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Its all over baby, this time round.
Only a select hardcore team of members left, all asleep.
No doubt the full de-brief will be getting done once Dave_N wakes up.
all I can say is it ROCKED.....
Shak
(better go get some sleep, as have been awake for 26 hours straight).
LisaB
I need to remove a few from some members that have requested anonymity.
Great time..I really mean it.
I attend a lot of business networking events and PubCon is one of the most usefull and accessible ones that I know of. On the other hand: I can see the point in saying: hey, we pay for PubCon, not for being in the hotel bar. (I wasn't too impressed by the Thistle anyway) and I also see the point in it being difficult for new members to find their way around.
So a bit more organisation might help. As we have been discussing so many different subjects from so many viewpoints it might be a good idea for the next (London) Pubcon to introduce some meeting points for specific subjects to make it easier to discuss those and find people with the same interests. There could even be a short (written) introduction on each of those subjects to what it is or some startling questions. Otherwise we may end up skipping PubCon and make it a hotel gathering :)
Pubcon is over for "now"
The last day (well, I'm still there) brought the best and interresting news so far. I'm really looking forward to breakfast, maybe it becomes even better.
I'll let you know on christmas why ...
... helpfulness and staying power
Hey,I reckon we've a couple of good hours left!
For those who still think that PubCon's a one day thing, all I can say is that tonight's been as inspirational as any night. I can't wait for Orlando!
sorry, I'm missing some good tips here at the bar...back later
I spoke with so many excellent people and was blown away by the diversity of expertise -- all the stuff we talk about here, but also just plain business savvy and the importance of passion for what you are doing. It's just that 6 days was too short to get to know everybody.
For the 70 or 80 folks who I had a chance to get into good discussions - you all gave me so much. I see business itself in a whole new light, not just the online part. In some cases I spent precious little time with folks who I knew from previous conferences, and I didn't particularly like that part. Please be in Orlando! I think the three day format is going to kick some serious tail - because we're going to do it with true WebmasterWorld style!
Just a handful of us diehards were knocking around on Monday, and I was feeling a good bit sad that I wont see most of you again until February.
One thing I noticed at this conference is that there was a lot more talk about running a business then there was about plain SEO techniques.
It was wonderful to talk to people that have built very successful businesses through the web. It was very encouraging.
Something else I enjoyed was hearing how black hats are developing a more sustainable approach. It seems the days of massive throw away domains are numbered - not many seem to be doing it anymore. Instead, I noticed a visible shift towards a model that emphasizes branding and sustainability.
I did get to hang out with some awesome people and had some great conversations.
I've only been back a couple of hours, I'm still shattered, but very happy and encouraged. Already I can't wait for Florida.
It was superb, thanks to everyone (too many to name!). The conversations were mind blowing at times, but just the variety of knowledge in the room was reason enough to be there even if you weren't looking for anything specific.
I have never met so many nice, down to earth, interesting people who would immediately just feel relaxed with each other even if they'd never met before.
The 4 late nights/early mornings was still not enough time, but the time spent and experience gained was invaluable.
Thanks to everyone who put up with my sometimes stupid questions (well you don't find out if you don't ask!) and patiently answering too.
You should have seen me trying to get my son to nursery on time this morning!
I take it Shak is unconscious for the next 3 days ;)
Suzy
(Ally says he's glad to be going back to his work today for some "sane" conversation, I've no idea what he's taking about ;))
This was my 2nd pubcon, and was absolutely wonderful. Got to reconnect with many of the people I met in Boston, and got to meeting many more new people as well. Lots of great, great discussions, laughs and all around geek bonding. Hope I'll be calling many of you friends for a long time to come.
As far as the knowledge, all I can say is that I'm truly humbled. Blown away.
Picked up alot this time around. It was fun, though quite tiring with the late night activities and procession that has become part of the non-conference conference -> all good stuff though.
It was certainly great to meet the old and needy members like me that have ventured to one or two of the conferences again, and interesting to put names to faces, and reasoning to names of the members that i had not met at previous events.
Ack well -> Just under 5 months till the Next ONE - That should rock too!
This time for me it was all about online business with the sort of information and stories that just cannot be posted.
Over two hundred web masters from all over the world in one place, and every one I talked with had a big smile and thumbs up for how business is going for them. The amount of us marketing our own eCommerce businesses was staggering,
Webmaster World is full of the most amazing down to earth entrepreneurial inspirational bunch of people I have ever met.
SEO dead? Oh yeah, absolutely. Markets and clients maturing, we're in an increasingly smaller and more sophisticated pond of clients and opportunities? That would be why everyone was so despondent and negative, then?
I arrived knowing that I didn't have time for new projects, I left still knowing that, but somehow I've got to find time - the ideas, takes and predictions just make it all too fun to miss out on other things.
Thanks to Brett and all the helpers/organisers for bringing us all together.
PS. Any tips on how to get to Florida without pissing off wife and children?
One thing I've noticed about PubConferences in the past and I definitely noticed about this time in London was that all of the reps from all of the various sponsor organizations were fabulous. They were approachable, friendly, and very excellent to talk to. Not only did I have several excellent business conversations with sponsors, I also had some great general conversations about various non-SE stuff as well!
I think the friendliness and accessibility of the sponsors is an incredible bonus. Somehow they just didn't seem as "salesy" and they felt much more approachable to me. I got more out of talking with some of the reps at this conference than I sometimes get talking to my own salespeople from the same organizations. Something about the atmosphere, I guess.
Any tips on how to get to Florida without pissing off wife and children?
mat park them in Walt Disney World Resort for 4 days :)
My hands are shakign so I can't type.
My Eyes are burning so I can't see.
And I haven't even tried to test my throat.
I feel like the proverbial monkeys.
I'm grateful that it's over, but I wish the next one would start thursday.
SN
"Webmaster World is full of the most amazing down to earth entrepreneurial inspirational bunch of people I have ever met."
I had an excellent time - so much for the nerves, met some really cool people, gained some ideas, got to see David Blaine (very briefly).
Best for me, PubCon gave me a right kick up the backside - so many people doing so well!
WICKED! Thanks to everyone! ;)
A bit disconcerting to see mivox hanging round the gents doorway with that great big zoom lens tho!
Cheers!
ska_demon
For those that didn't go and asking what was picked up - lots of conversations with people in completely different areas that suddenly lit up that idea lightbulb in the brain. And then - as other people have mentioned - a real impetus to stop talking about projects and learning new technologies and find the time to do it.
the key topic was "staying power" I don't know where it started but that term was heard so often.
DaveN
wanted to work today, but head is still spinning with voices and ideas. very enjoyable was talking away and others knew what one meant without feeling as one lives on an other planet...
the beer flow was incredible. i think i did not drink as much beer in the last two years combined together.
. 'Staying Power' > what do you mean not getting banned when you spam!
I certainly learnt who was the biggest spammer in the room anyway!
To be number1 you have to have "staying power".
whether it's writing 1000 pages of new content,
being number1 in the serps for two years,
having the largest product database
drinking the most.
it all about "staying power"
DaveN
unlike caine who as "almost staying power" ;)
Rich
Great to meet up with some of our continental counterparts, I particularly ienjoyed conversations with Randolf, Ralf and Risto (maybe its something to do with having a name starting with R)
Topic of the weekend for me was really what are peoples views as to who will power Yahoo over the next few years.
Which engines are going to become the second tier UK engines was also an interesting area.
I got to speak to some newbies and some people who have much more experience than me, all valuable conversations.
Many many people there I hope I will meet again as I just didn't have the time to speak to everyone.
Staying power? The one improvement I can do to my next PubCon experience is learn not to sleep.
SN
