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The 18 Must-Attend SEO Conferences of 2010

Each year thousands of SEO professionals get together at conferences to share ideas, promote strategies, and to discuss the best practices for their industry. Since the search engine algorithms continue to drastically change, these conferences are always packed with intense amounts of information and are amazing places to network and learn. For those of us that have been fortunate enough to attend the prominent conferences in the past, almost all agree that they are invaluable events.

In this article we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the must-attend SEO conferences of 2010. Keep in mind that there are more SEO-oriented events out there, but these conferences have received wonderful reviews year after year and are certain to not disappoint. If there are any others we missed that you recommend, be sure to leave them in the comments!

18 Must-Attend SEO Conferences of 2010

Search Engine Strategies London

“Now in its 11th year, SES London is organised and programmed by the SES Advisory Board and SearchEngineWatch.com, the leading authority on Search Engine Marketing (SEM). UK and European marketers gather here every year for three days of sessions covering topics such as PPC management, keyword research, SEO, social media, local, mobile, link building, duplicate content, multiple site issues, video optimisation, site optimisation, usability and more”

Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: February 16-19, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Avinash Kaushik, Bryan Eisenberg, Jim Sterne

Online Marketing Summit

“What sets OMS apart from the typical conference or tradeshow is its fervent focus on providing educational content without the fluff. Events include hands-on training workshops, 1-on-1 personalized labs with experts, thought-leadership presentations, and peer-to-peer collaboration…”

Location: San Diego, California
Date: February 22-25, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Various (Workshop Oriented)

Search Engine Strategies: San Diego

“Search Engine Strategies is collaborating with the Online Marketing Summit to enable attendees to network and learn how to execute on the best practices in Online Marketing without the distraction of an Exhibit Floor and vendor sales pitches. Events include hands-on workshops, onsite usability and SEO labs, thought-leadership presentations, and peer-to-peer collaboration.”

Location: San Diego, California
Date: February 25, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Various (Workshop Oriented)

SearchFest 2010

“SearchFest 2010 will present multiple informative learning tracks, workshops, and panel sessions designed to provide direct insight into the most up-to-date strategies and technological advancements in online search marketing.”

Location: Portland, Oregon
Date: March 9th, 2010
Keynote Speakers: To Be Determined

eMetrics Toronto

“eMetrics is the premiere global conference focused on improving the results of your digital marketing investment. You will learn how leading marketers and information technology executives are increasing marketing ROI through optimization of campaigns, communications, content, and overall customer experience. You will learn from colleagues, associates and friends from sharing successes, challenges and proven techniques.”

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date: April 6-9, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Jim Sterne, Theresa Kushner, Shari Cleary, Brian Flanagan

Search Marketing Expo Toronto

“Today’s search marker is faced with multiple challenges and opportunities, from multiple brands and products, sites and languages; to complex goals and success metrics along with an array of new media, tools and technology. Whether social, mobile or online to achieve ROI success search marketing programs require ongoing testing, measuring and refining. SMX Toronto is programmed for search marketers tackling these opportunities and more.”

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date: April 8-9, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Various (Workshop Oriented)

PubCon South

“PubCon Dallas will feature sessions dedicated to pure search engine optimization and organic search, search engine marketing, social media marketing and more. We’re thrilled to bring PubCon to Dallas. Stay tuned as we bring you plenty of information about this exciting conference, including keynote announcements, special networking events, early bird conference registration and the full conference schedule of sessions.”

Location: Dallas, Texas
Date: April 13-15, 2010
Keynote Speakers: To Be Determined

Search Marketing Expo Sydney

“With more than 40 sessions dedicated to search marketing spread over two days, two World class keynotes and networking events for which SMX Sydney is “world” famous + our new SMX Expo Hall Theatre, new for 2010.”

Location: Sydney, Australia
Date: April 22-23, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Greg Boser, Todd Freisen, Gillian Muessig, and more

Search Marketing Expo West

“SMX West covers all of the search engine marketing topics – search engine optimization (SEO), paid search advertising, analytics, social media marketing, local, mobile, and much more. Whether you are a beginner or SEM expert, you work at (or with) an agency or manage search marketing in house – SMX West has programming to fit your needs.”

Location: Santa Clara, California
Date: March 2-4, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Steve Balmer

Search Engine Strategies New York

“SES New York will be packed with 70+ sessions, multiple keynotes, 100+ exhibitors, networking events and parties. Your customers, colleagues and competition will be in attendance — will you?”

Location: New York, New York
Date: March 22-26, 2010
Keynote Speakers: David Meerman Scott, Avinash Kaushik

Search Marketing Expo Munich

“2 full conference days offer – sessions on the latest topics and successful SEO and PPC tactics in the field, nationally and internationally renowned experts to share your knowledge, discussion with key representatives in the field of search marketing, hands-on sessions with actionable guidance.”

Location: Munich, Germany
Date: March 23-24, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Jordi Ribas

eMetrics Munich

“At the eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit you will meet opinion leaders, industry analysts and users. Get the technology and techniques, information and business intelligence you need to optimize your online marketing – all at an event that offers you the full overview.”

Location: Munich, Germany
Date: March 23-24, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Timo Aden, Dr. Christian Bachem, Thomas Brommund, Sven Gerber and more

Search Marketing Expo Advanced London

“For the first time, the legendary search marketing conference for experts will be held in London. Join us for SMX Advanced London for the one show designed for experienced SEMs – topics will be discussed at a high-level with no time spent on the basics. You won’t want to miss this!”

Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: May 17-18, 2010
Keynote Speakers: To Be Determined

eMetrics London

“Marketing managers, web analysts and business intelligence experts have been meeting at the eMetrics Summit since 2002 to learn how to increase the return on online investments. It’s your turn to join the discussion.”

Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: May 17-18, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Neil Mason, Jukka Kamarainen, Lucy Dos Santos, Georges-Edouard Dias

Search Exchange – Internet Marketing Conference

“Join hundreds of business professionals and entrepreneurs from May 17-19th as we learn, network, and share experiences from across the differnet online marketing segments. The three day conference will consist of keynotes and panel discussions on search engine optimization, social media marketing, pay per click advertising, and web analytics.”

Location: Charlotte, NC
Date: May 17-19, 2010
Keynote Speakers: David Szetela, Chris Brogan, Chris Winfield

eMetrics San Jose

“Check out the speakers, review the agenda, Google the blogs, and you’ll see why the analysis of the data you already have and the eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit are the keys to blowing away all those dismal second-half forecasts.”

Location: San Jose, California
Date: May 3-7, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Jime Sterne, Mark Skidmore, Greg Dowling, Joe Megibow

Search Marketing Expo Advanced Seattle

“Get exceptional content, invaluable connections and essential conveniences for which SMX events are famous. Fast paced, Q&A-packed, frequently controversial and always informative, SMX Advanced is the one show programmed for search marketing experts. “

Location: Seattle, WA
Date: June 8-9, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Various (Workshop Oriented)

Search Marketing Expo East

“SMX East covers all of the search engine marketing topics – SEO, paid search advertising, analytics, local, mobile, and much more. SMX East also has programming for you whether you are a beginner or SEM expert, and whether you work at (or with) an agency or manage search marketing in house.”

Location: New York, New York
Date: October 4-6, 2010
Keynote Speakers: Various (Workshop Oriented)

Map of SEO Conferences for 2010

While the huge list above may be a wonderful resource, we’ve gone even further and created a map that you can reference at any time!

View SEO Conferences of 2010 in a larger map

Remember, if we’ve left out any great events please let us know in the comments below. We will be updating this post as more information becomes available, but this should definitely get you started when it comes to planning your trips in 2010. Enjoy!