SEO/Marketer’s in general should have no problem talking to you about their jobs/roles/what they do, I’m sure if you just jump right in, you will be welcomed fine.

I don’t know how it works in Britland, but down under when we do these, ive always had a good time with people that don’t exactly know much about SEO/etc. As long as you have the time to jump in, any question you have, someone will have the answer to.

Re. it being hard to talk to people – most of the crowd would be SEOs but I think you just have to jump in and introduce yourself. At least if you approach a speaker you can ask them a specific question about their talk to get a convo going. I know I’d have liked to meet you – it’s a really supportive/friendly crowd on the whole. Maybe people should have their job title on their name tag though so we can avoid salesfolk?

One thing some of the speakers (including me) were guilty of was getting dinner before going to the drinks, so any attendees who went straight there would have been disappointed if they wanted to talk to us. Like Dom said though, at least we had a venue and I don’t think you can herd 100 people in the same direction at the end of a long day! Maybe some chatting/networking time could be scheduled in to the conference next time.

Anyhoo, thanks again for the feedback – hope to see you at the next networky thing in Leeds

Actually, SQLBits had quite a party afterwards, with the usual Wii / Xbox stuff, including free wine/beer. It was free also!

As for only having an hour or drinks afterwards – I guess that’s a difference between conferences and barcamps. As I mentioned this was my first conference, so thanks for letting me know that’s usually what happens. I have to say, I believe that the gathering after an event is the most valuable part for everyone and am a little surprised they’re not usually organised. A conference brings a lot of like minded people together – being able to network with people with similar interests is a big selling point.

Also, a lot of conferences I have been to have provided only around an hour of drinks at the venue at the end.. and then everyone was left to do whatever they wished. I liked that an actual place was specified, so everyone could end up at the same place.