Keynoting a Search Engine Marketing Conference for My Honeymoon

I mentioned offhandedly in a blog post earlier, but I recently got married and am going to have a big wedding on October 5th in Manila. A few days later there is an SEM conference right next door. Marc Hil Macalua, the founder of SEO Philippines, recently announced the 2007 SEM Conference on his blog, which he is giving away free passes to attend here.

The conference is in Makati City on October 9th and 10th, and I promised Marc that I would keynote. While I love Q and A sessions, this will be my first time as a keynote speaker. Luckily Brett Tabke recently posted these great presentation tips and I got to see Frank Schilling's Domain Roundtable keynote. Both of which should both help me do better. My wife will be giving a 40 minute speech on keyword research too, so on top of sharing the nervousness of a big wedding we also get to enjoy public speaking together. We'll start our real honeymoon after the conference. ;)

Published: September 6, 2007 by Aaron Wall in conferences

Comments

userofmine
September 6, 2007 - 9:07am

Hi Aaron, first time I see you mentioning you're getting married, I wish you good luck and have fun in Manila (btw it's a HOT place, temperature wise).

September 6, 2007 - 9:44am

I am wondering if I should be scared of the heat or not. There is a pretty good chance I might move there in a few months.

pyle_mountain
September 6, 2007 - 1:14pm

Congratulations Aaron:

I knew you had a serious girlfriend but no idea it was thay serious. :) You might want to check out my Mariage and Love blog now. :) Seriously though, congratulations on everything. Wish I could attend the conference but maybe in a few years. Maybe you'll be having your own conferences?

Ed

September 6, 2007 - 7:19pm

Hi Ed
I don't see me wanting to host conferences anytime soon. I have seen how hard Danny Sullivan works at those things and that is a bit beyond my desires.

If anything I would like to kinda disappear a bit and transfer my revenue streams to less competitive and lower profile markets.

SexySEO
September 6, 2007 - 5:06pm

Congratulations on your wedding! Have a wonderful time on your honeymoon.

enginefish
September 6, 2007 - 5:19pm

Congratulations! I guess your wife is Filipina?

I'm from the Phil myself (now in the Bay Area). You're gonna have a blast there, esp. since its super CHEAP to live there.

Good luck.

September 6, 2007 - 7:17pm

Hi Enginefish
I like some sweet CHEAP living myself. And I could use a bit less web and a bit more nature.

enginefish
September 7, 2007 - 5:19pm

Not too sure you'll get much nature in Manila. Try Cebu instead - you can get lunch on the beach and drinks up in the mountain.

Don't forget to try the Cebu version of the lechon (roasted pig)!

hotwheel
September 6, 2007 - 5:35pm

I got married at the end of May and had committed to speaking at eTail UK in early June (before we had set a wedding date). Instead of backing out of the speaking gig, I convinced the new wife to come with me and extend our honeymoon. It wasn't too hard - what woman would turn down a trip to London and then Paris?

Congrats Aaron.

September 6, 2007 - 7:16pm

Hi Hotwheel
Yeah...my wife wants to go to Paris too.

Burgo
September 6, 2007 - 10:21pm

Man... so many SEOs headed to the Philippines... must be the whole "earning in dollars, paying in pesos" thing :P I've already said congrats on the marriage, now congrats on the key note!

Sophie Wegat
September 6, 2007 - 11:49pm

I've already said congrats but gotta add - you guys are such a dynamic duo. Wedding and keynote speaking. Nice.

cre8pc
September 7, 2007 - 12:54am

I'm happy you're happy :) Congratulations to both of you and best wishes (and courage) on your keynote.

aczafra
September 7, 2007 - 1:18am

So that explains how Marc got you to keynote speak at SEMCON.
Lemme guess, you're going to Boracay for your honeymoon? I suggest you visit Bohol as well.

Congrats on the wedding and good luck on the SEMCON, hope to see you there (that is if Marc will give me a free pass :)

September 7, 2007 - 5:16am

Thanks Sophie, Kim, and Aczafra. :)

togitron
September 7, 2007 - 8:53am

Congratulations!

Looking forward to having you as our keynote speaker for the SEMCON 2007!

Ciaran
September 7, 2007 - 9:50am

Congrats! It's lucky you both work in the same area, as I guess that a lot of people wouldn't be so happy about mixing the wedding & the work.

All the best for you both in the future.

OldSchoolSEO
September 7, 2007 - 2:39pm

Aaron,, congrats on your wedding. I just got married myself last year. It wasn't in the Philippines, but it was in Arizona, which may have been hotter :)

I have to say, I am not sure what my wife would have said if I told I was keynoting an event on our honeymoon. She struggles enough with my work addition.

Best to you and your new bride.

Anthony

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