Pubcon or SES Chicago?
It is 1AM and I was just digging through some email, blogs, newsletters(I get way to many a day), and some random sites (Carlos Mencia vs Joe Rogan mostly). During my digging I saw a post by Danny over at SEL and it made me think of my Pre SES Chicago 2007 post and how or who is going to Pubcon and who is going to SES Chicago.
As December draws closer for the 2 conferences the scramble to get butts in seats for Pubcon and SES. will get stronger. However the I dont think the conferences are really competing. I have never thought of them as close in content or even just the spirit of them really. They both target different people and except in some rare cases really dont compete for the same audience.
SES tends to be more agency and retailer driven with a lot more suits in attendance. As I am am not much of a suit person and never have been, I always look a bit out of place when I am at SES. Except for Miami, but then who can wear a suit when its 95 degrees out?
Pubcon tends to be more affiliates and full of people that drive all those retailer sales. You may know them as one man armies that have a flock of sites, and are reason internet retailers hit their numbers each year?
In the past I have always headed out in November to Pubcon and learned a ton, met new friends, and hung out with old friends. Then in December I have left my quiet home near Chicago and fought the cold and snow to make SES Chicago. This year I was presented a challenge - I had to pick one.
Being that I prefer Las Vegas in December over Chicago and that I have already made SES NY and SES Latino this year - me going to Pubcon was a done deal. There will be many people however with a tougher decision then I had and for those I wish you well.
If you are unsure of where to go I advise you to look at the speakers, the sessions, the exhibitors and see which one will enable you to get the most of your time there. Depending on where you are in your job/career/life each will present something for you.
Me, I have made my choice already, well actually I made it back in 2004 at my first Pubcon with my decision then to not miss one(I havent yet either). I will be in Vegas for Pubcon and wish you a good first week of December where ever you might be.