What is Web Analytics Wednesday?

Web Analytics Wednesday is the world's only social networking event for web analytics professionals. Founded by Eric T. Peterson, author of Web Analytics Demystified and Web Site Measurement Hacks, Web Analytics Wednesday is a global effort to put "faces with names" and to get local members of the web analytics community networking.

When do Web Analytics Wednesday events happen?

Web Analytics Wednesday events happen all the time! With the new system, hosts are free to plan Web Analytics Wednesday events for whatever day and time best suits the needs of their group.

How can I plan a Web Analytics Wednesday event?

You can add your own Web Analytics Wednesday using the form found here. Try and be as descriptive as possible and make sure that people will be able to find you in the bar or restaurant you pick.

What types of topics should we discuss at Web Analytics Wednesday?

This is a trick question: Ideally you'd discuss web analytic topics like favorite vendors, how your company uses web analytics and staffing issues but everyone eventually tires of talking about work. Get to know people! Especially within this community I'm sure you'll discover you have friends in common, have worked at the same places, etc. Whatever you discuss, have fun!

Who pays for Web Analytics Wednesday events?

Web Analytics Wednesday events can be sponsored by anyone and any company, with the only stipulation being that the sponsor not be too preachy or spend too much time talking about products and services (unless asked!) The system currently has the ability to publicly recognize and thank event sponsors, and more such functionality is coming soon. If you're unable to find a sponsor for your event, please contact Eric T. Peterson directly and he'll help you find a way to cover at least part of the cost of your event.

Aside from sponsors, these events are usually run as a no-host bar where attendees pay for their own drinks (or better, buy drinks for each other!)

If I'm a vendor, can I sponsor a Web Analytics Wednesday event?

Sure, who doesn't like free drinks? If you want to sponsor a Web Analytics Wednesday event, please write to the local host directly and inquire with them. If there is no event planned in your city, go ahead and hold your own event!

What kind of rooms/places work best for these events?

Simply put, quiet ones, or at least places where conversations can be heard. Some local organizers have invited speakers to events and thusly found private rooms where a presentation could be given. Other local organizers have used a round-table format so that people could talk as a group. There's nothing wrong with a noisy bar but in general real networking happens when people can hear each other.

How do people find the event once their in the bar?

Best possible question! The onus is squarely on the event host to make sure that attendees can find each other. In the past, local organizers have made sure to bring copies of Web Analytics Demystified so that people could look for that. Other organizers have made sure that the host or hostess at the bar knew about the group and told people to ask. Don't let people show up and not find the group!

If I'm hosting an event, how can I get the Web Analytics Association to buy the first round?

In the past, the Web Analytics Association has offered to pay for Web Analytics Wednesday events but unfortunately a good process for making this happen was never worked out within the association. For the time being, the WAA is not affiliated with Web Analytics Wednesday.