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I’ve attended a variety of these annual expos and conferences over the years and in general found them really useful for keeping up to date in this ever changing, fast paced industry.
Subscribing to the SEM industry blogs and following the experts on Twitter does provide useful snippets of information but taking a full day out to attend one of these conferences acts as a great refresher, as well as a fantastic means of picking up other gems of information and occassional a little business too!
Internet Retailing Expo 2013: 20-21st March 2013
Held at the NEC Birmingham, it’s free if you register now. This event is a must if you develop, own an e-commerce site or are thinking of developing an online business and are responsible for web conversion. There is a specific theatre this year dealing with starting, promoting and converting, including social media. If you’re a web developer it’s also a great place to source software and systems.
Find out more at www.internetretailingexpo.com
Social Media Marketing Conference: #SMWF: 18-19th March 2013
I have to say this is one that I haven’t attended and is clearly targeted at marketing agencies with a focus on networking and discussion. There are some big brand speakers and panels of experts that I.m sure will be interesting.
Find out more at www.socialmedia-forum.com/europe/event-info/about-london
Search Marketing Expo: 15-16th May 2013
Held at Chelsea Football Club. This is quite expensive at £495.00 for a one day conference pass and is aimed at seasoned search engine marketing professionals. In the past I’ve found that it’s helped me keep abreast of all the new developments and network with others in the SEO field. I’ve picked up some great tips not only from the workshops and speakers but also just from talking to other delegates.
Here’s the agenda – www.searchmarketingexpo.com/london/2012/agenda-at-a-glance
SearchLove London SEO Conference: 28-29th October 2013
Prices have not been released yet but you can register here to be notified of early bird rates. With Rand Fishkin from the renowned SEO Moz as a guest speaker it will certainly keep you ahead of the game. If you manage all aspects of your own website there are some fantastic question and answer sessions for advice and case studies to help stimulate your ideas.
Find out more at www.distilled.net/events/searchlove-london
Image courtesy of Phil Sexton