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).

2008 is in full swing and if the excitement of the last week or so is any indication of what our year is going to be like, we all better strap ourselves in!

Since many of you have asked, I'll add a few updates to our calendar along with some suggestions going forward:

- The SES Paris Forum was a very successful event for us and we are excited to return in 2009!

Speaking at SES

In addition to the guidelines I have posted I'd like to re-enforce our commitment to provide a learning environment for SES delegates.

- SES offers its speakers tremendous opportunities for exposure and recognition as an industry leader.By being selected to speak at our events you are gaining an unparalleled platform to showcase your expertise and experience and make a contribution to the community.

- There will be NO OPPORTUNITY for commercial exploitation of the delegate audience. Speakers who deliver a sales pitch in their presentations will not be received well and will be addressed accordingly. As I understand it, there are many options for commercial sponsorship of the event and you may contact the SES sales team if you have interest in sponsorship.

- I actually read every single speaker proposal we receive through the online form. I appreciate the time everyone must commit to preparing their submissions. Remember, since we simply can't respond to everyone, if your proposal has been accepted we will be in touch!

SES London: February 19-21, 2008

The programming for London is complete and is closed. We've gotten quite a few inquiries about the recent acquisition activity (MSN, Yahoo!, Google, oh my!) and we have something special planned for both New York and London. Announcements will be coming shortly.

SES New York: March 17-20, 2008

We've finalized selections for New York and the agenda is set. We are finalizing updates to the site and expect to have them completed shortly.

SES Hamburg: April 10-11, 2008

We have gotten a number of speaker requests for Hamburg and I am very pleased to say the event is coming together nicely! There is still plenty of time to get your proposals in by February 22.

Socially yours, SES

We have Linked In and Facebook groups to help keep everyone informed and updated. Feel free to join if you are so inclined.

LinkedIn

Facebook

With a successful SES Paris Forum (pictures) behind us, the SES team is focusing its energy’s on a busy February and March:

SES London, kicks off on Tuesday February 19th and runs through Thursday February 22nd – a Search Training Day has also been added to the lineup on Friday February 23rd. Speakers highlights at this year’s event include keynote Nick Carr (Author, The Big Switch, Rewiring the World, From Edison to Google), Dr. Ralph Wilson (Web Marketing Today), David Naylor (SEO), Mikkel deMib Svendsen (deMib.com), Jake Baillie (STN labs), Andrew Goodman (Page Zero Media), Matt Bailey (Site Logic), Brian Clifton (Google), Adam Lasnik (Google), Tor Crockatt (Microsoft), Mel Carson (Microsoft), Tom Alby (Ask), and Bill MacLachlan (Yahoo!).

Search Training Day San Francisco will be held on Thursday February 7th at the SF Hilton. Search Experts Debra Mastaler (Alliance-Link) and Liana Evans (KeyRelevance) are holding two day long crash courses in Link Building and Social Media, cornerstones of any SEO campaign. This must attend event is the first time SES is returning to the city of San Francisco since its inception 10 years ago.

The Agenda for SES New York was announced last week. The conference and exposition will be held in March this year (a bit earlier than years past) specifically Monday the 17th (yes, St Patrick’s Day) through Thursday the 20th. Keynotes and Orion Sessions have also been announced, including Nick Carr (Author, The Big Switch, Rewiring the World, From Edison to Google), Gordon McLeod (President, Wall St Journal), Jason Calacanis (Founder, Mahalo.com), Andrew Tomkins (Chief Scientist, Yahoo!) and John Battelle (Author, The Search, and Founder and Chairman, Federated Media Publishing).

There will be some exciting networking events at both SES London and SES NYC so be sure to come ready to meet many new people in the space – stay tuned for announcements.

Lastly, don’t forget to catch Seth Godin live and unplugged this Wednesday January 23rd at 2PM EST.

What an interesting year it has been! Big changes, big events and big search are all numero uno in the hearts and minds of site owners everywhere. I'd like to thank the SES Faculty and Advisory Board along with SES Delegates everywhere for such a spectacular welcome.

I'd also like to extend warm wishes for a great Holiday Season and prosperous New Year to all.

After a very successful (and chilly) event in Chicago, we are well into planning next year's events. I have a couple of quick updates on upcoming events and I will be back shortly after the Holiday season with more.

Happy Holidays from all of us at SES and Search Engine Watch!

SES Paris: 15 et 16 Janvier 2008

Speaking opportunities for Paris have closed and our agenda is set. You can view the SES Paris page here.

SES London: February 19-21, 2008

I am very excited to be programming this year's event with search guru and living legend, Mike Grehan. We recently posted the conference agenda and are updating the information as quickly as the local labor laws will allow.

We have VERY FEW slots open for London, but in order to accommodate the holiday chaos, I have extended speaker submissions to Friday, January 4th.

SES New York: March 17-20, 2008

New sessions, more Orion panels, a big focus on tried and true along with latest and greatest is what you can expect for New York. We have already received several speaker submissions for the event.

Deadline for new sessions is January 18 and we will finalize selections the week of February 4.

SES Hamburg: April 10-11, 2008

SES is new to Hamburg and we are expecting a great event in 2008. Sessions will be in German and English. Deadline for new session suggestions is February 8 and final selections will be completed February 22.

SES EVERYWHERE:

We've had a number of exciting announcements this year, not the least of which was adding more events like Tokyo and more SES Training days. Rest assured, there will be more exciting announcements in the new year!

Today was the final day of regular events at SES Chicago 2007, and we had some great sessions. A lot of attention was paid to CPC and the nitty-gritty of keyword strategy issues as you'll see below in our roundup of day 4 SES coverage from Chicago, December 6.