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For you folks in Japan,
you might like to register to come along to the first Search Engine Expo in Tokyo.
http://www.idg.co.jp/expo/ses/english/index.html
Peace,
kaz
Here's my attempt at a report.
Day 1 started with a bang,
Opening Session - Google
Full House with people lining the corridor and walls waiting to hear what Google's Rep had to say. I left the booklet with his name at the office but I'll get it for you tommorrow.
I didn't catch much of this session as it was a little too much like the morning train in Tokyo (Sardines).
In between the sessions, attendees visited the 8 booths present which were as follows:
1: BizMarketing - web hits/access software ASP
2: Sozon.com - SeoSpy, online SEO software & Consulting, free tool called Spidermatic.
3: OPT - ASP & Installable web hits/access software focusing on PPC keywords & ROI, Overture Reseller
4: ioix - SEO Consulting & Marketing
5: Irep - PPC, SEM, Online Marketing Company
6: CA Search - Again a PPC reseller
7: Fanside - SEO Consulting & Marketing, Access Tracking and an SEO support tool (Backlink Checker)
8: IDG & JupiterMedia - Just a bunch of books on a table.
Of Course there was also the Google Lounge, which was quite large compared to the others, and they gave away some free stuff like stickers,pens and carrybags.
Outside the main hall there was also an O'Reilly stand with books.
Google no doubt was the most popular as every one had already heard of them, but there wasn't much in their lounge other than some magazines and a loop on some nice Plasma TV's but in true Google style it looked fun, cool and happening.
Sozon.com & OPT seemed to be the more popular booths, followed by ioix & Irep. Sozon.com had a good sized screen running a demo of SeoSpy and OPT were giving demo's of their software on some Notebook's.
Fanside and BizMarketing also had demo's on Notebooks.
Day 2 seemed a little quieter than Day 1 however their was still some good attendance. I attended parts of some of the conferences [SEO-Case Study] & [SEM-PanelDiscussion]. Fairly basic stuff that seemed like it was geared to people who are beginners to Online Marketing. Also, I guess its normal but the speakers generally plugged their own services and did a soft cell on how much value they could give their potential customers.
Personally I didn't think there was anything quite up to the level of some of the more in depth discussions that take place here however alot of people totally new to SEM & SEO did seem to get alot of value. Unfortunately for most of them, they don't do their own research and just accept alot of what is said as fact. Still for most of them it was free so there's not much to complain about.
Expanding on Edwins Scoring System:
1) Organization (tickets, notifications etc.) 2/10
2) Location: 6/10
3) Attendance (getting the word out): 8/10
4) Booths: 6/10 (Nice people, Not enough of them)
5) Conferences 6.5/10 (Not enough seating, some more high level content would have been nice)
6) Visitor Impression 7/10 (Most people seemed happy, and they got to touch Google!)
7) Booth Owner Impression 7/10 (Organization was poor, Large number of Attendees made it worth it)
8) Overall: 6.5/10 (I guess it was a Success, but could have been much better. Where was Yahoo?)
I took quite a few pictures, If there's a demand I can put them up somewhere.
Peace,
Kaz
sounds like Big G was the show stealer. still curious as to who was speaking from them. Were they the local reps or from imported from stateside?
Ok, Let me see where I can upload the pics..
Peace,
Kaz
Pics are up. (just a few)
Sticky me if you wanna take a look.
BTW, I think I've got GlobalSEO in one of my pics.
I've blurred faces out so I don't get into any trouble.
Peace,
Kaz
[romaji.org...]
Peace,
Kaz
Yes, you got me in the Google Lounge with my wife Motoko. I actually look better with a blurred face ;-)
Not too hard to spot since other than the Google speaker there were only a few other non-Japanese/Asians at the event.
I will post my take on the event once I get back.
Google had one of the best promo giveaways -- Google branded cell phone straps -- given to the first 100 attendees each day.
so was it or was it not mostly in Japanese?
Google Speakers names was "Wayne Rojing".
Im not sure about the spelling, its a transliteration from the Japanese brochure.
Global_SEO > I'll upload the unblurred, larger photo for you to download later tonight and I'll sticky you the URL.
Peace,
Kaz
[google.com...]
He spoke in english and had his presentation auto translated via headsets during the keynote on Day 1.
I found it a very interesting conference, it is very interesting to see how other countries conduct SEO and I feel that the opportunity there is significant for those that have inroads and contacts in Japan.
EquityMind
