The OFFICIAL SES San Jose 2006 Conference Thread

[Elisabeth]

I'm posting on Joseph Morin's behalf (as he is recovering from SES latino) to reserve this space and officially start this year's exciting who's going to SES San Jose, and where are we partying thread.

Let the thread begin.

[evilgreenmonkey]

Hotel availability permitting, I'll be there.

First time to CA, so any guidance; tips; recommendations and party invites appreciated ;)


:cool:

Rob

[SanDiegoSEO]

I shall be returning as well....hopefully.


I do have a national paintball tournament starting that same Thursday as well.

[stuntdubl]

If you don't mind a 3 block walk, there's a Marriot hotel (http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/SJCSJ) nearby that's about 40% less than the conference hotels (which seemed to be booked anyhow. It ain't the hilton, but it serves it's purpose.

[David Wallace]

I'll be there arriving Sunday and sitting on Q&A panel for "Retaining Traffic After Moving Or Redesign" on Thursday. Look forward to meeting up with old friends as well as meeting some new faces.

[SpeedyPin]

I'm driving up from San Diego with a colleague (yes driving). We're looking forward to an even better event than 2005.

It's nice to see that there are some good sessions that will allow those with a good deal of experience to contiunue to learn. I'm especially looking forward to learning more tips and tricks for marketing on social/community sites.

FYI... I booked at the St Claire and I think they still have rooms.

- Eric Itzkowitz


p.s. David, we just recently completed a web host move (a huge endeavor) and I'm happy to report that our rankings have remained solid, which means traffic continues to flow. Yes, it can be done with proper planning. A HUGE SHOUT OUT to MC for blogging about this topic--it was a huge help!

[evilgreenmonkey]

I hope that's a hybrid car you're driving ;)

After phoning a rather dazed and confused St Claire receptionist, I was under the impression that it was fully booked.

If anyone finds a nearby hotel that's available between the 5th and 11th, please let me know. Otherwise you may find America's largest car pile-up in history caused by me and my economy Hertz rent-a-car!

:rolleyes:

Rob

[David Wallace]

Try The Fairmont at San Jose (http://www.fairmont.com/sanjose/). That's where I'm staying. It is a short walk to convention center and much nicer rooms IMO then the Marriott.

[evilgreenmonkey]

If it's $149 a night, I'm there ;)

[evilgreenmonkey]

Hoorah! My late quest for a sub $200 hotel room (in close proximity to SES) is finally over. The Crowne Plaza (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/925/en/hd/sjcpc) hotel still has room vacancies and is just down the road from the Marriott. It's not the most attractive of buildings, although all I needed was a bed for the night. If anyone else decides to stay here, sign-up for the Priority Club card as apparantly you sometimes get free upgrades.

My next quest is to find a party to go to each night ;)

Any rumblings of an Ask/Yahoo/MSN party so far, or maybe a local SEM group event like with LondonSEO.org?

:cool:

Rob

[Joseph Morin]

Try The Fairmont at San Jose (http://www.fairmont.com/sanjose/). That's where I'm staying. It is a short walk to convention center and much nicer rooms IMO than the Marriott.

Ha - you just liked my room there last year Dave ;) I'm repeating the scenario again this year.

If you go to the Fairmont 'One Way Summer Rates' Web Specials (http://www.fairmont.com/email/summer2006/destinations.html) there just happens to be a handy dandy special going on for the dates of the conference. It's initially listed at $189 BUT do not despair, when you load the conference dates, it still lists rooms at $169. Now here is the kicker: If you sign up for their President's Club loyalty program (even if you just sign up and havent had a stay yet) you are entitled to free Hi Speed Internet access, so that comes out to about what the conference rate was for the Marriott. In addition you get a MUCH nicer room that is 450 sq. ft. and an all marble bathroom and entry. ..so its also larger than the Marriott, Hilton and St. Clair.

For those of you who know me, you know that I'm an absolute travel junkie and spend more time at FlyerTalk (http://www.flyertalk.com) than I do at search blog sites. ;) So for serial SES conference attenders, I'll let you in on a loyalty plan that will get you perks and more perks. If you plan on attending both SES San Jose and SES Chicago or even SES Toronto (SES' that have nearby Fairmont hotels) then do as instructed - if not then read no further.

The Fairmont Loyalty Program (http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/PresidentsClub/CDPresidentClubOverview/0,1163,code%25255Ftype%253DGEN%2526brand%25255Fcod e%253DFA,00.html) gives you premier status after only 10 nights stayed within a calendar year. So if you stay 5 nights in San Jose and 5 nights in Chicago (about 4 long blocks or 4 minute cab ride) or even for SES Toronto (almost across the street from conference hotel) you will have earned premier status for the following year. What this does is give you 2 certificates for upgrades during your next year of status, free Internet of course, one free night for the following stay and they even throw in a $50 food voucher.

I did this all last year and for this year's SES San Jose conference I received an upgrade to a 900 sq. ft. suite, a free night and a $50 food voucher.

For those that do SES, PubCon and Ad:Tech then I would highly recommend joining Starwood Preferred Guest Loyalty Program (http://www.spg.com) which in my opinion is the best hotel loyalty program. Starwood is comprised of St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Le Meridien, W Hotels, Westin, Sheraton and Four Points. I'm Platinum with SPG and I've been treated very, very well by them with a suite upgrade in about 80% of my stays last year (90 nights with Starwood).

Any questions? Drop me a note...

Joe
:cool:

[Joseph Morin]

Any rumblings of an Ask/Yahoo/MSN party so far, or maybe a local SEM group event like with LondonSEO.org?

:cool:

Rob

Hey Rob,

I'll have the 'Official SES Party Guide' up shortly - I've been awaiting an answer from 2 of the SE's before I posted but if I dont hear shortly then I'll go ahead and post it.

Joe

[evilgreenmonkey]

Good stuff, it's a shame that my hotel reservation at the Crowne Plaza is non-refundable. :(

[toprank]

Thanks for the tips Joe. 90 nights? You are one heck of a travellin' man.

I've been hitting SES, Pubcon, ad:tech and this year DMA conferences, so your tips are very much appreciated.

David, am booked for the St. Clair right now, but after seeing the Fairmont, may need to make a change. Thanks for the link.

Elisabeth, if/when I see you again, I apologize in advance for any foot in my mouth behavior. This time I promise not to forget your name or make a dumb comment on the topic of your birthday. :)

[sherrillh]

Looks like I'm headed to Cally! I went to last years Toronto SES and everyone there said that the San Jose was the grandaddy of them all, so looks like I'm taking the plunge.

I'll be watching this thread to try and keep up with all the parties and look forward to seeing Rand in his shoes, gotta love him and Mikel with the bright suits :D

evilgreenmonkey, I'll be staying at same hotel as you, so you don't feel left out :)

[evilgreenmonkey]

evilgreenmonkey, I'll be staying at same hotel as you, so you don't feel left out :)

Good stuff, welcome to the party... I mean, work related excursion.

:D

Rob

[sheseltine]

I'll be there (just booked it today). It'll be my first trip to CA, just like my fellow Brit above...

[wtongen]

I made my reservations at the San Jose Marriott early and I already RSVP'd the Gdance so I'm set. :D

I'm excited! I'v been to 3 SES conferences and have gotten to know many of you, but this will be my first time to San Jose and my first time speaking on a panel.

I am honored to be part of the Search & Regulated Industries panel Tuesday afternoon to talk about some of the chalenges to our search program at Medtronic.

I'm there from Sunday to Saturday on a bit of an extended trip. Look me up.

Wardo

[eWhisper]

Looks like a great crowd as usual.

Joe - expecting some good parties :)

[Silver]

I'll be at San Jose, too, along with the usual contingent of folx from Verizon :cool: , most likely.

[pleeker]

I'm sure it'll be a pleasure to meet so many names/people that I've only ever chatted with on forums or lists or blogs or wherever.

It'll be my first time attending an SES, and I'm also going to be speaking (at one of the Small Business sessions) -- may as well dive in head first, I say. No *****-footing around the edge to see how deep the water is. :)

[ThomasB]

Guess what - I'll be there, though I won't be able to make monday. see my flight schedule below:
aug 5: muc > fra > pdx > sfo
aug 6: sjc > dfw > atl
aug 7: atl > dfw > sjc
aug 10: sfo > muc

Joe, I'll beat you on miles again this year ;)

[mcanerin]

Sadly, I won't be able to make it this year - I really wanted to, but the timing is all wrong (those pesky clients actually expect me to do work occasionally...)

Make sure y'all do something that I'll be jealous of you about - that's half the fun ;)

Ian

[randfish]

Ian - you better still have the China Search tour next year because I'm totally going on that with you. Sorry we won't see you in San Jose, though :(

[orento]

I'll have the 'Official SES Party Guide' up shortly - I've been awaiting an answer from 2 of the SE's before I posted but if I dont hear shortly then I'll go ahead and post it.

Joe

I will also be attending the San Jose event this year, my first time in California and
Really looking forward to it, being a huge fan of Mexican food.

I was at the NY show in Feb and enjoyed every minute of it, both for the location and the connections which led to great marketing campaigns.
I'm hoping to set up a few meetings through the course of the event with those that I haven't had the chance to meet yet in London or in NY.

We gave away a Jeep at the event in NY & The parties were great. This time I want to know where they'll be a little ahead of time. Or else I'll throw one in my room, SEW Party in my Hotel room, Entrance fee is a bottle of alcohol of your choice ;)

[SpeedyPin]

Is it required that you RSVP for Google Dance this year? Last year we just went. Good brew and good food!

[Discovery]

Don't take this question the wrong way...

I fully admit it, I have never been very big on conferences. To me it’s what Marcomm depts did because they were old school and conferences along with DM where all that they knew. Plus they loved the travel, the per diem and the parties parties parties. I have met sooo many sales reps and marketing reps that play the conference circuit like a traveling night club scene. As a financial analyst for these companies I always looked at the return on such events and they were always terrible, from a sales/potential sales perspective. Yet, when you ask the people who worked the conference they all say what a huge success it was. Of course it was the company just paid for them to go to a 4 day party. The same is true when sending employees to attend conferences, they have a great time, but what did they really take away from it that they could not have gained by a little bit of research online and phone calling?

What a party pooper eh?

I have not been to an SES event so I'm not suggesting that the conference is not a worthy one. However, I like to make absolutely sure I'm going to get everything out of a conference that I can. And that brings me to this question.

A week at SES with Flight, Hotel, Pass and party expenses will cost me close to 5k per employee. Plus a bit of a loss for lack of productivity back at the office. What tangible returns can one expect from such an SES event?

I know, call me a pointy headed bean counter

Cheers - Discovery

[ThomasB]

Attending a SES is worth every penny, no matter which level of knowledge you have. I pay the expenses out of my own pocket and hate to miss any of them. If you attend the sessions you'll get to know so much new stuff, if you mainly go there for networking you'll meet tons of new people, see new ways of doing stuff and if you attend the parties you'll have a great time. Whenever I come back I'm a lot more motivated than before. So no question, it's worth going.

[Roberheide]

Here is the link for the Google Dance sign-up.

http://services.google.com/events/ses2006_rsvp

It is a great event that is both a value for business purposes and for having a great time!

[Discovery]

Danke Thomas,

Die Lernabschnitte sind, was ich Einfluß der meiste Wert glaube.
Aber sie Bediener Brautwurst dort?

Tschuse

Entdeckung

[mcanerin]

What tangible returns can one expect from such an SES event?

That's a good question. If you are in the market for SEO/SEM services, it's obviously a no-brainer, same if you sell services to SEO's and SEM's.

But if you actually do SEO/SEM, then it's more complicated, but usually still worth it.

I've never got a client directly from an SES Conference. Of course, I don't put up a booth or promote myself overly (and never in presentations), so I'm not really blaming that on SES.

But I've got lots of business as an indirect result. Frankly, people trust you more if they have physically met you. I get a lot of referrals from other SEO's, as well as offers to partner up on projects or to form strategic alliances - all of which are usually worth more (sometimes a LOT more) than just picking up a client or two. So at the CxO level it's worth it, if you take the time to network (the value in this case is the time in between and after sessions).

Also, there is almost always something new to learn, and traditionally search engines like to announce new things just before or during SES San Jose. Knowledge is power.

Suggestion: If you do link building for a living, DON'T go to the link building seminar. It's good, but basic. Send a junior employee so they get excited and start having ideas (sometimes it sinks in better if they learn it someplace else other than work). Let's face it, most people only like to research things that interest them, or that they *think* will interest them. Force them to go to a few sessions that are out of their area - you'd be surprized at the results!

Almost everytime I hear negative information about SES is when mono-interest people go only to the seminars that are about their interest. It's often a waste of time (though I've been surprised with totally new stuff on numberous occasions). the information is often basic with some tidbits thrown in. Pefect for people learning, but no-so for people who could be up there giving the presentation themselves based on their experience.

If you are only organic, take in a few PPC sessions, and vice versa. If you focus only on the US, take in some international sessions, and so forth. SES works best when you are expanding your horizens. If you know little or nothing, then obviously the basics track is where you need to be.

Tracks that are really, really good for experienced SEM firms are ones that focus on "landscapes" and current situations. Often there is research that is only available at the conference. Other tracks that are good for experts are ones that have a lot of interaction, like site clinics and so forth. Often the speakers will haul out their little black bag of tricks to solve something. ;)

Finally, in truth I often learn a lot more while having a quiet beer with others like me than I do anywhere else, including my own research. I tend to research the areas I'm best at, and others do the same. I would not usually stand up and tell a room full of strangers some of the things I know (half the time they wouldn't understand it), but in a cozy environment with people dealing with the same problems as me, the information flows pretty well, since you are all on the same level of knowledge and experience.

Sometimes 5 minutes with some people can be worth more than the whole conference and a months research! For example, sometimes you have a client that you can use as an example with a trusted collegue, but would never mention in public, and if you learned something major as a result, you often can't share it publicly for that reason.

So the ROI for your staff is probably:

1. Wider knowledge base
2. Networking and knowledge sharing (tricks of the trade)
3. Motivation and Retention

For Management:

1. Insights into new potential services or markets
2. Strategic networking
3. Advanced techniques that are word-of-mouth only
4. Wider knowledge base
5. Most current research

I hope that helps a bit,

Ian

[David Wallace]

A week at SES with Flight, Hotel, Pass and party expenses will cost me close to 5k per employee. Plus a bit of a loss for lack of productivity back at the office. What tangible returns can one expect from such an SES event?
As far as going to SES to learn, the amount and variety of knowledge that is dispensed at is incredible. Add to that the fact that attendees have the opportunity to question long time experts in this industry during the Q&A portions of each session. Additionally all the Power Point presentations are made available to conference attendees after the show so they can recap what they have learned.

[Discovery]

Thanks Dave, and thank you Ian for the well thought out response.

I really agree with the out of conference personal meeting, over beers or Sushi. It is rare that I meet somebody that does what I do for a living. Not a know it all, not a newbie, but somebody that has been growing a business for a number of years and who has rolled through the changes. Having a good honest conversation about your experiences success failures and so on with a peer can be extremely valuable.

OK so it sounds like I'm a cheap ******* :)

I think I'm too late for making a run at this years SES, so instead I'll through an invite out to all who find themselves in San Diego during the month of August. Golf and lunch is on me - we can talk shop for a solid day. Just PM me if your interested.

Cheers,

Discovery

[SpeedyPin]

Discovery:

Before attending SES San Jose 2005, I asked myself, "Self... If I bring back just one idea that can help generate an additional $5k in business this year, will the initial outlay have been worth it?" Well, I brought back a plethora of new ideas (even some basics I had forgotten) that more than paid for the trip. Yes, even those with plenty of experience can learn something new.

Note: I would only bring an employee/partner whose job description includes Internet Marketing and/or specifically SEO.SEM.

p.s. If you decide to go, bring a comfy back support pillow and/or butt support pillow. The chairs can be a bit uncomfortable.

p.s.s. :confused: DO YOU HAVE TO RSVP FOR THE GOOGLE DANCE THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO GO?

[Robert_Charlton]

p.s.s. :confused: DO YOU HAVE TO RSVP FOR THE GOOGLE DANCE THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO GO?

Yes. See this page and follow the links...

Special Events
http://searchenginestrategies.com/sew/summer06/specialevents.html

Also, a note to whoever is maintaining the SES site. The link to "Session Planner" in the upper left nav gives a 404...

http://searchenginestrategies.com/sew/summer06/planner.html

[vegastlh]

Discovery -
I can understand wanting to make sure you're not throwing money away sending employees to one long party.

I'm an in-house SEM (along with managing about 90% of the rest of our online marketing efforts) in the highly competitive travel vertical, and I had to "prove" to my boss that the cost was worth it. He's repeatedly sent me year after year ever since - our search program continues to grow and grow!

Building/ expanding my knowledge base and keeping track of new trends and opportunities were only some of the benefits gained both through the sessions. The networking opportunities not only brought me and my company new business deals, but the opportunities to network with people who do what I do. Trying to talk to people who don't understand search can be frustrating (the blank stare, glazed eyes, etc) - and it's great to be able bounce ideas off marketers who are as passionate about what they do as I am. If nothing else, SES helps reaffirm how much I love my job. I would urge you that it's not a waste to send your employees, both the more junior staff and people like me at the management level.

I'm looking forward to it immensely this year!

Tarah

[Elisabeth]

http://searchenginestrategies.com/sew/summer06/planner.html

thanks RC. reported it.

[AussieWebmaster]

I will also be attending the San Jose event this year, my first time in California and
Really looking forward to it, being a huge fan of Mexican food.

I was at the NY show in Feb and enjoyed every minute of it, both for the location and the connections which led to great marketing campaigns.
I'm hoping to set up a few meetings through the course of the event with those that I haven't had the chance to meet yet in London or in NY.

We gave away a Jeep at the event in NY & The parties were great. This time I want to know where they'll be a little ahead of time. Or else I'll throw one in my room, SEW Party in my Hotel room, Entrance fee is a bottle of alcohol of your choice ;)

Is this Adam???

Monday is Yahoo and Tuesday is Google... though after parties are always big....
Will see you there.

[AussieWebmaster]

Discovery:



p.s.s. :confused: DO YOU HAVE TO RSVP FOR THE GOOGLE DANCE THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO GO?

Yes you have to rsvp

[Hawaii SEO]

The SES Handbook from last year says to bring your SES badge, a printout of your RSVP conformation, and a photo ID.

I remember needing the SES badge but that was all.
Am I remembering this correctly?

Aloha,
Dave

[Firebird428]

This will be my first SES, and I'm looking forward to it! I cheated though, my parents live 30 minutes away from the conference center, HA!

[evilgreenmonkey]

This will be my first SES, and I'm looking forward to it! I cheated though, my parents live 30 minutes away from the conference center, HA!

It'll be like the old days when you stagger into your parents house drunk, trying not to wake them up :D

[AussieWebmaster]

Yahoo apparently is not throwing a party this year..... now that is news... guess the 22 percent drop in stock value yesterday was just a little too much!!!

[DanThies]

I see that Yahoo is no longer showing the easter egg for "SES Party Rule #1 (http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=slv1-&p=ses+party+rule+%231)" - guess a Google Dance that runs out of beer is still better than no party at all.

We've got Google on Tuesday - anyone know any other party dates yet? I've got a student coming in for a couple days and I wanna make sure they hit the best parties.

Joe, I think you're the official coordinator, is it OK if we declare Sunday "Get Plastered In The Hotel Bar Starting At Noon Day?"

[Joseph Morin]

Hey Dan,

I just posted the Official SES San Jose Party thread (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=12814) So be sure to check out the schedule.

Sunday noon? Dang have to move up my flight... :D

[relevance4u]

Great - I just got my flight and room in the fairmont... looking forward to a great show and parties again!

thanks for the fairmont president club tip!

[webconnoisseur]

Yahoo:
No Yahoo party? That would be a shame. I bet they'll put something together. If they are that tight on money, they should at least open up their campus, have a few engineers to interact with and maybe some folks from their various acquisitions over the past couple years (Flickr, Konfabulator, del.icio.us, etc.), plus representatives from Yahoo Answers. Though I appreciate the booze and food, I'd still skip dinner to interact with the 2nd most popular engine.

Google:
Last year I registered for the party, but a badge was all that was needed (they didn't check names). Judging from the sophistication of the confirmation email this year, I'd expect the same.

SES Value:
I think SES holds the most value to those newer to the industry. However, as a veteran, I still find SES well-worth it, mostly for the following reasons:
1) A chance to devote a full week to thinking only about search with no distractions from co-workers. Last year I jotted down tons of ideas spurred from sessions that covered content I was already up-to-speed on.
2) Networking - sharing war stories, talking shop and sharing secrets are primary benefits of SES. Go to the parties and force yourself to interact with people you don't know. You'll easily find your $5k's worth--and it may come from the least expected places.
3) Reaffirm your theories or practices. Sometimes hearing it from another person is enough to motivate you to make get past your reluctance to take action on a particular topic.
4) Meeting the people behind the engines. Don't skip out on the parties, they are your chance to give the engines feedback and get answers from top engineers (remember to take what they say with a grain of salt).

[BankCardCentral]

Hello guys, this will be my first time going to SES however I attend all the Pubcon events and I know there will be a ton of us out there. I get in on Monday and will miss the first few sessions.

See ya there.

[seth_wilde]

Looking forward to it.. San Jose is always a great show to attend..

[miyagi]

I look forward to going. This will be my first SES. The Fairmont was sold out but I managed to make a booking at the Hilton. At least they have free wifi..

Thanks to Google for the $359 savings. :)

[rockcoastmedia]

This will be my first time at SES, can anyone give me any good advice or recomendations to make the most out of the event for a first timer. I am not a novice as it relates to SEO, but I have just never done the convention.

[AussieWebmaster]

This will be my first time at SES, can anyone give me any good advice or recomendations to make the most out of the event for a first timer. I am not a novice as it relates to SEO, but I have just never done the convention.

The biggest thing you can get from the conference is the ability to network.... make friends at the bars and parties and at the lunches (sit at one of the tables and make conversation with everyone - don't be shy and waste the chances).

Look at the sessions that seem applicible to where you want to be - not where you are right now - have them push you - make you think (don't forget to take a pile of notes from the viewpoint of your business)...

Talk to every vendor in the exhibit hall - even if they are offering stuff you have covered already - hey they may get you to thinking about something you can do that you have missed before.

Ask questions of the panel speakers after the sessions - talk, drink and have a good time!

[BankCardCentral]

Great Advice, Thanks

This is my first time to SES, but I attend most of the Pubcon Events and I believe this is very similar. I was a bit nervous to speak to other SEO's thinking I would say something stupid. Just be yourself and talk about what you know and don't know.

I find that after hours talking in the bars or over dinner I get to ask crazy questions that have been driving me nuts trying to find the answer and bam there it is. I have meet a ton of great people and cannot wait to catch up with the group again.

Profile in Webmasterworld is: wrockca

PM me if you want to get together.

[seminhouse]

Joe, I think you're the official coordinator, is it OK if we declare Sunday "Get Plastered In The Hotel Bar Starting At Noon Day?"
I second that one... let's see if Joe will add that to the schedule. ;)


Sunday noon? Dang have to move up my flight... :D
Move it up and get an early start with the rest of us!

[Chris Boggs]

save some for those of us not arriving until 8ish...

[Hawaii SEO]

This will be my first time at SES, can anyone give me any good advice or recommendations to make the most out of the event for a first timer. I am not a novice as it relates to SEO, but I have just never done the convention.

I met dozens of people and collected business cards form everyone I could but when I got home... I had this huge pile of cards that I had no idea who they came from.

Now I write something on the back so I can remember the person.

This technique is usually done by Realtors but it works... Design a business card with your picture on it. If you can place your forum alter-ego identity on it as well it might help people recall who you are later on as well.

The guys from "The Best of the Web" are easy to spot because they ware the same black t-shirts with a huge logo on it every day. (Note to self: Get one of those BOTW t-shirts) Jim Boykin for We Build pages does the same thing but He has a much smaller logo. I tell people to look for the Hawaiian Shirt and Rand has the bright yellow shoes. Whatever you can do to make yourself more recognizable or rememberable will help (IMO)

Aloha,
Dave.

[Hawaii SEO]

Don't forget to bring the Camera! :)

[AussieWebmaster]

If you have a reconizable screenname have that on your name tag.

[BankCardCentral]

Ya we need to hook up on some shirts this year. Are you guys giving them away again... LOL

Thanks for the leads from the directory. I have all of my sites in there.

[AussieWebmaster]

BOTW usually has a bunch... you can get one from SES - and there are always a few others giving

[nevetS]

Hello everyone. New SEW member here. There are probably a couple of you who might know my moniker from other forums.

I'm heading up to SES on Sunday night. I found that Hotwired offers the Raddison for $73/night and it seems in close proximity to the conference. I'm driving and I didn't plan exceptionally well, but I thought it was a great deal.

Trying to come up with an agenda, I'm really torn during a few meeting times, so I'm looking to hook up with other people who will be taking some really good notes that I can trade with. If anyone is interested in a notes trade, PM me. I still don't have my agenda set in stone, but my current plan is to be mostly sober and take a lot of good notes. My day 1 notes should be exceptional. After that, who knows :).

[Hawaii SEO]

Barry Schwartz and his team at the Search Engine Round table provide great coverage. They Blog the events in real time.

Here is a link to what they will be covering. (http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/004177.html)

There is also usually a URL, Username & Password on the first or second page of the conference handbook where you can download about 3/4 of the PowerPoint presentations.

Aloha,
Dave.

[AussieWebmaster]

Barry Schwartz and his team at the Search Engine Round table provide great coverage. They Blog the events in real time.

Here is a link to what they will be covering. (http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/004177.html)

There is also usually a URL, Username & Password on the first or second page of the conference handbook where you can download about 3/4 of the PowerPoint presentations.

Aloha,
Dave.

Beat me to it... good help there mate... you covered the bases well.

[nevetS]

Wow. That's awesome.

A pointer if any of the SES guys is listening - I've been to other conferences where they offered CD recordings of the sessions for $100-200 - a great way to produce revenue and also to provide a good service to the attendees in the future. It's not quite the same as being there, but it does provide a great way to go back and clear up notes.

I showed up at the expo last year and saw a bunch of people with laptops in the wifi lounge area. Do you veterans find it useful to bring a laptop and take notes, or do you find it easier to absorb the information by paying closer attention and reviewing the powerpoints?

[Hawaii SEO]

Do you veterans find it useful to bring a laptop and take notes, or do you find it easier to absorb the information by paying closer attention and reviewing the powerpoints?

I guess it all depends on how fast you can type.

I always bring a Laptop but it stays at the hotel. I just take notes and sometimes photograph the most important slides with the flash off. Sometimes I can take a picture faster than I can type or take notes.

After the last session, I review the photos, take notes and read the SE Round table coverage back at the Hotel. After that, I hit the bars/events for more learning , note taking and networking. I always have a small pad and something to write with.

Just FYI - Matt Cutts is drinking Sprite & also has something to write with. Don't get all drunk and start asking him detailed questions about your cloaked empire of spamy MFA websites or ask if he can detect your spam for queries on your best producing keyword.

Aloha,
Dave.

[Chris Boggs]

Trying to come up with an agenda, I'm really torn during a few meeting times, so I'm looking to hook up with other people who will be taking some really good notes that I can trade with. If anyone is interested in a notes trade, PM me. I still don't have my agenda set in stone, but my current plan is to be mostly sober and take a lot of good notes. My day 1 notes should be exceptional. After that, who knows :).
Very funny post, especially about that sobriety thing. Thanks to the others for mentioning SER, but in NYC Webmasterradio.fm was also podcasting some of these sessions. Keep an ear out at the show or maybe check the site and you'll learn which sessions they might/will cover.

On the charging for CD's thing, hopefully the incisivemedia group won’t do that. This industry thrives on the free sharing of information that goes on in blogs and forums across the Internet.

[rockcoastmedia]

Hello everyone. New SEW member here. There are probably a couple of you who might know my moniker from other forums.

I'm heading up to SES on Sunday night. I found that Hotwired offers the Raddison for $73/night and it seems in close proximity to the conference. I'm driving and I didn't plan exceptionally well, but I thought it was a great deal.

Trying to come up with an agenda, I'm really torn during a few meeting times, so I'm looking to hook up with other people who will be taking some really good notes that I can trade with. If anyone is interested in a notes trade, PM me. I still don't have my agenda set in stone, but my current plan is to be mostly sober and take a lot of good notes. My day 1 notes should be exceptional. After that, who knows :).

I too would be very intrested in trading notes to sessions at SES next week. If anyone else is interested please PM me as well. Just a note, I will be attending many of the social networking sessions as well as advanced organic sessions. I am looking for a trading partner on the PPC side.

[AussieWebmaster]

Just FYI - Matt Cutts is drinking Sprite & also has something to write with. Don't get all drunk and start asking him detailed questions about your cloaked empire of spamy MFA websites or ask if he can detect your spam for queries on your best producing keyword.


So you were at the bar around the corner from the Hilton earlier this year.....

[pleeker]

On the charging for CD's thing, hopefully the incisivemedia group won’t do that. This industry thrives on the free sharing of information that goes on in blogs and forums across the Internet.Yeah, I agree with that. I think it's great that so many of the sessions get blogged in real time for the folks who can't make it (in fact, Chris, I think you're doing the one where I'm speaking...) and if they start selling CDs / MP3s of the panel sessions, I suspect they'd feel the need to kill off the live blogging.

Plus ... do the speakers at those other conferences (where they sell CDs) get paid? I think some speakers would probably expect to get paid, or share the revenue, if their words were being sold.

[BankCardCentral]

Personally I think that if they do make a CD that the people that added the sessions and have paid for the conference should at least get a copy for future listening and learning purposes.

It just makes sense that we have already paid for the ticket in. And I am sure we cannot bring our mini recorders can we.

[AussieWebmaster]

Personally I think that if they do make a CD that the people that added the sessions and have paid for the conference should at least get a copy for future listening and learning purposes.

It just makes sense that we have already paid for the ticket in. And I am sure we cannot bring our mini recorders can we.

I have not seen anything saying you can't record the sessions.

[BankCardCentral]

Cool, I was not sure only because some events do not allow that. That is great if we can. Thanks

[evilgreenmonkey]

Cool, I was not sure only because some events do not allow that. That is great if we can. Thanks

That's a good question... can we record video/sound in sessions? Is it worth me bringing my camcorder?


:confused:

Rob

[seminhouse]

can we record video/sound in sessions?



Plenty of people record with their iPods, so it's probably OK. Just may not want to publish the entire conference's audio. ;)

[miyagi]

I had a booking at the Hilton but just saw that the Marriott has some last minute availability.. most likely due to a last minute cancellation. It was sold out the other day.. :)

[Marek]

SES Chicago '04 ...
SES Toronto '05 ...
SES New York '06 ...
SES San Jose '06 - looking forward to it and meeting new people.

SES is a Great Value! I find myself keeping my SES handbooks on my desk in the office referring to them all the time - mostly the latest ones.

Scheduling:
I find myself "jumping" sessions - quietly and least disturbing as possible. Sometimes when I go to a session, I find that the content of the session is great, but not exactly what I need at the moment, so going to another session during the same time is a better option. It works well for me. This is like being at a music festival with multiple stages, and bands you like playing at the same time - you just have to "taste" them all, even if its for a short time each... Some sessions, I stick to full time - non-negotiable.

See ya all there!

[AussieWebmaster]

You have it well in hand there mate.

[Chris Boggs]

hee hee I am so giddy. I am wearing my San Jose 2004 SES T-Shirt today...that's when I first experienced SES.

[AussieWebmaster]

hee hee I am so giddy. I am wearing my San Jose 2004 SES T-Shirt today...that's when I first experienced SES.

Funny I was looking at my collection too.... 2003 was my start. I will be going to the San Jose SES until they pry the keyboard from my cold fingers.... that reminds me I have to put in my will that I want to be cremated and my ashes spread over the volleyball court during the Google Dance following my demise.

[Chris Boggs]

.... that reminds me I have to put in my will that I want to be cremated and my ashes spread over the volleyball court during the Google Dance following my demise.
hmmm...do you think anyone would get tipsy from playing volleyball in your ashes? :p

[AussieWebmaster]

hmmm...do you think anyone would get tipsy from playing volleyball in your ashes? :p

you never know...

I would be an organ donor but would not want to handicap anyone with my pickled life support

[BankCardCentral]

Great Post, we need to get this post together in person during the SES conference...

What does everyone think?

[evilgreenmonkey]

Arrived in San Jose last night, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is a lot nearer to the conference centre then I thought (as in almost opposite the entrance). Should make trips to the Marriott bar a piece of cake.

Has anyone else arrived yet? If so, I'll see you in the Marriott bar tonight.

:cool:

Rob

Oops, already double booked myself. Guess I'll see some of you at the Bodog private party tonight and maybe go on to the Marriott bar afterwards :o

[BankCardCentral]

I fly in at 11:30am and will be arriving shortly after that.

[pleeker]

I've posted a couple early photos from San Jose over on Flickr for those interested. Plan to add more as the day and week goes along.

SES 2006 photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/smallbusinesssem/sets/72157594227899712/)

[imfeelinglucky]

I posted a few pictures from last night here (http://www.jimboykin.com/ses-2006-san-jose/ses-san-jose-2006.htm).

[AussieWebmaster]

I posted a few pictures from last night here (http://www.jimboykin.com/ses-2006-san-jose/ses-san-jose-2006.htm).

That had to be club soda in Matt's cup..... good job mate!

[evilgreenmonkey]

A few people have PM'd me and asked if we can meet up. I'll be at 99% of the parties and will know 1% of the people there, so always more then happy to meet a new face and chat. I'll be going to the Ask.com party tonight and wearing a short sleeved Blue/White checked shirt and you can find pics of me here if we haven't met before:
http://londonseo.org/blog/big-party.html
http://www.evilgreenmonkey.com/about/

Might start a new thread for putting names to faces if other people want to let us know what they look like in the real world. PM me if you want to do this and I'll get a thread running.

Can't believe I'm not in any of those Bodog photo's, must have spent too much time at the poker tables and on the balcony. :rolleyes:

:cool:

Rob

[Lyndsay]

I'm guessing the Ask party is private, eh?

[evilgreenmonkey]

I don't know to be honest, you'll probably need to pre-register for all parties though. If you've got any non-party nights ahead of you, might be worth dropping hints at the exhibition stands which are opening tomorrow. Plenty of parties going around, you just need to ask an employee of some of the big engines and brands. That said, Thursday night is looking pretty quiet for me at the moment (hint, hint). ;)

[Lyndsay]

I'd love to have someone to hang out with - and I'll be around Thursday night too. Let me know if you find out about anything big happening! :)

[evilgreenmonkey]

You should be OK for the next couple of nights, Google Dance tonight (I gather you've RSVP'd?) and Trexy/SEARCHBASH tomorrow. I'll see if I can find any parties on Thursday, and if not, we can always group together in one of the hotel bars (I think the Marriott is usually the bar of choice).

Anyways, I'll see you all at Google Dance tonight hopefully.

:cool:

Rob

[pleeker]

you can find pics of me here if we haven't met before:
http://londonseo.org/blog/big-party.html
http://www.evilgreenmonkey.com/about/Crazy, Rob - I've seen you walking around. I'll say hello if I spot you again. Do the same if you spot me:

http://www.smallbusinesssem.com/about-small-business-sem/

[evilgreenmonkey]

Crazy, Rob - I've seen you walking around. I'll say hello if I spot you again. Do the same if you spot me


Will do, still in my hotel room at the mo recovering from last night. Will try to make the session on Search Algorithm Research and then back onto the coctails afterwards :(

[SpeedyPin]

I got more out of SES 2006 than SES 2005. Definitely worth the 8 hour drive from San Diego. In fact, I got something from just about every session I sat in on.

There were only a couple of panelists I had issues with--things came out of their mouths as fact when I knew they were not.

Good job!


- Eric Itzkowitz

[AussieWebmaster]

Will do, still in my hotel room at the mo recovering from last night. Will try to make the session on Search Algorithm Research and then back onto the coctails afterwards :(

Yeah you missed my panel.....

[AussieWebmaster]

Here's my overview of the event:
http://www.smart-keywords.com/2006/08/my-trip-to-ses-san-jose.htm

[evilgreenmonkey]

Yeah you missed my panel.....

Sorry Frank, how did it go? I'm sure I'll catch you at the next event.

[AussieWebmaster]

Sorry Frank, how did it go? I'm sure I'll catch you at the next event.

I will in London for the Financial SES... see you then perhaps.

[evilgreenmonkey]

I will in London for the Financial SES... see you then perhaps.

OK cool, there might be another LondonSEO pub crawl in the evening as they tend to be arranged before or during an SES event. I'll post it in the calendar next time so that people know.

:cool:

Rob

[Megham]

Here's a quick pic of Danny from the Search Bash party at the recent SES San Jose. :)

http://blog.trexy.com/2006/08/danny-sullivan-does-sumo.html

[dannysullivan]

Excellent, thanks, Megan. And from the same party, Megan was doing a great job on the dance floor. I'll have to dig some of those out, but here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannysullivan/212842022/in/set-72157594233413316/) she is with Mona from Page Zero.

[Chris Boggs]

Note I split this thread since it was leading into an excellent conversation about "Social Search." The discussion of that topic is found here: What is social search (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=13283)?

[dannysullivan]

Thanks much, Chris! I'd started to do this, then went back to my window and found you'd already done it. Excellent!

[AussieWebmaster]

Chris is the man!!!

[Chris Boggs]

why thank you both. :)

[rickm]

thanks for the links and good articles on social search. plus, these pics from SES are worth a thousand words… they give a whole new meaning to social search.