Last night I went to the DFWSEM monthly meeting at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson, Tx.  DFWSEM – Dallas Fort Worth Search Engine Marketing Association.  It was a really interesting meeting.  The room at the hotel was full.  I arrived about 7pm, the group was scheduled to begin networking around 6pm, with the meeting beginning at 6:30pm I believe.  It was the first time I’d gone to the group.  I’d heard of the group a few years ago and have wanted to attend for some time.  When I arrived it appeared that they were just starting the main parts of the presentation, which basically covered a brief history of SEO/SEM and then covered the basics of SEO.  It definately was basic material, but that was the point of the topic, and they covered it very well.  There were three different speakers, each adding a different angle to it.  They then had a break, and then picked three websites to analyse and make suggestions for monetization and optimization.  Shelley Ellis was there, who is very good and well known for her PPC, especially content network targeting and her work with Perry Marshall.  Sean Jackson of Ecordia, Dennis Hart, VP of Sales and Marketing for SE Jones, and Mark Barrera (Client Services Manager of Vizion) were all in attendance, some of them being Board Members of DFWSEM.

The meeting ran from about 6pm to about 9pm, and then moved into the bar area of the hotel, where the discussions there were better than the actual meeting, which is frequently the case.  Not taking away from the meeting at all, which was good.  I stayed and enjoyed the conversation in the bar area until well after 11pm. 

On the way home, I ran into Dennis Hart in the parking lot of a gas station, and had another good conversation.

The content that was presented was basic, which was the premise for the presentations, which it hit right on the head.  The material was solid and definately worthwhile to attend.  Next month’s meeting, Feb 17th at the same location is going to be about back to basics PPC, which I can’t wait to hear, and the March one is about local search.

DFWSEM is most certainly worthwhile to both those involved in the SEO/SEM/etc industries, as well as people looking for information for thier own sites or companies.

I will be signing up as a member in Feb for sure, at least as an individual, and I”m considering getting a company membership for Coolbubba.  I hope to see you or meet you at one of the upcomping meetings.