Last November, I had the good fortune  of stumbling across the Chicago SEO Meetup started by Bryson Meunier that focuses exclusively on Search Engine Optimization.

It’s a great group of people who meets on a monthly basis that I highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about how to market websites to generate organic traffic from search engines.

It’s not just a group of SEO veterans spouting off war stories but it is a platform for discussion among beginners, hobbyists, and professionals to share ideas and search engine optimization tips in an open environment.

It’s also not a sales presentation with watered down content.

There are some of the best minds in SEO in Chicago at these meetings sharing ideas and talking about the latest topics and trends in the industry.

The interesting thing is the members of the Chicago SEO Meetup are not all what you would traditionally call an “SEO.”  These are people from all different disciplines such as design, programming & usability as well as both client-side and agency-side SEO’s which gives you a broad range of skills and experience with which to fuel discussion.

Regular SEO Meetup Chicago Attendees

• Bryson Meunier (@brysonmeunier) – Resolution Media
• Mert Sahinoglu (@mertsahinoglu) – Falcon Living
• John Fairley (@johnfairley ) – Walker Sands
• Peter Meyers (@dr_pete) – UserEffect
• Randy Pickard (@randyatruc) – UserCentric
• David Dalka (@dalka)
• James Bird (@lifefulfillment) – Marshall Firth
• Chris Campbell (@wcventures) – Lake Shore Branding
• Tristan Blease (@thetristan) – Blease Design
• Reynaldo Villar – (@reyvillar) – Web1Media
• Jim Birch – (@flooracle) – Online Floor Store
• Mary DuQuaine – (@ExPrTMary) – ExPrT
• Shinji  Kuwayama – @shinjikuwayama – November Eleven
• Chris King – @fendmark – Agency.com (I suppose I’ll add myself )

To learn more and sign up for the Chicago SEO Meetup check out the official site at Meetup.com. It’s also worth noting that currently these meetings only cost $1 to attend.