Grapevine, TX · October 20, 2026
The Leading Edge of Local Search Seminars
A full day of actionable local SEO training from the people actually doing the work — not just talking about it.
Why Attend
Built for People Who Run Local SEO, Not People Who Write About It
Real tactics, not theory
Eight sessions from practitioners sharing what's actually working post-2025 core updates — and what's not.
Direct access to faculty
Small-room format means real 1-on-1 time with speakers, plus a live AMA panel where you ask the questions.
A room full of your peers
Agencies and in-house teams tackling the same GBP and local-ranking problems you are, all day, at your table.
Speakers
Who's Teaching
Joy Hawkins
Sterling Sky
Google's 2025 Core Updates: Lessons from Sites That Lost 90% of Their Traffic
Holly Starks
HollyStarks.com
What Every White Hat Agency Needs to Know About Black Hat SEO
Ben Fisher
Steady Demand
Google Business Profile Horror Stories: The Cases They Never Told You About
Elizabeth Rule
Sterling Sky
The New Rules of Local Search: How to Win When AI and Ads Dominate Local SERPs
Brandon Schmidt
Sterling Sky
Creating Human Content in an AI World
Brad Wetherall
The GBP Experts
5 Policies That Google Enforces, and 3 They Do Not
Greg Gifford
SearchLab
Emcee & Hot Ones Challenge — GBP/Local Search Edition
Agenda
Your Day, Hour by Hour
| Time | Session | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Breakfast & Settling In | |
| 8:45 | Intro & Housekeeping | Greg Gifford |
| 9:00 | Google's 2025 Core Updates: Lessons from Sites That Lost 90% of Their Traffic | Joy Hawkins |
| 9:50 | What Every White Hat Agency Needs to Know About Black Hat SEO | Holly Starks |
| 10:40 | Break | |
| 11:00 | Google Business Profile Horror Stories: The Cases They Never Told You About | Ben Fisher |
| 11:45 | The New Rules of Local Search: How to Win When AI and Ads Dominate Local SERPs | Elizabeth Rule |
| 12:35 | Lunch | |
| 1:30 | AMA — Local SEO Court Is in Session — Strategy on the Stand: The 3-Judge Local SEO Tribunal | Joy Hawkins, Ben Fisher, Brad Wetherall |
| 2:15 | Creating Human Content in an AI World | Brandon Schmidt |
| 3:00 | Networking Break | |
| 3:30 | 5 Policies That Google Enforces, and 3 They Do Not | Brad Wetherall |
| 4:15 | Hot Ones Challenge — GBP/Local Search Edition | Greg Gifford, Brad Wetherall, Ben Fisher, Elizabeth Rule |
Tickets
Register for LocalU DFW
One ticket, the full day — training, meals, recordings, and direct faculty access.
Also attending State of Search on Oct 19? Use this code on both sites to get both tickets for $500.
Ticketing details are sent directly to registrants closer to the event. Whitelist online@localu.org and subscribe to the newsletter so you don't miss updates.
- Full day of training — 8+ actionable local search sessions
- Breakfast (8:00–8:45) — eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes
- Catered networking lunch — chicken & steak fajita buffet
- Exclusive session recordings, attendee-only
- Live AMA & interactive panels
- 1-on-1 access to faculty & speakers
- Multiple Q&A opportunities
Venue
Grapevine Convention Center
1209 S Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051
There's no hotel block for this event — here are a few nearby options:
- • Spark by Hilton — 0.3 mi
- • Hotel VIN (Marriott) — 0.5 mi
- • Hilton Garden Inn — 0.7 mi
Sponsors
Thank You to Our Partners
Interested in sponsoring LocalU in Dallas? Reach out to Carrie at online@localu.org