Pubcon November Preview - Local Search Session?

what may we expect? please?

[paybacksa]

I was hoping that you all might give us a preview of what the Pubcon session on Local Search will be this year. The session description is very general

[pubcon.com...]

and it is concurrent with a PPC optimization session and a web technology session.

To try and be crystal clear, will it address local and mobile for the average web master, or Local and Mobile for the avid reader of this forum? Of interest to someone already active in local, or intermediate, beginner, etc?

I know it's a tough question, but those are sometimes the best ones :-)

[paybacksa]

wow...no answers at all. Hmmm.

[Webwork]

P, the truth is that the final subject matter for presentations is often in flux until just before the event. Each speaker may have an idea of what they may cover but the final decision requires the speakers to consult with one another to avoid duplication, they must look at time limits and what that allows, they must adjust for emerging industry news which can change the focus, etc.

So, it's not that no one has an answer it's likely more that no one has their final answer.

What's nice about the presentations is that after the sessions the speakers tend to hang around. BIG opportunity, for those who aren't shy.

[bakedjake]

What would YOU like to hear, P?

[paybacksa]

What would I like to see? Not sure. Since there are competing sessions I have to go by whatever advance knowledge I can get and then pick one to attend. Nothing in the very general description of local jumps out so I asked if there was anything specific.

The usual tough issues are always best IMHO, but I know that doesn't usually jive with the needs of the crowd at WebmasterWorld cons. Hyperlocal; merchant adoption tactics/competing with foot soldiers; good industry stats for offline YP SMB spend (with trends); the failure of ppcall (why); if not ppcall, then how to track local; competing locally with the citysidewalk sites; competing locally with the national brands/directories; how much spam is reasonable and customary in local SERPs these days; how is that expected to trend; etc.

[Chicago]

i will do my best to cover some of these topics my friend. thx for the seasoned ideas.

[edited by: Chicago at 7:54 pm (utc) on Nov. 5, 2006]

[Chicago]

my friends, i am very sorry to report that something significant came up which has prevented me from participated in the WebmasterWorld conference. few things in the world could do this and well, one of them happened. everything is fine, i am just very sorry that i could not meet and speak to some of you personally. my sincere apologies. justin

[equalm]

That's okay. Jake ended up taking his time and most of yours to fill the gap. ha ha, just kidding.

Jake, any chance you will upload your presentation for us? I missed some of the last bullet points that bled off the page, as well as the last 5 slides.

Overall, it was a great session. I learned a lot of new things about the mobile space, though it's not relevant to me now and it confirmed to me that local is indeed the way to go for me.

Thanks!

.

[earlpearl]

I couldn't make it but read a review of Jake's presentation. couldn't have been more on target as far as I can report. I've been doing this for a little over two years and man Jake hit it on the nail and tought me a few more things.

Thanks Jake.

BTW: Does your search phrase research come from truelocal and what other sources?

Dave