SEMpdx Rooftop Party Offers Networking and Charitable Giving

SEMpdx Rooftop Party Offers Networking and Charitable Giving

by | Sep 14, 2019 | Events, Features, Fundraisers, News, nonprofit

Portland, OR.  SEMpdx held its annual Rooftop Party in Portland’s Pearl District at the On Deck Sports Bar & Grill. It’s the eleventh year for the networking event. The SEMpdx Board of Directors took time for a photo. Leaders include: Ryan Campbell, Scott Hendison, Kevin Getch, Anna Madill (back row) Tony Svoboda, Trish Carey, Garrett Browne, Robert Frost, Todd Mintz, Sarah Hinds, and Ashley Kennedy. Every year, the nonprofit Search Engine Marketing Organization selects a charity to support and this year, it’s Girls Inc., an organization encouraging girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” The benefits of becoming a SEMpdx Charity of Choice include: recognition at events, pro-bono digital marketing services, and up to a $5,000 donation.

During the Rooftop Party on August 1st, members try their hand at the giant Connect 4 game.

One of the founders of SEMpdx, Kent Lewis, talks with members. Lewis is also the President of Anvil Media.

Rooftop sponsors included: AMA PDX, Logical Position, Oregon State University’s Professional and Continuing Education, The Portland Business Alliance, Webfor, and Smartz.

From SEMpdx:

SEMpdx was founded in 2006, because we felt that there was a lot of veteran talent here in PDX, but we weren’t really recognized for it because we were all so busy working that we weren’t self-promoting. We also knew that the business community in Portland was coming around to SEM, but didn’t really know about the level of talent here in PDX. This led to our rather simple mission “put search on the map in Portland, and Portland on the map in search”. In other words – to get PDX recognized in the national SEM community, and raise awareness for search marketing in PDX. We got the group together when Scott Orth & Blu Drobushevich approached me (Kent Lewis) after SMX Seattle in 2006 and suggested we create our own industry association in Portland. Initially, I (Ben Lloyd) was hesitant, and wasn’t sure we had critical mass in the area. That said, after a brief debate, we agreed to run it by folks we knew and trusted in the industry. A month or two later, we scheduled a meeting with a dozen or so local SEM professionals. Everyone at that meeting was on board (literally, everyone become an initial board member). I sold the initial sponsorship (Site9) that gave us the funding and moved SearchFest from IPN (Stan Davis & I created the initial events in 2005) to SEMpdx and we were on our way. Ben Lloyd helped us incorporate through his father’s firm and we started formalizing articles, bylaws, processes, mission, vision, and so on. Scott Hendison worked on the blog and website, Tracy Chapman started organizing, and Todd Mintz started blogging. The rest is history! There was a great deal of hard work & details by the board, which was critical and appreciated. The group then started putting on monthly educational events.

Search Engine Marketing Rooftop Networking Party a Hit

Search Engine Marketing Rooftop Networking Party a Hit

by | Aug 15, 2014 | Events, Features

Portland, Aug 12th, 2014. A sprinkle of rain did not dampen spirits on the rooftop of the Embassy Suites Hotel. Board members at the event included: Michael Cottam, Ben Lloyd, Mike Rosenberg, Scott Hendison, Jessica Ward, Alan George, Mike Arnesen, and Tony Svoboda. Over 550 people raised their glasses at the SEMpdx Rooftop Networking Party. This sixth annual event drew local marketing executives and also raised money for the nonprofit, Harper’s Playground.
For children challenged with physical and developmental disabilities and for those who love them, there is a strong desire to belong, but the obstacles can seem insurmountable. Harper's Playground promotes more play for more people.

For children challenged with physical and developmental disabilities there is a strong desire to belong. Harper’s Playground is a local nonprofit building user friendly playgrounds for all children.

10% of all funds raised by SEMpdx this year will be donated to Harper's Playground.

Ten percent of all funds raised by SEMpdx this year will be donated to Harper’s Playground.

The networking event was also sponsored by Yelp, Oregonian Media Group, PSU's Center for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE), American Marketing Association PDX Chapter (AMA PDX), Webfor and Mac's List.

The networking event was also sponsored by Yelp, Oregonian Media Group, PSU’s Center for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE), American Marketing Association PDX Chapter (AMA PDX), Webfor and Mac’s List.

SEMpdx will offer ten percent of all its 2012 revenue to the charity, along with providing in-kind digital marketing expertise, such as advice on social media campaigns and solid SEO strategy, to all Charity of Choice recipients.

SEMpdx offers ten percent of all its 2014 revenue to the charity, along with providing in-kind digital marketing expertise, such as advice on social media campaigns and solid SEO strategy, to all Charity of Choice recipients.

SEMpdx, the Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland, is a nonprofit group dedicated to nurturing the development of the search engine marketing (SEM) and social media marketing (SMM) industries in the greater northwest. Created as a resource for both local industry professionals and area businesses, SEMpdx strives to build national credibility for Portland as a hub for the SEM/SMM industry, as well as improve the quality of work and life for its professionals. SEMpdx is committed to giving back to the local community by supporting charitable organizations. Each year, SEMpdx selects a charity of choice to support for a 12 month period. Visit www.sempdx.org for more information.