press release - 07/19/2005
By bringing together approximately 400 of the online gaming industry's top minds and influencers for the 2005 Bodog Poker & Sports Marketing Conference, Bodog once again proved they are the undisputed leaders of the marketplace. From the keynote speech delivered by poker superstar Daniel Negreanu to the wrap up from Bodog Founder and CEO Calvin Ayre, the event on July 6th and 7th at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada was an astounding success.
"Our event attracts the leaders in the field including advertisers, affiliates, investors, suppliers and our fellow operators. We are thrilled to be able to bring the industry together," noted Ayre. "The event was twice the size of the 2004 event and with the continued growth of poker and sports wagering next year's will only be larger."
Attendees were impressed by the caliber of the speakers including Negreanu, sports luminaries Mike Ditka and Reggie Jackson, Poker Tournament Director Matt Savage, PokerRoyalty.com's Brian Balsbaugh, Kelley O'Hara of the Bicycle Casino, Peter Gold of VegasInsider.com, Patrick Selin from Pokerroom.com , Rob Begg from Covers.com, Bluff Magazine publisher Eric Morris, Oddjack.com blogger A.J. Daulerio, Playbook Magazine publisher Marc Lawrence, online gambling legal expert Allyn Jaffrey Shulman, SportsDatabases President Scott Neil, and Founder and President of Sports911.com/ Gambling911.com Christopher 'Sting' Costigan, not to mention our owner and founder, Doc himself.
Speakers and attendees were awestruck by the Bodog Carnivale Ball held at Rain at the Palms Casino. From the hand-rolled cigars to an ever-changing parade of beautiful Brazilian showgirls, the Bodog Carnivale Ball was an experience not to be forgotten! The party resulted in legendary coach Mike Ditka remarking, "I've been to a lot of parties, lots of Superbowl parties, but this was the best. At Bodog, you all do everything first rate!"
The conference saw an entire day dedicated to poker marketing, during which time Negreanu and other poker experts spoke about how poker is creating opportunities for everyone in the industry. In particular, the experts deemed that poker has created a unique opportunity for handicapping sites and sports marketers to increase their business by driving their online community to play poker.
Conference attendee Peter Gold, Executive Vice President & General Manager of VegasInsider.com, said of the conference, "We had an amazing time and were completely blown away by the size, scope and professionalism. You have raised the bar into the upper stratosphere. The party was so off-the-hook that it defies description. I have never been part of a conference that was so well-run and well-organized - it was like being part of a Rolling Stones show!"
Plans are already underway for next year's conference where Casino, Bingo and other forms of online gaming will join the platform with Poker and Sports. As always, Bodog will be staging the one must-attend marketing conference for those in every area of online gaming.