Join the GPWA at iGBDown Under March 24-25

[MichaelCorfman]

The second annual iGB DownUnder Conference is just around the corner on the 24th and 25th of March 2010 in Sydney, Australia.

The event focuses on the Australian, New Zealand and Asian market as well as opportunities for local affiliates outside these locations. Free for GPWA and other gaming affiliates it will provide up to date and informative content on the Asian and Australasian iGaming markets, a new look expo, unique networking opportunities and the Affiliate Series of Poker.

Complete information is available on the iGB DownUnder website at www.igbdownunder.com.

The GPWA will have a stand at the show and Steven (CityGuard) will be there to say hi to webmasters and affiliate program representatives.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Michael

[Renee]

YAY!

It's about time one of you guys got your butts down here!

This conference is going to be even more fun than last time guys so if anyone is on the fence about it you should DEFINITELY get down here...

See everyone there!

[CityGuard]

I've never been to Australia before and am super excited to be going to this one! Am I nuts that I'm looking forward to it even in spite of 48+ hours (round trip) of travel time?

I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone, especially those local to the area who don't make it out to the North American and European conferences.

[Renee]

Its not crazy...

I look forward to the conferences over in Europe even though its about 27 hours each way for us... Much easier coming from north america to oz, unless you're living in the middle of nowhere or have to fly from east coast to west coast first.. which I'm assuming you have to do since your flights are going to be so long.. its 12-14 hours from Sydney to LA.

Coming from Europe - thats the killer flight, but if you can manage to go through singapore or bangkok you're set.

Either way it is WELL worth it.. I'd sit in a plane for 24 hours every weekend to go to the other side of the world for one of these things if i could afford it..

You wont regret it

I hope you're going to see some sights while you're here too Steven?

[arkyt]

WOW - another conference for the big spenders... AMAZING - before long there will be one every single month! The conference shaving affect will surely be in full swing!

[Renee]

WOW - another conference for the big spenders... AMAZING - before long there will be one every single month! The conference shaving affect will surely be in full swing!

Can you be more specific about your comments on "conference shaving"?

Perhaps you could start another thread about it, rather than derail this one? I'm sure people would be happy to contribute to it.

[Renee]

BTW I just want to make a comment here too, that I paid my own way for the last conference in Oz, and I will be doing the same at this one and have offered to do the same for the ones in Europe..

So perhaps you should double check before you make assumptions or generalisations.

[Caruso]

Pissy comment aimed at Casino Rewards removed, for obvious reasons.

[Renee]

Pissy comment aimed at Casino Rewards removed, for obvious reasons.

Thanks for removing it..

I hope you have some faith in the system now mate.

[CityGuard]

...unless you're living in the middle of nowhere or have to fly from east coast to west coast first.. which I'm assuming you have to do since your flights are going to be so long.. its 12-14 hours from Sydney to LA.

I hope you're going to see some sights while you're here too Steven?

Indeed I'm coming from the East Coast. But there is some extra travel mixed in that wouldn't be strictly necessary. I'm moving to Washington D.C. in a few days, but will be coming back up to the office (just outside Boston, about 450 miles from D.C.) for the week before the event. Then flying out from Boston to L.A., then L.A. to Sydney. So my estimate of 48+ hours was based on thinking the Boston-to-L.A.-to-Sydney portion might take 20 hours each way, then adding my D.C.-to-Boston travel time (15-16 hours round trip if I drive, which I usually do). So that includes travel motivated by needing to be in the office for some time rather than strictly conference travel. Haha, long explanation.

I haven't decided yet whether to spend an extra day/two down there or to head back right after the show. I'm inclined to stay for some tourism as I'm not sure when or if I'll be in Australia again. Any recommendations for a first time tourist?


Who else is coming to the show?

[Renee]

Indeed I'm coming from the East Coast. But there is some extra travel mixed in that wouldn't be strictly necessary. I'm moving to Washington D.C. in a few days, but will be coming back up to the office (just outside Boston, about 450 miles from D.C.) for the week before the event. Then flying out from Boston to L.A., then L.A. to Sydney. So my estimate of 48+ hours was based on thinking the Boston-to-L.A.-to-Sydney portion might take 20 hours each way, then adding my D.C.-to-Boston travel time (15-16 hours round trip if I drive, which I usually do). So that includes travel motivated by needing to be in the office for some time rather than strictly conference travel. Haha, long explanation.

I haven't decided yet whether to spend an extra day/two down there or to head back right after the show. I'm inclined to stay for some tourism as I'm not sure when or if I'll be in Australia again. Any recommendations for a first time tourist?

Yeah I figured the in between time was factored in..

First time tourist.. if you're only going to be in Sydney, then I would suggest to buy a ticket to do the harbour bridge climb.. Check out the Opera house too.. you can see both from either place as they are straight across from each other..

The rocks is also pretty touristy. You can basically find anything you want down there and you can catch a ferry over to manly from circular quay.

When you get to manly you can go to the taronga zoo from there. You can see some koalas, wombats and all the other aussie animals we have to offer that you wont see anywhere else. I have to say the zoo is one of my favourite parts of Sydney.. From the zoo you can also see a beautiful view of the city and all its landmarks.

You might also like to see the botanical gardens.

I can't think of anything else that stands out but will post when I think of them.

(PS you could always check out where i live in Wollongong - its a hike but its also very pretty)

[CK - Schalk]

Only a 40 minute flight from Melbourne.

I'll be there.

[alexpratt]

Steven - I flew 23hrs last time 25 or so with the stop over and it wasn't actually as bad as I thought even in the crappy plane I had. Seems long whilst you are on it but then when you land and its all sunny etc. you actually feel like it was pretty easy. Also once you have done this a 6 - 10hr flight feels so easy

I did all those things Renee did and recommend them 100% Also I got the ferry over to Manly (Renee is that right) which was pretty fun too. Oh and my g/f dragged me to an opera at the opera house and it was actually pretty good so maybe worth checking out what is happening there.

arkyt - Don't want to continue this derail but wanted to address your comment - This event isn't like the other ones which are major expos and conferences targeting delegates on a global basis. This is an event for the webmasters and programs that are based in Oz, NZ and Asia that can't afford the time or money to fly to Europe. It is not designed for everyone to fly to and feel its a must attend, just like our Spanish event which is in 100% Spanish and just for the Spanish speaking market it is for that market alone. We do get several webmasters coming over who tie it in with a holiday and several programs from N. America and Europe looking to meet their Oz, Asian and NZ affiliates or get into this market but its not in the 1,000's

Anyway - More good news - We just sorted a keynote who is really interesting - he is a big sportsbetting affiliate, huge retail webmaster, has written books, was the largest founding shareholderof Australia's biggest affiliate network....and apparently he will have some interesting things to say!

[TheGooner]

It was good to meet Renee and Schalk at the iGB Down Under last time, and also some of the centrebet team but the overall "conference" was just a little light on useful material.

A quick look at the schedule on the igb site this year looks to be very similar ... perhaps it's best described as aimed at the 1st/2nd year affiliate?

Having said that if you got any more specialised and detailed then you'd probably be accused of getting too niche focused so I know it's a hard-line to tread with content.

So despite the options of a "networking party" ... I don't think that we will spend the 2/3 days to nip across the Tasman this time.

[arkyt]

arkyt - This event isn't like the other ones which are major expos and conferences targeting delegates on a global basis.

Delegates? Programs seem to always send 1,2,3,4+ representative(s) to these conferences every other month...the money to do that comes from somewhere. All I've heard the last 2-3 years is how bad things are with the economy yet they always find a way to spend a pretty penny on these events. Without any doubt that makes many of us say to ourselves hmmmmmmmm.

Renee; I seen the topic brought up about another conference so I made a comment which was IMO relevant to the event - it wasn't a conscious attempt to derail the topic.

Carry on.

[AmCan]

I've really wanted to make it out there last year and still do.

I did want to respond to a couple of statements:

Steven - "A couple of extra days"? Take all the days you possibly can! after that long of a flight try to get in some tourism!

Renee - if i have to go up that bridge, i'm not coming, ever. I won't take a suspension bridge across the river here (i take the tunnel, a less intense phobia) let alone go up on one there! I've seen it on tv and it scared me watching it.

have fun guys.

[Renee]

I've really wanted to make it out there last year and still do.

I did want to respond to a couple of statements:

Steven - "A couple of extra days"? Take all the days you possibly can! after that long of a flight try to get in some tourism!

Renee - if i have to go up that bridge, i'm not coming, ever. I won't take a suspension bridge across the river here (i take the tunnel, a less intense phobia) let alone go up on one there! I've seen it on tv and it scared me watching it.

have fun guys.

LOL

You know, I have a phobia of being stuck under water... So when I have to use the harbour tunnel instead of the harbour bridge, I speed through that thing like a mofo.

The bridge isn't scary.. at least if it collapsed you'd have a chance of swimming.. If you got stuck in the tunnel you're basically screwed.

Makes me shiver just thinking about it...

[Marit VS]

Hey guys,

We have just announced some really great spakers and session so check them out:

Per-Click Advertising: How to maximise your budget
Learn how to control your online PPC marketing by defining the tasks with your PPC provider. Target your geomarkets and manipulate them to ensure they perform to the requirements set down by you, not the search engines. Build a long term, viable and profitable PPC campaign based on the essentials of advanced PPC. Make your budget go further and achieve more!
Speaker: Mark Tull, Founding Director, Website Essentials

Site Optimization & Conversion Strategies
Discover how to optimize your website as expert, Jason West takes you through examples and step-by-step processes to help you maximize your website performance. This session will cover everything from traffic generation to web design and will explore how these factors drive conversion - a complete 101 on site optimization!
Speaker: Jason West, CEO, Websalad

Social Marketing 101
93% of social media users believe a company should have a presence in social media. So, how could/ should you be using social marketing to achieve positive results? Can it help promote your sites/ products /services more effectively? Can it help with the acquisition of players? And most importantly, can it be monetized? Find out the answers to all these questions and more!
Speaker: Andy Jamieson, Partner & Innovation Director, Switched On Media

Affiliate and Operator Q&A: A Discussion of the Current Industry Issues
An open and frank discussion between the panelists and audience about current industry issues. Get the reaction from the industry's most experienced operators and affiliates and have your say on what's hot, new opportunities, and advice on your queries from those in the know. A must for all attendees, affiliates and operators alike!
Submit your questions ahead of this panel to Kiera@iGamingBusiness.com.
Panelists: Scott Logan, BingoPort.co.uk; Lee-Ann Johnstone, Centrebet; Kris Robinson, Online Gambling

We will also be announcing a keynote speaker next week so look out...

Gooner - sorry to hear you wont be coming! We try and make the content as relevant as possible, but especially as Oz is such a young market, alot of what we try and do is teach affiliates and help them how to make the most of the australian, new zeland and asian market.

we will post updates here as and when we get them!

[ironman2000]

Back into the swing of things after LAC in London and then a few extra days with family & friends.

I would really love to attend the conference in Sydney Australia...........

As always its down to the budget with also the European conference coming up soon also.

I would also if my budget would allow to go also to Macau & Hongkong conference

Keep trading throughout 2010

Keith

PS. I also have never been to Australia..........Plus to say "HI" to Renee Downunder and not like that............lol

[Renee]

PS. I also have never been to Australia..........Plus to say "HI" to Renee Downunder and not like that............lol

I think you already said "hello downunder" enough at LAC when you made the comment about my boobs not being as big as you'd thought at the awards LOL

I'm now consulting for a boob job... just kidding




Of course Sydney would love to see everyone.. It's a shame that we are so far away and it's so expensive to get to us.. but if you come, we promise you will have a fantastic time!