12/29/2011 Update: Attendees using the promo code MnSEARCH receive a 10% discount per the event below.
Over the years, search marketing and social media conferences have grown in both number and price. You want to make them whether it’s for learning or networking purposes, albeit hopefully for both.
There’s one in Portland, Oregon that has piqued my interest. If you’re in search, you may have heard of the February 2012 SearchFest conference by now. I don’t know yet if I’ll make it, but I hope to for at least a couple reasons.
The first reason is price. For $299 (if you register by December 31) you can’t beat it.
And…
It’s a one-day conference, but it’s one, full, packed day with trusted in-the-field presenters including:
- Rand Fishkin – SEOmoz
- Marty Weintraub – aimClear
- Rhea Drysdale – Outspoken Media
- Greg Sterling – Sterling Market Intelligence
- Countless others
Here’s the full agenda.
If you’re on even more of a budget, good news. Flights to Portland (from Minneapolis anyway) are currently inexpensive if you’re willing to have a layover.
Portland hotels are also reasonable, especially if you choose to stay near the airport. Why would you stay by the airport? The Max Light Rail can take you from the airport area right by the conference located at the Governor Hotel. If you have an Expedia account, check out “Flight + Hotel” options from 2/23/12 – 2/25/12. You may find a gem.
Here are a few inexpensive motels close to the Red Line and airport, all apparently includes Wifi and appear to have Expedia discounts:
Todd Mintz, David Mihm, Chris Lister, let me know if I’m incorrect in the above.
I’m a fan of mass transit, and all of this combined can probably be achieved at 1/4 of the price of other conferences.
The second reason I’m intrigued is because of the format. It looks like the presenters are mostly folks who get their hands dirty and implement what they preach.
This occurs at other conferences too, but there was a recent one that had a lot to do with big-box companies and how they sell their newer search marketing services. This is all fine and would be interested if I was in sales. However, I’ve personally seen the differences between big-box sales pitches vs. what they actually deliver.
I have a couple friends and acquaintances in PDX who will be attending this as a local event. How about you? Are you interested in making the trip to Portland? I’ve been there around five times and it’s a beautiful city.
Nice post Paul! It really is one of the best search + social conferences around. It would be great if you joined us.
Paul, all of the hotels you listed look as if they are close to the redline and would make getting downtown easy. There isn’t a lot going on in those neighborhoods, but it is definitely an option for getting to the conference while remaining close to the airport. I’d also recommend looking downtown as you can usually find good deals.
Some “cool hotel” suggestions would be:
Crystal Hotel (www.mcmenamins.com/CrystalHotel)
Ace Hotel (www.acehotel.com/portland)
Jupiter Hotel (www.jupiterhotel.com)
All of them are very “Portlandia”, in or near downtown, and would give you a real “taste” of Portland.
Searchfest is hands down one of the best conferences out there. This will be my 4th year and every year it seems to get better.
Any question, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks James and Chris. I’m definitely going to check out those hotels. It’s been years since I’ve been to Portland. I’ll probably have more questions as well.
OK, question for Chris, James or anyone more familiar w/ PDX than I. How would you rate the area just east of the Rose Garden? Looks like room rates are inexpensive there. Apparently the red line goes right by there, too?
I’ve stayed in that area a couple times back when I lived and worked in Tacoma and enjoyed it… although that was over a dozen years ago.
Hi Paul,
The area east of the Rose Garden is the Lloyd Center. This is a fairly good area to stay, just on the east side of the river from downtown, but still close in. There are many hotels, restaurants, shopping options and other things to do there. If you are looking for a less expensive area than downtown, then this is the one I’d recommend.
Hope to see you there!
Nice, thanks for the tip. I did get a nice deal at the Red Lion by the conference center and pretty much right on the red line. Looking forward to it!