CBGAFFILIATEWEEKEND.COM -*Update*

[casinobonusguy]

We havent locked down the final schedule but you can be sure there was be great speakers ,food,parties and a live poker game /casino night.We visited the hotel last weekend to check out the new tower ,restaurant and space .

Judy

[casinobonusguy]

Just bumping this for the programs , we need one more sponsor to take this to the best event ever in Canada .As you know ,I am doing this for love not money and not making anything from this event ,I found a really great speaker and right now I will have to take from the alcohol budget to cover his fee.Please somebody step up and join our event!

Judy

[thepokerkeep]

I will have to take from the alcohol budget to cover his fee.

Judy

[AmCan]

I'm just on my way back from Prague conference, which was a lot of fun. As usual most of the parties were at clubs, often a too loud for me to hang out at. The best two events were the kickoff party by Slotland and the final party by Intertops, which were held at pubs where people could actually speak to one another.

If you're like me and prefer those sorts of parties, than the CBG weekend is the event for you. Last year's event was all about mixing with affiliates and affiliate managers and being able to speak to one another. I personally much rather hang out at a relaxed party and talk to folks than sit at a loud club and pretend that i can hear the person talking with me. I come to all these quieter, more productive events and suggest that affiliate programs might find this more productive than trying to pull affiliates into a both at a trade show. Besides more affiliates tend to show up for a party than a trade show floor.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the Canadian and American affiliates that can't make it to europe, whether for financial or logistical reasons, in Niagara this summer.

Thanks to Judy and Dean and the sponsoring programs, for putting this event together for those of us in the Western Hemisphere.

[sparky1]

It would be really good to see some programs step up and join this event. There are plenty of hard working canadian affilaites who attended last year along with many American affiliates as well.

Of course, those programs who attend and show us Canadians we matter also will get higher banner exposure...

Come on, lets see some of that support we are so often asked to give.

[thepokerkeep]

Fred pretty much nailed it. The CBG weekend was the perfect size for networking. I had quality time with each of the program reps last year. I actually signed up with two programs that I had not done business with before and would not have done business with if not for the face to face meetings.

As far as the booze budget goes.... I would enjoy the conference just as much if we had to pay for drinks. Free alcohol or not, the value is definitely there for me. Granted, it's a nice bonus but not a deal breaker.

We have a ton of great aff programs here in Canada, I find it pretty mind boggling that they aren't knocking down Judy's door for a chance to sponsor this event.

[sparky1]

Well said Terry, couldn't agree with you more.

[sparky1]

Judy, did I read you might have some pro players this year at the convention....wooo hooo...maybe you will have a chance to beat me afterall.....lol...

That would just be awesome to have our play evaluated by a pro player!!!

[thepokerkeep]

I forgot to mention the poker game....

Last year, the Saturday night party (along with the poker tournaments) was definitely a highlight of the weekend. Sitting at the table with Doug, Steve, Pia, Michael and the rest of the gang was a blast. Some good old fashioned light-hearted fun. Watching my wife (who was well under the influence) try to school Michael in the art of playing Texas Hold'em is a memory that will last a lifetime. Rumor has it that Judy has been taking lessons and will be sitting in on a game or two....

Doug, I hope you're practicing your mad poker skillz for this year.... I'm not taking any prisoners.

The Friday night dinner was another high for me. Getting the chance to have quiet conversations with everyone (no loud music) was a treat.

I hope we're doing the breakfast thing again this year. After a night of hard partying it was the perfect start to the day.

Fred,
Now that Nemo has passed on to the great shirt factory in the sky, will we be seeing a new wardrobe?

[sparky1]

Actually Terry, I have been playing in a live league in town for the past 6 months and doing pretty good. I'm about 80% for final table and cash about 90% of that so you better watch out....lol

I'm still waiting for you to come down one Friday night for a game!

[casinobonusguy]

Thanks Fred,Terry and Doug for great support.I will try to answer all questions.
Yes it is true I have been taking poker lessons but we may have to get a game going online ,not sure how i will find hours to sit and play poker that weekend.

We have booked some of the restaurants we had last year and added some new places to explore as well.We went to check it out last month and it was all yummy as usual.

Colin and gr88 are bring some pro players so that will be great and their live Friday night poker game will be streaming somewhere online , I will let Colin explain that for us.

We also have BrightShare and Slotland Affiliates coming.It is still early and I am sure they are recovering from Prague but I am sure we will get great incentive offers from the programs for you to work with them.

Don't forget we have a new Canadian attending this year , Fred Weiss /Amcan so We are going to provide Fred with his wardrobe and hope he will wear it all weekend.It is a secret ,don't tell Fred

[Simmo!]

OMG this weekend sounds soooo tempting!

Actually in 2008 the Hilton had a situation where a guest of a wedding got hammered and fell through a glass window or door ,he sued the hotel and the bride and groom and won

That's seriously f**cked up. No wonder there are so many draconion laws that remove responsibility from the individual.

[casinobonusguy]

Yeah wondering if we need a disclaimer near the hot drinks ,remember the McDonald's girl won millions for spilling her coffee lol

[tuleja]

It would be really good to see some programs step up and join this event. There are plenty of hard working canadian affilaites who attended last year along with many American affiliates as well.

My wife and I will be there this year, just booked the hotel room. I unfortunately had to miss it last year due to my son being born at the same time. Wife wouldn't have been happy if I was sitting at a bar drinking a beer at Niagara Falls, telling her to push from a cell phone

It would be good to see some more affiliate programs join the event, I look forward to meeting the affiliate managers who will be there and be looking to give them more exposure as well. This is one of a few opportunities for the affiliate programs to meet with affiliates who don't travel out of North America much. I guess it's their loss if they don't take advantage of it.

[sparky1]

Yes lets hope many more come tuleja but the reality is those programs that value Canadian affiliates will attend the event and those that don't won't. It is really that simple.

I for one will give those who do plenty of exposure and those who can't make the effort, but always want us to cross the pond for other conventions, I won't. It is a two way street, unless your from Hamilton...lol...then it is one way!....hahahaha

Hopefully more Affiliate Programs will choose to attend this year. Considering it is an intimate gathering they have the chance to deveolpe excellent relationships with the affilaites who attend and that is invaluable.

[casinobonusguy]

We will hopefully have an update Monday on the sponsor list.I have one program 99.9% committed,the manager is booking flight today .I don't count them 100% until they pay lol.This will be a biggie ,I am very excited about them coming in a big way!We should have 2-3 more added next week but really disappointed in the interest .Many assume because we are living here in North America that is the focus of our weekend yet we all know we are global focused affiliates.
I have my name on this event so you can all be sure it will be excellent event .Anyone who came last year can tell you the food was exceptional ,the refreshments were unlimited and we even took special requests .Nobody drinks champagne in this group though ,think I will kill the Champagne reception and we will have Magaritas!Just some fun facts 440 cans of Tonic water was consumed at last year weekend , the Gin must have been good .

[sparky1]

That is great news Judy!! and I can hardly wait. Yes, I didn't met anyone last year focused only on North America...and what really is shocking is that 37 of those bottles of Gin were consumed by Judy alone!!....lol

[casinobonusguy]

No I stuck with Vodka ,not into Gin lol

[thepokerkeep]

NOBODY ever admits to drinking the gin.... cuz it's a sissy drink!!
Real affiliates drink Crown.

[casinobonusguy]

NOBODY ever admits to drinking the gin.... cuz it's a sissy drink!!
Real affiliates drink Crown.

Speaking of Sissy ,you didn't even finish one bottle all weekend LOL