4 replies to this topic

[slepster]

My company says I can go to one big web event in 2009. They need me to submit that info TODAY along with fees, dates, etc. They don't seem to be ready to send me to an SEO/SEM type event just yet (I'm working on them, however), so it needs to be a more general, all-encompassing webmaster event.

I went to a ThunderLizard event years ago and it was pretty good, and in the late '90's I went to a Webmaster World conference, but those seem to be extinct from what I can tell. I don't even know what's out there lately as I've not been able to go to any conference in the past 5 years or so.

Any suggestions on well-rounded web events available in 2009 that you would highly recommend from experience or hearsay? Thanks a lot!

[torka]

That's going to be tough as exact dates and/or fees haven't been decided for 2009 for some of the better conferences out there.

The problem is, from what I can see there aren't many "general purpose" web conferences (such as the old Builder.com et.al.) nowadays. People are specializing. You're not going to find too many all-in-ones that cover general web-related graphic design, site architecture, coding, server configuration, content generation, usability, marketing, SEM/SEO, etc. at a useful level, especially if you've been at this awhile. Some of the SEO/SEM conferences (SMX, Search Engine Strategies) come closest, I suppose, but they're marketed as SEO/SEM conferences, so I don't know if your company would spring for them. Or maybe a general business marketing conference with an online slant, such as Small Business Marketing Unleashed?

It's tough to recommend, because none of them really cover all the bases. Is there any particular sub-set of web-related "stuff" you'd consider focusing on? Might be easier to recommend a conference if I had more info about specific subjects you'd like to see covered.

--Torka

[Pamela]

Hi. There are many to choose from I'm sure, but i thought I'd throw out there South by Southwest Interactive Festival in the great city of Austin Texas! (shamelessly biased). It's March 13-17th. If it matters, it's more affordable than the larger dedicated SEM-specific conferences (and costs less the sooner you get a a ticket). SXSW is a huge festival divided into 3 sections - "Music and Media" "Film" and "Interactive" - the last of which is dedicated to the web. i don't think i can post a link but you can search for more info if you're interested.

Good luck!

[gsimerlink]

If you're in the retail realm I would suggest ether Internet Retailer or eTail. I've been to IR four times and eTail once (this past summer) and got quite bit out of them all. They are a bit more focused on marketing and retailing, but do get into various technical aspects in some of the sessions. However, I think the biggest benefit from them is talking to your peers and trading info with them.

[slepster]

It's tough to recommend, because none of them really cover all the bases. Is there any particular sub-set of web-related "stuff" you'd consider focusing on? Might be easier to recommend a conference if I had more info about specific subjects you'd like to see covered.

Torka,

Thanks for the reply.

That explains why I'm finding this tougher than anticipated. I'm looking for some sessions on some of the following topics:

- CSS tune-up (to improve my existing skills)
- maybe a JavaScript session that isn't too advanced
- XML...same as JS above
- general site management info (best practices, etc.)
- Content Mgmt. Systems dos & don'ts (tips to get around CMS limitations, SEO implications of CMS', etc.)
- tips on how to get the most out of a web analytics program (not app specific, but rather how to better interpret and use the data)
- latest trends and so forth in web industry in general
- web usability tune-up
- cross-browser design tips
- some SEO/SEM tune-up info would be great, also
- PhotoShop tips for existing user, though this would be a lower priority

Does that help any? I'm looking at Web Design World so far and they seem to have some of these tracks in their 2008 sessions, but nothing available on '09 as you said.

Thanks.

Hi. There are many to choose from I'm sure, but i thought I'd throw out there South by Southwest Interactive Festival in the great city of Austin Texas! (shamelessly biased). It's March 13-17th. If it matters, it's more affordable than the larger dedicated SEM-specific conferences (and costs less the sooner you get a a ticket). SXSW is a huge festival divided into 3 sections - "Music and Media" "Film" and "Interactive" - the last of which is dedicated to the web. i don't think i can post a link but you can search for more info if you're interested.

Pamela,

Thanks for the feedback. It doesn't appear to be a good fit given the industry-specific info this conference seems to offer, but I still appreciate the reply.

I work for a heating and plumbing manufacturer (a sexy industry, huh?), so media-centric info may not translate well. My last job, ironically, was at a TV station managing their web properties, but as media companies go they didn't budget for employee training (read: tight fisted). Thanks.

If you're in the retail realm I would suggest ether Internet Retailer or eTail. I've been to IR four times and eTail once (this past summer) and got quite bit out of them all. They are a bit more focused on marketing and retailing, but do get into various technical aspects in some of the sessions. However, I think the biggest benefit from them is talking to your peers and trading info with them.

qsimerlink,

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately -- or, should I say fortunately -- I'm not in retail. Though I'd love to have more of this info for my contract customers, as I have one that is in retail. Thanks.