GIGSE attendence cut in half

[The Buzz]

Last year 1,800 people attended GIGSE. This year it only has about half that many participants, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer ... good story about why it is that way ..

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/7878516.html

[big fish]

hopefully we are the bottom now. there has been a steady decline since october, but i am optimistc that frank's bill will gain ground and ultimately things will be licensed and regulated. that will be a great day to celebrate!

[MichaelCorfman]

Actually, I belive the attendence is about a third of what it was last year. My understanding is that there are about 600 attendees here this year as compared with 1,800 last year.

Part of this is a migration to Europe and Macau for iGaming conferences. With so many new conferences and so many venues, companies have to decide how many to attend - they simply can't go to all of them any more. I think GIGSE is hardest hit on this front since the focus of most expansion is not the North American marketplace now.

Michael

[Simmo!]

hopefully we are the bottom now. there has been a steady decline since october, but i am optimistc that frank's bill will gain ground and ultimately things will be licensed and regulated.

My thoughts exactly.

[TheGooner]

Additionally the need to meet face-to-face diminishes in an online space.

Skype, Messenger, Email, phones ... all are viable mediums to discuss and do business with product that is fully virtual.

The expenses of travelling long distances to meet and greet has come under the microscope as organisations have to reign in their expenses.

That's not to say that conventions will die out - but they may become more regional - and no single event can be justifiable called "MUST ATTEND".

We've had a boom, we're worknig through a bust, and now were getting towards being a regualr business.

[Dominique]

I disagree, face to face meetings are still as vital as ever. I am sure most who have been to conferences will agree that they brought home new ideas, new connections and new vigor. For me, conferences have been one of the most useful and important parts of the business. I can't think of a better investment.

However, there are too many conferences to choose from in this industry. Between gambling and webmaster conferences, you could pretty much travel year round.

And, yes, the market has contracted considerably. North America is not the target it used to be.

So one has to pick and choose which conferences will be most useful.

Additionally, many operators are understandably reluctant to set foot in North America, and understandably so.

I think there will be a shake out, and the surviving conferences will be located on other continents.

[TheGooner]

So which bit did you actually disagree with?

The fact I said conferences won't die out?
Or that I suggested that there will be more - with a more regional flavour ?
Or that no event is a MUST ATTEND ?

I think we agree pretty much actually.