Digital Marketing and Technological Insight

I am a big fan of attending conferences and events that offer some value beyond networking - meaning the agenda, keynote and speakers offer something different, yet are highly informative. Nowadays there are too many conferences that just offer the same old people talking about the same old topics - nothing new or ground breaking is being discussed. However, Elite Retreat is a breath of fresh air when it comes to an event that can truly educate professionals of any digital marketing level and cause them to leave with a whole new level of knowledge they can use in the real world.

To see the value of attending the 2009 Elite Retreat you just have to check out the full Agenda or see who is speaking:

• Gary Vaynerchuk: Wine Library TV host and online / social media entrepreneur
• Jeremy “Shoemoney” Schoemaker: Digital marketing expert
• Neil Patel: Internet Marketing consultant and web entrepreneur
• Andy Liu: CEO of BuddyTV
• Stephan Spencer: President of Netconcepts
• Kris Jones: CEO of Pepperjam

That is a power-house lineup of digital marketing professionals you wont find anywhere else. For more information on the speakers check out their full Elite Retreat Speakers bios.

The 2009 Elite Retreat is taking place in San Francisco from February 18th to the 20th - click here to learn more about the Elite Retreat and how to attend.

I put together a list of valuable Interactive Marketing events that are coming up in the few months left in 2007. Thought I would share it…

IAB MIXX 2.7
Focus: Interactive Marketing / Advertising, Rich Media, Brand Marketing, Search
Description: The preeminent event for marketing and agency professionals and the publishers and technology firms who help drive their efforts. MIXX brings together the industry’s most prominent and influential speakers talking about the most pressing and innovative topics in interactive today. Conference attendees will enjoy keynotes, panels, breakout sessions, proprietary IAB research presentations, industry forecasts and an exhibit hall filled with an all-start line-up of vendors showcasing the latest advertising and marketing solutions.
Dates: September 24 - 25
Location: NYC
Agenda
Key Workshops/Sessions: “The Future of Online Video”, “Proven Strategies in Premium Rich Media”, “A New World of Interactive Engagement”, “Search 2.0 - Innovations and Advancements in the Next Generation of Search”, “Frontiers in Digital Video”
Speakers

Ad:tech
Focus: Interactive Marketing / Advertising, SEO, Rich Media, Viral Marketing
Description: ad:tech is an interactive advertising and technology conference dedicated to connecting all sides of today’s brand marketing landscape. Worldwide shows blend keynote speakers, topic driven panels and interactive workshops to provide attendees with the tools and techniques they need to compete in a changing world.
Dates: November 5 - 8
Location: NYC
Agenda
Key Workshops/Sessions: “Media and Branding”, “The Internet Economy”, “Video + Search”, “Social Media and Consumer Generated Content”, “SEO Workshop”, “TV 3.0”
Speakers

Online Media, Marketing, Advertising Conference & Expo (OMMA)
Focus: Interactive Marketing / Advertising, Brand Marketing, Direct Response, Rich Media
Description: The attendees for this event are the leaders of the interactive marketing revolution. They are the advertisers, agency executives, brand managers, marketing managers, media planners, buyers, creative directors, sellers and suppliers who live and breathe online. They have had their fill of research about interactive in the media mix and now want actionable information on how to better spend the exploding budgets they control. Our audience is focused on delivering powerful campaigns, breakthrough ideas and unrivaled ROI by honing their interactive expertise.
Dates: September 24 - 25
Location: NYC
Agenda
Key Workshops/Sessions: “How to Market Content as Brand”, “Video Search Optimization”, “Widgets: Designing a Viral Brand Phenomenon”,” The SEO-ing of PPC”
Speakers

SMX Social Media
Focus: Social Media, SMO, SEO
Description: SMX Social Media is a two-day show where marketers will learn to harness the power of consumer engagement. It covers how social media sites such as Digg, del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Reddit, Netscape and others are serving a new and growing audience that wants to discover information based on community interests, voting and sharing.
Dates: October 16 - 17
Location: NYC
Agenda
Key Workshops/Sessions: “Social Media Marketing Essentials”, “A Marketer’s Guide to Social Bookmarking & Tagging”,” Wikipedia Clinic”
Speakers: None

WebmasterWorld’s Search & Internet Marketing Conference (PubCon)
Focus: Social Media, SEO, SEM, Affiliate Marketing.
Description: This year’s conference is jam packed with leading-edge sessions and one-of-a-kind presentations. Whether you are a newbie or an anchored old school - there is something big to be learned at PubCon. Those who will be in attendance include: Search engine marketers, optimizers, marketing executives, webmasters, affiliate managers, program and channel managers, purchasing agents and affiliates.
Dates: December 4 - 7
Location: Las Vegas
Agenda
Key Workshops/Sessions: “Duplicate Content Issues”, “SEO 101”, “Universal and Personal Search”, “Link Building”, “Search and Blogging”
Speakers

Search Engine Strategies
Focus: Search, SEM, SEO
Description: Join fellow marketers to quickly learn how to maximize search engine marketing and optimization opportunities and stay informed of the latest search developments and solutions in this area.
Dates: December 3 - 7
Location: Chicago
Agenda: TBA
Key Workshops/Sessions: “SEO”, “Search & Analytics”