Before we start talking about Chicago, I'd like to take a moment to once again thank everyone for their participation, feedback and overall contribution to the success of Search Engine Strategies San Jose. I am incorporating some feedback from the SES Faculty, past delegates and Advisory Board (of course) into the Chicago agenda.

On to SES Chicago!

Planning for SES Chicago is well under way and we have already received quite a few requests and submissions. Here's some helpful information for potential speakers.

Timelines:

Event: December 8-12, 2008
Deadline for pitching new sessions: September 30, 2008
Deadline for pitching existing sessions: October 30, 2008

Speaking Guidelines are here.

The speaker submission form is here.

I'll give you a hint for successfully submitting for this year's event with 2 words: case studies. The demand for actual examples of "what works" in search is enormous.

Many thanks to those who contributed to Pre-SES San Jose blog coverage!

Learn the latest Viral Marketing and Link Baiting Strategies right from your desk; that's right you do not even have to leave your office!

http://www.marketmotive.com/online-workshops.php?expand=text5

This live two-hour interactive workshop is specifically designed for marketers and business owners looking to learn practical methods to harness the power of viral marketing and build buzz around their businesses online. Link baiting will be covered including case studies on unique and creative content development that can help fortify your campaigns.

Exclusive pre-SES San Jose 2008 conference interview with Orion Keynote panel speaker, Rob Murray, iProspect!

Read all of Rob's SEM insight at SEMGeek blog

Much more advanced SES San Jose Conference coverage to be posted soon!

Due to the volume of nervous and sometimes scary requests for an extension, we are moving back the deadline for entries to July 18, 2008.

The SES Awards event promises to be most exciting at this year's San Jose Search Engine Strategies event. I've been pretty surprised at the volume and quality of awards submissions. While I won't give away any details, I can tell you the competition will be heavy.

Please have your entries in no later than July 18th as there will be no more extensions.

SES Toronto 2008 was a big hit this year. With a 3-track structure catering to all levels of SEM expertise, there was something for everyone. The keynotes gave attendees a clear, broad view of the state of search, with Fredrick Marckini weaving in personal anecdotes and pop cultural references to point to the most important areas of the web for search marketers to watch; and Bryan Eisenberg taking a hard-nosed, dollars-first approach emphasizing the central importance of testing and measuring for success.

To catch up on Toronto's search scene, read some of the expert bloggers' roundups below, both pre- and post-show. From in-depth, graphically-assisted reporting to interactive live-blogging and everything in between, this industry press coverage is must-read:

San Jose Update

Since I have gotten so many emails asking for an extension, (we are very accomodating folks At SES) I am extending the deadline for speaker proposals to June 30. Bear in mind that invitations to speak are being sent out on an ongoing basis.

Though we have closed the submissions for new sessions, the San Jose agenda will be posted on or about June 15th, so you'll have 2 more weeks after that to get your pitches in for the posted sessions.

SES Awards

The buzz continues to build for the SES Awards. I have been very surprised at the number of submissions for the awards, so make sure you get yours in by June 30.

Let's just say if you haven't seen the new SES Magazine (distributed at SES Conference and Expo events) you are missing out! I have gotten a few requests from folks interested in submitting original editorial content.

The answer is yes and please contact me or another member of our editorial team with your ideas.

Note: If you recently sent me a request to write via email (and didn't hear back from me) please re-send your request! You see, some joker who shall remain nameless (and who should know better) posted my actual email address in a forum recently. As you might imagine, it took about 12 seconds for the scrubbers to find it, so I am experiencing some volume related email delays.

Summer in San Jose just wouldn’t be right without SES. Search Engine Strategies is returning to San Jose for the tenth time and this year’s event promises to be the biggest yet with 5 Star Keynotes, multiple Orion Sessions, the Google Dance and the first ever SES Awards!

There will also be (it's a secret) one heckofa domain auction!

I'll be paying very close attention to submissions for our most popular tracks in the SEO and Search Engine Advertising portions of the business.

Here are some examples:

Advanced Tactics and Disciplines (SEO and Paid Search)

Real Life Social Media case studies (our Social Media track at SES NY was VERY well received)

Measuring Success (a.k.a. advanced analytics)

As you might expect, we have some other surprises in store for San Jose. We have already received many speaker requests and ideas. We will be posting the conference agenda shortly, but there is still plenty of time to get your submissions in (i.e. sessions marked “late breaking topic” could be you!)

Here are some important dates to remember:

Deadline for new session pitches: May 31, 2008.
Deadline for speaker pitches: June 15, 2008.

I am re-posting some of helpful hints and links to the guidelines along with other calendar updates so take a look at the rest of the post if you need more help!

What a show.

Today we wound up SES NY 2008 with a brilliant keynote by Andrew Tomkins on Yahoo's new Open Search Platform, an informative multimedia track, and the useful hodgepodge of our insightful industry-trends mashup in the hybrid track. Read blog posts below for in-depth session reporting.

It's The Longest Day, Day #3 at SES NY 2008, and there are some great panels available on Social Search, Vertical and Retail, Stats and Research, and a stellar series of marketing panels by ClickZ. Read below for some of the in-depth online coverage from today's show!

Day 2 at SES NY saw some great sessions and a packed exhibition floor on the first day with the booths up. Read the online coverage below for a taste of the show!

Search Engine Strategies New York kicked off today, Monday the 17th of March, with strategic workshops and a track of local sessions. With over 8,000 attendees at the conference today, overflowing sessions like the late-afternoon Web Analytics panel, and the late-night St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl, there was plenty of function (and plenty of fun) for all comers. Read some of the great online coverage below.

The tulips are nearly upon us... aren't they? Search marketers are a little like tulips: perennially colorful, and it takes a lot of them to screw in a lightbulb! Arghh, sorry. Writer's strike and I foolishly outsourced the joke writing. Let's get serious... it's cheaper.

Prospective Toronto speakers, the SES Toronto show is not that far off (June 17-18, 2008) and program planning is well underway. From now until March 31, 2008, we'll be taking new session ideas, as well as proposals for the returning sessions (listed at the very end of the full post... read on).

Kevin Ryan stole the show at the Yahoo Searchlight Awards held yesterday here in NYC. As an independent judge – could he be any other kind? – Ryan grilled interactive agency and search marketing presenters from the likes of Resolution Media, Digitas, and Outrider, who explained why their integrated search marketing campaigns should win the coveted Yahoo Searchlight.

Sparring with other judges, Ryan drew the attention of guest emcee Jeff Caldwell, who called him “The Simon Cowell of Search.” Kevin Ryan, “American Idol?”

To hear what Yahoo exec Ron Belanger called Ryan, click here. (Must be 21 years of age or older to view.)

And the winner? Outrider.

Outrider will be exhibiting at SES NY, so if you are interested in speaking wtih them or any other agency for that matter... Register Today!

Congrats and see you at SES New York (or London if you happen to be joining us for the largest European Search Engine Marketing Event next week).