Going to SES Toronto 2010 to Keep Up-To-Date with Industry Trends and See New Products and Services

I grew up in Buffalo, New York, and Detroit, Michigan. So, I learned at an early age about the similarities and differences between these cities in the United States and their next-door neighbors in Ontario, Canada. That one of the reasons why I’m already planning to go to SES Toronto 2010.

In a challenging economy, it is even more important to keep up-to-date with industry trends, see new products and services, and maintain and build relationships – all areas in which events provide significant value and efficiency. During a recovery, attending leading conventions and trade shows keeps executives informed and competitive.

But, why is an American going to SES Toronto 2010?

Americans often forget about Canada, which is the largest country in North America by total area. But Canadians rarely forget about the United States. The relationship has been described as the quiet neighbor in the upstairs apartment pounding on the floor in hopes that the noisy party-goers in the downstairs apartment will be quiet.

But, there is a great advantage to looking at market trends from both sides of the longest common border in the world.

For example, go to the Hitwise United States Data Center and you’ll see that the top five websites ranked by Visits for the week ending 04/17/2010 are:

1. 1. Facebook (7.80 percent),

 

1. 1. Google (7.07 percent),

 

1. 1. Yahoo! Mail (3.82 percent),

 

1. 1. Yahoo! (3.71 percent),

 

1. 1. YouTube (2.21 percent).

 

Go to the Hitwise Canada Data Center and you’ll see that the top five websites ranked by Visits for the week ending 04/17/2010 are:

1. 1. Facebook (10.71 percent),

 

1. 1. Google Canada (8.56 percent),

 

1. 1. Windows Live Mail (5.24 percent),

 

1. 1. YouTube (3.39 percent),

 

1. 1. MSN Canada (2.55 percent.

 

“Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

Understanding these differences and learning to navigate your way through similar but different approaches to Search Engine Marketing (SEM), including search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, can help you grow your business and compete more effectively in the global marketplace.

Yes, yes, I know you now need a passport to get in and out of Canada from the United States. But it’s worth getting one if you don’t already have one.

Oh, and don’t just take my word for it. Check out what Cecilia Tamez of XE.com had to say about attending SES Toronto 2009.

Cecilia Tamez, XE.com on attending SES Toronto 2009

Or, listen to Estee Langis of the Yellow Pages Group discuss attending SES Toronto 2009.

Estee Langis, Yellow Pages Group, on attending SES Toronto

Or, check out Debbie Wheeler discuss attending SES Toronto 2009.

Debbie Wheeler on SES Toronto

Or, listen to Nick Eng discuss attending SES Toronto 2009.

Nick Eng on SES Toronto

Now, I should disclose that SES in a client of my agency. But, trust me on the importance of keeping up-to-date with industry trends and seeing new products and services on the other side of the border.