SEMPO and Other Leading Search Marketing Groups Unite in Call for Delegates to Frame Search Marketing Code of Ethics
Wakefield, MA (PRWEB) October 02, 2014 -- In an effort to create a widely adopted and enforceable search engine marketing code of ethics for North America, the Search Engine Marketing Professionals Organization (SEMPO) as well as other leading search engine marketing organizations are conducting a call for delegates to participate in an inaugural “Search Congress.” During the Search Congress, delegates from search engine marketing organizations throughout North America will create an initial North American search engine marketers’ code of ethics.
The Search Congress will take place at a date and place to be determined in 2015. An informational meeting regarding delegate selection as well as the proposed code of ethics framing process will take place at the Internet marketing conference, Pubcon, in Las Vegas. The meeting location will be publicized at the conference and on social media. Follow @SEMPOGlobal and @Pubcon for the latest news and to get involved in the discussion during Pubcon on October 6 – 9, 2014.
In order to participate as a delegate in the search congress, an individual must be nominated by an eligible search engine marketing organization. These organizations may include regional associations, virtual communities, or other eligible groups.
Eligible Groups That Can Send Voting Delegates
Below are the initial requirements for a group that can nominate delegates for the inaugural Search Congress. Each eligible group that is identified will nominate and send one delegate to the inaugural Search Congress meeting.
• Groups that self-identify as serving search engine marketers in some capacity
• Groups that are at least 1 year old
• Groups that have at least 10 dues-paying members
• Active SEMPO Local groups that are more than 1 year old
• Groups that are primarily active in North America
• Groups that have pre-existing by-laws
Groups that do not meet the above criteria may send representatives to the meeting but will not have voting delegates. Initially, any debates about group eligibility will be decided by a previously-designated SEMPO board member. During the Search Congress, a committee will be created to oversee delegate eligibility.
SEMPO Organized, Not SEMPO Led
While the initial search congress and creation of the North American Search Engine Marketing Code of Ethics is being organized by SEMPO, the overall goal is for the initiative to be led by a grassroot effort of existing and future search engine marketing organizations. These organization should be those that care about the overall industry and public perception of the search engine marketing industry.
“A search engine marketing code of ethics won’t work unless it has broad adoption from a variety of groups in the industry,” said Tony Wright, VP of Communications for SEMPO. Wright is spearheading the organizational efforts for the inaugural Search Congress. “Everyone has different opinions about what a search engine marketing code of ethics should contain. The only way to create a code of ethics that will work is to ensure those people who are interested have buy-in and there is a fair way to enforce the code of ethics once it is ratified. SEMPO can’t do that alone. It’s going to take the effort of many different people of diverse opinions and backgrounds to make this work.”
In the near future, more information and updates about the inaugural Search Congress will be available at searchcongress.org. This is also where groups seeking to send delegates should look to confirm group eligibility and ask questions about the process.
About SEMPO
SEMPO is a global non-profit serving the search and digital marketing industry and the marketing professionals engaged in it. Its purpose is to provide a foundation for industry growth through building stronger relationships, fostering awareness, providing education, promoting the industry, generating research and creating a better understanding of search and its role in marketing.
SEMPO includes thousands of professionals across 50 countries. The organization’s mission is to represent the common interests of companies and consultants worldwide and provide them with a voice in the marketplace. SEMPO's education and outreach initiatives are funded in part by Google and Baidu, and supported through partnerships with BDI, ClickZ Live, MediaPost, US Search Awards and WBR Research. For more information or to join the organization, visit http://www.SEMPO.org.
Brooke Weldon, SEMPO, http://www.sempo.org, 781-876-6268, [email protected]
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