I remember when there was this nice lull between December and April where I didn't have to book flights, write presentations or find someone to watch my kids. These days, it feels like one conference blends into the next. On the plus side, that means you have tons of options to choose from if you're looking to attend a search marketing or online marketing conference.

I made my first trek across the pond for Search Engine Strategies London a few weeks back. Many of my fellow speakers then headed straight to California for SMX West. (I, on the other hand, headed on to Italy with my husband for my first computer-free vacation in six years!) Both SES London and SMX West were great events . I've heard praise from attendees and speakers on both sides. (You can read coverage of SES London here, here, here and here. You can read coverage of SMX West here.)

In fact, I only have a brief two week rest here at home before I head off again to Search Engine Strategies New York. If you're in the industry or are an experienced marketer looking to get up to speed on what's going on in the industry, this show's a good call. If you're looking for really in-depth training on a particular topic, you might also want to consider the intensive four-hour workshops being offered the day after the show. (I'll be doing one on Viral Marketing.)

Of course if you're a small business on a tight budget or are brand new to the world of search marketing, social media or blogs, you might want to hold off on the big shows and consider attending our own Small Business Marketing Unleashed event in Houston this April.

Whichever show you head to, look me up. Always nice to make new connections.