Well, 2008 has already started with a bang (but, living in the past as I am, I’m still catching up with 2007…) with lots of conferences shooting ahead out of the starting blocks.  I’m speaking at three so far (maybe four) and attending many more so for all you London-based marketing folk, here is what’s up and on.

Technology For Marketing & Advertising 2008 – Feb 12 Earls Court Conference Centre London.  It’s free to attend and tends to be all about the stands with free sessions of limited value to those who know what they’re on about.  For those new to the industry, these sessions are great bite-sized free talks at a free industry event.

SES London – Feb 19 Business Design Center.  Be there or miss out completely on one of the best times.  Felt left out of all the fun at PubCon?  Why not get involved in SES London and create some networking magic!  SEO Chick Lisa D will be speaking there so you know you *have* to go.

Web 2.0 and Beyond: Applying Social and Collaborative Tools to Business Problems - 5-6 March 2008.  This conference has a great atmosphere with networking not just encouraged - it is enforced!  Practical advice, with the ability to implement immediately means anyone going to this will find something about it for back at the office.

Future of Web Design - London 17-18 April  Kensington Town Hall.  This is a fantastic conference really aimed at folk who already know what they are doing and want to push it further as well as seeing what’s coming up.  I highly recommend this event.

Social media for Business – Apr 24 Hotel Hesperia London Victoria.  I’m speaking at this event on “The Dark Side of Social Media” or how not to bugg3r it all up by learning from the mistakes of the past.  This was a fun conference last time so I highly recommend it.  But I would – I’m speaking at it!

Internet World - Apr 29 Earl’s Court.  This is another large, free event that is apparently bigger and better than last year.  Again more of a trade show event, it also has free seminars (like my online reputation management one) but is mainly aimed at those looking to source suppliers.  I’m speaking at this event too!

Search Engine Marketing Advanced Conference – June 12 Hotel Hesperia London Victoria.  I’m speaking at this on something (don’t know yet) so it should be a great time.  And lunch is always nummy and we all know a conference is rated by its lunch.

Online Marketing Show – Jun 24 Business Design Centre, Islington.  More of a trade show event, this is free to get in and has some great workshops though the main draw is the number of suppliers under one roof.  There is a fantastic Thai restaurant across the street – dinner anyone?  I’m probably speaking at this event too!

That’s the first half of the year so far.  I know that we have SMX London sometime between June and November and also ad:tech Sept 24-25 Future of Web Apps, London 1-3 October at ExCeL, Future of Mobile in London November 2008 (exact dates TBC), Virtual Worlds Congress and Expo in November 2008, Online Information is Dec 2-4 at Kensington Olympia plus more Social Media and Search Marketing conferences.