A crazy idea....

[Sadie]

After months about reading about the SES conferences...I've realised that not once has SES come to South Africa, let alone Cape Town. So I've come up with this crazy idea that maybe the SEO community here in sunny SA should start hosting a similar type of gathering here...think about it, we could invite prominent SA SEO'ers to talk about various issues relating specifically to the online market here in SA, and about various other related topics..what do you guys think?

[Chatmaster]

It is not such a crazy idea. Maybe just a little to niche. Holding a conference similar to SES is expensive though and we will certainly need to obtain sponsorship this event. A bit of homework and we can have our first event kickoff next year...

[Sadie]

That would be excellent! Let me know what your ideas are..maybe we can compare notes and formulate a feasible solution....it's so exciting!

[Glen]

Can I speak? :p

[Chatmaster]

Are you serious Glen. Will you come all the way from the UK to speak? I can think of no one better to speak about Social Media!

[Glen]

Hey guys, going to send you a PM about something because of heard something 'under the radar' and this is an open forum so don't want to say too much.

[Glen]

Are you serious Glen.

Yeah I would love too, I'm short on confidence and have no speaking skills, but I think I could add some useful information in the midst of all my rambling.

Seriously though, I'm not the best public speaker but would love to give it a shot one day as I think It would be great experience and build up my confidence for more possible speaking in the future.

(Sent you a PM)

[Chatmaster]

Well Glen, that is excellent news for me. When speaking at a conference you normally speak as part of a panel. So no need to be concerned about speaking. Just prepare before the time and all will go well. I have seen many times how speakers prepare for their sessions on the plane on their way to the event :-D most of the time this is also very obvious when they deliver their "speech" as there is often spelling errors on their slide shows and loss of logical order during their presentation.

If we do this, we will definitely look at inviting you as part of the panel. I have no doubt you can teach all of us a few techniques on making money online. ;-)

[Sadie]

You're more than welcome to speak Glen! Chatmaster you should speak too!

[Glen]

You're more than welcome to speak Glen! Chatmaster you should speak too!

Why thank you, would need someone confident to be a 'host' maybe yourself or chatmaster sadie.

Im English so only you two know how many companies / trainee marketers in SA there are though who could make it or are interested in marketing services.

[Chatmaster]

Well, so Sadie when is the event going to be? I need to get prepared for it! :-D

[Sadie]

Well, so Sadie when is the event going to be? I need to get prepared for it!


I'm not exactly sure CM! There's such a lot of planning to be done....things like the venues, sponsorships need to be sorted out! I'm definately going to need some help! Care to lend a helping hand??? :confused:

[Snoopy_inc]

Ill be the judge :P IDOLS JUDGE :P

/me winks at chatmaster :P

[Chatmaster]

I'm not exactly sure CM! There's such a lot of planning to be done....things like the venues, sponsorships need to be sorted out! I'm definately going to need some help! Care to lend a helping hand??? :confused:
Sure. First things first you need to setup a business plan. Who is the event targetted at? What is the estimated attendance? What topics will need to be discussed? What speakers will I need to cover that spectrum? How much will they cost me? How many days will we need? How many seminar rooms is advisable before there are to many. How many exhibitors can we expect? How many stands and what will the floor plan be? Accommodation? The floor plan is essential to calculate the amount of sponsorship and advertising space available?

Further you need to prepare delegate packs, and get advertising quotes. Because if you do not advertise no one will attend.There is so many issues you need to figure out above these, like where the pot plants should be in order not to hide a sponsor banner? Then you need to calculate the budget. Then the biggest issue is getting the money to ensure you can pay for your venue, they normally charge upfront. Then you get an events company to handle all the ground work. :p

[Sadie]

Jeez..thanks CM! Now I'm even more stressed out than before! But I mean, are you guys serious about this..I mean will it work? :?

[Glen]

It wont work, but I am serious about it :P

[Sadie]

Funny!...;)

[Glen]

Funny!...;)

Seriously though, it's possible but it will take a lot of planning and hard work to pull it off. Depends if people are willing to dedicate their time and energy to pull it off at the end of the day. :smile: