I just received an email to attend the Long Tail Alliance Washington Fly-In and talk with congressmen about the online advertising business and changes that might be coming. Of course I have to pay my own way...
Looks like they'll invite anyone ( joining appears to be needed to "confirm" the invite ) who joins ( membership fees are eye watering ..starting at 10K per annum ) and registers..and pays their own way to DC..
btw their site breaks in Opera :)
And their grammar is dodgy ..home page uses the word "staffs" ..staff is already plural ..like sheep.
alika
5:51 pm on Apr 26, 2011 (gmt 0)
I've attended this the past 2 years. There's some seminars and then a dinner at the Google office in DC. Good for meeting other publishers.
The talk last year cover malwares in ad serving of ad networks (the CEO of BurstMedia made a presentation), and the challenge for small online publishers with regards to dealing with media buyers and big advertisers.
I skip the second day, which is about visiting Congress and talking to the Congressmen about the importance of advertising to small online publishers.
There were not that many participants, though the number certainly improved over last year. I can't remember how many were there last year, but we did not even fill up a medium sized room of this Crystal City hotel (sorry, forgot what it was).
If you're into netwoking, there are better conferences or seminars to attend. But if you want to push the cause of small publishers in Congress, then this is the forum for you.
I live in Northern VA so attending this every year is not a problem for me.
ember
5:53 pm on Apr 26, 2011 (gmt 0)
If they invited me they probably are inviting everyone, but I don't see where you have to join IAB to attend. I think it would be good to talk to a few congressmen.
alika
5:57 pm on Apr 26, 2011 (gmt 0)
This is sponsored by the IAB. They may have questionable grammar, but this is not a dodgy operation.
You can get sponsored for your membership by one of the ad agencies (e.g. Valueclick, Burst, etc). And if you attend, they waive the membership fee. But even then, you pay for your own expenses.
They really want attendees so they can have a better impact when meeting with Congress.
Leosghost
6:05 pm on Apr 26, 2011 (gmt 0)
but I don't see where you have to join IAB to attend.
The membership that they say you'll "receive" but doesnt' actually say free or complementary anywhere ( I'm a suspicious sort of soul..always check the small print ..even lack of small print makes me wonder ..and omitted words )..and the page that "receive" links to opens on $250.oo ..the join pages ( click the red join button ) have horrifying rates per annum.
But I suppose if you are a "joiner" and want to see DC .. but the ( IME ) only way politicians take notice of lobbyists is if they come bearing very large gifts..
ember
6:16 pm on Apr 26, 2011 (gmt 0)
I'm not a joiner and I've seen D.C. plenty, but it still might be fun.
snickles121
5:15 am on Apr 27, 2011 (gmt 0)
Who here is going to go to this? I just signed up to go and why not, at least Ill get a free dinner from Google.
If anyone here is going to go, let me know. It would be at least nice to know someone there.
