California weather’s not so bad :) I got in this morning, breezed through immigration and checked in at an undisclosed hotel in the Marina del Rey area. The view of the marina is spectacular. Reminds me a lot of Manila bay and Subic. Just hope I don’t freeze to death when I head over to Las Vegas and NJ.
I’ll admit, I’ve been a WMW forum lurker for the longest time. There are some things I don’t like about the forum, e.g. some of the discussions just move along too fast for me follow :P I really wanted to go to SES San Jose (that’s another story). But some of the discussions I’ve witnessed both inside and outside the WMW supporter’s area have been more than instrumental in shaping some of the SEM strategies I’ve implemented (and am implementing) for my clients and my own sites. So I’m convinced it’s only right that I try Brett’s version of a search conference. From past reviews, PubCon Las Vegas has been very very successful. Besides, have you seen the keynoters on board? Guy Kawasaki, John Battelle and Danny Sullivan in one conference?!
I haven’t done Greg Niland’s offline social networking tip for conferences (email everyone you want to meet before the event). Not that it would matter. I’m sure most of the rockstars I’ve come to exchange emails with would definitely be too busy to notice the one from marc@macalua.com out of hundreds of other ‘hope to meet you at Pubcon’ emails. Maybe I should just do the mass trackback technique like Michael Gray :)
If you’re interested in outsourced SEO or just want to talk about the Philippines, say hi and exchange business cards with me will ya? You know Filipinos are shy too a fault :P
Photo courtesy of the Sharmskee.
So what’s there to see in LA? Preferably FOB-friendly spots please :)
November 10th, 2006 at 12:18 PM
wow! natuloy ka pala! congrats! pasalubong :p
November 10th, 2006 at 12:31 PM
yeah but that trackback trick only works with the bloggers who do ego searches, see ya in vegas ;-)
November 10th, 2006 at 2:02 PM
LA is huge so just go wherever is near your hotel. Usual touristy spots of course like good old hollywood, universal studios and disneyland . hehe. Hope you learn lots from the pubcon that you can share with us here.
November 10th, 2006 at 6:08 PM
Graywolf: What blogger doesn’t do ego searches?
Marc: You go, kabayan. Represent!
November 11th, 2006 at 3:26 AM
You have to go to Venice beach. Once of my favorite LA spots.
November 13th, 2006 at 12:35 AM
Marc,
I think you’ll do just fine, after all you met a lot of people at SES China. People are always interested in someone from another country so just ask them if they are doing any business in PI or have ever thought about it. Hope the weather’s warm for you but it’s gotta be better than Nanjing.
Here’s some people you can start a conversation with by saying you know me and/or you spoke at SES China. All are very nice Cindy Turietta, Heather Lloyd Martin, Rand Fishkin (coming on the tour next year), Christine Churchill (ask her Colorado or China next year), Matt Cutts (his mom used to teach english in China) and of course Danny Sullivan (tell him you spoke at SES). I hope that helps you break the ice. Have a great time!
November 13th, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Ano ba yan! Ba’t puro naman muka mo! Di ka na nahiya! Parang setcard=P Haha, jk=)
Marami namang Pinoys in LA so daming FOB-friendly spots naman=) Sayang, nasa San Diego pamilya ko…libre ka ng shoti ko ng KFC dun=P
Don’t forget, pag nasa Vegas ka na, watch ka nung topless show=P
GOODLUCK!!!
November 14th, 2006 at 7:31 AM
yooon naman. the many faces of marc macalua. :P
glad to know you’re having fun there.. (coz we are here. haha joke lang). HAVE FUN! :P
November 23rd, 2006 at 11:05 PM
Yang, thanks! Iniwan ko sa Van Nuys pasalubong mo :P
Michael, twas an honor to meet you in Vegas!
Noemi, alas I wasn’t able to do the whole touristy itinerary. I’m sure I’ll have more chances next year :) I did pick up a few things in PubCon which I’ll share with the group soon.
Thanks Mike!
Obet, I wasn’t able to pass by Venice Beach but judging from some of the photos I pulled out from Google Images, I can see why it’s THE destination.
David, thanks for tips! I was able to meet quite a few people. Looking forward to China! If you have time, drop by Manila and Subic :)
Sorsi, I’m going to San Diego tomorrow!
Thanks Riz :)