WebmasterWorld Search Conference Sponsored by...

do I dare ask who's next?

[Import Export]

Usually you see major players in the different sectors and also some rising technology stars as sponsors. Almost always tech and or web dev related. But now when I hit WW I do a double take.. Casinos? PR sales site? Is WW becoming the clutter I come here to escape? I know that the owners of a lot of these sponsors are good people, and I'm not trying to offend anyone here... It's just awfully attention grabbing...

[bobothecat]

Guess money talks :)

Though I've learned to just ignore them... they do seem to be showing a more prominent placement lately.

[Brett_Tabke]

This is the 4th time some of them have been to WebmasterWorld conferences. They are players in all the major conferences from CES to AdTech.

Affiliates are people too.

[The Contractor]

Casinos - I'm sure are affiliate related opportunities for webmasters such as your self…

[EliteWeb]

Each sponsor offers something for someone in the community, I think it would be foolish to limit it to the big time engines. I'd bet many of the sponsors up there are long time members of this community also in many cases.

[bobothecat]

"Affiliates are people too"

I don't disagree... think there are several of us on here that make a nice living - thanks to affiliate relationships.

Making it so 'attention-getting' ... that's another story :)

[graywolf]

It's just awfully attention grabbing

When you pay to sponsor an event isn't being noticed the point?

[Import Export]

To understand what I'm saying you have to take a step back.

Anyone can link to whom they choose, and allow whoever to sponsor as they wish.

Affiliates are people too, I have to agree. Now you have to agree that so are those that run adult and spyware download sites. Same with those running right wing political sites and those that sell adware inventory...

What was being implied was that as something that has maintained its level of cleanliness for so long, when displaying/linking-to/promoting products and services in those "gray-areas", certainly take away from the cleanliness.

It's 100% gray area and based on opinion. However, if you take a step back from the affiliate saturated mindset or tunnel vision you may be plagued by, you will see what I am saying.

WW has (whether you know it or not) become a place that you can come to for a higher level of intellectual communication. Why do you think that so many industry leaders, company rep's, and phd's come here and participate in discussion?

When you start appearing like those found lower in the food chain you start being taken for such. The longer you sink, the harder it is to return.

If you can't distinguish this level of professionalism at WW from the other forums out there then this argument is not for you.

Bottom line is, food for thought..

[ncw164x]

WW has (whether you know it or not) become a place that you can come to for a higher level of intellectual communication

Yeah I know I have been coming here since it started.

The adverts appear each time there is a conference planned which just happens to be in June, the same happened last year with the Vegas conference. What is the big deal with adverts a couple of time a year...Huh?

Your right there is no argument, if one single advert tucked away at the top corner of the browser window is unacceptable to you then you need to open your eyes on the rest of the web site you visit...or get out of the office more often

[Hawkgirl]

It's the support of the sponsors that makes the event possible. I am tremendously grateful that all of our sponsors have stepped up to give their support to WebmasterWorld's conference. Without them, we wouldn't have the chance to get together several times a year and take advantage of all of the in-person knowledge and networking opportunities. If they come from different areas (some big SEs, some affiliate folks, some other niches), then all the better. That will draw a larger, more diverse group ... more people for you to talk to, pitch to, learn from, and partner with!

[wheel]

This is a bizarre thread from a couple of different viewpoints. What's the problem with casinos and the like? That's a big part of this community and they're for sure embedded into SEO. And a lot of people here are interested.

I'm more interested in prweb and google booths. I'm sure there's a good percentage of people who don't care about those booths and hit the other ones. I just walk by booths I'm not interested, maybe say hi. I don't extrapolate that to meaning the site or the conference is shoddy (maybe because I don't see casinos as shoddy).

And that 'affiliates are people too', that's just plain odd. I admit, I never thought of it that way.:)

As I've mentioned before, I'd actually prefer to see more adverts here on an ongoing basis. The community here is very niche, ads being displayed are quite likely products that I'm actually going to be interested in - and I'm happy to view those kinds of ads. Everyone here knows the value of targetted traffic right? Well, that's us.

[Visit Thailand]

The only thing I will say on this subject is I wish as they are sponsors we could actually click on their logos and see what the site is all about rather than to the page about the conference.

Added in: Also it would be nice to find the process of becoming a sponsor (but I may have missed that).

[bulldog]

Visit Thailand,

If you click on the logo, you are directed to the conference page, now, click on the exhibitors link, on the left, all the exhibitors show up, the logos do link back to thier sites from here.

Also if you are intrested in sponsoring, you can find a contact on [webmasterworld.com ] for Joe.

[Visit Thailand]

Thanks bulldog does that mean one has to be an exhibitor to be a sponsor? Or does it depend on organisation etc.

[bulldog]

We have a lot of opportunities available, so you do not have to be an exhibitor to be a sponsor :)

[Import Export]

Why so defensive? Suggestions shouldn't be addressed like this. That is, unless you have ulterior factors tainting your view. :)

Too bad this food for thought isn't biodegradable...

[ncw164x]

So you don't like seeing the adverts for the conference sponsors twice a year for a few months, OK then lets chew your food for thought around a little bit before we spit it out again

Please feel free to give your answer to the following two questions

1...What way would you get sponsorship without letting any of them have an advert on the site they are paying to sponsor?

2...Do you think anyone is going to pay and get nothing back other than a stand at the conference its self?

I would give the answer for you but that would spoil the game, wouldn't it..

[wheel]

Looking at it another way, I'm happy to let the monied casinos/se's/whatever pay the freight for the conference and still let me get away with paying <$500 for a 3+ day conference of this quality.

We've been getting off pretty lucky so far.

[mattglet]

I personally don't mind them... they add some new colors to the site!

I don't feel like changing my skin.