20 replies to this topic

[Bri]

Anyone going to the SES conference in Toronto? i'm going but only one day.

[chrisbiber]

I'm considering going... It's almost next door

[Jill]

I'm speaking there.

[randfish]

I'll be there, too!

[sweepthelegnate]

currently mulling it over!

[prawin]

Some Day
Some Year
I may visit ...if Indians could witness such seminars

[ewc21]

Prawin, many Indians perform SEO jobs so it should not be a surprise to see them in such conferences.

[MBTMD]

How is it, worth the time and money? Do they get into specifics or is it just general information?

[torka]

That's one of those "how long is a piece of string" questions, because the answer depends on the sessions you attend, the presenters giving those sessions and your base level of knowledge walking in the door.

There are generally many sessions intended for all levels of knowledge, often running concurrently (which makes it difficult if you're there as one person instead of as a member of a team who can divvy up the sessions; there were a lot of people -- myself included, on more than one occasion -- at SES-NY who attended half of one presentation, then slipped out to view the second half of another in an attempt to take in as much as possible).

The "beginner level" sessions are usually pretty general; the advanced sessions generally get into more detail. For instance, I know many people were getting stuff out of the organic track stuff at SES-NY, while I really didn't feel I'd learned much there. But that's because I work on organic optimization every day, not because the sessions themselves were not of value. I simply came to the topic with a higher level of knowledge/experience than perhaps the average attendee.

On the other hand, I picked up quite a bit of "food for thought" in the PPC sessions; I imagine there were some PPC experts there who found those sessions less informative than I did simply because it's what they work with all the time. Different starting levels, different results.

On the other other hand, it sometimes only takes one or two little tidbits of really valuable information to make worthwhile a session that's otherwise too basic. So I wouldn't necessarily write off a session just because it says it's for beginners, particularly if you're self-taught (as many of us are). Sometimes the presenters will offer information that neatly fills in a gap in one's knowledge.

And, of course, some of the most interesting/informative exchanges of information happen outside of the formal presentations. Never underestimate the value of networking.

The one caveat is that in my opinion not all presenters are of the same quality, and (quite frankly) it seemed to me not all of them knew what they were talking about all the time. There were a couple of instances where (again, IMO) the speaker was flat out wrong. My advice would be to take it all with a grain of salt and verify anything they tell you through your own observation or by asking trusted experts (like the ones here! ).

But, yeah, on the whole I found it very valuable and would love to go back next year if I can talk management into funding it again! IMO, your best bet is to read the seminar info and see if there appear to be enough sessions that sound as though they might be useful/interesting based on your level of knowledge and what you are/will be working on over the next year or so.

My

--Torka

[Randy]

Just how many hands to you have Torka?

What she said though. They do a pretty good job of having sessions that are geared towards different levels of experience.

I always found the real learning tends to happen at the hotel bar.

[Jill]

Danny does try to get people with differing opinions and methods, so sometimes that can be a little confusing when one member of a panel is saying one thing, and another something else.

Like Torka said, you'll have to use your own knowledge and jugdement and do your own research if you're not sure who to believe.

My associate who is a complete newbie to SEO enjoyed the NYC conference, even though much of it was above her head. She especially liked Shari's session becuase it was just her and no conflicting advice was given. She also really liked one that Matt did (although I forget which one it was?) But as you know, MBTMD, Matt could pretty much talk about anything and make it fun!

[Matt B]

I'll be there and doing a "Cool Tools" session, but I'll be limited in time. I think there are a pile of other presenters in that session.

The Toronto is a nice smaller conference that is very good for networking. The facility is very nice and there is always somethng to do in downtown Toronto. Hopefully, it will be a bit warmer this year . . .

[HorseCove]

I love the Toronto show. Of course, I love any excuse to visit Canada. I lived in Alaska as a kid so Canada has always been very special to me.

As Matt mentioned, the Toronto show is a bit smaller than the big US shows, but that is one of the appealing things about it. The more relaxed atmosphere gives you a chance to have an actual conversation - that's a challenge sometimes at the big shows.

I'll be there both days. Oh, and Randy's right about the bar.

[mcanerin]

I may visit ...if Indians could witness such seminars

You may get your wish.

I've been talking to the folks at Incisive about putting on SES India, and it's beginning to look promising.

Ian

[Jill]

Toronto is also one of my favorite conferences due to it's smaller size. More like the old days. NYC was CRAZY!