Local Digital Marketing Conference Sells Out, Growing By 14 Percent

Feb. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- On Friday, February 22, 2013 approximately 440 professionals attended the seventh annual SearchFest at the Governor Hotel. With the digital marketing conference steadily breaking attendance records every year, event organizers (SEMpdx (http://www.sempdx.org/)) thoughtfully planned ahead to meet the needs of its growing audience. A new bonus track expanded the event, while an adjusted seating chart allowed for 40 additional guests and a new after-party offered more socializing and networking opportunities.

“SearchFest’s continuous growth shows us that Portland is a hotbed among decision makers within an industry that is increasingly in demand,” said Alan George, SearchFest Director and SEMpdx board member. “We were ‘trending’ on Twitter before the opening keynote and throughout the day.”

SearchFest is currently the only search and social media conference organized by a nonprofit business organization (SEMpdx) in the Northwest — allowing tickets to be one-third of the cost of other conferences featuring the same caliber of speakers. Lower ticket prices paired with national experts has led to tremendous growth of the event.

Local companies as varying as Advantis Credit Union and Adventist Health to Xerox Corporation, InFocus and Zupan's Markets sent employees to SearchFest this year.

During SearchFest, Cat Adoption Team (CAT) was announced as the 2013 Charity of Choice for SEMpdx. This means that ten percent of the proceeds from SearchFest will benefit the Sherwood, Ore.-based organization which is the Pacific Northwest’s largest nonprofit, limited admission/adoption guarantee cat shelter (they are able to take in cats as they find homes for the cats in the shelter).

SEMpdx and CAT also encouraged SearchFest attendees to use “Social Media for Good” to help six specific cats get adopted with SEMpdx picking up the adoption fees.

SEMpdx, the Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland, is a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM) industries in the greater northwest. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and area businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for Portland as a hub for the SEM/SMM industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its professionals. SEMpdx is committed to giving back to the local community by supporting charitable organizations. Each year, SEMpdx selects a charity of choice to support for a 12 month period.

Visit www.sempdx.org for more information.