Tuesday night, following the close of the inaugural SMX here in Seattle, SEOmoz threw a party for our Premium Members, Friends and Colleagues. Our Members got to bowl, play pool, mingle and kick back a few drinks with some of the biggest names in Search including Tim Mayer, Matt Cutts, Greg Boser, Bruce Clay, Todd Malicoat, Jim Boykin, Vanessa Fox, Jen Slegg, Michael McDonald, Lisa Barone, Todd Friesen, and many more, including the one-and-only Danny Sullivan.
A great time was had by all and I've thrown together this little video photo-montage to document the occasion for those who couldn't make it and those that had a few too many while there.
Don't worry, Rebecca will still be doing her famous conference comics, but not until she gets back from SES Toronto.
Thank you to all of those who helped make our party and SMX such fantastic events. It was incredible to see everyone, especially on our home turf, here in the Emerald City.
Special thanks to Becky Ryan and Ciaran Norris, from whom I pilfered many of the pictures.
Cheers!
Featured music: "The Girls Say" by Groove Armada
So you take all my photos and I'm not even worth a link?!
You know what - I think the bowling and the (slightly hazy) good memories make up for it!
Thanks for a great time guys - it was, as they say, emotional.
;)
Oops, my bad, I intended to link to both you and Becky. All better.
Thanks Scott - you're a star.
Great quote! One of my favorite movies. :)
I did rescue your lost package from the Garage, though.... well, actually my husband (Rand's Dad) rescued it. When you're in need, it's a family affair to help you out.
I'll post it to the contact in Georgia who will make the drop in London....
Sounds like an illicit deal, doesn't it? Shall we keep them guessing?
Thank you SO much! I was just about to email the band (does that give it away?!), but now I don't have to - I really appreciate it.
This is one of those times when 1 thumbs up isn't enough...
That's so sweet Gillian.
And thank god, Ciaran would have been moaning for months about loosing that *cough* LP ;-)
Play nice - the video of Rand isn't the only one we've got eh?!
lol I thought my Viking threats would be enough..mowhahaha..
I'm surprised that Rand wasn't all partied out after his dance-off at the Google party :oD
Rob you are such a link hore =)
Oh yeah I did the same above with the photo of Rand in a seo-chick t-shirt. Feel sorry for Rand now, are we being mean?
You suck... stupid Google dance caught on stupid video to stupid embarass stupid me. :)
lol awe bless, see what you've done evilgreendonkey, erm I mean monkey!
Don't worry Rand, it's a video out there of me FAR worse than yours. I'm getting FBI involved in confiscating it =)
Believe her Rand - it's way worse! And there's one of me in a dance-off at a recent wedding (don't ask) which beats both of them combined - ends with me attempting the splits which is not a pretty sight...
I must have the link. You can send it to me if you don't want to link to it here. But I must see it.
Not sure whether Jay has put it up yet (the one of Lisa) - I'll try to find out. The one of me is still thankfully confined to a friend's camera phone...
Yeah, you really shouldn't trust me with footage like that, either.
See now you have my attention.....
At least you put in the effort, I'm one of those losers who stands at the bar and maybe nods their head a little to pretend that their grooving to the music.
Lisa's dance video will be up shortly, don't worry.
don't you DARE donkey. I will get you back you know....
I agree. I wouldn't dare hit the dance floor. At least you guys were having a good time!
About Lisa's video: Looking forward to it! Any other SMXers that you have video of?
I stay away from video cameras.
I'm with you on that one. I stay away from all cameras.
I can control what happens with regular cameras a lot better than I can control video cameras. Scott, I'm glad you left the camcorder at home for the SEOmoz party :P
Me and you can avoid the dance floor together buddy....the bar needs someone to keep it warm.
Next time I'm in Vegas I'm gonna look you up!
Rob, Rob, Rob...I seem to vividly remember you performing a rousing karaoke rendition of "Wannabe" by The Spice Girls at Valentine's Day dinner at SES London.
Don't pretend you can't bring in da' noise and bring in da' funk.
LOL, I hoped that everyone forgot about that! There's actually video footage of it, nothing that a few threatening letters couldn't stop though ;o)
Thanks for the great party guys, I didn't know that there was a free bar which is probably why it lasted so long ;)
Was it me or were the drinks non-alchoholic? I didn't actually feel too drunk, despite my best efforts.
It was great to meet Jane and Oatmeal for the first time, hopefully I'll see you again sometime at the other conferences.
The bowling was superb as well, I think I really impressed my peers by throwing the ball straight into the gutter on my first attempt! Smooth :)
Compare:
and contrast:
Hmmmmmm....
Good point Ciaran =) Evilgreenmonkey sober...hmmm...I don't think so. I believe his words when wanting to go back to the hotel at 1 in the morning was "ssgidhgdosidgd hotel sdkdghkd ciaran skajjgkj soon?" Which means "should we get Ciaran and take a taxi back to the hotel?"
Random thoughts,
Regards,
Envious Aussie
Hooley had been threatening to do that for weeks; I didn't realise he was serious until he made an emergency run to the hardware store. I really would have driven him to Home Depot if I'd known...
Awesome job, Scott! That's too awesome! Now Chris has seen all the pictures without having to sit through half an hour of me saying, "this is Rebecca and me at the bar. This is Rebecca, Scott and me at the conference. This is Rebecca, Matt and me back at the bar..."
etc etc.
What a depressing video to watch on a Friday night!
All week I've read about how great the food was, and then got first hand accounts today about the food and the sessions.
I of course watched the vids.
All of which made me feel sad and left out that I wasn't there.
But then I come and watch this montage.... and I'm sure this is so very wrong on soooo many levels, but this is certainly in the top 5 of mozVideos that I actually watched more than once, and even sadder, the first that I actually recall pausing and replaying in multiple places!
MacDonald... quite the bowling face....
Malicoat... I don't even want to know what that pose was about!
Rand... based on those rosey, chipmunk cheeks... were you drinking that bong or trying to blow the beer back up?! Or was that a demonstration of forced search results?
And based on those photos, I have to wonder when you guys cut Danny off... he looked to be drifting off to oblivion land!
But sorry guys, the ladies have you beat... there couldn't have been a cuter assembly for at least 1,000 miles or 1,000 SE results, whichever was further--- wow, is there a support groupy for single, geeky web designer, SEO geeks?! Sign me up ;)
Congrats to Danny and all who participated, both in SMX and the SEOmoz party as both appear to have been huge successes!!!
Oh no, the men were just as cute!
The party was awesome. When SEOmoz does a party - they do it in style! Great bowling, great folks, great humour, awesome camaraderie - all hosted and encouraged by the SEOmoz folks, and Rebecca was EVERYWHERE - if you didn't know - she's stunning; looks wise, personality wise, professional wise, and just danged nice.
Jeez, even I got a strike and I was an afterthought :) I can quite honestly say that the SEOmoz party kicked the engine parties RIGHT out of the ball park -easy ... Thanks SEOmoz... the sessions were amazing, I loved being part of the first SMX, but I have to say that being part of the first SMX SEOmoz party was as good with the networking, I got alot our of it. Vanessa has a new MG... it's flipping stunning - as is she...... No, no.. don't charge me... ahhh crap. done myself in, I Have :)
No, networking isn't for everyone, and I'd like to qualify that SMX Advanced hosted by Danny was - in simple English - AMAZING!!!
identity...but hey there is now a SEO-Chicks website, it's not as dodgy as it sounds though. Although looking at our web analytics stats we seem to have had a hit from Google SERPs from someone searching for "slutty chicks", HEY what exactly did they think SEO stood for?
Oh and if you think Rand looked rosey cheecked at the SEOmoz party, check out Rand at the Google Dance, very hot!
that is an awesome montage, love the music dude! The party was fantastic, thanks so much SEOmoz! Wish I had been in a better party mood though, but thanks to Rebecca I was legless the night before =) I even lost my jacket, and I didn't even notice it, and it was freezing outside. Which means a whole lot of booze.
Oh and thanks for showing me around your office, very cool...and I promise I won't say anything about the VERY dodgy velvet sofa in the corner...oops just did =)
It was awesome getting to know everyone better at the party! To Rand, and the whole SEOMoz crew you get a big "hat tip" for hosting such a great (party) end to an amazing 2 day event! Thanks so much for having me there and letting me rub sholders with some of the most amazing people in our industry, and get to know them better!
Glad everyone had a good time. Sorry I'm a little late to the comment party, I was busy moving all weekend. In the rain for part of it too. Boooo...
That's awesome, Scott. Rebecca has some competition, eh?! Sorry I missed it :(
Haha. No kidding, now everybody's gonna want montage videos as well as comics! Y'all are gettin' spoiled ;)
great music choice scott. It seems like you know how to party! But well.. we already knew that.
SEOmoz's party was easily the best of the week - I just don't know how I missed the beer bong. Thanks for the hospitality, my wife and I were blown away by our first trip to Seattle.
Thanks for hosting!
Looks like I missed out on a great party...wait, I was there for about an hour. :S (cute blonde in a black dress--yeah, I was there)
Next time I won't be so lame and barely talk to anyone. All anyone found out about me is I'm shy and from Kansas (kinda.)
Nothing wrong from being from Kansas! I lived in OP for about 4 years before moving to Vegas. Yeah, it's a slightly different culture. ;)
I used to work in a loft in the downtown Art District of KC. I really miss the history and good vibes that place had. And nothing beat the nightlife of Westport!
Downtown is definitely picking up. Westport is in a sleazy slump right now though-kind of sad.
You should have stayed longer! We're very friendly and the party got better and better as the night went on :)
Looks like a great time. Wish I could have been th.. waitaminute...
Goodness. Well, at least I have pictures.
Speaking of worse....
As Rebecca said, "Yup. That's my Boss."
The 'outdoor' conversations were priceless. What a great event. Thanks Mozzers!
Dude you were funny as hell. We should go take over the Hawaii scene again
I laughed so much when I saw this video, I nearly cried.
Luckily, there is only one of me in there. It could have been a lot worse.
I love how this video has by far the most comments of any of the SMX videos. Goes to show you that everyone would rather have fun than learn!
j, thy=t is a great input. and Youare right. I am going to write an article about it somehow, ot sure what yet, but it is an article seed in my head. Basically, there do seem to be more comments on lighter side stuff. hmmmm
Pat, are you drunk already? It's friggin' Monday, dude!
hhhhhow dwuh no i waz drunkk?
Yes, but somewhere in the world it's Tuesday....
wow! you can be drunk in the future!
now that's a novel idea.
all I can say to that is.....haha, that's awesome. :)
how is that rebecca appears to be everywhere at all times???
She has been cloned.... it is scary when you see four or five of her in a room at once!
Because she was (or appeared to be) playing 2 games of bowling & 1 of billiards at the same time!
Speaking of....where's the SMX Comics?
Rebecca is in Tornoto.... should be done some time next week....
Don't know why no-one from seomoz is not doing Miami....
Rand won't send us because Havana is even closer to Miami than Paris is to London.
Yes - but the British govt. don't punish people for visiting Paris (even though they might want to!)
;)
And I have a couple of friends down there with boats... smart man.... he could lose a few of you to the Communistas
And that would be almost as bad as them going black hat!
Almost
Because if he sent me down there, I'd go stay with my parents (who live in Palm Beach), re-discover Mum's cooking and not come back.
Rebecca's flights are delayed to Toronto and she's going to miss her connection, so I bet she's in a bad mood. The next person to mention "comics" or "SMX write-up" will probably get hurt.
So... where's the comic?
and/or the SMX write up ... that was like... a week ago or something.
Finaly smething worth the expense of a premium membership! And posibly the trip up for SMX.
Rand on the beer bong... priceless.
One small critique for the future is if names could be labeled onto the pics. I know the pacing is fast but thats what the pause button is for. For those of use who don't seem to know *everyone* that would be a big help and make the video more personal.
...Not that I want to take away from it at all - great work Scott!
Most of my photos which were used have been labelled in flickr
You said it! Gah, too bad I'm not a premium member anymore, I would have loved an invite. Next time though, for sure... (any non-premium members crash the party? I surely thought about it.)
Not really. For the most part it was Mozzers, Premium Members and industry pros we've known or worked with for a long time.
I'm going to have to take *all* the credit for convincing Rand he needs to try the beer bong :)
Rebecca is from that state up north though.
Shhh, don't tell anyone. :)
That was just a great night... I'd be curious how many drinks did we get altogether? 1000++?
That's how many YOU had...
Well, let's see... we paid for ~ $2500 in drinks at an average of $5 each, so that's... 500 drinks. But our tab ran out around 11:30pm and people were still downing 'em until 1:30pm (and we SEOs can drink a lot in 2 hours). I'm guessing maybe 700 drinks total? Between 120 attendees, approx. so that's nearly 7 drinks per person (and there were several folks who drank almost nothing).
This can hopefully be used by future search industry event planners to figure out the rough consumption of search marketers. Apologies to all who must do so :)
Seriously, thanks for coming everyone - we had a fantastic time with you and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Looks like you guys did :) Rand killin the big straw LOL
Now I am bummed I did not attend.... but I did get an invitation to the party next year from your mum... so I am committed.
You guys did it with the style we have all come to know the moz team has ....
Congrats to Danny and crew for what all reports indicate is a strong new conference. I am sure the rest will be just as impressive.
Glad I was there to help pick up the slack for all the non-drinkers.
Fantastic party guys!
...and a big thank you for that - as well as all your hospitality. That was a top notch party - perfect venue...the mozzer's rock (as if you didn't already know).
Oooooh looks fuuuun, you guys sure know how ta partay!
I liked me strangling JC, but I want to see the one of me shooting Mikkel, and him shooting me back. :)
I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the party! Looks like you all had fun
Looks like a bitchin' party! Rap music, bowling and beer bongs with Matt Cutts and the SEOmoz posse... how can you go wrong???
I like the behind the back pool shot Jane.... hustling the poor Americans were you?
That's not Jane, that's Anna, Chris Hooley's girlfriend.
Okay... should have looked closer at what she was wearing....
now I know how she put herself through nursing
If only I were that talented!
Who is that good looking guy in a sweater with a beard?
Great party, I heart all of you.
Pat, you HAVE to change your photo. I didn't recognize you, hence the weird start to our conversation (thanks to Susan for straightening me out!) And you are hearted right back :D
It's amazing how drunk you look in just about every photo from SMX I've looked at. Did you have some secret stash of beers you were keeping to yourself?
edit: I heart drinking with all my new friends - and Chris Hooley's beer bong! :D
Hell, I've love to have been there... wait, you're all in the US and you're drinking age is what 21!?
!@#$ that! I might have to host a conference in Mexico just so I can join in the fun! :D
Loving the clip, roll on the uncut version you hit in the vault!
Yeah, 21. I turned 18 and prompting moved here. Agh.
And it saved your liver a few years of abuse!!!
Ah, wish I could have attended. Maybe next year. This industry certainly does have a lot of colorful personalities.
Man, I wish I was there - looks like a blast! Definitely won't be missing the next one!
I'm there next year!