Socializing Before & During SMX West 2008

Feb 8, 2008 at 3:06pm ET by Danny Sullivan

We expect more than 1,500 people to attend Search Engine Land’s three-day Search Marketing Expo West conference later this month in Silicon Valley. A monster show! There will be sessions stuffed with search marketing knowledge and a bustling expo floor. But it needn’t scare those looking to network. We’ve carefully coordinated a number of events and parties during the show, plus there are a variety of ways for people to meet others before they arrive, ranging from our just-launched exclusive SMX Connect system for attendees to popular social sites like Facebook. Below, more about some of the events — including "Google Groove" – and ways to network, as well as the official conference tags and Twitter information.

Online Social Networking

SMX Connect: SMX West 2008 - This is SMX’s custom online networking tool exclusively for SMX West attendees. It’s purposely designed as an easy, low-impact way for you to meet others. No giant forms! Simply answer some simple questions. Then you can magically click and browse your way to discover other attendees that are a match to you. You can also privately message others who are going to the show or post comments that all show attendees can view.

NOTE: SMX Connect is only available to those with All Access and Networking passes. About a day after you register, you will receive an email telling you that you have access to the networking system. Then visit it here and choose the "Create An Account" link at the top of the page.

Sphinn: SMX West 2008 – Members of Sphinn – the social news sister site to SMX and Search Engine Land – can register that they are going and view others from the Sphinn community who plan to attend. If you’re a Sphinn member, be sure to check it out!

Facebook: SMX West 2008 – Facebookers can see others who are going to the show by connecting to them through our official events page. Just confirm you’re going and view other attendees that you may wish to friend beforehand. Also keep up on SMX West 2008 news through the group. Don’t forget to also join the Facebook SMX Group or the Facebook SMX Fan Page to network with others interested in SMX generally.

LinkedIn: SMX - Member of LinkedIn? Join the SMX group there and connect with others who are interested in our conferences.

Networking Events

SMX Bash

When you arrive at the conference, you’ll find we have an entire line-up of networking events arranged, beginning with the SMX Bash and capping off on the last night of the show with the Google Groove.

SMX Bash: Monday, Feb. 25, 6-8pm (for Networking & All Access Pass holders)
Search Bowl Tailgate Party & Contest: Tuesday, Feb. 26: 6-8pm (for Networking & All Access Pass holders)
Expo Hall Reception: Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 6-7pm (for Expo-Only, Networking & All Access Pass holders)
Google Groove, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 7pm-Late (for Networking & All Access Pass holders)

Get more details on all activities here and learn more about our pass types here.

Tagging & Sharing

Many photo, video, and other sharing sites on the web allow you to tag content with words that link them to a particular topic. If you’re sharing material, please use any or all of these tags:

smxwest08
smxwest
smx

During the show, we’ll look for content tagged with the words above to make it easier for all attendees to locate material. We especially encourage you to use the first tag — smxwest08 — for the SMX West 2008 event.

Want to keep up with material that SMX itself is sharing? Here are places to find us:

Flickr

YouTube

News & Updates

During the event, we’ll keep you updated through news on the SMX Blog, as well as a special Today@SMX page (location to come; attendees will be notified of the URL). You can also keep up with any breaking announcements during the show by subscribing to our Twitter feed:

Twitter

Want to see what others are twittering about during the event? Want to share your twitters? Here’s how:

Terraminds: SMX: This page will show you any twitters that use the words SMX in them. You can also subscribe to an RSS feed (look for the RSS link under the search box). Want to show up? Just use SMX anywhere in your messages.
Twitter Tracking: Twitter "track smx" from your IM client or phone, and you’ll automatically receive any messages from others that use the words SMX in them (note, SMS charges may apply). Again, want to appear? Just use SMX in your message list.

For more about the show, see our past posts below:

See you online and at the event — register now!

Related Topics: SEM Industry: Community | SEM Industry: Conferences

About The Author: Danny Sullivan is editor-in-chief of Search Engine Land. He’s a widely cited authority on search engines and search marketing issues who has covered the space since 1996. Danny also oversees Search Engine Land’s SMX: Search Marketing Expo conference series. He maintains a personal blog called Daggle (and maintains his disclosures page there). He can be found on Facebook, Google + and microblogs on Twitter as @dannysullivan. See more articles by Danny Sullivan