Where is the snake oil in doing a conference? Sure it pricy, sure it’s not for everyone, this is about having fun and gaining knowledge at the same time with likeminded friends. Too bad you feel like this Luke.

@luke: in a more intimate situation people care to share more valuable information. You see it all the time, something breaks on a conference and 2 weeks later there’s no advantage for anyone anymore. We also had a couple of principles concerning our top speakers (it should be great for speakers and attendees). So you are correct, scarcity is raising the price, but that’s to be sure the information keeps it’s value even after the conference.

And it’s not 6000 pounds, it’s 4310 without VAT, pricing is in euro’s and Amsterdam is an expensive city and it’s planned around one of hollands largest national party’s. Again it’s pricy, but I think we provide enough value to have a good ROI for attendees. If you don’t see that value, it’s fine with me, but don’t start with the whole snake oil thing, which just isn’t true.

@Roy & Richard – As attendees/organisers of the conference you’re bound to be somewhat biased. Look at this as an outsider. Ignore the 5 star etc, all of that is just pointless glamour and there’s no real value in that. The value is in the quality of the speakers and that’s it. The rest of it is a popularity contest and a massive waste of money. As it stands (and there’s no offence intended here), I see no speakers there who are seen as experts in the industry. There’s far more value in heading to the PRO conferences in London/Seattle etc. The prices will definitely be less lavish. You cannot justify the cost in any way.

@Roy – Sorry, here in the UK we usually include VAT in the price, so £5172 is the number here.

Thanks for your reply Luke!

Clear points, though I do think it’s a little strange that you don’t seem to know the already announced speakers (or at least, do not value them being experts).

Our conference is, as Joost also explains, based on SEOktoberfest, which you probably see the same way (since there’s also an overlap in speakers).

I agree it’s a lot (even a shitload) of money, but we can justify that by the package offered; from my own business point of view the 1 one 1 advice I received from Joost & Roy only saves me a lot more on SEA yearly than the sec price for the conference (so excluding the fancy dinners, hotel stay, etc).

As said, I do respect your point of view though I do take offence when being called a snake

Oh, and about the VAT, UK business owners can claim their VAT back, but since the services are being delivered in the country of origin, they have to be charged (and paid to the Dutch gouvernment by us).

@Luke,

Thanks for having the trust in the speakers as being experts.
I, myself, don’t consider me as a competitive SEO expert as Yoast, Bob, Marcus or Roy, but I do think I can bring some value to the table when it comes to large scale SEO. If not, at least I can bring the local expertise to the attendees where to party on Queensday as I’ve lived in Amsterdam only for 13 years. I believe that counts for me…

I never met you, but it seems this conference is not for you.

DG