We’ve added a partial list of speakers. Here are some of the people you can see at LeadsCon East 2009.

Murthy Nukala
Adchemy, Inc.
Founder & CEO

Nathaniel Turner
Invite Media, Inc.
Co-founder, President & COO

Alex Hooshmand
BlueKai
Vice President, Product & Operations

James Mack
First Preferred Mortgage Company
Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Jason Barlow
Apollo College & Western Career College
Director, Online Marketing

Antony Taylor
Right Media
Director of Professional Services

Tim Ogilvie
AdBuyer.com
Co-founder & CEO

Piper Jameson
Lincoln Education Services
SVP & Chief Marketing Officer

Robert Carter
Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe
Development Executive

James Keyt
Unilever
Director, Digital Services

LeadsCon exists not just to bring people together but to provide a forum for leadership and actionable information.

Here are but a few of the sessions happening at LeadsCon East 2009:

• Achieving Breakthrough Results - Get more out of your efforts without spending more
• The Rise of Direct Response and Per Inquiry Advertising - Offline media offers more opportunities than ever before for performance minded advertisers
• Display 2.0 - Bridging The Performance Divide Between Display And Search - New advances in targeting and new ad units can help make display a main focus
• Stories from the Front Line - Learn has worked and more importantly what hasn’t.
• And Many More!

View the Full Conference Program and check back soon for the Speaker List.

Don’t Forget. Early Bird ends this month. Register today and save on a great show.

As we’ve written before, LeadsCon East is more than just LeadsCon in New York. If that were the case, we most likely wouldn’t do the show just to have a second show in a different city. Instead, it’s driven out of our commitment to the online customer acquisition space, i.e., it’s part of the long-term mission of the event, namely to advance / legitimize online customer acquisition and online lead generation.

Companies seeking accountability in advertising are only going to increase. None do it better than the lead gen guys, but for many of the companies becoming more interested in notions of accountability and performance-based advertising, lead gen is a dirty word. The goal then is to take the first steps towards bridging that gap, showing not all lead gen is bad or dirty and similarly educating companies in lead gen on what brand stewards value. It is just as valuable to hear why companies have shied away as it is to hear why they have tried it.

As a result, the schedule we have put together tries to reflect this mission. It looks to make the event palatable to a new audience while still addressing the needs of those innovators and business leaders that have helped get the industry where it is today.

We’re happy to share the Preliminary Agenda. In the next few weeks, we will complete the Full Conference Program and Speaker List.

LeadsCon Las Vegas 2009 attendees, you should have received an email with your special discount link. The Past Attendee Special Price ends Thursday, April 30, 2009. You have just days remaining to save 25% off the already low Early Bird Price.

Email us if you are a past attendee but did not receive the email (info[at]leadscon.com).

See you in New York!

If you visited the LeadsCon site recently, in addition to the new header, we have updated the text to reflect the ongoing mission of LeadsCon as well as announcing our newest show, LeadsCon East 2009. Mark your calendars. The first LeadsCon East takes place August 17 - 18, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Space is limited for this more intimate event. We have a maximum capacity of only 700 people.

Perhaps the most obvious question regarding LeadsCon East is “Why have a second show?” Given the success of LeadsCon Las Vegas, we could easily have a viable business doing just one show a year. And, while that might make our lives easier from an operational perspective, it doesn’t do enough towards fulfilling the LeadsCon mission of advancing online customer acquisition. The goal is not just to have successful events but to help insure the long-term success of the entire industry.

As we say on the home page, “While Las Vegas certainly draws people from all over the world, it serves only as a temporary home for thought leadership and internet advertising dollars. For the world of online customer acquisition and lead generation to achieve its full potential, it needs to operate on a bigger stage. This longer-term vision also includes increasing the industry’s standing not just in the world of internet advertising but all of advertising. And there is only one city at the epicenter of all of advertising, New York City.”

Additionally, instead of LeadsCon East just focusing on the world of online lead generation, we will have a special track that looks to engage the broader world of marketers wanting to leverage the accountability of the internet. Our goal is to make LeadsCon East the must attend show for any interested in not just lead generation but all areas of performance-marketing.

Registration for this event is now open. We look forward to seeing you there.

To everyone who attended, thank you for making LeadsCon Las Vegas the success it was.  The show drew 1400 people from more than 650 companies.

Coverage:
Double Positive Blog - simply an amazing and thorough recap
Lead Critic - the well-known Michael Ferree’s posts on the show
Twitter - leadscon related tweets
Pat McGraw - we will seem him next year
SmartHippo Blog - tracks the tweeters
Tuyen’s Blog - first with pictures

Any that we missed?

A few quotes:
The contacts I made and the sessions I attended were invaluable! - Dave Van Allen, Statefarm
FANTASTIC conference last week!!! First class program, venue, and people. - Jere Doyle,  CEO Prospective
Didn’t think it was possible to top last year but you did and then some. - Mara Fineshriber, Director of Marketing, Western Governor’s University
Completely pleased with every aspect of the show - Shai Pritz, CEO, Unique Leads
All the talk I heard around the floor was very positive. Speakers were great. Conference pace was right on. Exhibit hall floor was the right size. Great job. We will definitely be back next year. Jason Spievak, CE,O Ring Revenue
Everyone I spoke to was very pleased with the event. - Kamuti Kitemi, President, Databanq
It was a different type of show that actually allowed you to make great contacts and pursue actual business as opposed to getting overwhelmed by sales people. - Tim Welch, VP Advertiser Sales, Trial Pay
We found the people, the speakers, our area, the food, the atmosphere, the location absolutely perfect. - Amy Sheridan, CEO, Blue Phoenix Media

Survey:
Check your inboxes shortly. We are sending out the survey for sponsors and attendees.

LeadsCon Is (Almost) Here!

Event Information Update

Hello Everyone!

LeadsCon Las Vegas 2009 is less than a week away! We just want to thank you one more time for your participation and look forward to seeing you March 4 - 5, 2009. The response from you, the industry, has been great. We have a packed house and another SOLD OUT event! Our panelists and exhibitors have done a stellar job. It’s going to be a great event.

Below is some information that should come in handy as you plan your time at the show:

1. Event Location
The Mirage Hotel & Casino
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: 702.791.7111

The event will take place in the Grand Ballroom.  This includes the conference sessions, exhibits and receptions.  The Breakout Sessions and Sponsored Workshops will be adjacent to the Grand Ballroom, in the Antigua and Jamaica rooms.

2. Registration
If you are receiving this email, it means that you are registered for the event and your badge will be waiting for you at Registration.
Location: Registration will be located in the Grand Ballroom Lobby.

Registration Hours:
Tuesday, March 3:  3:00pm – 7:00pm (avoid the mad RUSH on Wednesday morning and pick up your badge on Tuesday!)
Wednesday, March 4:  7:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday, March 5:  8:00am – 2:00pm

3. Event Schedule
Wednesday, March 4:
8:00am – 9:00am              Continental Breakfast
9:00am – 12:15pm            Conference Sessions
12:00pm – 7:00pm            Exhibits Open
12:15pm – 1:30pm            Lunch
1:30pm – 5:00pm              Break-Out Sessions & Sponsored Workshops
5:00pm – 7:00pm              Welcome Reception on the Exhibit Floor

Thursday, March 5:
8:00am – 9:00am              Continental Breakfast
9:00am – 12:15pm            Break-Out Sessions & Sponsored Workshops
12:00pm – 7:00pm            Exhibits Open
12:15pm – 1:30pm            Lunch
1:30pm – 5:00pm              Conference Sessions
5:00pm – 7:00pm              Happy Hour in the Exhibit Hall
6:00pm                            Prize Winner Announced in Exhibit Hall
10:00pm – 12:00am           VIP Party

** For a more detailed event schedule, visit the FULL CONFERENCE PROGRAM. You’ll find detailed information for each session and activity.

4. Information Desk
Our information desk is with Registration. Look for myself, Michelle, or a staff member at the desk, and we’ll be more than happy to assist you. We look forward to seeing all of you in Las Vegas.

5. Who’s Coming?

With registration topping 1200 and over 600 companies participating in LeadsCon, it’s going to be an exciting event!  Be sure to check out the LIST OF PARTICIPATING COMPANIES that you’ll find at LeadsCon.  For everyone’s privacy, we do not distribute the names of those attending, but this will give you a good idea of who you will see ther.

6. Dress
There is no dress code for LeadsCon. Most will be wearing business casual during the day.

7. Weather
The weather for the show looks likes Vegas nice. It should reach the middle seventies each day with a low around fifty degrees. No rain is expected. For a more detailed forecast, see Weather.com.

8. Productivity
Classroom style seating will be present in the most of the conference hall. Wireless connectivity will also be available. As our industry is one full of multi-taskers, we ask, though, that you be respectful of the presentations taking place, while you have your laptop open and VPN running.

9. Attendance
We have exceeded expectations are at capacity. Wednesday morning come early. We will be very busy mid-morning. To make the most of the available seats, especially in the conference hall and breakout rooms, try not to leave open seats. Go ahead and sit next to your neighbor. That way you can network and learn too.

10. VIP Party
Everyone is invited to the VIP Party at PURE…BUT, you must have an invitation to get in. Invitations will be available at the All Web Leads and LendingTree booths during the exhibit hours, (Booth #402 and #405).
It’s important to note that PURE enforces a strict Dress Code:
No Sneakers, Tennis Shoes, Work Boots or Sandals (Male) regardless of Brand Name or ValueNo Athletic Wear
No Shorts
No Hats (Male)

11. Unofficial Events
Tuesday, March 3: Golf Tournament
Transportation provided by Moss Affiliate Marketing. 30+ registered with a few spots available. Hosted on a Jack Nicklaus designed course, a Golf Digest to 100. Catch the bus at 11:45 am in front of the Mirage hotel. RSVP to pmoss@mossaffiliatemarketing.com

Wednesday, March 4: Poker Tournament
Are you the king of the tables? Come play against your peers. Mirage poker room. 9pm. Hosted by the Online Lead Gen Group and LeadTrade. Sign-up here: http://leadsconpoker.eventbrite.com/

Again, thank you. Please feel free to contact us (info[at]leadscon.com)  if you have any questions.

One of the most common questions that we receive from all attendees is, “Do you have list that I can buy/see/mail to?” The answer continues to be unequivocably no. The question of an attendee list has increased in prominence with many attendees receiving various types of prospecting emails. These emails have gone to both just attendees and exhibitors, and they come from a range of companies - from those just attending, ones exhibiting looking to drive more traffic, and those not attending who are purely prospecting.

A line from a company just attending reads, “I saw that your company is exhibiting at LeadsCon next week. If you are attending the conference, I’d like to get a couple minutes of your time to introduce my firm.” Whereas, one from an exhibitor looking for more business starts by saying, “I noticed that someone in your company will be attending the LeadsCon Conference next week in Las Vegas. I want to see if there’s a fit for our companies to work together.” My least favorite would be the following, from Interactive Prospect Targeting Ltd that solicits, “I see that your company will be at LeadsCon in Las Vegas in March. Sadly I can’t attend the event. However, as my company is one of the UK’s largest and longest established online lead generation companies, I feel we should probably be in touch with each other.”

I see this emails as both good and bad. I’m glad that the conference has hit the level of scale where people want to actively make the most of it, but these emails potentially cause more harm than good. LeadsCon aims high; we don’t have, much to several people’s chagrin, and expo only pass. And, while we price the show fairly, we also don’t try to price it so that it would exclude those with a genuine interest in the topic. It’s a fine line because we value the high caliber of attendee the show attracts.

Ultimately, this post is to both address a common question but also to start a dialog about the best ways to solve it. The goal of any show is bringing people together. We want people to meet, but we also want to respect their privacy and avoid even more spammy situations than the one above. We’ve considered using services like EventVue, Ning, and LinkedIn Groups among others. Not that each of those is exclusionary, but the downside is that each can result in more work for the users instead of less.

We welcome your thoughts.

With three weeks remaining until show time, we have officially topped 800 attendees, more than 30% growth from last year’s inaugural event. These 800 attendees come from more than 400 of the leading firms in online customer acquisition - from some of the biggest consumer brands to a cadre of impressive startups.

We couldn’t be more proud of the caliber of speakers who have chosen to share their insights with us this year. In addition to the much anticipated keynote speech by behavioral economist and best selling author Dan Ariely, we have more than 60 top industry executives.

As show gets closer, we will post information regarding badge pick-up and the check-in process. Thanks to everyone for their support and showing the strength the online customer acquisition industry has.

The full program now has the speakers added to it. The lineup has turned out great, and I couldn’t be more excited about the great speakers who have given their time to participate. Click Here to see the program.  For those who want to see just the speakers, we’ve created a page listing the speaker name, their title, and company without the session information. See it here.

A few of the speakers you can see and meet at the show: