Search Engine Land’s SMX West search marketing conference is returning for the 6th year in 2016 to San Jose this March 1-3. If you’re passionate about SEO and SEM, or involved in marketing, PR, social media, or any other customer-facing activity, attending this event will benefit you and your company. Here’s why:
Constant Change, Constant Challenge, Constant New Opportunity
Online marketing is evolving rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities. With changing budgets, priorities, and tactics, staying current has never been more critical. Overcoming these challenges and seizing new opportunities while keeping a competitive edge is essential.
Our philosophy in designing SMX events revolves around providing high-quality content, speakers, and networking opportunities to help you stay ahead of the curve and refine your skills and strategies.
SMX West: Something For Everyone
Regardless of your role, whether you’re a web designer, developer, public relations specialist, advertiser, or traditional marketer, search is a fundamental marketing medium. It’s imperative to stay educated on its ever-changing dynamics.
As organizations blend online and offline marketing, understanding search’s role in the broader strategy is crucial, as it often results in better brand exposure and improved ROI.
SMX West offers education for all roles and expertise levels. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced professional focused on paid search, SEO, or social media marketing, we have sessions tailored for you.
“I came away with a lot of action items that I could implement almost immediately. There were also good high-level discussions on strategy and the future of the industry.”
– Andon C., Mayo Clinic
SMX Boot Camp Gets You In Shape
If you’re new to search marketing, our SMX Boot Camp on March 1 will cover the fundamentals in sessions on:
- Keyword Research & Copywriting For Search Success
- Link Building Fundamentals
- Paid Search Fundamentals
- Search Engine Friendly Web Design
SMX Boot Camp tickets are affordable and include access to the Expo Hall, networking lunch, and Expo Hall reception. Upgrade to a full pass to attend more sessions on subsequent days. Participants will receive a certificate of completion.
Stepping Up To The SEO Challenge
SEO has evolved significantly, from simple keyword optimization to a complex technical challenge. SMX West offers sessions for both beginners through the SMX Boot Camp and advanced professionals, including:
- How Google Works: A Google Ranking Engineer’s Story
- All Your Google Manual Actions Questions Answered
- RankBrain: What Do We Know About Google’s New Machine-Learning System?
- Think Like A Search Engine: How Brand Queries & User Engagement Drive Organic SEO
- Optimizing Pinterest For Maximum Search Engagement
- Better Together: Search & Social
- What You Need To Know About Google App Indexing
- What You Need To Know About Apple iOS App Search & Universal Links
- Meet The SEOs
“There was a great mix of excellent takeaways for both the advanced search marketer as well as beginners, which is a tough balance to strike, but the conference hit it seemingly effortlessly.”
– Purna Virji, Microsoft
Paid Search For The Pros
For those focused on paid search, SMX West has numerous sessions tailored for you, including:
- Getting Creative With Ad Copy & Testing
- How Dynamic Ads Can Supercharge Your SEM Campaigns
- What Would Beyonce Do? 5 Fierce PPC Tactics To Make Your Account A Superstar
- How Email Marketing Is Revolutionizing Paid Search
- Running Global PPC Campaigns At Scale
- Mining, Refining & Minting Success With AdWords Display & Video
- Yahoogling: What’s Up With Yahoo, Google & Bing
- Mastering AdWords Scripts
- The Great Campaign Structure & Match Type Debate
- Advanced Audience Targeting
- Getting Images Right In Paid Search
- Competitive Research For SEM
- How To Care For Your Shopping Campaigns: What To Do Every Day, Every Month, Every Season
- Paid Search Roundtable
Local & Mobile Tactics
If your business caters to local clientele, local search is an essential channel. Additionally, mobile advertising, particularly on tablets, has surged. Our sessions covering these trends include:
- Local Search AMA: A Roundtable Q&A With Top Local Experts
- Local Listings: Putting Your Business On The Virtual Map
- Getting AMPed: What You Need To Know About Accelerated Mobile Pages & Google
- Beacons: Opportunities, Limitations & How Marketers Can Use Them Today
- Search In A Multi-Device World
- Beyond Clicks: Online to Offline Tracking & Attribution
Advanced Tactics @ SMX West
This year’s advanced track will push your knowledge to the limit with sessions on technical SEO, link auditing, and quality content. Sessions include:
- The Latest In Advanced Technical SEO
- Link Auditing & Cleanup For Fun & Profit
- Essential Steps For Performing An Effective SEO Audit
- Progressing Through The Search, Social & Content Marketing Maturity Curve
- Dark Search, Dark Social & Everything In-Between
Analytics & Conversion
Analyzing and understanding the effectiveness of your SEO or paid search campaigns is crucial. The analytics & conversion track includes:
- Attribution Beyond The Last Click
- Extreme Excel Excellence
- Understanding Your Consumer’s Journey – Using Search Science For Keyword Research
- Google Analytics Power-Reporting For SEO & SEM
- PPC Hacks, Tips, & Tricks – How To Optimize Your Time
- Content, Your Brand, and the Battle for Customers
- Professional Project Management For Paid Search Accounts
- Essential Analytics Reports That SEOs Can’t Live Without
- Brands Talk Search
- Optimizing The Paid Search Conversion Funnel
The Clinics Are Open!
Get specific advice from experts on your sites or campaigns in our popular clinics, including:
- SEO Site Clinic
- Social Media Clinic
- PPC Tune-Up With The SMX Mechanics
- Link Building Clinic
Learn With Google
Explore how Google can help you navigate the challenges of the constantly connected world in our custom-built Google Classroom located across the SMX West expo hall. Enjoy some Google snacks and beverages, and stay for a session or two. Attend Learn with Google by registering for an All Access or Expo+ pass, which is free with pre-registration until February 29.
Pre-Conference Workshops & Training
If you arrive a day early, you have a choice of in-depth workshops and training classes, including:
- Bruce Clay’s SEO Training: Techniques for overcoming competition for top search engine rankings.
- Brad Geddes’ Advanced AdWords Training: Best practices, advanced concepts, and strategies.
- Local Search Advantage: Comprehensive local marketing tactics.
- In-house SEO Exchange: Exclusive forum for enterprise-level SEOs.
- Personal Brand Lab: Enhancing your online and in-person professional presence.
- SEO & User Experience: Improving your website’s user experience.
Register now to save by opting for a combination All Access and workshop pass. If not, read on for more details.
Quality Programming
All SMX sessions are editorial sessions, curated by the Search Engine Land editorial team. This ensures content quality and value. The show is overseen by Chris Sherman and Danny Sullivan, industry veterans with over 15 years of experience in organizing search conferences.
Freebies: Expo Hall, SMX Theater & Plus Sessions
Our SMX West sponsors & exhibitors offer great information through various channels, including:
Plus Sessions: Created by sponsoring companies, these sessions compete to match the value of editorial sessions. Expo Hall: Running March 1-2, showcasing innovative products and services. SMX Theater Presentations: 20-minute sponsored sessions covering case studies and more.
Access the exhibit hall for free by pre-registering for an Expo+ Pass through February 29. The Expo+ Pass includes access to the Expo Hall, the SMX Theater, Plus sessions for March 1 and 2, the Expo Hall Reception, and the morning keynote on March 1. All Access pass holders have entry to all events and editorial sessions. For more details, check out the pass options page.
Organized Networking
Networking at SMX is organized and intentional. Before the event, join the SMX West Facebook Group to connect with attendees and speakers. The night before the show, attend the SMX Meet & Greet reception to start building connections.
The SMX Expo Hall Reception on the first day offers another opportunity to network. RSVP for the Janes of Digital event, hosted by Bing, for an evening of networking. First-time attendees can attend the SMX Orientation: Optimizing Your Conference Experience session to get insights and meet other newcomers. During lunches, participate in Obsessed with… lunch tables based on common interests.
Featured Event: Google Dance!
Google is hosting a party for SMX West All Access attendees at the Googleplex campus. The first 500 All Access pass holders are eligible. Those who have already purchased a 3-day pass are automatically registered. Don’t miss this incredible experience!
Good Food, WiFi & Backpacks
SMX ensures a quality experience with no boxed lunches, great meals, and snacks. Attendees are provided with free WiFi and a conference backpack to take home.
Join Us In Silicon Valley!
I hope you found this preview useful and are ready to attend. You can register online or by phone at (877) 242-5242. Secure low pre-conference rates by registering before February 29. See you in San Jose!
Chris Sherman
VP, Event Programming
