In the age of Skype, Are conferences a neccessity?

[Mr.RichardBanks]

Howdy folks,

As someone who's very behind the scenes, I often wondered about the hype of ICE, LAC and all the rest around the globe.
I'll admit I didn't start my affiliate life in the gaming industry so I guess this hype is not something I"m drawn to naturally.

I've always done deals through Skype.
I can understand the nice feeling of shaking a hand and putting a face to all the names but other than that, how have you benefited from the conference in a way you wouldn't have done through online communication.
Just curious.

RB

[PROFRBcom]

how have you benefited from the conference in a way you wouldn't have done through online communication

Well, by putting a face and a hand shake behind an anonymous name/account, you become a real person. With real needs. Affiliate managers, in my experience, tend to respond better once they have actually met you. Perhaps not even consciously, it's just human nature.

Furthermore, without conferences we would have far fewer excuses to gather with others in our industry, expense it to our companies, and have a jolly good time.

[TheGooner]

Never skyped. Ever.

[JamieG1981]

Well, by putting a face and a hand shake behind an anonymous name/account, you become a real person. With real needs. Affiliate managers, in my experience, tend to respond better once they have actually met you. Perhaps not even consciously, it's just human nature.

Furthermore, without conferences we would have far fewer excuses to gather with others in our industry, expense it to our companies, and have a jolly good time.

Agree 100%, built some good relationships with companies and made some great contacts.

Plus had some great night outs too. Will always attend the conferences if time permits.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Mr.RichardBanks]

expense it to our companies.

Now that's smart!!

[Former Member 14]

Previous to my 18 years as a casino affiliate, I operated a web dev company.

Any business agreements I conduct, are done these days, via email, or a signed pdf. You'll find Richard that the more you get into this industry, the less and less 'trust' you'll have for programs. Not saying ALL are dishonest, but having a deal in writing, is (or should be) the norm. Believe me (tables turned) all programs require it... EG - partner (T&C) agreements are ALL click wrap.

[marlies]

Well, by putting a face and a hand shake behind an anonymous name/account, you become a real person. With real needs. Affiliate managers, in my experience, tend to respond better once they have actually met you. Perhaps not even consciously, it's just human nature.

Furthermore, without conferences we would have far fewer excuses to gather with others in our industry, expense it to our companies, and have a jolly good time.

I completely agree. I think by meeting the person you can gauge how genuine they are. So if anything it just makes me feel more comfortable seeing them face to face rather than behind a computer.

[Malikbhai]

Attend conferences to make myself feel less lonely. This is especially applicable for one man shows; affiliates who work out of their bedrooms or living areas.
It's a human need to be part of groups. GPWA is a group of people who have similar interests; the conferences are for peers to have a fun break in between their 9 to 5 weekly routines.

[TheGooner]

Well, by putting a face and a hand shake behind an anonymous name/account, you become a real person. With real needs. Affiliate managers, in my experience, tend to respond better once they have actually met you. Perhaps not even consciously, it's just human nature.

Agreed. But the tangible value of the conference meeting is not especially high.

If they EVER have another conference locally (under 2000kms away) - then I would attend - but it seems pretty much focused on Euro-locations these days - so I'll only attend if it coincides with a major sporting event.

[TimTiro]

for me the majority of discussions, deals, and signing of contracts is all virtual now, although i do try to meet with the clients in person if possible over the year, which is where conferences can come in handy. People do treat you better if they meet you, but it's not a guarantee, our biggest deal saw us meet with a chinese startup, discuss in detail, sign the contract, then they went out of business without contacting us within months...

[mateuszSB]

after the Skype update, trying to search something specific in the past history of conversations is very difficult - do you guys have any ideas how to manage it? or the only one answer is "the old Skype"?

[Triple7]

I think it's good to meet people you're doing (serious) business with. Also, I think it's good to meet people, you're wanting to do serious business with, in person. A conference is the most easy way for that. I've met people who made, within a few minutes, unintentionally clear that I never ever should do any business with them.

But it makes no sense to meet people just because to have a KPI to have a full agenda for a conference. I hate that meeting where they scroll just through some powerpoint with very basic details I can also see in the backend. Or meetings where they don't even have a clue about that but just fire some standard questions about getting more exposure, more ftd's, etc.

So somehow I agree with both points a bit. Meetings are useful, but not all are. Sure thing that a conference is also a cost-deductible break.

[Vargoso]

Most of the deals are virtual now, that is true, but putting a face to close a deal will never be the same.

This is the same thing as reading an actual book and reading from Kindle / iPad, lots of opinions but the actual thing have clear benefits.

[a.harrison]

Of course you can even drink together on skype, but this don't take you out of your house to another country for a trip, and it doesn't bring you cocktails and girls that wear 'nothing more than swimsuits'.
And if we talk seriously, it's a well known fact that people feel more close, hence, more responsible to somebody they meet in personal. I think it's main value conference bring.

[Cesar B H]

I think yes; its a good way to meet partners personally. Its always interesting I think

[Bitcoingamblingexper]

As many have mentioned meeting face to face definitely improves relationships and might get you some better deals as well. I also love meeting new companies and listening to some of the speakers about topics of interest.

[gebedli]

It is always a better way to make a partner , in person. In these conferences you can find new partners,discuss work, and have funt at the same time.