I was just having a conversation with a large advertiser about how I am not going to SES San Jose this year (the first time in 5 years), and they told me after getting next to no ROI last year they will not be sponsoring this year’s event.
I wrote a long time ago about how they were losing me and and was surprised at how many people had the exact same thoughts.
I ended up going last year because Matt McGowen is a totally awesome guy and scored us passes to come.
But then when I got there I was totally assaulted by Kevin Ryan (who was running the event) saying I talk smack about him… Which I and everyone else around me thought he was all jacked up on cocaine or something, ’cause he totally made no sense (and searching this blog, he is not mentioned at all).
After the event, others made posts about Kevin’s leadership of the conference (or lack thereof).
And now rumors are going around that this year’s SES San Jose could be the last for the event…. and maybe the end of Search Engine Strategies.
Most people will blame it on the economy… but that’s bullshit. Affiliate Summit just announced another sellout for its event next month (same week as SES San Jose).
The fact is the event has just gone to shit. Lack of quality speakers and advertisers means a pretty bad experience for conference goers. Even Google has announced they will not be having their “Google Dance” this year (first time ever) during the event.
And to make matters worse, I have been getting repeated spam from them:
On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 5:10 PM, Reynor Santiago wrote:
Reynor.Santiago@incisive.media.com / Tel: 212 457 7856
Special 10% Discount Invitation Code DS04Further to my attempts to speak with you today, please find attached an At-A-Glance agenda and a special 10% Discount link for the West Coasts’ pre-eminent Search Engine Optimization and Marketing event. Please call me to avail of special discounts.
In today’s economy where every dollar spent has to be accounted for and all customers are searching out the very best deals, maximizing your online marketing performance is more important than ever before! Evolving strategies, new technologies and greater market demands are forcing all marketing professionals to re-examine their SEO/SEM strategies ; where will you get up to speed to create that all important competitive advantage? Whether you’re a marketing professional, an agency executive or a one-person operation, there is one place you have to be:
AUGUST 10-14, 2009 – MCENERY CONVENTION CENTER, SAN JOSE
SAVE 10% – Click: DS04 10% DISCOUNT or Enter Priority Code DS04
Learn, discuss and develop everything you need to know about search from seasoned professionals and leading visionaries, by being part of SES SJ 2009 you will:
· Learn how search engines rank web pages and how to optimize yours to out-rank your competition
· Discover new methods of link building to keep your brand in front of your customers
· Increase traffic via organic listings, adhere to search engine guidelines and avoid “spam” penalties
· Learn to rank better with pay-per-click advertising and how to do it right
· Improve user experience by testing and tuning landing pages to ensure high conversion rates
· Use analytics to track performance and generate maximum ROI using free and paid software
· Network with peers and experts to learn the latest tips and trends in the search marketing industrySES San Jose’s 2009 featured keynote presenters are:
Clay Shirky – Author, Here Comes Everybody
Nicholas Fax – Business Product Management Director, AdWords, Google
Charlene Li – Co-Author, GroundswellAs your Account Manager for this event I am delighted to issue you and any colleagues with a VIP Priority code and a special 10% discount, please ensure the following code is used in all correspondence to claim relevant savings and ensure you receive my personal attention:
DS04
Given the timely and valuable information available at the event we are witnessing great demand for places, so please contact me as soon as possible to secure your passes for the event. I will follow up with you as we approach this event and look forward to meeting you in San Jose.All the best,
Reynor Santiago
Delegate Coordinator
Incisive Media
120 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10271
Tel: 212.457.7856
Fax: 646-822-5281
reynor.santiago@incisivemedia.com
The spam is SO LAME. C’MON, it’s not even a half-ass attempt. Learn how to write some sales copy.
Ohh, and you might also want to be CAN SPAM compliant… just a suggestion…
This event was the first I ever attended… and it’s sad to see what it has become.
July 24, 2009 at 4:56 am
Pulls up a chair, sits back and waits for the shit storm to start !
July 25, 2009 at 12:27 pm
same here… shoe’s got balls, but he’s also got the chops to back it up.
July 24, 2009 at 5:02 am
Shoe …I am not sure when this damn SPAM will be stopped ?? I am still wondering how can San Jose could be the last for the event…. and maybe the end of Search Engine Strategies…??
July 24, 2009 at 6:52 am
I am still trying to decide if you are ESL or just intoxicated when you comment
July 24, 2009 at 10:48 am
what is an ESL?
July 24, 2009 at 10:50 am
English as a Second Language.
July 24, 2009 at 2:01 pm
ohh, thanks rebecca,
July 24, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Lolz very well said
Good observation Schoemaker
July 24, 2009 at 5:38 am
I went to the last SES NYC and even wrote about how much it sucked
http://www.adhustler.com/search-engine-strategies-nyc-2009-sucked/
I’d been to other ones and they weren’t nearly as bad. The show has definetly gone downhill.
July 24, 2009 at 6:47 am
hmmm another spam ????
July 24, 2009 at 7:33 am
Jeremy,
I am not here to judge, because from what I am told only God can do that, but what is with all the bridge burning you do? I can understand being frustrated by Spam and idiots but that is two possible bridges burned in 2 days by calling people out for silly things.
Adam
July 24, 2009 at 7:48 am
Jeremey – what can I say? Thought you were a bit bigger than this… I have been wrong before.
1. Incisive’s outlook is strong. The title and the body of your post actually have nothing to do with each other – pure sign of link bait in my book (this is defn one of your weakest posts yet).
2. The 80 or so expert speakers you just insulsted… I am sure quite a few will have something to say when they see you next (many will actually be at Affiliate Summit btw before hopping on a plane to SES SJ).
3. As for SES San Jose – this will be one of our largest events ever. We are even dedicating two days to Social Media and Local Search.
http://events.clickz.com/social-media-video
http://www.LocalSearchSummit.com
http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/sanjose/agenda.html
4. Google’s decision not to host the dance is inline with the fact that they have cut costs this year nothing to do with not supporting the event (in fact they are supporting it in more ways than they ever have before).
As far as parties go (there are quite a few)… WebMasterRadio.FM for instance is hosting there biggest and best SearchBash yet http://searchbash.com/sanjose/index.php
Grow up my friend, its hard to look past these lowbrow antics…
- Matt
July 24, 2009 at 7:57 am
Matt its hard to dispute the facts laid out though.
I also have been going to your SES San Jose events and I think Jeremy is putting into words what many do think. This is the first year for me that I will not be going to SES San Jose also.
The old crowd of people who know how to get things done just do not show up anymore for SES events.
What is your response to all the unsolicited email?
Dude you have 1 party and its a webmasterradio 1 hour open bar sausage fest that will hold maybe 50 people ilke all there other events.
lol “Grow up”.
July 24, 2009 at 8:21 am
Sausage fest! LOL. That is sooooooo true!!!
July 24, 2009 at 10:48 am
Dude, all search conferences are a sausage fest.
July 24, 2009 at 1:45 pm
The SearchBash party at Search Engine Strategies San Jose will be larger and wilder than ever. With no Google Dance this year, WebmasterRadio.FM is providing the only non-exclusive party of the conference.
July 24, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Dont forget IM Charity Party the next night
July 24, 2009 at 8:26 am
Hey Matt – Big question is what’s up with the blatant spam? I don’t appreciate it one bit and you conspicuously failed to mention it.
July 24, 2009 at 7:54 am
Thats a very interesting and probably provocative post Shoe!
I flew to NY for the March show this year. Great trip to NY, but the conference was pretty average.
In my view, they really need to get with the times. Its all about the END GAME!! What do I get out of it? In summary…
The people who go are online managers or agencies.
If agency you are looking for clients
Well there aren’t that many there.
If manager
You learn Seo in a week.
SEO is a piece of piss.
Its not even the most important aspect of onlien marketing and dedicating a show purelly to SEO is a short game.
I think the key to SES future success is to diversify the content. Cover more about email marketing, affiliate marketing, have more workshops going on with less sales bullshit from speaker, get more client side speakers and less agency side, its bloody full of agencies touting their wears. I also think if there are wantign to make it more about ROI they should add more networking activities such as speed networking where you get 200 attendies in a room sit them on chairs facing each other and have someone time the conversation MAX 2 mins, switch business cards then next person. They need some innovation, some dynamic energy and some more interaction. If they carry on as a sounding board for sales and general horse shit on SEO tactics I just don’t think people will keep comming back.
Above wil help ROI for attendies, exhibitors, well personally I think addressing the attendie issue and willingness to buy will improve things for exhibitors. SMX is prob a better show for attendies at the mo. Affiliate summit sounds awsome, a4u is good content. SES is just a bit middle of the road.
Come on SES, pull your socks up, get creative and take on some of the feedback you are getting.
July 24, 2009 at 8:35 am
A good post Shoe… definitely brought a smile to my face!
You’re right of course, SES has lost some of it’s impetus over the years and like Mr. Stewart said, the online marketing mix is about A LOT more than just SEO… I don’t agree that “SEO is a piece of piss” however… I know Allan Stewart (too well!) and know for a fact that he finds it so easy as he’s supremely intelligent and good at it. SEO is a skill, and like any skill it takes time to acquire the knowledge and experience.
You never know, SES might wake up and smell the coffee, and diversify their event!
July 24, 2009 at 8:44 am
It could very well be a combination of poor management and the economy. The economy has put a damper on many peoples spirits so it could be the trickle down effect.
July 24, 2009 at 10:44 am
So is bollox
That should annoy someone LOL
July 24, 2009 at 1:37 pm
The current economic crisis has put a damper on tourism across the nation. Some areas are hit particularly hard, as their major economic growth and standard of living is based on such type of great factors.
July 24, 2009 at 1:39 pm
The current economic crisis has put a damper across the nation. Some areas are hit particularly hard, as their major economic growth and standard of living is based on such type of great factors.
July 24, 2009 at 8:59 am
The e-mail in question: it was communication to a past attendee (Jeremy) regarding a special offer to attend a future event (SJ). It was sent from one person directly to another – not through an ESP. Jeremy should not have been on the list, consider it an oversight. It will not happen again.
Allan/Jon – your feedback is appreciated. For one, we do our best @ SES to cater to everyone’s needs. In that vein we cover as much as is possible.
Remember, SES’s core audience is decision maker brand marketers and their agency reps who are either beginners or intermediates at Search. The experts come too however usually for the networking and/or to speak, though I hear time and time again they bring home learnings as well.
Based on your posts you would like to see:
1. Other marketing channels covered – e-mail, affiliate mentioned specifically.
2. Increased networking opps – speed “dating”, parties
3. Additional workshop style learning
(BTW we recently added an extra day of workshops – a few expand a bit outside of searh:
http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/sanjose/training-monday.php
http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/sanjose/training.php)
We will take this into consideration… if I missed anything let me know, I will add it to the list.
To all who are reading this… Jeremy and the community he has created here at ShoeMoney specifically – please do not take my posts the wrong way. I live for feedback – the good, bad and the ugly. Some of it is constructive and some is not. Either way, I do appreciate customers taking time out of their day to let me know about their experiences. I am a major provider of feedback myself – always have been and always will be. That said, its hard to not get defensive sometimes (especially on a Friday morning before my first 3 cups of coffee). If I came across to harsh, I apologize.
July 24, 2009 at 10:01 am
Matt – Careful with the spin-machine, it’s too easy to get caught these days.
The email in question was actually sent to ME. I had a busy day but I’m pretty sure I didn’t speak to Reynor Santiago (whoever that is) as he states in the email “Further to my attempts to speak with you today”.
The To: undisclosed-recipients is also pretty blatant SPAM.
Not only that, but there is no unsubscribe link.
So again..if you guys aren’t hurting…what’s up with the spam dude?
July 24, 2009 at 10:45 am
Not sure you are making all that much sense…
“Further to my attempts to speak with you today”
…means he did not speak to you and was instead following up with an e-mail.
If you don’t believe me come on into our office – you are invited – and watch how it works. He is working off an excel spreadsheet and sending e-mails via Outlook – same way we have been doing it for almost 4 years.
As for hurting? We have @ 2,500 people registered for SES San Jose 2009 right now (tracking in line with last year and with our SES NY event earlier this year) –> its gonna be a good event. Once again, the largest gathering of corporate marketers and agency personnel interesting in Search, Social Media and Performance Marketing.
No spin here my friend, not even a little.
On to the valuable take-a-ways:
1. More vertical events like SES Travel, Finance and such
2. Larger alumni discount
(both great points – thank you).
July 24, 2009 at 9:03 am
Well this is something very awful that some great event is becoming a mess also that behave of kevin ryan all jacked up on cocaine have to much to say this is out of control really disappointed
July 24, 2009 at 11:46 am
Funny thing is cocaine only last’s for how long? Not that long, tis why people need to keep doing it and doing it.
So to say someone is jacked up on it, he must of taken a break every 10 min to go sniff up.
If not then its just another case of someone who has no clue talking.
July 24, 2009 at 9:04 am
By the way, if Affiliate Summit is Sold Out… why can I still register?
July 24, 2009 at 9:34 am
As we stated on our blog yesterday…
“We will be double-checking our attendee list for any duplicate registrations and as we process any cancellations, the Web site will open up and additional registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.”
July 24, 2009 at 9:45 am
Regarding AS, the big letters on their website saying SOLD OUT tell us that.
I too have gotten far more emails from SES than normal so that has been stepped up but the discount isn’t any better than good years. Give me 50% off or more alumni discount or something like other conferences offer and it would get my attention.
I think the economy is taking a hit and SES has not been innovative enough to stay on top of all the other events I’ve been like SMX and Pubcon or Elite Retreat at the highest level of all. I’ve gone to SES back to 2003. I thought the specialty ones like SES Travel were a great idea, focused enough to take something away, but then they never had more. Just these ones where everyone I meet is a newbie from a corporate team. I wind up spending all my time teaching other people things and not getting much out of it. That’s fine but their is too much of it. Not enough real doers and pros.
July 25, 2009 at 8:21 am
Why the blame on economy? In every comment and posts that I see recently, I see a blame on the tired economy for the cost-cuts, low quality products and services and rest everything. What is it that the economy is doing differently these days. I did not notice a considerable dip in the sales of most of the products and neither has anybody reported decrease in buying. The buying is happening at the same rate as it was but what has changed is, that people have now started to look for the best options available rather than thinking that they will buy something even if it was marginally low on quality and substitute it later if the product did not live up to expectations. So in a way low-quality products have suffered a decrease in sales.
That should be the reason in decrease in audience for a seminar as well.
July 24, 2009 at 10:21 am
Affiliate Summit is one of the best conferences for affiliates out there at a reasonable price. And the online audio from past conferences rocks.
July 24, 2009 at 1:32 pm
The sessions at Affiliate Summit are always informative, but I find the networking most beneficial. While it’s usually centered around fun activities, that really is the best way to interact with potential business partners. You can relax a bit and have business conversation without the sales pressure. Hope to see you there!
July 27, 2009 at 10:18 am
Affiliate Summit is for me a waste of time and a joke. But that is just me not saying ti’s that way for everyone.
July 24, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Incisive Media is one of the world’s fastest growing B2B information providers, serving the financial and professional services markets globally.
July 24, 2009 at 2:14 pm
do you think San Jose will be the last event
July 24, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Well, maybe that’s for the better afterall. There’ll be a break, and then Affiliate Summit will have a rocking come back, being all improved and re-organized.
July 24, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Considering he called you a totally awesome guy Matt, I’m surprised you’re being so defensive. Instead of being so defensive, you guys could try to take some feedback to heart.
July 24, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Sigh, this isn’t going all that pretty well is it. But whats with the spam dam, cant they just leave.
July 24, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Shoe, you seem pretty pissed off at the world lately.
First Matt Cutts, then Shoemaker girl, then this… 
It is pretty interesting that you are pissed off that Matt Cutts pissed you off because he didn’t like your spam, and in return you do the same thing to people that send you spam, behind the scenes just like Mr. Cutts did… :-/ Am I wrong here or you are just getting pissed off at everybody because they do the same thing you do? :-/
July 24, 2009 at 6:18 pm
another one bites the dust
July 24, 2009 at 6:39 pm
No doubt the post will generate a lot of discussion. This is sad that we are going to flame wars as a form of content.
I get emails from you – okay they may be more colorful – and other events you are featured at… you can opt out of them.
The biggest thing is as people above post – SES is not necessarily the fit for the more advanced members of the industry. I speak and make connects at every one I go to. It all depends on what you are specifically looking for.
Don’t deny the lesser trained or connected people the chance to have the same experience we once did at our first few conferences.
Ther is a lot to lean if you are not already an expert – and even then there are new areas that you can grab info on – mobile and social media are becoming very big and are discussed at this show.
I am doing a session on things beyond Google with people I learn from on a regular basis – Anne Kennedy, Pauline Ores, Dixon Jones and John Marshall.
If you can’t learn something from that crew you are someone I would gladly drop a conference to hang out with. But I think no one can really make that claim.
August 11, 2009 at 7:57 am
Well spoken Frank!
I see both sides, I’m not attending SES SJ this year either, but think Frank really got a point. It still is the premier event for anyone wanting to get in to SEO/SEM.
Schoe, I really enjoy your blog and mails. But receiving the same “exclusive” $1.99 to test your tools mail every few weeks is a bit spammy too. No offence!
July 25, 2009 at 2:23 am
Kevin Ryan now has got reason to shout…..heheheheh……reviews like this will do his cause no good. I hope he has learned his networking lesson…..
July 25, 2009 at 6:09 am
Ah so there are just as many assholes in this industry than therre is in the wrestling industry?
July 26, 2009 at 4:48 am
I think you’ll find that there are assholes and good guys in all industried. Sort of a yin-yang thing. I was involved in the car audio industry a few years back. The rivalry and bitchiness was something else, especially on trade shows and similar events.
July 25, 2009 at 8:12 am
I have never known what these seminars look like before I attended one of these in India. I felt that was an excellent experience and was able to learn quite a few things. But when I read your post here, I feel sad about the fact that such seminars are loosing its charm. This would mean that in a few years the quality of seminars in India will also fall.
What is surprising is one of the reasons that you have mentioned – lack of quality speakers. When we have so many successful entrepreneurs on the internet, why is there a lack of speakers?
July 26, 2009 at 12:01 am
Interesting couple days here it seems. What I take from it is this… Nice poker table, cool business cards and the last thing.. put saran wrap over your cheerios in the morning because all these “someone pissed in my cereal posts” don’t do anyone any good :-p
July 26, 2009 at 12:05 am
Welcome new blog reader.
July 26, 2009 at 12:58 am
I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now, i just don’t comment that much. Its always nice to be welcomed again though, so thanks.
July 26, 2009 at 2:27 am
well…good clear schoe !
July 30, 2009 at 3:10 pm
another sign the economy ain’t doing any of us any good right now.
August 4, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Jeremy, I do not know you but I know you have a big following. To call out an individual and another human being in such a public way and accuse them of drug use is despicable. Do you know what that can do to a person’s reputation I am sure you do. It doesn’t matter what you think of SES and if you do not like certain individuals fair enough but your comments are appalling. This is not tmz.com.
I do agree with one thing you said Matt McGowan is a totally awesome guy
August 4, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Sorry but I did not call out anyones drug use.
August 9, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I spent years in a ‘dirt based’ business attending trade show after trade show, so it would take alot to make me attend an Internet marketing based one. Ah, folks the beauty of the Internet is, it comes to you without any snarky TSA nazis.
If you work at this stuff it gets a bit boring, just like any work … and then to ‘take a break’ to put up with air travel, hotel bullshitake and the other examples of ways to make the business traveler stay home, it would take a lot, I mean a lot to make me leave home, even if it is free. I’m literally making way more money thna I ever have, it is certainly not the so-called “recession” that would make me stay home.
I suppose these shows are good for the guys who got started in business in daddy’s basement and now finally can get to travel the first time at the expense of a business .. but once you have disrupted a huge part of your month to a few of these dog and pony shows they certainly lose their appeal.
And that spam email was sort of icing on the cake … Wow a whole 10% off? Be still my heart … that means in 5 years or so if I put in the grunt work to get up to Shoe’s level of prominence and expertise, I too could ‘earn’ a full 10% off? Unbelievable.