Are affiliate conference worth it?

[Bombati]

Hi Guys,

I’ve only ever been to one affiliate conference and that was in Amsterdam in 2016.

Working in this industry for over 4 years now I’m thinking we should be making a effort to attend more.

The feeling I got was one of BS from lots of managers (not all but most) and a night piss up!?!

Are they worth attending in your view?


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[KasinoKing]

Yes and no...
My first LAC was 2007 I think - but it was a "bit basic" back then.
I would say probably 2009-2012 were the best ones as I was still relatively new to the industry but had enough knowledge to know who most of the rogue-ass operators were. Those ones were very constructive.

Even after that, I still think it is great to meet the people you are dealing with and putting 100% trust in face-to-face occasionally, and there's always something new to discuss.
They are borderline "excuse for a piss up" and constructive business meetings, and I certainly wouldn't want to do more than 3 per year, but I do think they serve a useful purpose.
Of course, for me LAC is only 2 hours away by train - but it's the best one so I would make the effort to get there even if it were further away.

At one time I only did LAC, but I've been to AAC as well the last 3 years and SiGMA last year and again in 4 hours time! (That's when I have to get up for a very early flight!).

KK

 

[Bombati]

Yes and no...
My first LAC was 2007 I think - but it was a "bit basic" back then.
I would say probably 2009-2012 were the best ones as I was still relatively new to the industry but had enough knowledge to know who most of the rogue-ass operators were. Those ones were very constructive.

Even after that, I still think it is great to meet the people you are dealing with and putting 100% trust in face-to-face occasionally, and there's always something new to discuss.
They are borderline "excuse for a piss up" and constructive business meetings, and I certainly wouldn't want to do more than 3 per year, but I do think they serve a useful purpose.
Of course, for me LAC is only 2 hours away by train - but it's the best one so I would make the effort to get there even if it were further away.

At one time I only did LAC, but I've been to AAC as well the last 3 years and SiGMA last year and again in 4 hours time! (That's when I have to get up for a very early flight!).

KK

Thanks KK

I do think that these things could all be discussed over the phone though.

Just don’t want to waste my time and money


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[NDG]

I haven't attended any of the industry events. It would be nice to hear what if anything actually gets accomplished
at these events. Affiliate programs don't need industry events to recruit new affiliates or get existing affiliates to
boost the promotion of their brands. All that they need is to put together an affiliate program that pays a good
commission without any fee deductions, offers a nice selection of creatives, pays affiliates early in the month, and
treats players well. It's not rocket science here.. but it's amazing how many programs fall short on all of this.

 

[Frank]

It depends.. some affs want top go just to have a piss up, I'm going as i'm forever growing and have some important meetings and get do do them all in one place within a few days

 

[SnazzySlots]

I've never attended one and I probably won't. They send all their man power to try to recruit 'New' affiliates and can't be bothered to service the ones they already have. Try getting in to contact with most programs during this time and see the results. It is sometimes a mission even getting a response out of some programs when there isn't any thing going on to begin with.

You have your stellar programs but most of the programs I deal with today are more focused on spamming your inbox with offers to promote them or looking for ways to shave more money off you. It is becoming pathethic.

 

[Biti]

Yes and no. It depends mainly on how you're in the game.

Yes, because it is good to see the faces behind the people you're working. In my opinion it helps in having a good relationship with the people you're working with. It's also useful to meet colleague-affiliates. Besides that, it's informative sometimes and in my opinion it's good to be informed.

No, because it's full of people that get paid per business card they've scored. I must say it is getting a bit better, but still there are very agressive affiliate manager hunting for contact details to spam you or collect details to sell to other parties. Also, the floor may be filled by mainly brands you're not working with. For example quite some bookmakers, but also programs that I don't like or are simply rogue.

It makes no sense to go here to find new business partners. You will be contacted by many spammy and crappy programs. It makes no sense to build a relationship with them, because they come & go, are not too trust and/or change affiliate managers almost monthly.

If a conference is at a nice place, I book a week or something extra and take it as holiday. Malta is great for example. Unfortunately most conferences are in places that are not very interesting to take holidays yearly. Costs are all deductible as business costs.

It also gives a very good insight in how serious a program is. For some it's really just a KPI to have as much as possible appointments in their agenda.

Also I would be realistic about your own "power". Costs must be reasonable and there must be something to negotiate about. For the parties, I wouldn't go. Private dinners and parties are usually very nice, the official ones are boring.

 

[Biti]

Thanks KK

I do think that these things could all be discussed over the phone though.

Just don’t want to waste my time and money


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Sure. By phone or Skype you can speak with everybody in this business. But I am really convinced that a bit of personal contact could be a plus.

 

[SnazzySlots]

A little bit off topic but I would actually love to see a MAJOR news letter going out to warn potential affiliates about rogue programs. Many people attend these conferences. One that says - Conference coming up - AVOID Gala, Ladbrokes, 888 and other rogues. Maybe we could even club in with posts on our domains that speak of an upcoming conference and specifically mention who the rogues are and that they should be avoided.

Its getting out of control quite honestly.

 

[edgarf76]

This is a good topic. I have always been curious about the conferences. I do not know if there is anything beneficial to going. I am still up in the air about it.

 

[BetOnlineUK]

A little bit off topic but I would actually love to see a MAJOR news letter going out to warn potential affiliates about rogue programs. Many people attend these conferences. One that says - Conference coming up - AVOID Gala, Ladbrokes, 888 and other rogues. Maybe we could even club in with posts on our domains that speak of an upcoming conference and specifically mention who the rogues are and that they should be avoided.

Its getting out of control quite honestly.

It's easy to tell, the bigger the stand the bigger the shisters are!!!

 

[Biti]

A little bit off topic but I would actually love to see a MAJOR news letter going out to warn potential affiliates about rogue programs. Many people attend these conferences. One that says - Conference coming up - AVOID Gala, Ladbrokes, 888 and other rogues. Maybe we could even club in with posts on our domains that speak of an upcoming conference and specifically mention who the rogues are and that they should be avoided.

Its getting out of control quite honestly.

There's something weird going on in the gambling industry: two parallel worlds. The first one is the wordl we're living in as affiliates, the second one is a world where mainstream media ask a CEO of Betway if it's about responsible gaming. It's the world of lawyers authorities, big gambling companies, , etc.

 

[KasinoKing]

All that they need is to put together an affiliate program that pays a good
commission without any fee deductions, offers a nice selection of creatives, pays affiliates early in the month, and
treats players well. It's not rocket science here.

And 2 more things: Back-end reporting that shows ALL the fees & figures.
Plus a SENSIBLE, attractive player welcome bonus, with reasonable WR and no silly or subjective rules.

KK

 

[Webzcas]

For me there has to be a real ROI in going. I haven't attended any of the iGB events for several years, but do plan to attend LAC next year. I've been to the last two EGR Power Affiliate Summits and they were superb, for networking alone. Indeed, this year's was well worth the attendance just to be able to meet some of the individuals who attended.

I nowadays much prefer the smaller events, AffiliateFest in October was great. I always try and get to the Meister Meet during ICE week also and the ICE Show is always worth a visit.

But, as I said there has to be a real ROI as even staying in a hotel in London for a few nights, plus spends can add up.

 

[TheGooner]

They have some value - if you go to cement relationships - and have arranged appointments.

But yes, it is pointless to go and try to establish new contacts with programs, as the AMs are in full "meet, greet and recruit" mode and don't have very long at all for any individual contact.

However, whether there is payback for an extended trip to go to a conference is a very doubtful point.

I'd go to any conference that was a day trip - or an single overnight stay - and no more than 2-3 hours travel each way.
However as they are all based in Europe - it's 2-3 days travel each way for us - so I only attend if it ties in with other travel plans.

 

[LandofOz]

But yes, it is pointless to go and try to establish new contacts with programs, as the AMs are in full "meet, greet and recruit" mode and don't have very long at all for any individual contact.

My thoughts exactly

 

[Casinoer Danmark]

I've been to a couple as affiliate and operator and all of you are right in what you are saying. Plenty of drinking, strip clubs and backslapping of exists affiliates.

BUT

What I like about it is to get first hand information; many times you can meet product managers, conversion experts and of course all the other companies indirectly related to running a casino such as payment, hosting, security - providers. You can go there and pick their brains out.

As an affiliate you want to be sure to book all your important meetings the first day. The remaining days you are.. Yeah kind of fucked of drinking and.. *censored*

A conference is like everything in life, it is dependent what you make out of it.

 

[RazorGamer]

Sure. By phone or Skype you can speak with everybody in this business. But I am really convinced that a bit of personal contact could be a plus.

Oh yes, you're absolutely spot on there!

 

[Mr Live Casinos]

Sure. By phone or Skype you can speak with everybody in this business. But I am really convinced that a bit of personal contact could be a plus.

You can have the face to face contact with the AMs and see the person behind that email or skype chat or phone line. You can then get a feeling of what kind of person you are dealing with. Personally, i have build great relationships with AMs through these events and have also discontinued affiliations when i realised the kind of person i was working with.

 

[Bombati]

You can have the face to face contact with the AMs and see the person behind that email or skype chat or phone line. You can then get a feeling of what kind of person you are dealing with. Personally, i have build great relationships with AMs through these events and have also discontinued affiliations when i realised the kind of person i was working with.

Like your way of thinking


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