CAP Spring Break a Winner

[MichaelCorfman]

Well, CAP Spring Break was definitely a winner from my perspective. Great parties, great fun, good discussions, and some valuable new relationships.

I flew in late Friday night after the GIGSE conference in Montreal, so I missed the first evening of activities. For me, the conference started Sunday morning with the conference sessions. John Lancelet gave a good presentation on mobile gaming followed by Albert Michaels covering the ins and outs of international domain names. After a brief break Scottie Clairborne gave a great talk on geo targeting and optimization for European visitors. She emphasized the importance of content targeted to specific markets in the native language, hosted locally, and using a country-specific TLD.

The morning was rounded out with a very interesting talk by Attorney Chris Rusch about offshore corporations, bank accounts, taxation, and all of the associated legal issues. One tax question I know GPWA members will find interesting is the tax treatment of income deposited into Neteller accounts that members have not been able to receive. Chris says that according to US Tax Law the money deposited into a Neteller account was constructively received and must be reported for income tax purposes even if it cannot be withdrawn right now. Amended returns, anyone?


John Lancelet Speaks on Mobile Gaming
Lunch Break Before the Afternoon Panel Discussion

After lunch there was a panel discussion. Yours truly participated in addition to the Professor, Dominique, Shane of Referback, Gordon of GrandPrive Affiliates, and John of Slotland. One of the more interesting disussions was about how online gaming might evolve in the states.

Having come straight from the GIGSE conference, I talked about how Nelson Rose had said in his keynote speech there that he expected California would legalize online poker for in-state residents offered by California Poker Rooms and Indian Tribes. I'd actually heard speculation of this sort for months from people I believed were in the know, but GIGSE was the first time I had heard the possibility stated in such a public forum. Think about it. If the poker rooms in California offer online poker to state residents, do you think that just might represent the type of competitive environment where affiliates could make a difference? I do, and that is what I said during the forum session. I don't know for sure when this will happen, and there is certainly no guarantee it will happen in California. But I believe it will probably happen sooner than many of us expect. As you might imagine, the affiliates listening to this discussion were facinated and excited by what they heard.

After that we were all ready for a break, and dinner, and a wonderful evening party.


The Chipleader Beach Party

Now not everyone likes to get up early after partying the night before, but there was no way I was going to pass up the Refer Back deep sea fishing expedition. So along with three dozen others, I was up early the next morning for the true highlight of CAP Spring Break.

I've always loved fishing. As a kid I went salmon fishing in the Pacific Ocean at least once most summers. There is nothing quite like catching the biggest salmon on a boat with a couple dozen fisherman when you are twelve. Anyway, I was one of a lucky group of three that went out together. Alex Pratt of iGaming Business Magazine caught the first fish on our boat - a barracuda. I was next, landing a tuna fish. Finally, Grant Laubscher of Referback caught the final fish - another barracuda.

The biggest catch of all was on one of the other six boats the Referback had chartered. A 200+ pound marlin. Like I said, the fishing expedition was the hightlight of CAP Spring Break for me. Somehow I don't think I'm the only one that felt that way.


A 200+ Pound Marlin Caught on the Referback Deep Sea Fishing Expedition and the Proud Fisherman
Grant Laubscher of Referback with his Barracuda, Me with my Tuna, and Alex Pratt with his Barracuda
Grant Watching as Alex reels in his Barracuda


The Atlantis from our Fishing Boat ---- I wouldn't Mess with those Teeth
Landing a Barracuda ---- The Refer Back Banner Waving on our Boat

After returning from the sea, I had a wonderful lunch, and then went off to watch the ASOP finals. Then off to a party sponsored by WPT before catching a few hours sleep and heading to the airport for my trip back to Boston. Somehow I like the Bahamas better.

Michael

[TheGooner]

Thanks for the pictures and the outline Michael.
Nice to get a feel for what was happening.

[big fish]

thanks for the pictures michael. cap spring break was a major hit. i enjoyed getting to talk with you in person at the indoor beach party... the guy doing the limbo under fire about 6 inches off the ground was amazing!

[allstar]

Looks like everyone had a good time. I hope we will be able to make the next one.

Marlene

[Doolally]

Looks like everyone had a fantastic and fun time.

Were there any presentations given with slides that could be shown within the pages of the GPWA to give us more insight into what was discussed?

[MichaelCorfman]

Were there any presentations given with slides that could be shown within the pages of the GPWA to give us more insight into what was discussed?

Yes, I'm expecting to receive slides from most of the presentors that will be made available on the GPWA site.

Michael

[rob3786]

Looks like you guys had a whale of a time!(bad pun after those fish photos)

[Doolally]

Excellent Michael, thanks!

[satya]

Thanks Michael for posting the brief with the images.

It was great catching up with you guys. We had a blast at the CAP spring break.

[matted]

Sounds like a great time... Great pictures. I love fishing too - I live 4 hours from Morehead City, NC where lots of fishing boats depart. I think I'm going early August for a day trip to the Gulf Stream.

I hope they run the event in the Bahamas next year... Price was right this year (much cheaper than CAC is turning out to be!).

[Shane]

Hey there Michael,

It was great chatting to you and hearing what Nelson Rose had to say at GIGSE!

If they do another Bahama's Spring Break we will definitely get more willing and able affiliates out on the open waters

Shane

[Dominique]

Guys, the next springbreak will be in Cancun.

We all loved the Bahamas, but Cancun is less pricey and easier to get to for many.

Fishing in Cancun is also great, and there are lots of venues for parties and fun in the sun.

The next CAP event is in Barcelona though: http://www.capeuro.com/

[rob3786]

I will be there just sorting out my tickets.