mind, this can be very educational because it lets you see the approach of a potential competitor who has had some success.

[dharrison]

Oh I see. Thanx for clearing that up Chris.

So are you going to that particular leg (The London one)?

[Chris]

deb, i doubt we'll be at the london SES, but you never know...

[bodgekaloopie]

In addition to the other excellent reasons for attending these conferences that have already been mentioned here: you also are able verify techniques that you are already correctly implementing.

This can be just as important as learning something new in this ever-evolving industry.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by bodgekaloopie

In addition to the other excellent reasons for attending these conferences that have already been mentioned here: you also are able verify techniques that you are already correctly implementing.

This can be just as important as learning something new in this ever-evolving industry.

ding-ding-ding. we have a winner. cindy is exactly right about the sessions going a long way toward letting you know if a certain strategy works or if you should look at another method of optimization.

[buddhu]

Originally Posted by dharrison

On that same note, is anybody going to the London SES Conference in May 2006?

Next year I will be expanding my business in the SEO field (studying now).

Would it be of any relevance to a small business owner like me?

Hi Debbie,

I, and at least one colleague, will probably be going to the London dates. We have been for the last two years and found the SES event invaluable. It isn't cheap, but if you stay alert it's worth every penny.

I'd say it's very relevant to you, and to anyone else who uses these forums regularly. If you can absorb the cost then go!

Be aware that several sessions run simultaneously so you won't be able to see everything. It's worth planning carefully which sessions you'll want to attend.

My colleague deals mostly with our PPC campaigns and I do the natural search SEO. Even between two of us we find that there is so much going on that we are stretched to get to see everything.

I'm hoping I can get our MD to let me take my assistant too... With three of us we should be able to cover most of it! :)

[dburdon]

Debbie,

I see your based just over the Thames in Essex. Maybe we should swap notes.

I attend a lot of conferences where search is the hot topic.

David Burdon - Kent

[dharrison]

Sure thing David. :)

[brian.mark]

I'm attending my 6th SES next week. Each time, we can see a dramatic increase in our business shortly after I return. I get so many ideas from people at the lunch table, watching the site reviews, etc. It is always amazing to me that no matter how many times I attend, I always learn more than the last time I went.

It helps that I'm a speaker (people recognize me and come over to talk), but the networking is where I see a huge amount of value as well. It seems that every time I end up at a lunch table with someone from MSN search lately. They're very interested in my business, then give me some ideas for other ways to promote it. Of course, I get the "Why not move to .net" or something else that won't happen, but they really want an answer - so they get it. Poor guys. :-)

If you're serious about search marketing, there is no excuse for not attending. There is far too much value in being there.

Brian.

[JuniorOnline]

I would like to attend the london one for sure... did you guys email them for booking? or do you book online through a booking system?

debbie - would be nice to meet up with you there ;)

[Mac 5]

After seeing the prices $695 for a one day pass, $1,795 for full access, I don't think I'll be able to go. I will be looking forward to reading the posts from the people there.

[JuniorOnline]

if costs around that price to go - I rather attend a SEO course run by the IDM and google.. they are charging for a 2 weekes course £2000 ;)

[dburdon]

For UK and European members the Travel Technology Show is taking place in London 31st January/1st February.

Entry to the show is free. They are running seminars on Search Engine Marketing - approx £40. I know at least one of the speakers.

See: http://www.traveltechnologyshow.com