If you are considering attending HostingCon for the first time, you may wonder what other website hosting professionals think about the conference. I asked a select group of hosting professionals who attended HostingCon last year to weigh in on what makes HostingCon such a great event, and why they think that others ought to attend this year. Here is a bit of what they had to say.
Sam Renkema is the CEO of SpamExperts BV, a Gold Sponsor for this year’s HostingCon. SpamExperts is an innovative antispam consultancy and implementation enterprise. In-house developed technologies are based on self-learning and networking effects that provide for the elimination of annoyances and costs incurred by spam. SpamExperts aims to accomplish its goals by openly communicating, while being flexible and responsible. Here is what Mr. Renkema advises about HostingCon, ”HostingCon offers the opportunity to speak face to face with industry leaders and suppliers to further develop the professional network of your organization and potentially encounter new opportunities and partnerships. Great speakers which inform attendees about best-practices as well as new and future developments in the market. Enough social and relaxing moments to have a drink with your fellow colleagues and friends.”
Daniel Foster is the co-founder of UK-based website hosting company, 34SP.com. Mr. Foster has traveled from Europe the past 4 years specifically to attend HostingCon. Why does he keep coming back? According to Mr. Foster, ”HostingCon is a great opportunity to see what the current buzz in web hosting is about. Attending the show gives the opportunity to hear presentations by a lot of our industry’s big names; to see what they’re worried about, what opportunities they see (or at least the ones they choose to share with us!) and where they think the future of web hosting lies. It is also a great chance to network with the largest gathering of hosting professionals in the world. Last year we made several very useful business contacts and have managed to build on those since – I can’t imagine the same would have happened if we hadn’t been at the event.”
William Toll is another veteran HostingCon attendee who represents dedicated hosting firm Navisite. Here is what Mr. Toll expects to see at HostingCon 2009, ”This year the event promises to be a true sign that our industry has matured and is weathering the global economic downturn. I expect there to be lots of announcements and sessions on topics such as Cloud storage and computing, the rapid changes in the platforms used for “Virtual Dedicated Servers” and success that providers are having upselling and
cross selling Hosted Exchange. Another good reason to attend will be the session that we are giving titled “Building an Effective Product Launch Plan”. I intend to share my 10 years of experience in our industry and the experience and knowledge we have used to rapidly bring new high-margin products to market.”
David Snead is a well known attorney who has represented numerous website hosting companies over the past decade. His legal practice works exclusively with companies and individuals involved in the infrastructure supporting the Internet and those who create and distribute products and services electronically. Mr. Snead has been a frequent speaker and moderator of keynote sessions at previous HostingCon events. Here is what Mr. Snead had to say, ”The biggest reason I attend, and present, at HostingCon is the challenging questions I get from attendees. There is a renewed energy this year, and a focus on quality speakers. In particular, there will be a nice mix of policy speakers and nuts and bolts advice. As the event has grown, and I assume will continue to grow, the networking opportunities can’t be beat.”
Be sure to sign up early and secure your hotel and travel arrangements as this year’s event is proving to be very popular. I look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C.
