Business Details
22 Years
experience
Your Premier Digital Marketing Conference Experience
State of Search is a dedicated community fostering digital marketing excellence through education, networking, and industry advancement. Founded in 2004 as DFWSEM, we have evolved into a premier organization connecting professionals with cutting-edge insights and resources. Our mission centers on empowering marketers through monthly meetings, annual conferences, and collaborative learning opportunities. With a focus on SEO, SEM, and emerging digital strategies, we serve as a trusted hub for professionals seeking to enhance their skills and drive business success. Our volunteer-led structure ensures accessibility while maintaining high standards of expertise. Through partnerships with global thought leaders and local businesses, we deliver actionable intelligence tailored to both newcomers and seasoned practitioners.Our commitment to community extends beyond education, offering mentorship programs and support initiatives that strengthen the digital marketing ecosystem. By bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world application, we help professionals navigate industry challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Our annual conference exemplifies this approach, featuring hands-on workshops and networking sessions designed to foster meaningful connections. As a nonprofit organization, we reinvest all resources into expanding our educational offerings and increasing accessibility for all participants.
Services
Digital Marketing Conferences
Monthly Networking Meetings
Industry Education Programs
Speaker Development Workshops
Professional Networking Opportunities
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in digital marketing education and community building
- Our volunteer-led structure ensures unbiased, practitioner-focused content
- We provide access to global industry leaders through affordable local events
- Our conference features hands-on workshops with immediate implementation value
- We maintain strict vendor neutrality to ensure objective educational content
What people say
Actionable insights
Expert speakers
Valuable networking
Practical content
Professional growth
Services
Digital Marketing Conferences
Our annual conferences deliver comprehensive digital marketing education through expert-led sessions and networking opportunities. Attendees gain actionable insights on SEO, SEM, and emerging technologies from global industry leaders. The two-day events feature workshops, panel discussions, and hands-on learning experiences designed for professionals at all experience levels.
Monthly Networking Meetings
Monthly virtual and in-person meetings provide ongoing professional development and networking opportunities. These sessions feature presentations from marketing experts, roundtable discussions, and Q&A segments addressing current industry challenges. Participants connect with peers while gaining practical knowledge applicable to their daily work.
Speaker Development
We offer speaker development opportunities for marketing professionals seeking to share their expertise. Participants receive guidance on content creation, presentation skills, and audience engagement techniques. Selected speakers gain platform experience at our monthly meetings and annual conference events.
Industry Education
Our educational programs focus on practical digital marketing skills with immediate application potential. Content covers SEO best practices, analytics interpretation, and emerging technology integration. Materials are developed by practicing professionals to ensure real-world relevance and implementation value.
Professional Networking
We facilitate connections between digital marketing professionals through structured networking events and online platforms. Our programs encourage knowledge sharing, collaboration, and mentorship opportunities across experience levels. The community provides ongoing support for professional growth and business development.
People
Tim Shane
President
Creative development expert with 14 years of digital marketing experience, leading State of Search since 2018. Specializes in strategic planning and community building for marketing professionals.
Casey Markee
Vice President
SEO specialist with extensive speaking and training experience, serving on the board since 2023. Focuses on content strategy and technical SEO education for marketing professionals.
Michael Melen
Vice President of Sponsorship
Digital marketing leader with expertise in small business solutions, joining the board in 2024. Manages sponsorship programs and industry partnerships for educational initiatives.
Andrew Shotland
Board Member
Local SEO specialist with agency experience serving multi-location brands, contributing to the board since 2025. Provides technical expertise on search marketing strategies and implementation.
Sherry Bonelli
Featured Speaker
Google Business Profile Platinum Expert with 25 years of digital marketing experience. Recognized nationally for local SEO expertise and e-commerce success strategies.
Questions
What digital marketing topics do you cover?
We cover SEO, SEM, social media marketing, content strategy, analytics, and emerging technologies affecting digital marketing.
Are your events suitable for beginners?
Yes, our programming includes sessions for all experience levels from foundational concepts to advanced strategies.
How can I become a conference speaker?
Submit presentation proposals through our website and participate in speaker development workshops for consideration.
Do you offer virtual attendance options?
Yes, we provide virtual access to all sessions with recordings available for post-event review.
What networking opportunities exist?
Our events include structured networking sessions, roundtable discussions, and online community access for ongoing connections.
Are sponsorship opportunities available?
Yes, we offer multiple sponsorship tiers for businesses seeking to connect with marketing professionals at various engagement levels.
Reviews (3)
Austin Eggleston
Sep 22, 2017
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I really enjoy the quality of speakers and events at DFW SEM! It's a great place to network with locals from all industries. I highly recommend you check out one of their upcoming events if you haven't already!
Mike Stewart
Dec 08, 2015
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DFWSEM is how I became an internet marketing stud. If it were not for this organization, my passion for all things digital marketing would not exist.
William Krueger
Oct 21, 2015
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This is a great organization. Been a member for many years, and I count on the content from meetings (including very knowledgable presenters) to help keep me current on SEO and PPC. If you are at all involved with Content, Search, Social, Adwords- you need to be here.
