2010 Web Analytics Events & Conferences

I’ve seen a few inquiries recently about which events and conferences in the field of Web Analytics are worthy of attending. This tells me that the diligent among you are planning out budgets and travel requests for the year. Bravo to you! Since I’ve had the good fortune of attending a number of industry events, I’ll offer some insight to the conferences that I’m familiar with and open it up to the infinitely more knowledgeable collective (that’s you) to add your experiences. So here goes…

Web Analytics Conferences: After sorting through the list, there are decidedly few conferences dedicated to Web Analytics. I’ve listed ones I know about here and will go on to cite other events that offer analytics and optimization as tracks within their larger events.

eMetrics – This is undoubtedly the Gran-Daddy of all #measure events. It started with humble beginnings circa 2002. I wasn’t there, but ask Jim or Bryan over a cocktail sometime and they’ll likely give you an earful. eMetrics has burgeoned into a global phenomenon with venues in Munich, Toronto, San Jose, London, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Stockholm, Washington D.C. and purportedly Sydney in 2010! The most widely attended eMetrics are in San Jose (spring) and D.C. (fall). If you’ve never attended one, I highly recommend it as this is the venue where you’ll learn the fundamentals of Web Analytics. And, there’s likely to be one in a city near you.

X Change – This is affectionately known [by me] as the Web Analytics un-conference because it shatters the conventional listen only mode and forces participation by all attendees. It was a concept developed by Semphonic and is now sponsored by both Semphonic and Analytics Demystified. If you don’t appreciate the Socratic method of learning – stay home – because you will be called upon to share your experiences and opinions at X Change. This event features “huddles” led by experienced professionals on topics that they are passionate about. The small groups discuss issues, experiences and ideas around the topic and typically everyone walks away with something new. X Change is entering its 5th year of fall gatherings in California and promises to uphold its tradition of swanky venue and fine food in 2010. More on that to follow.

MeasureUp – Here’s an event that I admittedly don’t know too much about. They’ve managed to secure one of the greatest Web Analytics rock stars of all time – Avinash Kaushik – as their keynote for 2010 so that’s a big plus in my book. At first glance, the topics all seem to revolve around measuring marketing performance. The event is scheduled in Chicago in March of 2010. If you’ve got more details or have attended this event, please comment and let us all know.

IMC (Internet Marketing Conference) – Another event that I’ve not had the good fortune to attend, but one that does dedicate some time to Web Analytics and measurement topics. And of course they hold the claim of the “Original Internet Marketing Conference” dating back ten years. This conference boasts nine venues throughout the 2010 calendar with a focus on Canada. There’s not much info posted on their site now, but industry veterans Stephane Hamel and Christopher Berry have both attended so maybe they can comment on this event (hint, hint!).

Shop.org and Internet Retailer – I’ve grouped these two together since they are both retail-centric and not dedicated to analytics. However, they both typically offer sessions on measurement, analytics and optimization so are worthy of note. If you’re a retailer, at least one of these (if not both) are must attend events. But if you’re a Web Analyst debating which conferences to make a plea for, send your boss to one of these and select a more measure-focused event for yourself.

**UPDATE**

OMMA Metrics and Measurement Conference This MediaPost event will be held in NYC on February 24th. If you’re not familiar with MediaPost’s Metrics Insider columns…where’ve you been? Written by marketers about real marketing issues, these tasty articles are a must read for any aspiring metrics guru. The Metrics and Measurement conference is a gathering of these sharp marketers who discuss measurement across the entire online space – audience measurement through web analytics. Topics are a bit more broad than tactical – and more advertising focused. Regardless they’ve had a great showing from the WA community thus far in both attendees and presenters.

Vendor Sponsored Events: Nearly all of the major Web Analytics vendors offer user conferences for their clients and prospects. These events typically offer good foreshadowing for what’s to come from your vendor, while also providing substantial drill-down content on the mechanics of their existing capabilities. Oh yeah, they all usually offer great entertainment and networking as well.

Omniture Summit – All I can say about the Omniture Summit is GO if you get the chance. Not only do they offer amazing keynote speakers like Lance Armstrong and Seth Godin, but the entertainment is A++. Year’s past featured Flight of the Conchords and Maroon 5 as evening activities and of course a visit to the Silicon Slopes on Friday is a must. Oh, did I mention that the content is deep and informative as well? You’ll walk away from Summit entertained and educated. The marketing gurus at Omniture also developed a clever “Justify the Travel” letter available for download and submittal to your boss. Check it out.

Webtrends Engage – Without dipping quite as deep into their pockets as big green above, Webtrends throws a pretty darn good party too. If you’re a Webtrends client or considering them as a measurement solution, it’s definitely worth attending Engage2010. The content is informative and offers clear direction on where the company is headed and what they have to offer. The breakout sessions have something for everyone and this year’s event has a deep focus on social media measurement. They’ve also developed a community site for attendees to get the jump on the event by setting up meetings and asking questions of their peers prior to landing in New Orleans. But you’d better hurry because Engage 2010 begins on February 1st.

Coremetrics – Coremetrics skipped their 2009 user conference, but it’s rumored that they will make a resurgence in 2010. Rumors no more because this gig is on! Coremetrics’ attention to their customers on a day-to-day basis is remarkable and their user conference is no different. This event gives clients a chance to interact with the talented Coremetrics staff – potentially meet some new faces – and network with fellow clients. Scheduled for Austin in April, put this event on your calendar if you’re a Coremetrics client or simply want to know what’s the latest in bleeding edge continuous optimization.

Unica – Not one to be left out of the party, Unica also hosts an extremely valuable user conference. Fall of 2009 featured a Paris location and the spring of 2010 promises to be in sunny Florida in May. To be honest, I haven’t attended a Unica event, but here’s hoping that I get an invite to Disney this year! Word on the street has it that Unica’s events feature some of the brightest minds in online marketing that are sure to offer new insights. With a name like the Marketing Innovation Summit, how could they go wrong!?

Other notable conferences and events: So beyond those few named above and vendor sponsored gigs, the list gets pretty short. Of course, if you plan to go on tour with the conference circuit, there’s lots more to choose from that offer slices of analytics and optimization brilliance. Here’s a few other US and non-US events offered up by my partner Demystified Aurelie [Thanks Aurelie!]:

The Americas:
Predictive Analytics World – February 16, 2010
Search Engine Strategies
Conversion Conference West – May 3, 2010
AdTech

Belgium:
ThinkBig (IAB Congress) – February 9 2010
Marketing Foundation Congres

Germany:
Digital Innovator’s Summit 2010 – March 1, 2010

Netherlands:
Search Engine Marketing & Optimization Event (SES) – March 17, 2010
Web Analytics Congres – May 10, 2010.
Marcom10 – June 21, 2010

Spain / Portugal:
Web Analytics PractitionerMay 19, 2010
I-Com Global Summit – March 10, 2010

UK:
SES London – February 16, 2010
SocialMedia World Forum Europe – March 15, 2010
InternetWorld – April 27, 2010
AdTech London – September 21, 2010

Care to add to this list? Please let me know if I’ve forgotten anything and I’ll update.

Alternatively, I encourage you to comment on your favorite web analytics events and conferences. For me the value of these events is not just the content but more so the relationships I develop through networking. The people you meet and the inspirational conversations last well beyond the duration of the events.

Here’s hoping to see you at one of these events in 2010!
Cheers,
John