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39 Reasons to Attend Confluence in 2016

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1. Value

Where else can you attend a two-day digital marketing conference with expert speakers for only $275? Nowhere, my friends. Confluence is an amazing conference at a mind-blowing price, and its location is the icing on the cake

2. The Will Rogers Theatre

We’re growing out of our britches and this year sprung for a bigger venue! More space to eat, network, learn, and knit. Whatever you came to Confluence for … we won’t ask questions.

3. Western Avenue District

Up for some fine eateries? You can pick and choose on the Western Avenue. From Tucker’s Onion burgers to sushi at Musashi’s, you’ll be able to satisfy those cravings.

4. One track, zero decisions

Ever been to a conference and had to choose between two or more great speakers who were delivering their presentations at the same time? That stinks. Confluence has only one track, so you never miss out on the digital marketing expertise.

5. Healthy Good Eats

This year is all about raising the bar, which is why we are focusing on fresh, local eats that will satisfy without busting your belt. You also don’t want to fall asleep during the afternoon, these talks are going to be LIT!

6. Josh Weum brings Google Goodness

Josh Weum brings with him tons of industry insight and marketing tips with the blessings of the big crew over at Google. Aren’t you excited to hear what he has to say?

7. OKC Nightlife

What would you like to do while you’re in OKC? Hear live music? See a show? Take a carriage ride? Eat some great food? Shake your booty? It’s all available in Oklahoma City.

8. Daniel Russell Heats Up Social Media

This guy has been featured in publications like The Washington Post and Entrepreneur for his work in social media. With creds like this, you can bet he’ll have some tips you can use.

9. Kicking it at the Speakeasy

If you were lucky enough to attend the Confluence Happy Hour this August, you know how much fun we have. Good news, we’re all going back! Come network and show us your skills with Speaker Deck Karaoke Round II.

10. Joe Laratro

This guy is a titan in the Search Marketing industry, and boasts a strong technical skillset combined with a savvy business mindset.

11. Sarah Hoffman

A local rising star, Sarah has turned a small social media team into a marketing powerhouse. If you missed her recent Lift Session (which was a crowd favorite) you can catch the bigger and badder Confluence sesh!

12. Bricktown

Just a couple of decades ago no one went to Bricktown, but a major funding initiative and capital investment has revitalized this historic OKC district. Now, Bricktown hosts a minor league ballpark, a boardwalk, restaurants, bars, night clubs, gift shops, a movie theater, and so much more. On any given night you can grab a great bite to eat, hear music, have drinks, catch a ball game, or ride a water taxi down the river.

13. A Giant Gorilla Theme

Since King Kong is getting a remake for the umpteenth time, we decided to put our own spin on being the center of attention. Selfie sticks not provided.

14. Joseph Martinez

Up your PPC ante with the Wizard of Wisconsin. Need we say more?

15. The Paseo Arts District

The heart of Oklahoma City’s art community beats in Paseo, a district located just a few minutes from the conference. Paseo boasts more than 25 art galleries featuring work from nearly a hundred OKC artists. And you can’t forget about the good eats, boutiques, and local vibez in the Paseo.

16. Giovanni Gallucci

Tell us more stories about Topo Chico please, pleaseee?!?

17. Maree Jones

Any PR peeps in the house? Then you, of course, know who Maree Jones is, local marketing queen.

18. Social Media

Come on, you’ve been hankering to boost those LinkedIn connections or and increase your flex on Twitter. There is no place better to do that than a conference, and no local conference better than this one.

19. The Brit with Wit

If you’ve attended Confluence before you know that conference founder David Christopher is very … British. From his well-crafted shoes to his mop of brown hair, David is an Okie with an accent (but not the one we associate with the state.) If you listen carefully you’ll hear some of his clever British wit, and you might even catch him slipping into a British phrase like “gobsmacked” or “knackered.”

20. Fuel the Geek Within

Let’s face it, if you work in digital marketing you are most likely a geek. We’re not saying that you have a Star Wars mug on your desk or a Game of Thrones tee-shirt in your closet, but you probably do. We’re not saying that your best friend is a theoretical physicist named Sheldon or that you spend your free time watching Fun With Flags. We’re not even saying that you can name every regeneration of the Doctor, but let’s face it, David Tennant was the best. At Confluence, you’ll meld with fellow geeks until you form an alliance of digi-nerds who team up to rid the world of bad emojis.

21. Zeph Snapp

An SEO speaker at Searchfest, State of Search, and Mozcon, Zeph is bringing the SEO thunder this year to an audience hungry to up those rankings.

22. You Don’t Have to Explain What You Do for A Living

You know those people who have no clue what you do for a living (hi mom!). The people who stare at you blankly when you tell them you’re an “SEO specialist”? Yeah, you won’t meet them at Confluence.

23. Meet the People Behind the Social Media Profiles

You follow them on Twitter. You’ve liked their Facebook business page. Maybe you’ve listened to them deliver a TED Talk. Yes, you’ve stalked them. Now you can meet them in the flesh at Confluence. Just don’t make a fool of yourself.

24. Uptown 23rd Street

While still littered with potholes (not including the Hippy Store), 23rd street has hit its own renaissance. Network with your new Confluence pals at Cuppies and Joe or grab a patio drink at Guyute’s rooftop bar. If you feel like going out, the new Savings and Loans is now open inside of the Tower Theatre.

25. Kirk Williams

He owns his own agency and publishes all over the internet, but those PPC memes … those are fire.

26. Hone Your Live Tweet Skills

Do you have what it takes to live Tweet an event? Not everyone does, but at Confluence, you’ll only be a laptop away from several of the best live tweeters in the digisphere. Remember to use #ConfluenceCon on all tweets.

27. Erin Yarbrough

Erin’s so smart she works at a school. Not just any school but the University of Oklahoma, where she markets and communicates like a pro.

28. Red Dirt

Pick up your feet and look at the bottom of your shoes. That’s red dirt from the heart of Oklahoma. It means you’re in a special place with special people. It signifies that you have felt the imprint of this great state. You’re welcome.

29. Steve Hammer

Coming to you from Dallas Texas, RankHammer’s founder Steve Hammer brings the HAMMER DOWN and hits the nail on the head of today’s Social Media practices.

30. Surprises

We always like to mix things up at Confluence, and this year (drumrolls please) … well, that would ruin the surprise now, wouldn’t it?

31. Joe Youngblood

Joe is a creative young SEO who founded an agency called Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. Close your mouth, re-read that last sentence, and come listen to him speak.

32. Larry Kim

This guy is gonna keynote and tweet to his 100k twitter followers about it. Chances are, you’re already one of them. So do it live.

33. Greg Gifford

Greg Gifford is a hilarious presenter on SEO who always uses movie themes for his slides. He also proved how GIF is pronounced using only his last name.

34. Christoph Trappe

Executive, Journalist, Marketer, Christoph Trappe wears many hats. Get one thing straight though, this dude is one woke storyteller. Great content loading …

35. Restore Your Faith in Something

At times it’s easy to feel as if everyone is getting dumber and dumber. Take a trip to Wal-Mart or flip on a cable news program, it won’t take long to lose faith in the state of intellect. But when you attend events like Confluence, where ideas are being discussed and shared by thoughtful people, you start to get a crush on smart again.

36. Shawn Cohen

The Content Meister is back and just as savvy at setting digital marketing trends as we expect him to be.

37. Damon Gochneaur

A jack of all trades marketer with strong SEO and content skills, Damon will be bringing his marketing skills and voluptuous beard to the Sooner State. You may be strongly tempted to stroke his hypnotic facial hair, we ask that you control yourself.

38. Tattoo

We have unconfirmed reports that our director Kyle Elrod will be giving free Confluence tattoos this year, which look great and will impress your family. For more details tweet @ElrodKyle

39. Networking

You know how they say Oklahomans are friendly? It’s true, and when you’re in Oklahoma you tend to be friendly too. The people who ascend on Confluence from all over the world are personable, approachable, and easy to network with. You’ll go away with new friends and resources.