Things that I learned from attending SMX East.... without really attending SMX East.

Things that I learned from attending SMX East…. without really attending SMX East.

Written on October 12, 2008 – 7:38 pm | by Shana Albert |

Last October I attended the IM Charity Party the night before SMX East was to begin. I had to go home the very next morning without attending SMX. I was determined after meeting all of those wonderful people last year that I would attend the conference in 2008. However, when the time came I just didn’t have the extra money for the conference itself. With my 12 year old getting braces this year, The Westin costing $350 a night, and with me wanting to attend more conferences this year…. I just couldn’t pull the cost of the entire conference. I instead decided to just pay for the Networking Pass, but was worried that I would get as much from it as I was spending to go to NYC. I’m writing to say, It is totally worth every penny!!!

Things I Learned from getting the SMX Networking Pass

Amazing breed of people, almost super hero like, that have this never ending energy and stomachs for endless drinking…. yet they are some of the most professional people I have ever met.
What a supportive Industry!! If one of the members of this wonderful industry falls down they are there to help pick them up. And, even give them a big freakin vase of water if needed.

Shana Albert, Brent D. Payne and Brandy Wood
No competition (unless you are talking about drinking, taxi rides or the way you smell)- Even though there might be competition between the members of the marketing community for jobs or whatever…. you don’t sense that here.
Unbelievable Humor - These people are not only professional, but some of the funniest people I have ever met in my life. I laughed constantly through my entire time in New York City.
Intimate face-to-face chats. These people are beautiful…. seriously, they are beautiful inside and out. I know, very cliche. But, so true. I had some nice face-to-face chats with amazing people that I probably never would have had online. I’m a total online chick, but close face-to-face talks rock!!
There are prizes to be had. I won a door prize at the IM Charity Party. And, its a good one…. I won a One Year Membership to SEOmoz. I am totally stoked about that. And, even more important than that is the fact that they raised a bunch of money for an awesome cause….. The Ronald McDonald House. I feel awesome about that!!
Being able to hang out at night with some of the smartest in Marketing and purchase awesome pizza for a $1.00 in a Pizzeria / Convenient store. Seriously, this is what this place was. They made the pizza right out in the open next to where they sell tampons, deodorant and washer fluid…. only in New York City.

Shana Albert, Martin Bowling, Eric Lander and Brandy Wood
Men in Search really are very handsome….. and smell good too!!
Picked up some pretty cool swag at Javits Conference Center…. Enough to make my kids very happy when I returned home. Which is really cool because I promised them I would buy them stuff in New York City, but I was way too busy ~~being selfish~~ networking to buy them cool stuff. I did find a really strange kiosk in the Port Authority on my way home for some odd “I heart New York” goodies.
Within 24 hours of arriving home I had my first new client. This totally has everything to do with me Networking at SMX East. Now, my Networking Pass is completely paid for and I could totally afford to attend the next conference…. the entire all-access pass this time.

I’m not saying that the SMX East Networking Pass replaced purchasing the entire SMX East All-Access Pass…. it doesn’t. As a matter of fact, there are so many sessions that I would have loved to attend. So much I could have learned if I was able to attend the sessions. But, at this time it just wasn’t possible for me. But, the networking portion of SMX was a total success.

Share and Enjoy:

17 Responses to “Things that I learned from attending SMX East…. without really attending SMX East.”
By Bloggeries on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

Having recently attended my first industry event;(Internet wise)I totally agree that the networking portions and outings afterwards are great. It’s an opportunity to meet a lot of really fun, professional and like minded individuals.

Thanks for the update on SMX East,
Rob
By Eric Lander on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

Shana, I’m glad to know I was part of such an awesome experience for you in NYC last week. To be fair, the week would have failed miserably if not for you.

Here’s to the next conference, we’ll keep a chair for you, and a fresh hot slice.

Oh… and no more taking TwitPics from your phone from the streets of NYC, ‘eh?
By Tony Adam on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

Shana, It was a definitely pleasure meeting you at SMX last week! You were one of the nicest and coolest people I met during the conference.

Hope to see you at PubCon and/or the next conference and I’ll definitely make sure to have a drink ready for ya!
By Shana Albert on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

@Rob - Sure thing, Rob. Thanks for the comment.

@Eric Lander - You truly were the surprise of my experience. I was already a huge fan of yours and to call you a friend now is truly an honor. And, I promise… no more twitpics on the streets of NYC. I have to agree with you there. Oh, and Martin is definitely lucky that the pic of him in the bus was too dark… I was so ready to twitpic that one!!

@Tony Adam - The pleasure was truly all mine. You are so much fun to hang with…. you really are. I would love to hang with you again at any future conference.
By Brent D. Payne on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

It is always nice to meet the hot women I flirt with on Twitter in person. Thanks for chillin’ with me throughout the week. I guess I get to hang with hot women only at SEO conferences.

That picture of us is CLASSIC! And I am so glad you didn’t have your camera phone with you during a particular 2-3 hours one night. LOL Big Watah!
By Jeremiah Andrick on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

Great post Shana, it was great to meet you and hang out. I love this industry and even though it can be like high school sometimes it generally is pretty awesome. It also helps to be one of the handsome good smelling Search Guys. Hopefully we can hang out again at future shows.

Jeremiah
By scott polk on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

Shana - it was great to meet you at SMX hopefully we will be seeing more of you at future events - you must come to PubCon - it is well worth the costs there.

BIG WATAH
@scottpolk
By Shana Albert on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

@Brent D. Payne - hahaha!! It was so much fun hanging with you. You are awesome!! And, I love the picture of us…. that’s why its here on this page.

@Jeremiah Andrick - Not only were you a ton of fun to hang with you were my bathroom buddy. I look forward to hanging with you again soon.

@Scott Polk - It was awesome to meet you. Truly…. every time I saw you you had a huge smile on your face. It was catchy… I couldn’t help but smile a huge smile every time I saw you. Oh, I’m totally working on getting out to PubCon…. I need to go!!
By MikeTek on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply

Rock on, Liza Minelli.
By Tanner Christensen on Oct 13, 2008 | Reply

Shana, I have to be honest here… you are hot.
By Shana Albert on Oct 13, 2008 | Reply

@MikeTek - Haha!! yeah, I have to admit….. that part was my least favorite part of my time in New York City.

@Tanner Christensen - Awww, Tanner…. Thank you. Oh, by the way….. I went through most of my business cards. Thank you again for giving me the gift of awesome business cards!!
By JB on Oct 13, 2008 | Reply

Great post, Shana. Looks like a lot of fun. There’s few things as exciting as some real networking and making great new contacts.

Thanks for sharing!
By Rhea on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply

Reiterating other’s sentiments, it was great to finally meet you! Like we discussed, there’s a hesitancy until someone becomes “real” which is where the value of conferences comes into play. I had a one day conference pass and only attended two sessions, I think the networking pass is the way to go if you’re sole mission is to… network (ha, wonder where they got that name). Looking forward to our next meeting and future posts, you’re one hot SEO chick and ridiculously nice!
By Alex Shalman on Oct 16, 2008 | Reply

Hey Shana,

You look like you had a blast, learned a lot, and met some awesome people.

I love going up to NYC, and I’m a networking machine, so I think I too would have loved the networking pass for SMX.

It seems like you had an awesome time. Thanks for visiting my site, all the best.
By Shana Albert on Oct 16, 2008 | Reply

@Rhea - Thank you so much for leaving a comment, Rhea. There were so many people I was looking forward to meeting when I went….. you were among the top 10 and meeting you was even better than I could have anticipated. I look forward to seeing you at future conferences.

@Alex Shalman - Yes, I did have an amazing time. Just like Rhea said above there is something about meeting people in person that makes them become “real”. It takes your online relationship to higher level. Thank you so much for the comment.
By RisaBB on Oct 17, 2008 | Reply

Hi Shana, I’m glad I got to me the lady behind Social Desire. The charity event was the only SMX related event I went to, and I’m really glad I went, as well. After finally getting 3 kids to bed at 9:30 pm, I decided not to go. I sat down in front of my computer and started to do work, then thought, “Why not?” I don’t regret it for a second. I met and talked to a lot of great people, including you. See you in NYC next year!
By Keahi Pelayo on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply

Great points. The “swag” is the key. I find when I get home from events the swag that seemed cool at the time becomes less so.
Aloha,
Keahi