Ever attend a party that stretches beyond its scheduled time? Sure, the invitation said until 10 p.m.---but people kept chatting it up, and the ideas wouldn't stop flowing.

That's what's happening with the Digital Marketing Forum 2011.

The party took place Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 in Austin, Texas. And some of the biggest names in digital marketing held sessions that showed why they have that distinction. Information and stories were shared in real-life, accessible, and engaging language.  And the sessions themselves showed the current state of digital marketing: lively and personal.

Here are some reasons  the Digital Marketing Conference stood out:

• well-known anthropologist Michael Wesch's brilliant take on our mediated culture (and the history of the words "whatever" and "meh")



• a special book-signing section for authors (and forum speakers) Jay Baer and Amber Naslund of the "The Now Revolution," and authors C.C. Chapman and Ann Handley of "Content Rules"



• rockin', geeky graphic designs and a talk about passion for a product, courtesy of Threadless vice president of marketing, Cam Balzer



• a real-time example of the frustration of dealing with non-social-media-savvy companies using Facebook as Frank Eliason spontaneously shared the roadblocks he faces while working in a company with private, legal info



• awesome insights regarding the convergence of search and social from ExpertBail, a bail bond company that wowed everyone with its social-media savviness

In the true spirit of digital marketing, the sessions were like conversations between the speakers and the attendees, those listening in Austin and those watching from their computers. And the #mpforum hashtag served as a campfire, where we swapped info, memorable tweetable quotes, cell-phone pics, and even gave shout outs to the speakers.

And now though we've all headed back to our own stomping grounds, the campfire is still there. Here are some recent quotes from Twitter:

• @JJPool: Head still swimming with all the great ideas and inspiration picked up at #mpforum. Thanks for a great event!



• @Marcomm3: Revisiting @CKsays #mpforum  session on What's Hot in Mobile Marketing. Just as awesome as the first time! Thanks again CK and @MProfsEvents



• @MitziThomas: I'm so impressed with @marketingprofs live video feed. Sorry to miss Austin, but this is next best thing. #mpforum

I could go through agenda and offer up more examples; each session had a steady stream of attendees sharing info via Twitter, Facebook, and their own blogs. But you'll just have to check the forum out online. Yep, the fire is still burning bright for y'all.

So, if you didn't get to experience the Digital Marketing Conference last week, just register to see it online until May 1. It features streaming video of 20 sessions plus both keynotes---all for just $199.

And after you're done, don't forget to join us at our other campfire site.