Greetings from CalTrain, heading from Santa Clara to San Francisco Station. After client meetings today in umm …Napa, we’ll be returning to the Santa Clara Convention Center tonight to kick off SMX West 2009.
Regarded as a premiere search marketing conference industry conclave, ‘West promises to be jam-packed with vital information, camaraderie, networking and serious fun. As the sun rises and my train rumbles through the Mountain View Station, here’s a run down of don’t-miss AIMCLEAR SMX highlight activities, including private party information.
IM Charity Party at Yahoo
Tomorrow the IM Charity Party at Yahoo supports a cause very dear to my heart, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As many of you know, I survived Lymphoma stage 3B in 2005, so as Internet marketers gather to raise money for this cause, they are contributing directly to having saved my life. We’d love to see you there.
Speaking: Offline-Online Track
My first turn at the podium for this conference will be at 10:45AM Tuesday, participating in the “Integrating Search & Offline Marketing Campaigns” panel. The Moderator is Sara Holoubek, Consultant, Columnist and SEMPO Board of Directors. Other speakers include industry vets’ Ann Cafferty Pyle, Group Manager, Client Services, Digital Brand Expressions, Jason Clement, Director, Search, Wieden + Kennedy and John Tawadros, Chief Operating Officer, iProspect.
We’ll ask provocative questions like “How can search support the purchase of offline goods and services? How can offline advertising and activities drive people to search, which in turn may send them back offline to interact with brands and companies?” This session will explore the Tao of online/offline and feature really interesting case studies.
Speaking: Advanced Keyword Research Tactics
You know all the basics of competitive intelligence, stemming, buzz pocket mining and building keyword baskets. Now, hold onto your shorts for killer keyword research tips and tricks. Last year at SMX East, this session was amazing.
Moderated by one of my favorites Gordon Hotchkiss, President and CEO, Enquiro, the panel also features industry luminary Christine Churchill, President, KeyRelevance.com and Bryson Meunier, Natural Search Associate Director, Content Solutions, Resolution Media. The Q&A Moderator is our good friend Gab Goldenberg, Owner, SEO ROI.
Clix/AIMCLEAR SchmoozeFest
David Szetela and I invite you to join us at the Third semi-periodic Clix/AIMCLEAR SchmoozeFest, a.k.a. an invitation-only party at SMX West. It takes place Wednesday night, starting at 6 PM and raging until the beginning of the Webmasterradio SearchBash. Location: same spot as SerachBash: main Hyatt bar and pool.
We’ll share complimentary bottom-shelf beverages and forgettable finger foods. Please see me or stop by the Clix Marketing booth, #324, to pick up the Orange Wrist Band™, which will indicate to the wait-people that you should be treated as honored guests and not ejected.
Drunken PPC Rockstars Roundtable!
Directly following this installment of SchmoozeFest we’ll ooze into the beginning of the Drunken PPC Rockstars Roundtable, whereby PPC luminaries drink moderately and politely discuss PPC fact and fiction. I am most honored to be included amongst some of the coolest PPC practitioners in the world for this live radio stomp-rocket jabber jam.
Wow! Confirmed fat-chewing PPC Rockstar participants include Scott Brinker – ion interactive, Dan Soha – FiveMill, Craig Danuloff – ClickEquations, Marc Poirier – Acquisio, Chad Baldwin – Zenshoo, Richard Zwicky – Enquisite, Addie Conner – CourseAdvisor, James Zolman – Semvironment, Wister Walcott, Marin Software, Richard Stokes – Adgooroo and Alissa Ruehl – Apogee.
SMX West 2009
Let’s face it: There are a handful of SEM industry events which shouldn’t be missed and SMX West is certainly one of them. If you’re going to be in the Bay Area this week, please give a shout so we can meet, great and share information and industry anecdotes. If your traveling today, please be safe.
