What do you think of smaller local conferences and parties?

[MichaelCorfman]

The GPWA recently announced we are holding two smaller conferences together with parties.

One for an afternoon in London on November 6th followed by a cocktail party.

And one for an afternoon on November 20th in Las Vegas at G2E followed by a party in the Stratosphere.

You can see details on the website GPWAconference.com.

We're trying this as an experiment that we think is complementary to the large multi-day conferences that take place a few times a year that generally required travel and hotel stays for the attendees.

We'd like your thoughts on this type of get-together for affiliates in local markets. We're also going to be video-taping the talks for folks that would like to hear the sessions but cannot attend because they don't live locally.

Let us know what you think and why.

Michael

[TheGooner]

I think it's a good idea, even if I don't think "local" events will ever quite make it down to my town ... but perhaps Sydney.


I'd like to meet fellow affiliates and industry groups, but don't need the hype, the parties or the showboat conference booth style of approach.

We've all been there, done that, and it's flash and expense that impresses the newbies and provids a bit of glitz - but frankly has little business value when compared to the benefits of a simple face to face chat.

Even with CAP DownUnder, I'm currently planning on just one night / two days in order to meet and greet a small group of contacts ...

So smller "local" events ... yes please.

[matted]

I too like the idea... Just that travelling isn't easy for me right now - especially for a gaming related conference. But if not for my 2 kids needing constant hands-on time, I'd love to fly out to Vegas (or London) for one of these things!

I've made a point of posting when I'm going to "out of town" and seeing if I could meet up with whoever is around! It's amazing the handful of folks I've met!

[LiveCasinoPartners]

I'd like to go to one too. I could see myself going to one of the "smaller" events too. I live in Costa Rica now, but I would certainly consider flying to the US for a day or so for one of the events. If I had to go to Europe for a one day event, I'd probably not go, and just concentrate on the larger events.

[alexpratt]

I think its a great idea - This is the exact reason we are doing Sydney in Nov and did an event back in Sept in Niagra Falls - Just simple honet networking for people that can't fly a load of miles because of various reasons from family to time

[Nandakishore]

This is an excellent idea. It can help us to attract more people to our sites, provided these conferences are open to non-members. I wish we could have one somewhere in Germany. But I am not sure if that could be possible because online gambling is illegal here.

[thepokerkeep]

Love the idea!

My wife and I really enjoyed the Niagara meet up and made some great contacts.

Localized, weekend style events are perfect for those with daytime jobs and family commitments.

When will you be doing the Toronto area event??

[alexpratt]

This is an excellent idea. It can help us to attract more people to our sites, provided these conferences are open to non-members. I wish we could have one somewhere in Germany. But I am not sure if that could be possible because online gambling is illegal here.

I am also really keen to do one in Germany as there is a great affiliate community out there but I also worry about legalities as many affiliates out there have told me they really don't want any attention

[Skinski]

I hope to attend an event some day and I think it's a great idea .

[mojo]

If there was a domestic conference I believe that Joe and I would go. It's been very difficult for us to get away to expensive trips. If I were to go anywere it would be to visit family as opposed to one of these exotic conferences. I would much rather spend my money going see my son. However if there was an in house get together we would be so there.

Thank you Micheal for the thought.

[Renee]

I have a different thought on this...

The smaller get togethers (and I say get togethers instead of conferences) would be great for the people who cant get to the conferences and would like to meet with people, as Gooner mentioned, just face to face contact...

I think its hard with having so many conferences per year because you end up having to pick and choose which to attend and with everyone doing that, you end up missing the people you actually want to meet up with.

So I think regarding the 'conference' part, ie booths and actually exhibiting there should be less of (maybe 2 per year), but maybe more of the smaller get togethers as mentioned above.. that way if people want to fly to the other side of the world to be at one of the smaller ones, they can...

I think another factor here is cost.. If there were more of the smaller get togethers, more locals would likely attend and the cost to attend would be less (flights etc), whereas having to fly over the other side of the world can be extremely expensive, especially when you're doing it 4-5 times a year and especially if you're a new aff not making much money yet etc.

Just as an example, a flight to Athens last year cost me $2600AUD, and a flight to Vancouver in August cost me $2800AUD... I'm pretty sure our flights to Barcelona were around the $2500AUD mark too... Big strain on the pocket.

[Renee]

I'd also like to add that I LOVED the Barca conference... and if it was up to me, I'd be at every one of them no matter how close they are together.. Just sometimes have to look at it from both sides of the fence.

[mojo]

Just as an example, a flight to Athens last year cost me $2600AUD, and a flight to Vancouver in August cost me $2800AUD... I'm pretty sure our flights to Barcelona were around the $2500AUD mark too... Big strain on the pocket.

Pretty much the bottom line Renee. Why would someone like myself spend that kind of money when I can talk to my Renee anytime??

I don't need booths etc. Not to say that it is a bad thing, I know you all love the conferences but guys, not everyone will spend the cash if you don't mind me saying so. I have other ideas for spending my vaca money like going to see my loved ones.

[Renee]

Pretty much the bottom line Renee. Why would someone like myself spend that kind of money when I can talk to my Renee anytime??

I don't need booths etc. Not to say that it is a bad thing, I know you all love the conferences but guys, not everyone will spend the cash if you don't mind me saying so. I have other ideas for spending my vaca money like going to see my loved ones.

Yeah you have a good point there.. I suppose on the other hand though, the time difference doesn't always allow a lot of us to be awake or in the office etc at the same time, mind you I will always make myself available if I need to speak in real time with someone...

The conferences are good for that because they give us a chance to talk rather than email all the time... And sometimes being face to face with someone is just so much better than email.. At least you cant mistake someones tone face to face.. Thats the part I hate about email and IM programs...
Id MUCH rather meet with affs face to face. Which gives another point to my theory that if there were only 2 conferences per year we would be more likely to see everyone we wanted to see because more people are likely to be at the conference you attend..

I think its great that affiliates attend the conferences free though. This def helps cut costs for affs.

[BiggDawgg]

I think smaller local get togethers would be a great idea. I would love to see something closer to me that I could attend sometime, because of some health problems traveling very far doesn't work well for me.

[mojo]

At least you cant mistake someones tone face to face.. Thats the part I hate about email and IM programs...

I have to agree Renee. It is nice to put faces to names. I'm sure there have been many misunderstandings online and it's easy to do.

I was looking at the GPWA conference in Vegas on the 20th. We would definiately do that but we already am going to Deadwood for Thanksgiving to see family. I hope you do more of those Michael and count us in!