and the main sponsors for LAC are:

[footballaffiliate]

Platinum sponsor - William Hill
Gold sponsor - 888.com

isn't it a shame that year after year the most dubious programs try to cover up their dodgy reputations by throwing money at sponsoring the big events?!

 

[muffincrumbs]

This way they trap all the newbies with big promises and shinny banners before they join us and learn the truth. Think about how many people just figure that they are trusted because they have big advertising money.

 

[Guard Dog]

Unfortunately the eventing companies and many others don't give a shit about affiliates (well, except for how it lines their pockets). It's quite sad. By turning a blind eye, they essentially allow theft, spamming, and hacking - and then use those profits to build their enterprise.

Truth.

 

[pdjoe]

And all supported by affiliates.

 

[KasinoKing]

You didn't mention the other 2 main sponsors: EGO & iAffiliates.
I have worked with all 4 in the past - but they all turned out to be dodgy, so I dumped them.
It does seem ironic that the best affiliate convention on the planet is sponsored by 4 of the worst groups, but what can you do, eh?

KK

 

[slotplayer]

let them, probably a much higher customer acquisition cost.
nothing beats getting a free customer via word of mouth.

 

[Vladi]

No surprises there. Some of them will probably win a "prestigious award" for their trouble too.

what can you do, eh?

You could is refuse to go to the conferences, refuse to vote in the awards, don't nominate yourself and so on. Just don't participate. Lets see how many of these programs are willing to stump up the cash to be exhibitors and/or sponsors when there are no fish turning up for them to catch. Or do something constructive and organise an affiliate conference without the stands and used car salesmen (sorry "affiliate program representatives") that is for affiliates only.

It is pretty simple. An affiliate convention doesn't work without affiliates. And affiliates don't need to go to these conferences. From where I'm sitting if you're turning up regularly to these things then you're actively supporting and encouraging them.

 

[AussieDave]

Unfortunately the eventing companies and many others don't give a shit about affiliates (well, except for how it lines their pockets). It's quite sad. By turning a blind eye, they essentially allow theft, spamming, and hacking - and then use those profits to build their enterprise.

Truth.

It is pretty simple. An affiliate convention doesn't work without affiliates. And affiliates don't need to go to these conferences. From where I'm sitting if you're turning up regularly to these things then you're actively supporting and encouraging them.

Lou Fabiano (RIP), those who didn't know him, he was colourful industry personality. LAC have an award named after him and I believe, the first year it went to the GPWA. For the record, Corfman & Co. (gpwa, casinocity, apcw et al), were hell bent on discrediting Lou and CAP any way they could, a few years back. It was a full-on war! Albeit both camps were in the wrong.

These conventions are nothing but a 3 ring circus, which line the pockets of the promoters and those in the clique. Hence why I've never bothered to attend one!

 

[slotplayer]

way too many of these things.

 

[CygX1]

Rumour says Bewinners, Grand Prive and Expekt will be offering free tshirts to all LAC affiliates...

 

[CaseyM]

wow free t-shirts!!!

 

[footballaffiliate]

Rumour says Bewinners, Grand Prive and Expekt will be offering free tshirts to all LAC affiliates...

Would this be a t-shirt in the style of the wild-west "Most Wanted" for crimes against affiliates? Put William Hill and Ladbrokes on there too while we're at it!

 

[footballaffiliate]

No surprises there. Some of them will probably win a "prestigious award" for their trouble too.



You could is refuse to go to the conferences, refuse to vote in the awards, don't nominate yourself and so on. Just don't participate. Lets see how many of these programs are willing to stump up the cash to be exhibitors and/or sponsors when there are no fish turning up for them to catch. Or do something constructive and organise an affiliate conference without the stands and used car salesmen (sorry "affiliate program representatives") that is for affiliates only.

It is pretty simple. An affiliate convention doesn't work without affiliates. And affiliates don't need to go to these conferences. From where I'm sitting if you're turning up regularly to these things then you're actively supporting and encouraging them.

All very true - these conferences are just a fishing exercise for the big brands - bring some C-list celebrities, some girls walking around with their asses hanging out, free alcohol, and pick up the young and unsuspecting 20-something guys into promoting your brand until the next conference when you'll offer them some inflated deal and try explain why you haven't made any money yet.

LAC, BAC, Amsterdam - they're all a farce. Anyone knows that if you're a serious and reasonably sized affiliate that you visit your advertiser's offices for meetings and talk to them on a daily or weekly basis.

It amazes me how much hype there is around these conferences - people walking about like they're some big shot affiliate when they probably earn $100 per month, self-styled SEO experts who give talks and presentations worthy of a high school student, they're so poor.

 

[KasinoKing]

LAC, BAC, Amsterdam - they're all a farce. Anyone knows that if you're a serious and reasonably sized affiliate that you visit your advertiser's offices for meetings and talk to them on a daily or weekly basis.

It amazes me how much hype there is around these conferences - people walking about like they're some big shot affiliate when they probably earn $100 per month, self-styled SEO experts who give talks and presentations worthy of a high school student, they're so poor.

I disagree with you here - there is no way I can go jetting off around the globe to visit the casino's people - these conferences are VERY useful and productive for me.
For the last 3-4 years I have only been to LAC though - because London is only 60 miles away for me.

I do agree with the predatory programs "fooling young affiliates with birds and booze", but only a few of the programs and affiliates fall into this category - most are honest programs and most (I hope) seasoned affiliates can sort the wheat from the chaff.

KK