by Elisa Klein | Oct 26, 2013 | Events, Features, Fundraisers
Portland, October 11th, 2013. For the first time, SEMpdx embarked on a benefit in which all the proceeds would go directly to charity. Rand Fishkin, (CEO and Founder of Moz), was the featured speaker at the SEMpdx benefit that raised $5,000 from ticket sales and contributions. SEMpdx then matched this amount, creating a total donation of $10,000 — representing the largest single contribution the nonprofit has ever made. The Portland, Ore.-based nonprofit digital marketing group chose the Cottam Library Fund which benefits the Myrtle Point Public Library Foundation. The fund was created by SEMpdx Board Member, Michael Cottam, in response to the killing of his parents this past June in Myrtle Point, Ore.
Michael Cottam, SEMpdx Board Member and creator of The Cottam Library Fund, is looking to spark a light in a time of darkness by creating a “Phoenix from ashes” in rebuilding the Myrtle Point Library — a dream his parents held dear to their hearts.
“On June 16 I had to tell my six year old son, who had already lost his mother to cancer, that his grandmother and grandfather had been killed,” said Cottam. “I had to find a way to make a positive memorial for my parents to show my son that for every evil action in the world, there are thousands of people who are wonderful — who will step up and help in horrible situations. This is what SEMpdx and the local internet marketing community has done for us.”
The Cottam Library Fund was spearheaded by Cottam, who lost his parents (Renae and Lola Cottam) when they were tragically killed this June in Myrtle Point, Ore. This atrocity was followed by their house being burned to the ground. Looking to spark a light in a time of darkness, Cottam is creating a “Phoenix from the ashes” in rebuilding the Myrtle Point Library — a dream his parents held dear to their hearts.
Digital marketing professionals gathered to glean insight from Fishkin about tactics and strategies for succeeding in the ever-changing digital marketing world. Fishkin’s company creates marketing and analytics software. It recently opened a Portland-based office called Mozlandia this past spring.
“When the opportunity presented itself to speak at SEMpdx’s event to support Michael, there was no question about making the trip down from Seattle,” said Fishkin. “When one member of the digital community experiences hardship, we come together and support each other in any way that we can.”
Built in 1954, the Flora M. Laird Memorial Library in Myrtle Point is in drastic need of a makeover and expansion. The Cottams were passionate about the library and spent much of their time there, often with their grandson (mentioned above) whose first word was “book.” The accessibility to learning and information was fundamentally important to them. The Cottam Library Fund is a perfect match to provide healing for the family and to help the local community of Myrtle Point, Ore.
Digital marketing professionals gathered to glean insight from Rand Fishkin (CEO and Founder of Moz), who made the trip down from Seattle without hesitation to support Cottam — speaking to the importance of the digital community sticking together.
About SEMpdx
SEMpdx (Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland) is a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM) industries in Portland. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and area businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for Portland as a hub for the industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its professionals.
SEMpdx is committed to giving back to the local community by supporting charitable organizations. Each year, SEMpdx selects a charity of choice to support for a 12 month period. This year’s charity is the Cat Adoption Team. Visit www.sempdx.org for more information.
About SearchFest
SearchFest, hosted by SEMpdx, is Portland’s premier digital marketing conference. The eighth annual event will take place on Friday, February 28, 2014 at the Governor Hotel.
by Elisa Klein | Aug 23, 2013 | Events, Features, Uncategorized
Portland, August 13th, 2013. Blue skies greeted the 500 search engine marketers who gathered on the rooftop of the Embassy Suites for the SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party. In its fifth year for the event and sold out once again.
SEMpdx’s President Mike Rosenberg provides KGW reporter Joe Smith with his insight of where digital marketing is heading and the skills needed for today’s young ambitious marketers. Rosenberg delves into SEMpdx’s role in the community — to increase the education of the workforce for search engine marketing (SEM) and digital marketing.
While a live DJ spun tunes, attendees socialized with the city and mountain views as a backdrop and picked up new skills. Each year, SEMpdx selects a Charity of Choice to support for a 12 month period, this year it’s the Cat Adoption Team. (CAT) is the Pacific Northwest’s largest nonprofit, limited admission/adoption guarantee cat shelter (they are able to take in cats as they find homes for the cats in the shelter).
- Recognition at events and in collateral materials
- Opportunity to display collateral materials at monthly events
- A complimentary booth at SearchFest
- Pro-bono SEM consulting services from SEMpdx board members and volunteers
- 10% of year-end profit
SEMpdx’s Charity of Choice Board Member, Michael Cottam provides KGW reporter Joe Smith with his expertise on the skill set of marketers and the transition of where search engine marketing (SEM) is headed and the need to be digital.
Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland (SEMpdx) was created to provide a resource for both local SEM professionals and area businesses.
With digital marketing becoming more relevant for today’s marketplace, the SEMpdx mission is to nurture the development of the search engine and social media marketing industry in the northwest, while also providing resources for local businesses, such as monthly educational events.
The event was co-hosted by the Computer-Human Interaction Forum of Oregon, Oregon-Columbia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, Oregon Entrepreneur Network, Public Relations Society of America, Social Media Club of Portland and the Technology Association of Oregon.
Event sponsors include Migration Brewing, PSU’s Center for Executive and Professional Education, MOZ PRO, SyCara, SEMrush, Exults, Mac’s List and American Marketing Association PDX Chapter.
by Elisa Klein | Aug 24, 2012 | Events, Features |
Portland, August 14th. Guests at the 4th annual SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party, donated over 200 coats for children in need. The back-to-school coat-drive, at the Hotel deLuxe, helped out SEMpdx’s 2012 Charity of Choice: the Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division. (Photo Credit, Kenneth Benjamin Reed)
“SEMpdx was so excited to sell out this event, because it is truly a testament to the digital marketing industry,” said Mike Rosenberg, President of SEMpdx. “Digital marketing is increasingly becoming more relevant to all marketing disciplines, which was really illuminated at the party by having such a diverse crowd.”
SEMpdx Board President Mike Rosenberg is interviewed by KGW’s Joe
Smith during Live@7 segment from the event.
Over 249 pounds of coats were collected. SEMpdx will also be donate ten-percent of the proceeds from the rooftop party to the Sunshine Division. Moreover, SEMpdx will offer ten percent of all its 2012 revenue to the charity, along with providing in-kind digital marketing expertise, such as advice on social media campaigns and solid SEO strategy, to all Charity of Choice recipients.
Some of the 200-plus coats SEMpdx collected for children in need.
“Working with SEMpdx has been truly inspiring and the support of the local professional community is invaluable to us,” said Kyle Camberg, Executive Director of the Sunshine Division. “We are ecstatic about the coats we received last week. They will go to children who can’t afford a jacket during the winter and rely on their schools for two meals a day.”
Executive Director of Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division, Kyle
Camberg, and SEMpdx Board Members, Mike Rosenberg and Alan George
SEMpdx Advisory Board Member, David Mihm, and Social Media Director
for Charlie Hales for Portland Mayor, Mary Breslin Nichols, talk shop
at the sellout SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party.
The SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party was co-hosted by the American Marketing Association (AMA), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), AIGA Portland, Computer-Human Interaction Forum of Oregon (CHIFOO), Northwest Interactive Advertising Group (NWIAG), Oregon Entrepreneur Network (OEN), Social Media Club of Portland, the Oregon-Columbia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (OCIABC), and the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO). Event sponsors included ethology, PSU’s Professional Development Center, SEOmoz, SyCara, Bonfire Marketing, American Marketing Association (AMA), Mac’s List and the Portland Digital Marketing Conference.
SEMpdx, the Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland, is a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM) industries in the greater northwest. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and area businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for Portland as a hub for the SEM/SMM industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its professionals. SEMpdx is committed to giving back to the local community by supporting charitable organizations. Each year, SEMpdx selects a charity of choice to support for a 12 month period. Visit www.sempdx.org for more information.
by Elisa Klein | Aug 15, 2014 | Events, Features
Portland, Aug 12th, 2014. A sprinkle of rain did not dampen spirits on the rooftop of the Embassy Suites Hotel. Board members at the event included: Michael Cottam, Ben Lloyd, Mike Rosenberg, Scott Hendison, Jessica Ward, Alan George, Mike Arnesen, and Tony Svoboda. Over 550 people raised their glasses at the
SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party. This sixth annual event drew local marketing executives and also raised money for the nonprofit,
Harper’s Playground.
For children challenged with physical and developmental disabilities there is a strong desire to belong. Harper’s Playground is a local nonprofit building user friendly playgrounds for all children.
Ten percent of all funds raised by SEMpdx this year will be donated to Harper’s Playground.
The networking event was also sponsored by Yelp, Oregonian Media Group, PSU’s Center for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE), American Marketing Association PDX Chapter (AMA PDX), Webfor and Mac’s List.
SEMpdx offers ten percent of all its 2014 revenue to the charity, along with providing in-kind digital marketing expertise, such as advice on social media campaigns and solid SEO strategy, to all Charity of Choice recipients.
SEMpdx, the Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland, is a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM) industries in the greater northwest. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and area businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for Portland as a hub for the SEM/SMM industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its professionals. SEMpdx is committed to giving back to the local community by supporting charitable organizations. Each year, SEMpdx selects a charity of choice to support for a 12 month period. Visit www.sempdx.org for more information.
by Elisa Klein | Apr 20, 2014 | Events, Features, Uncategorized
Portland, February 28, 2014. Nearly 450 professionals attended the eighth annual SearchFest at the Governor Hotel. The record number of attendees raved about the speakers, content and venue, with the conference once again trending on Twitter throughout the day. During the event, SEMpdx presented a $1,600 donation to its 2014 Charity of Choice, the Cat Adoption Team (CAT). Based in Sherwood, Ore., CAT is the Pacific Northwest’s largest nonprofit, limited-admission and adoption-guarantee cat shelter—meaning it is able to take in new cats while finding homes for the remaining cats in the shelter. The conference theme for the year was New School and Old School marketing; including the opening and closing keynote presentations given by Joanna Lord and Jeremy “Shoemoney” Schoemaker, respectively.
SEMpdx members mingle and socialize with many of the 32 speakers the night before SearchFest.
SearchFest Opening Keynote Joanna Lord provides “New School” marketing strategies for the capacity crowd.
“Old School” Closing Keynote Jeremy “Shoemoney” Schoemaker preaches a return to the basics (with some new technology of course) to round out the day.
“SearchFest’s continued success points to why Portland is a hotbed for digital marketing. No wonder Google wants to bring super-fast internet to our city,” said Alan George, SearchFest Director and SEMpdx board member. “Other companies are taking notice too. We had record sponsorship revenues, up 60 percent from 2013. Headlining sponsors included Moz, KISSmetrics, Bing and Yext.”
SearchFest is currently the only search and social media conference organized by a nonprofit business organization (SEMpdx) in the Northwest — allowing tickets to be one-third of the cost of other conferences featuring the same caliber of speakers. Lower ticket prices paired with national experts has led to tremendous growth of the event.
Companies as varying as Nike, Xerox, Puppet Labs and Zupan’s Markets sent employees to SearchFest this year. While speakers from organizations such as Salesforce, Airbnb, Huffington Post/AOL, Bing/Microsoft and more presented.
SEMpdx, the Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland, is a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM) industries in the greater northwest. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and area businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for Portland as a hub for the SEM/SMM industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its
professionals. SEMpdx is committed to giving back to the local community by supporting charitable organizations.
Each year, SEMpdx selects a charity of choice to support for a 12 month period.
Visit www.sempdx.org for more information.
