Amidst the DrupalCon buzz and pending holidays, we were able to steal Volacci CEO Ben Finklea away for a few minutes to pick his brain about the upcoming DrupalCon, goings on at Volacci, and how the heck a Texan survives Chicago in March.

Many thanks to both Ben and Volacci's Business Development and Relationship Manager Josh Ward for making this interview happen!

Q1: How did Volacci find its place as the Drupal SEO/SEM experts?

Five years ago when I first started Volacci (known as Sprydev at the time) we also built websites. I wanted to find the best open source CMS for a client project so I went out and tried the top 6 or 7 at the time. Drupal was not the most robust or even easiest to use. But, Drupal was the best written in terms of code and the best maintained in terms of community. My client also asked us to do some SEO work. So, we did. Over the next 3 years we were about 50/50 SEO to web dev. In late 2007, I looked at the two halves of my business and realized that they were really two different businesses with different needs, different processes, and even different people. So, I decided to focus on only one. I looked around and there were dozens (hundreds?) of Drupal website developers but nobody who just did the marketing side. Well, it was clear to me that we needed to step up and own that niche. That decision led to creating the Drupal SEO checklist module, speaking at DrupalCamps and DrupalCons, and writing the Drupal 6 SEO book.

Q2: What sessions from your team would you like to highlight? Why those in particular?

The first one is near and dear to my heart. "Finding Your Drupal Niche" is a presentation I've proposed that really tells people how to make an impact in the Drupal community. We carved a niche for ourselves and this session will cover the principles that have gotten us where we are today. Another great session proposal is from Erik Wagner and Josh Ward called "Tame the Beast. Adjusting to Google's Evolution." It's a great session that will cover the most recent changes Google has made, what opportunities those changes create, and how Drupal can help you take advantage of those opportunities. Finally, Josh has also proposed a session about improving your conversion rate called "It's Not About You...It's About the Customer." This is a really fun and interactive session about how you can better communicate with your visitors.

Q3: What has you most excited about Drupal in 2011?

I'm really excited about the Drupal Means Business event. It's another sign that the Drupal community is committed to embracing businesses and commerce. Very exciting stuff. I'd also say that Drupal is just now coming into its own. We're in our early teen years as a platform. Kind of gangly, sometimes shows flashes of brilliance, but we've got a lot of growing up to do, both as a software and as a community. I think a lot of that happens in 2011.

Q4: Care to drop any hints about what Volacci's got cooking for DrupalCon?

There have been talks of t-shirts, boxer shorts, hats, and maybe even a party in the Volacci suite. However, I cannot confirm or deny any of these rumors. You'll have to wait and see like everyone else. The US Government denies all knowledge.

Q5: What, so far, is your top "Can't miss" session or event for this DrupalCon?

You mean besides all the Treehouse and Volacci sessions? I think the Clay Shirky keynote will be very interesting. It's always good to get a little outside flavor at DrupalCon. Also, Dries' keynote is always a highlight.

Q6: The Volacci team is from Austin, right? How does everyone plan to stay warm in Chicago?

That's a great question! I'm bringing a TaunTaun to slice open and stuff myself into until Lando rescues me.

Q7: I think the Volacci blog rocks. Do you have a favorite post from this year?

Thanks! We get some really good feedback about the blog and try really hard to keep the content fresh and interesting. My favorite thing about the blog this year has been incorporating posts from the entire team. Everyone pitches in a few times a month to write about their specialty. I think it's really taken things up a few notches because we hear from the experts in all different areas: conversion, SEO, writing, sales, etc. I hope it makes the blog more interesting to everyone in the Drupal community.

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts!

Thank you, Ben, for taking the time to talk with us over the internets!  Keep tabs on the latest DrupalCon announcements from Volacci by checking out their blog and following @volacci on Twitter!