Google Local SEO in 2013 was the topic at the first DFW Search Engine Marketing Association (DFWSEM) meeting of the year, and it started off with a bang. The room was packed and featured keynote presentations by our own Greg Gifford and Chris Silver Smith, who shared their secrets for successfully ranking local pages on Google.
(Seeing the tweets in this post is dependent on the Twitter API, and we know how reliable that is. If all you see is links try refreshing the page.)
Location
We were at our usual location, but due to another large conference going on in the hotel we were relegated to the Spurs Room, which is right off the bar.
DFWSEM Secrets of Google Local SEO in 2013 Meeting
We’re in a different room this time. Just make your way to the bar and you’ll find us. #dfwsem
— DFWSEM (@dfwsem) January 24, 2013
Which inspired the following tweet.
Good news #dfwsem members! twitter.com/YoungbloodJoe/…
— Joe Youngblood (@YoungbloodJoe) January 23, 2013
And retweet.
Let’s just start there! RT @youngbloodjoe: Good news #dfwsem members! twitter.com/YoungbloodJoe/…
— Grant Wickes (@gwickes) January 23, 2013
A few people took Grant up on his suggestion
Attendance
The downside of meeting in this room is the size, and the first meeting of 2013 set a record for the number of attendees who registered online in advance. 117. (Thanks to each of you who did, it helps a lot.) Not to worry, that should not be a problem going forward.
Packed house #dfwsem listening to Chris Silver Smith talk about local search. @si1very thanks for presenting tonight. twitter.com/AtomicDC/statu…
— Atomic DC (@AtomicDC) January 24, 2013
Got to see some faces we hadn’t seen in a while. (Hope it’s not like the gym and we don’t see them again till next year.)
I’m headed to @dfwsem tonight. I can’t wait to see some old industry friends and learn some new stuff about #Local #SEO. #DFWSEM
— Neil Lemons (@Neil_Lemons) January 23, 2013
Attending #dfwsem meeting. (@ Hyatt Regency North Dallas w/ 4 others) 4sq.com/10SP7TW
— Clara Mathews (@Clarabela) January 24, 2013
@brianreagan @awebsitecheckup @dfwsem Can’t wait til #dfwsem tonight, I’m actually going to make an appearance!
— Bill Hartzer (@bhartzer) January 23, 2013
Before The Meeting
Before the meeting got started the crew from Globe Runner SEO stopped for a little pre-game activity.
Pre #dfwsem food. @ Twisted Root Burger Company instagr.am/p/U2G6bak9ZW/
— Cody Vaughan Sharp (@Cody_Sharp) January 23, 2013
Twisted Root before #DFWSEMGame face on.
— Damon Gochneaur (@DamonGochneaur) January 24, 2013
Wing style. ANd get the secret fries. For me. #getfit2013 RT @damongochneaur: Twisted Root before #DFWSEMGame face on.
— Matthew Decuir (@MattBasically) January 24, 2013
#dfwsem pregame @ Twisted Root Burger Company instagr.am/p/U2MraElXMB/
— Andy Odom (@AndyOdom7) January 24, 2013
A couple of people had issues getting to the venue, but persevered.
Stuck in traffic on 635 on my way to #dfwsem
— Aida Rojas : ) (@AidaDRojas) January 24, 2013
Two flat tires on my way to #DFWSEM couldn’t stop me from hearing @greggifford & @s1lvery speak about Local SEO tonight!
— Owen Nwanze (@TheBritishTexan) January 24, 2013
Social Media Club of Dallas
The President of the Social Media Club of Dallas (SMCDallas), Kendal Shiffler, graced us with her presence.
Excited to be at #dfwsem tonight! Congrats @brianmedina and the new board!!
— Kendall Shiffler (@KendallAnne) January 24, 2013
Lots of great #smcdallas supporters at #dfwsemtonight! @tonycecala @buzzshift @scottvann @dansturdivant @mattbasically @stnc & more!
— Kendall Shiffler (@KendallAnne) January 24, 2013
Awards
We honored the two of the gentlemen who founded DFWSEM, Bill Hartzer and Jim Gilbert, and the past president, Dan Sturdivant.
Bill Hartzer and Jim Gilbert were honored as the founders of DFWSEM.
Thank you @bhartzer and Jim Gilbert for pioneering #DFWSEM. And kudos to @dansturdivant for a great 2012. #dfwsem
— DFWSEM (@dfwsem) January 24, 2013
Presentations
The presentations by Chris Silver Smith and Greg Gifford, on Google Local SEO in 2013, provided a wealth of information as was witnessed by the massive amount of note taking.
This guy is serious about learning at tonight’s #DFWSEM meeting! twitter.com/dfwsem/status/…
— DFWSEM (@dfwsem) January 24, 2013
During The Meeting
At the same time THIS was going on.
.@stnc is taking my iPhone apart at #dfwsem. So weird.
— Matthew Decuir (@MattBasically) January 24, 2013
and he is so happy! “@mattbasically: .@stnc is taking my iPhone apart at #dfwsem. So weird.”
— Rani Monson (@RaniMonson) January 24, 2013
Its his thing. Hes at peace. RT @ranimonson: and he is so happy! “@mattbasically: .@stnc is taking my iPhone apart at #dfwsem. So weird.”
— Matthew Decuir (@MattBasically) January 24, 2013
@stnc has put said phone back together.#dfwsem
— Matthew Decuir (@MattBasically) January 24, 2013
After The Meeting
The real action at DFWSEM goes on at the hotel bar. This evening was no different. As soon as the bar opened the twitter chatter stopped, although there was almost no tweeting going on. Maybe their hands were busy holding something besides their smart phones?
Sarah Hodge and Kevin Adams at the bar after the DFWSEM Secrets of Google Local SEO Meeting.
Summary
All in all it was a great night.
Solid talks by both @si1very & @greggifford on local #seo tips @ #dfwsem. If you’re not attending these events, you’ve already lost.
— James Loomstein (@jloomstein) January 24, 2013
More updates coming soon that cover the two presentations that were given.
Keep up with all the DFWSEM happenings on Twitter and Facebook.
About the Author: Scott Vann (@ScottVann) is the Vice President of Communication for DFWSEM, and a Realtor serving the Dallas area from Downtown to points north. Search for homes at ScottVann.com.
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