The problem with blogging is too often the reader and the writer never meet face-to-face. Besides some back and forth via email or comment thread, it is highly detached. Last week I got a chance to talk to some Get Elastic readers at Shop.org after our session on Social Media Marketing - that was a treat. This week I want to meet more of you at Online Market World in San Francisco! San Fran is quite similar to my hometown of Vancouver - it is probably my favorite US city (Chicago in the summer is a close second). I have been there about 8 times in the past three years and have yet to make it to Alcatraz despite booking tours on separate occasions.

If you want to say hello at Online Market World you can catch me after my sessions…

How E-Commerce Strategy Affects Resource Allocation

Thursday, October 4th, 2:45 - 3:45 in Room 2006

The percentage of online sales revenue varies from company to company yet not all companies allocate resources in the same way. In this session, you’ll discover how human, financial, and IT resources are affected by e-commerce strategy and what you can do to balance cash in and cash out.

Speakers: Bernardine Wu, Co-Founder and VP, Biz Dev, SiteAcuity; Jason Billingsley, Co-Founder and VP Innovation, Elastic Path Software
Moderator: Michael Levit, VP of Marketing, Vendio

*I will be discussing the evolutionary stages of an ecommerce operation and new methods of resourcing each

Integrating Social Networks and Other Disruptive Elements

Friday, October 5th, 11:15 - 12:15 in Room 2006

The only thing that’s constant is change and you personally have to deal with it. Find out how other companies are integrating social networks and other Web 2.0 technologies in a manner that balances business, marketing, and IT concerns.

Speakers: Bob Brauer, CEO, President and Co-Founder, StrikeIron; Jason Billingsley, Co-Founder and VP Innovation, Elastic Path Software
Moderator: Christopher Matthew Spencer, Author of “The eBay Entrepreneur” and notable eBay PowerSeller

*I will be showing examples of social media campaigns that have worked and some that have not

Social Media Best Practices

Friday, October 5th, 1:30 - 2:30 in Room 2006

Businesses are increasingly considering and adding social media elements to their websites in an effort to keep pace with the social shift that is occurring on the Web. At the same time, businesses are attempting to use social networks as a marketing channel given their influence. How should social media initiatives be structured? What are the upsides and downsides? What are the actual vs. perceived benefits?

Speakers: Brian Wiegand, CEO, Jellyfish (Vendio); Jason Billingsley, Co-Founder and VP of Innovation, Elastic Path Software; Karen O’Brien, Partner, Interactive Services, Crimson Consulting Group; Scott Sigler, Author.
Moderator: Aaron Kahlow, Managing Partner, BusinessOnLine

*I will be talking about the blog being the center of the social media operation (and even using the game operation to prove it - ooo ahhh).

So please, take in these sessions and bring your comments, questions, and experiences to share. Stump me in front of everyone, then come say hi and rub it in. I won’t mind.

I know the event is this week, but are any of you going?