Filed under WebContent Conferences

After a successful Web Content 2008 in Chicago this summer, we are bringing Web Content to Florida for the first time ever. This is your chance to be a part of the exciting Web Content conference series! Here’s what you need to know:

• Theme: The Impact of Social Media on Web Marketing Strategy
• Date: February 17-18, 2009
• Location: Sheraton Sand Key Resort (Clearwater Beach)
• Submission Guidelines
• Submission Deadline: August 15th, 2008

Still not sure? Here’s more information about the Web Content conference series and testimonials from this year’s conference. Feel free to contact Michael Silverman (msilverman@duoconsulting.com) or Scott Abel (scottabel@mac.com) with any questions.

After two days packed with great speakers on topics ranging from website design to online marketing ROI, Web Content 2008 ended on a high note with a cocktail reception in Duo Consulting’s office. The conference brought together marketing and technology professionals from a wide variety of industries, all hoping to find out how to create, organize, maintain and deliver web content in today’s Web 2.0 environment.

In true Web 2.0 fashion, conference goers were busy tweeting (#wc08) while listening to the speakers; photos taken at the conference were uploaded to Flickr; I also had the privilege of blogging at CMSWire on various sessions, including Duo CEO’s own Marketing in a Connected World and Content Management Meets Facebook (more below).

The questions asked at the end of each session and the conversations I was a part of are evidence of how relevant many of the speakers were. While Web 2.0 technology and social media may be part and parcel of the everyday life of those highly involved in technology, others in industries like health care or higher education often struggle with what to do about the new media landscape that they’re facing. Conferences like Web Content 2008 allow not only an exchange of ideas, but also an exchange of perspectives.

As a graduate student, it was enlightening for me to see how companies in the real world are trying to figure out how to manage their web content and what to make of the Web 2.0 “hype.” My takeaway from the conference: Web 2.0 isn’t for everybody. Web 2.0 technology merely provides tools, but companies need to first figure out what their strategy and business goals are before even thinking about “implementing Web 2.0.” That said, content and content management will inevitably play an increasingly important role in any company’s strategy (Web 3.0!). Effective content management is what will separate the successes from the failures.

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Some Web Content 2008 sessions:

Keynote: Hypersyndication and the Future of Media
Keynote: The Many-Armed Starfish: Today and Tomorrow in Social Media
Cross-Media 1:1 Marketing: Providing Personalized Content to Drive Sales
Design is Content, Too
Adding Dynamite to Dynamic Web Content
Don’t Let Web 2.0 Ruin Your Online Marketing

I’m both happy and sad to report that our Web Content 2008 Conference has sold out: happy because so many of you decided to join us for this conference, and saw the value in the great roster of speakers. Sad for those who planned to come, but didn’t register in time. Because we have limited space for this conference (about 150 spots), we are forced to cut off registration with two weeks to go.

We designed our Web Content Conferences as an intimate event, with a focus on learning and discussion : with this in mind, limiting the number of people becomes a necessary evil. We regret this, but whether or not you are able to attend we want to know what you think. Your feedback helps us plan for the future. We will try to accommodate increasing demand with an additional event in Florida next February, and a larger Chicago venue by June 2009.

Depend on Web Content Conferences to learn about the latest ways to use your online marketing content. Our next two conferences will have a special focus on Social Media, so mark your calendars now, and if you haven’t already please sign up to receive our newsletter to stay informed.

Web Content 2009 – Clearwater
February 17-18, 2009 Sheraton Sand Key Resort

Web Content 2009 – Chicago
June 15-16, 2009 Gleacher Center