Portland, OR. SEMpdx held its annual Rooftop Party in Portland’s Pearl District at the On Deck Sports Bar & Grill. It’s the eleventh year for the networking event. The SEMpdx Board of Directors took time for a photo. Leaders include: Ryan Campbell, Scott Hendison, Kevin Getch, Anna Madill (back row) Tony Svoboda, Trish Carey, Garrett Browne, Robert Frost, Todd Mintz, Sarah Hinds, and Ashley Kennedy. Every year, the nonprofit Search Engine Marketing Organization selects a charity to support and this year, it’s Girls Inc., an organization encouraging girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” The benefits of becoming a SEMpdx Charity of Choice include: recognition at events, pro-bono digital marketing services, and up to a $5,000 donation.
During the Rooftop Party on August 1st, members try their hand at the giant Connect 4 game.
One of the founders of SEMpdx, Kent Lewis, talks with members. Lewis is also the President of Anvil Media.
SEMpdx was founded in 2006, because we felt that there was a lot of veteran talent here in PDX, but we weren’t really recognized for it because we were all so busy working that we weren’t self-promoting. We also knew that the business community in Portland was coming around to SEM, but didn’t really know about the level of talent here in PDX. This led to our rather simple mission “put search on the map in Portland, and Portland on the map in search”. In other words – to get PDX recognized in the national SEM community, and raise awareness for search marketing in PDX. We got the group together when Scott Orth & Blu Drobushevich approached me (Kent Lewis) after SMX Seattle in 2006 and suggested we create our own industry association in Portland. Initially, I (Ben Lloyd) was hesitant, and wasn’t sure we had critical mass in the area. That said, after a brief debate, we agreed to run it by folks we knew and trusted in the industry. A month or two later, we scheduled a meeting with a dozen or so local SEM professionals. Everyone at that meeting was on board (literally, everyone become an initial board member). I sold the initial sponsorship (Site9) that gave us the funding and moved SearchFest from IPN (Stan Davis & I created the initial events in 2005) to SEMpdx and we were on our way. Ben Lloyd helped us incorporate through his father’s firm and we started formalizing articles, bylaws, processes, mission, vision, and so on. Scott Hendison worked on the blog and website, Tracy Chapman started organizing, and Todd Mintz started blogging. The rest is history! There was a great deal of hard work & details by the board, which was critical and appreciated. The group then started putting on monthly educational events.
Portland, OR. The eight annual SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party drew over 500 people who enjoyed views of Mt. Hood and the downtown cityscape from the roof of the Hotel deLuxe. Board members from SEMpdx showed their colors at the photo booth during the non-profit trade group’s annual party. The event on August 9th was presented by Moz and raised money for a charity called Reading Results. It’s an organization which works in low-income schools in the Portland-area to identify 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders who are already falling behind in reading and intervenes with paid tutors during this most vital window of literacy development.
Over 500 marketers stormed the rooftop of Hotel deLuxe to party for charity, and enjoy views of downtown Portland.
Keith Daly, Development Director at Reading Results, poses with SEMpdx Charity of Choice Director, Darin Fenn and SEMpdx Editor, Todd Mintz.
SEMpdx President, Kevin Getch, SEMpdx Past President, Alan George, and SEMpdx Events Chair, Robert Frost draw prizes for attendees, including tickets to Engage Conference.
Volunteers from Moz hand out ice cream to professionals on the roof of Hotel deLuxe.
Employees from long time Rooftop Networking Party sponsor, Logical Position, pose in their booth.
SEMpdx continues to build on the foundation of supporting local digital industry professionals and area businesses through educational and networking events. Ten percent of the proceeds will benefit Reading Results.
The SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party is co-hosted by the Computer-Human Interaction Forum of Oregon (CHIFOO), Oregon-Columbia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and pdxMindShare.
Event sponsors include: presenting sponsor Moz, The Growler Guys, Webfor, Ethology, Tricor Brand Communications, and American Marketing Association PDX Chapter (AMA PDX).
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, Oregon and Southwest Washington. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for the area as a hub for the industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its professionals. Committed to giving back to the local community, SEMpdx supports a charity of choice for a twelve-month period.
Portland, August 11th, 2015. SEMpdx‘s seventh annual Rooftop Networking Party drew over 550 professionals. Members of the local nonprofit search engine marketing group kicked up their heels, including Founder and former CEO of Moz, Rand Fishkin, SEMpdx advisory board member, Anne Kennedy, and Geraldine DeRuiter.
Members gathered on the rooftop of the Embassy Suites downtown to enjoy the city view, music, food and giveaways (including a chance to win free tickets to SearchFest 2016).
Ten percent of the proceeds from the sellout event will benefit SEMpdx’s new charity of choice, the Brody Borlaug Foundation, which aims to help establish a world-class Pediatric Immunology Program at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Moreover, SEMpdx will provide in-kind digital marketing expertise, such as advice on social media campaigns and SEO strategy, along with ten percent of its proceeds made throughout the year, to the Brody Borlaug Foundation.
Jeff and Tracy Borlaug, founders of the Brody Borlaug Foundation, pose with Alan George, SEMpdx President, and Cassidy Quinn, entertainment reporter at KGW.
SEMpdx President, Alan George, and Events Chair, Robert Frost, announce the winner of one of the many drawings guests were able to enter at the Rooftop Networking Party including a chance to win free tickets to SearchFest 2016. (photo credit, Nina Johnson)
John Alden, Lindsey Stier, Hannah Vincent and Eric Scriven from sponsor Logical Position hang out during the SEMpdx rooftop party.
John McPhee and Kevin Bekker from event sponsor, Oregonian Media Group, enjoyed some great brews provided by the Growler Guys during the SEMpdx Rooftop Party.
The event was sponsored by Moz, The Oregonian, the Growler Guys and Logical Position.
From SEMpdx:
SEMpdx was founded in 2006, because we felt that there was a lot of veteran talent here in PDX, but we weren’t really recognized for it because we were all so busy working that we weren’t self-promoting.
We also knew that the business community in Portland was coming around to SEM, but didn’t really know about the level of talent here in PDX. This led to our rather simple mission “put search on the map in Portland, and Portland on the map in search”. In other words – to get PDX recognized in the national SEM community, and raise awareness for search marketing in PDX.
We’re glad you’re here and we welcome you to become a member. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a member, check out our benefits and sign up information for Portland Oregon’s premier Search Engine Marketing Organization.”
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.
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.
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