I suppose an “About Me” page is where you would expect to read a third person professional write up on myself. Hmmm…. well that’s not really my style, so I’ll just go ahead and tell you “about me” in my own words. 
CAC Amsterdam 2008 Wrap Up
April 9th, 2008 by Jeremy EnkeIt’s not often I get to start a blog post with this sentence:
“So I’m sitting in a strip club at 3:00 AM in Amsterdam’s Red Light District”, and next thing I know my crackberry has disappeared. Anyhow I promised I’d give a wrap up on the 2008 CAC Amsterdam trip, so here it is. Overall, aside from my phone getting stolen on the last night, it was a productive trip.
Luckily we got there a day early so we were able sleep off the jet lag and be fresh to go the first day. Greg and I spoke at Canaffco’s Affiliate Bootcamp that first day. The subject we spoke on was “How to build and maintain an active community”. It was actually nice to speak on this topic as a lot of affiliates have the wrong idea about building an active community.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a Vbulletin forum to build an active community. You can actually do it with a simple blog. I can think of a few bloggers who maintain an active dialog with commenter’s and posters in their blog. Neil Patel is a great example off the top of my head. With this new blog, I intend on being much more active in the comments as well.
The next day at the conference we actually had a packed schedule. I had meetings back to back from morning until night. Most of my meetings now days revolve around PAP versus negotiating personal stuff. Who would of thought 3 years ago that PAP would be the powerhouse it is now, surely not me.
That night however we did let loose and go out. After hanging out and playing poker with the Webroute guys,
in proper tradition we made sure to hit the Casa Rosa. This year was especially fun though as we partied with the man and legend, Markus Tandler. I think we finally got in around 5:00 AM and crashed. I know we went a few places after the live sex show, but it is all a blur at this point. 
The next day was filled with more meetings. After attending meetings at these events for years, there is one thing that is certain; Either your trying to sell something, or you’re being sold something. This was the last day and the famous CAC “Beer Session” took place. To be honest I thought it was very disappointing. Half the session was spent talking about “skill gaming” and stupid shit about online ping pong and other garbage.
The overall sentiment of the conference was that the industry is making a turn for the better. Likewise a lot of the European Sportsbook providers are starting to get into poker. In regards to attendance, and most operators will agree, it seemed like there were not as many affiliates in attendance as years before.
Of course I am biased here, but with the recent success of all the CAP events, affiliates are now more choosy on which events to go to. I have written several times before on my feelings of charging affiliates. Personally I think it’s greedy of the conference organizers and just a way to squeeze a few thousand dollars more in profit.
I know how much money our events make, and believe me, you make enough off of sponsorships and operators that you shouldn’t have to charge affiliates. I realize that most affiliates get “sponsored” or get the free passes from the operators, but it seems like a big hassle to make us chase these down. Dude, just make it free.
In respect to industry conferences, I have 3 thoughts:
1. There are getting to be too many and the best ones are going to rise to the top
2. In the coming years we need to get at least 1 or 2 conferences closer to the U.S., even if this means Mexico, Canada, or the Carribean.
3. The Poker Conference / Spring Break is the next event, and will be on a sunny beach, and much more relaxed than Amsterdam. Likewise there is an ASOP event and it’s 100% focused on poker affiliates!.
Tags: CAC Amsterdam, Conferences
April 9th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I think I´m still a little hungover… totally amsterdammed
Can´t wait for CAP Spring Break!
April 9th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
You are absolutely right on #2 Jeremy. Make it happen!
April 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
The problem over the last few years is that operators are essentially the ones that pay to make these shows happen. As you can imagine 95% of them are located in Europe.
If we were to host an event “close to” the U.S., most would have to connect somewhere on U.S. soil. Over the last 18 months, none of these guys would even consider this.
I’m sure if we pick the right location however, we could make it work.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I like the idea of having one closer to the US. Mexico seems like a good choice, but anything closer would work.. Also, am i reading this right that you guys had to pay to attend this thing??
Randy
April 9th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
CAC always charges like $700 or $800 for affiliates to attend. Then they give away affiliate passes to all their event sponsors and programs that buy booths.
So basically all of us affiliates then have to try to chase down A.M.’s to get passes. It is a total waste of time and an unnecessary step.
But the CAC organizers are banking on the fact that some baller affiliates are just going to avoid the hassle and pay it. I guess it’s an easy way for them to squeeze a few more thousand dollars into their profit.
All the CAP events and the Poker Conference are free though. That’s probably because we’re all affiliates ourselves and not full time event organizers though.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
That seemed fun… I wish I was there.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Don’t worry Neil, I imagine you’ll be at the poker conference and spring break. We’re going to tear it up.
On a side note, you know your blog must be doing well when Neil Patel and Markus Tandler both comment in the same post.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Last time I paid for a conference it was $300 for CAC Las Vegas. There is no one that for an affiliate it is worth paying $700.And like you said a lot of us resent the fact that we are supposed to chase down affiliate managers for a free pass.
This is why CAP is easily going to overtake CAC as time goes on.
By the way great forum Jeremy, been reading it for a while, but first time commenting today.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Sounds like you guys had a blast. Although I know the reasons behind it I still think a full blown affiliate conference in Canada would rock. I love the idea of the poker conferences and hopefully you guys will have another one in the fall, since I am planning to attend something around than - if there is something to attend
April 14th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
A full blown conference in Canada is in the 12 -18 month plan. We are going to start with the initial meetup and see how that goes.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I am so excited about the meetup you have no idea. But I am still planning on attending one of the bigger events this year…now we just need to get you a certified “Enke” Leafs Jersey to go with your Blue