Search Engine Strategies - SES Chicago 2004

[Nacho]

I can't help it, I'm very excited about it. :)

1) So who is going to SES Chicago 2004 (http://www.jupiterevents.com/sew/fall04/index.html)? Trying to make it simple to read at glance, I put up a public poll.

2) Which sessions are A MUST attend for you.

3) If you could ask ONE question to a search engine repetitive, what would it be and which search engine would you address it to?

4) For returning attendants, are you expecting something new?

5) What's the best PIZZA in Chicago . . . please, I gotta know!

See ya there!

[rustybrick]

1) I am, but I bet you will find Danny there too. Just a guess. :)

2) Must attend sessions include anything a guy named "Nacho" is speaking at.

3) How much would it cost for a link on the Google.com home page?

4) Yup, seems like an interesting session on the black/white hat fiasco is taking place at Chicago. I am just glad the seats are bolted to the floor at SES Chicago.

5) No idea - please dont hit me with negative rep points because I was only able to answer 4 of 5 questions. :D

[sugarrae]

I'll leave the last four to you guys, but I'm booking my stuff this week to attend.

[Joseph Morin]

Guess I'll have to make up for RustyBrick's ONE inefficiency.

The correct answer to question #5 is Giordano's Pizza (http://www.giordanos.com/). You'd be hard pressed to find a better pizza, I highly recommend it. I'd be honored to take you both there.

Joe

[oilman]

I'll be there - wouldn't miss it...

I think the black/white hat session will be good but I'm a bit biased...

I've already asked Matt why G hates my sites several times but I'll ask again ;)...

New? I always expect something new and I have yet to be disappointed...

Seems Joe beat me to the answer on the pizza - Joe, I'll join for a slice dude...

[Joseph Morin]

Todd -

More than welcome to join, its a pizza worth sharing. Shall we start planning a pizza party now?

Joe

Added - Oh and during dinner with Matt in Las Vegas, I used several of your sites as examples....I hope you don't mind ;)

[rustybrick]

Good to know you guys. Well maybe not oilman, he gets too many sites kicked out of the index. ;) joking of course

Seriously, can't wait to see you all again. Its just around the corner.

[Nacho]

Giordano's Pizza..... I'd be honored to take you both there.
The honor is mine, but are your sure we need to take Barry along with us . . . . :p

Did you guys see that you can mail order your (half baked) pizza + one ingredient for $48.20? Mmmmm..... sounds good, but I'll wait for the fresh one out of the oven.

1) It's going to be great to see you guys again!

2) The sessions I don't want to miss are on Day 1, the "SEM Business & Finance Track".

3) I <scratch that>am expecting</scratch that> hoping they will serve Giordanos pizza one day instead of the boxed lunches. (yah, I wish) :D

4) Now I know, thanks guys!

BTW, I'm getting there on Sunday afternoon (around 3:00 PM), so let me know who's getting in early too.

[andrewgoodman]

I can't help it, I'm very excited about it. :)

2) Which sessions are A MUST attend for you.



Having seen a lot of sessions I usually try to get out to something new. I think I'll try to zero in on a couple of local search sessions.



3) If you could ask ONE question to a search engine repetitive, what would it be and which search engine would you address it to?



That's easy -- to Google, when will you release new features of AdWords that allow (a) more control over contextual bidding; (b) simple rules-based bid mgt. ; (c) will there be an AdWords API;



4) For returning attendants, are you expecting something new?



That's the nice thing about SES. There always is something new. I'm betting the legal sessions, the black vs. white hat session, and the "freelancers matchmaking" session, amongst several others, will offer new material. For my own presentation on contextual ads, I have six months' more client data and new developments to discuss.



5) What's the best PIZZA in Chicago . . . please, I gotta know!

See ya there!

Between the pizza and the thick steaks and the sponsor events you're going to have to use a forklift to get me on the plane home...

[rustybrick]

Nacho,

I get in at 6pm, so figure I should be at the hotel around 6:30pm.

Make sure I get your room number. This way I can get my pay back for the pizza comment. :mad: :p ;)

[Jill Whalen]

Gotta agree with Oilman...the Blackhat/Whitehat will be a must attend! :p

Joe, where's the nearest IceBar in Chicago?

[Joseph Morin]

The whole city will be an IceBar (http://www.highrankings.com/photos/displayimage.php?album=13&pos=26) (brrrr), although methinks it will be an Irish icebar rather than a Swedish one...

Joe

PS Who chose Chicago in December anyway???

[rustybrick]

PS Who chose Chicago in December anyway???

Joe this thread explains that http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=2754

[Adam C]

>>3) If you could ask ONE question to a search engine repetitive, what would it be and which search engine would you address it to?

Why is it nigh-on impossible to get straight answers out of search engine representatives?

[celwell]

That's the nice thing about SES. There always is something new. I'm betting the legal sessions, the black vs. white hat session, and the "freelancers matchmaking" session, amongst several others, will offer new material.

Andrew: Thanks for noticing the Virtual SEM Matchmaking session. This is the first open mic session we've offered to get companies looking for contractors and freelancers together. It's open to everyone who fits that description and you can sign up to participate by contacting Karen DeWeese mailto:kdeweese@jupitermedia.com.

See you there. Chris

[andrewgoodman]

Regarding that, Chris, I figured that as someone looking for a freelancer or two down the road, I didn't want to bore the group with a speech, however short, and would instead just buzz around the room getting business cards. I assume that also makes sense. What do you think?

[Mike Grehan]

Nacho,

5) What's the best PIZZA in Chicago . . . please, I gotta know!

No idea, there are many. But Lawrys on Ontario and Michigan is the best prime rib (and they do it with great Yorkshire pudding - that's as important to me as a pizza is to you :-) See you there one night maybe?

3) If you could ask ONE question to a search engine repetitive, what would it be and which search engine would you address it to?

Google: Why do you keep up this PageRank stuff when you don't really use it like you say? You know you do something else... be honest with the guys here, c'mon...

[Nacho]

No idea, there are many. But Lawrys on Ontario and Michigan is the best prime rib (and they do it with great Yorkshire pudding - that's as important to me as a pizza is to you :-) See you there one night maybe?
You got it! I'll he happy to taste that prime rib, sounds good. See you soon amigo.

[Chicago]

metromix dot com is a fantastic Chicago guide, providing reviews, ratings, and descriptions to restaurants and entertainment et al

i am a bit bias to the local sessions, but i must say that overall this is a fantastic list of sessions and speakers.

looking forward to seeing you all

[celwell]

Regarding that, Chris, I figured that as someone looking for a freelancer or two down the road, I didn't want to bore the group with a speech, however short, and would instead just buzz around the room getting business cards. I assume that also makes sense. What do you think?

Sounds right, Andrew. Unless you're actively looking for someone, collecting cards of those who present is a good approach. See you there!

[Mikkel deMib Svendsen]

I will be looking very much forward to this SES show as this is my first big anniversary: It’s the 20th SES show I speak at. It makes me feel old :)

I will be looking forward to do my usual dynamic session and site clinic but maybe especially the new session: Black Hats vs White Hats. With Greg Boser and Oilman on the Black Hat side and Jill Whalen and Allan Perkins on the White Hat side I feel kind of squeezed being the one in the middle.

I believe this will be the session of the year! We all just have a very short presentation. I am working on it now and I will, like the others, make sure to give you a blast to kick the Q&A off. Be there!

[Joseph Morin]

Yes Mikkel,

From everybody I've spoken to about Chicago SES, that seems to be the definate 'Don't miss' session. looking forward to it.

I'll be in the back eating my leftover Giordano's pizza.....

[Jenstar]

I finally got my flight booked this weekend (about two hours after they raised my fare, of course). There is no way I am going to miss the Black hat vs. White hat seminar, especially with Greg and Todd on the black side ;) I agree that it is shaping up to the "seminar of the year"!

[JohnGalt]

I chose days 3 & 4 because it seemed to have the most from an organic standpoint. I work for an interactive agency that has a lot of large pharma clients (which makes natural optimization a huge challenge). We mainly do SEO, some PPC as well.

I hope there are still rooms left at the Hyatt, I'm going to reserve today. Which social events might be good for me to attend? I would love to meet some of the people from the SEW forums.

[Jill Whalen]

Yes Mikkel,

From everybody I've spoken to about Chicago SES, that seems to be the definate 'Don't miss' session. looking forward to it.

Ooooohhhhh the pressure! ;)

[Vural Cifci]

2) Which sessions are A MUST attend for you.

Lobbying for your Search Marketing Budget and Big Site/Big Brand

3) If you could ask ONE question to a search engine repetitive, what would it be and which search engine would you address it to?

When is that going to be possible to have TRUE FRIENDLY ACCONT MANAGEMENT TOOLS for PPC? (This is for Google and Overture)

4) For returning attendants, are you expecting something new?

I am just hoping that there will be something new. (I am trying to justify $$)

5) What's the best PIZZA in Chicago . . . please, I gotta know!
Proudly announce
Chicago's Deep Dish

Gino's East
633 N Wells St, Chicago, IL

[bhartzer]

I'll definitely be there, too. Wouldn't miss it. I've got to do some holiday shopping on Michigan Avenue while I'm there--and can't wait to have some Deep Dish and Prime Rid at Lawry's!

[Jill Whalen]

You know at least 23 people will be showing up (according to the poll results). Let's just hope they're not all speakers! ;)

[seobook]

how bad would it snow if I was dumb enough to drive a few hundred miles to get there... :D

not sure if I will go, but all the other ones I attended were really cool. what is exceptionally cool about all the different search engine conferences is not only how much you learn in the sessions, but also that most of the speakers and whatnot are exceptionally accessible.

[sean]

1) I'm in, all four days.

2) Shopping Search Tactics and Meet The Shopping Search Engines.

3) To shopping SEs: how often do you add/refine categories and properties after the initial setup?

4) My first SES -- many people in this thread will be new to me, the primary reason for attending.

5) Dunno about the pizzas, but I seem to remember getting a good blackened tuna at Cielo's.

[glenn]

I'll be there. Not looking forward to the chilly weather, but definately want to find some deep dish pizza and chow down :D . I've eaten at Giordanos and Unos before, but I vote for Lou Malnatis' web site and search engine marketing campaign. See you in Chicago!

[stacywms]

I've been planning to go all along (partly since I'm speaking, but SES is so incredibly valuable every time I go that I'm even braving Chicago the week before Christmas -- incredibly inconvenient timing, but oh well!), but I got really excited when I got the postcard and noticed that there are 24 new sessions!

I think "Pricing & Contracts for SEM Services", "Forecasting Paid Search Traffic" and "Integrating Search Into Other Marketing" look particularly good.

Looking forward to seeing y'all,

Stacy

Stacy Williams
Prominent Placement, Inc.

[Joseph Morin]

You know at least 23 people will be showing up (according to the poll results). Let's just hope they're not all speakers! ;)

hmmm...you have something against speakers Jill?

:D

[pmac]

I'm stopping in for a few wobbly pops.

[toprank]

Argh, I wish I was going! But Julie is going in my place. Be nice to Julie. :)

I second Aaron's comments - SES Speakers are accessible and full of great info.

[Jill Whalen]

hmmm...you have something against speakers Jill?

:D

Well, we do need someone to speak at...erm to....

[sugarrae]

"Not looking forward to the chilly weather"

Being from Florida, I have accepted the fact that I am going to freeze to death ;).

[shorebreak]

2) Which sessions are A MUST attend for you.
Ad Management Tactics, Thursday

3) If you could ask ONE question to a search engine repetitive, what would it be and which search engine would you address it to?
Q for Google: When will you start using behavioral data to better target search results and AdWords?

4) For returning attendants, are you expecting something new?
Yes, there will actually be more salespeople than marketers, finally tipping the scale to sausage-fest.

I'll be there Monday evening through Thursday afternoon, with a couple side trips to see all the Greek relatives in town.

[Jenstar]

I just saw they are calling for snow in Chicago on Monday.

Brrrr.....

[ScottM]

Anyone mind sharing a room with a male smoker for Sunday and Monday nights?
I haven't booked a room yet, but I will tomorrow if I can't find someone to split with.

[neuron]

Comin’ to ya on a dusty road
Good lovin’ I got a truck load
And when you get it you got something
So don’t worry cause I’m coming

I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man
I’m a soul man


Hopin' to hear some of dem big city blues.

ScottM, check your PMs.

[ScottM]

5 reboots on both computers for this conference to get the software I want to work.

That's not 4, but 5!

On both my laptop and my desktop.

I'm ready for a podcast, baby!

[sugarrae]

Hopin' to hear some of dem big city blues.

I think that was definitely taken care of ;).