What is IZEAfest?
A 4-day event, IZEAfest begins on October 1st and takes place at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. According the official website, IZEAfest is:
An interactive event designed to educate, inform and connect social media enthusiasts. Meet the world’s foremost social media experts in a collaborative, fun and open setting. Learn how to grow your traffic, build your brand and make more money online.
Who Should Attend?
According to the website, IZEAfest is perfect for:
Bloggers, Podcasters & Tweeters
Marketers & Agency Professionals
PR & Communications Practitioners
To this list I would add anyone passionate about e-business; particularly those interested in the applications of social media.
Why Should I Attend?
You have to be crazy to miss IZEAfest. Fully covering every reason would easily fill a short novel. Instead, I will list just the ten most important reasons you should attend IZEAfest 2009.
1) The Content
To say that the IZEAfest schedule is comprehensive would be a huge understatement. Attendees will be treated to world-class presentations and discussions on:
- Brand Development
- Traffic Generation
- Standing Out
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Social Media
- Influence Building
- Professional Networking
- Advertising
- Taking Initiative
- Sponsored Conversations
2) The Speakers
What conference would be complete without an amazing lineup of speakers? IZEAfest exceeds all expectations with two superstar keynotes: Ted Murphy, CEO of IZEA, and Aaron Brazell, owner and lead editor at Technosailor.com. It doesn’t just stop there. IZEAfest’s list of speakers includes big names such as:
- Bob Kodzis
- Brett Bumeter
- Brian Clark
- Chris Brogan
- Chris Heuer
- David Binkowski
- George Smith
- John Andrews
- Joseph Jaffe
- Julia Roy
- Liz Strauss
- Lucretia Pruitt
- Michael Gray
- Rae Hoffman
- Sarah Austin
- Sarah Evans
- Warren Whitlock
- Wayne Sutton
- Wendy Piersall
- Zena Weist
Needless to say, IZEA has gathered together one heck of a team for this event!
3) The People
If you have ever had the opportunity to attend an event like IZEAfest, you know that it is your fellow attendees that truly take the cake. The relationships you form at IZEAfest will continue to grow long after the event ends. Start networking now by getting to know each other on Twitter and Facebook.
One only needs to ask the attendees of IZEAfest 2008, or check out some of the photos on Flickr to get a feel for the atmosphere. IZEAfest 2009 is going to rock your face! (in a good way of course). Make sure to keep your eyes on the #IZEAfest hashtag on Twitter.
4) IZEA
Based out of Orlando, Florida, IZEA is a:
Social media marketing company and the world leader in sponsored conversations. We operate a network of over 250,000 bloggers and 25,000 advertisers around the globe. We create buzz, drive traffic and deliver ROI.
IZEA is truly a model of business innovation. Their list of clients is impressive. IZEA’s properties are well-known to e-business professionals and include:
Now IZEA doesn’t know this yet (shhh), but I plan on being their next hire. Yup, you heard me right, I intend to work for IZEA. Personally, I see it being a fantastic partnership; infinitely profitable for us both. Now, I’m not the type of guy who rushes willy-nilly into a new relationship. After our “first date” this weekend, I will know for sure if we are a good fit.
5) The Price
The mathematics of IZEAfest are largely self-explanatory. For the price of your ticket ($229), and three nights in the official IZEAfest hotel ($267), you receive:
- $74.95 – Admission to SeaWorld
- $39.95 – Admission to Howl-O-Scream
- $30.00 – Two free lunches ($15 * 2)
- $14.95 – Cover for ICEBAR
- $10.00 – Cover for Howl at the Moon
- Priceless – SWAG
- $170 – Total Value
But wait, there’s more! If you act within the next 24 hours and use the coupon code “SponsoredTweets”, you will receive your IZEAfest ticket at half price (only $114.50)! Is that amazing or what?!
But wait, there’s more! Purchase your IZEAfest ticket through my affiliate link and have a FREE drink of your choice on me ($10 value!). Buyers will also receive a minimum of 20 minutes of great conversation with yours truly (Priceless). How fantastic is that?!
But wait, there’s more! If the cost of lodging is the one thing still holding you back, buy your ticket before 11:59PM Tuesday night and receive 3 free nights stay at my place ($267 value!). I certainly do not want to detract from our gracious hosts at the Renaissance Orlando Resort, so I would prefer that you only take me up on this if it is absolutely necessary. Living in Orlando has its advantages :-)
Let’s revisit the math. Buy your ticket before Wednesday, and for only $114.50 you will receive:
- $74.95 – Admission to SeaWorld
- $39.95 – Admission to Howl-O-Scream
- $30.00 – Two free lunches ($15 * 2)
- $14.95 – Cover for ICEBAR
- $10.00 – Cover for Howl at the Moon
- $10.00 – Free drink on Sean
- $267.00 – 3 nights stay with Sean
- Priceless – SWAG
- $447 – Total Value!
Ridiculous! You are practically being paid $332 to attend IZEAfest. This does not even include the priceless opportunities and benefits of attending!
6) Howl-O-Scream
IZEAfest attendees will be treated to a night of fun and thrills at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream. This year’s theme seems to revolve around psychotic vampire fashion models (wow!). Watch the video below to get a small preview of the madness.
Warning! This Year’s Event Contains Intense Adult Content Such As Violence, Gore & Blood.
7) SeaWorld
You heard right, IZEAfest is being held at world-famous SeaWorld Orlando (Warning: Loud Music). In fact, Sunday is entirely dedicated to a blogger takeover of the park:
No need for a little black dress or tie at this party. We’re taking over the SeaWorld Orlando theme park, and blogging our way through the adventure. All that’s required is a pair of shorts, comfortable shoes, and an attitude for fun!
Your SeaWorld trip will be an action-packed adventure filled with rides, shows, and exhibits.
The Rides
The SeaWorld rides alone are well worth the trip. For my fellow thrill-seekers, SeaWorld has two roller coasters: Kraken and Manta.
The Shows
The rides are definitely fun, but the SeaWorld shows are what make it a global phenomenon. The Sunday schedule looks awesome and is sure to blow you away.
Of course you will be delighted to visit your favorite fun-loving orca, Shamu and his airborne acrobatics. Did I mention that you can follow Shamu on Twitter?
I live at SeaWorld. I’m a large, athletic, black and white marine mammal. I’m not THE star of SeaWorld, I’m A star of SeaWorld
8) IZEAhunt
Get ready to get messy at IZEAhunt. Sponsored by Sennheiser, this Saturday night event will see teams competing against one another to win a pair of $299 Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headsets for each teammember, and $500 in Home Depot giftcards. While the details of IZEAhunt are being kept on the DL, the details are enough to start get stoked! Check out photos from last year to get a taste of what is to come.
9) The Parties
Just because we’ll be busy learning and networking doesn’t we can’t have fun doing it! In fact, one could argue that the IZEAfest parties are just as important to the experience as the presentations. This year, IZEAfest attendees will have a great time chilling at ICEBAR Orlando, and rocking out at Howl at the Moon. Be sure to check out photos from ICEBAR on Flickr, and shots from Howl at the Moon on Facebook and Flickr.
10) The Memories
All of the aforementioned pale in comparison to the memories you will take home with you. The IZEAfest experience is priceless, measured not in dollars and cents, but in relationships. I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and buy your ticket today!
Inside Facebook
