A: iDate2005 (The Online Dating Industry Expo) is THE largest trade show and business conference for the dating, matchmaking and social networking industry. Several trade shows are held each year covering the technology, management and marketing for the industry. The Miami trade show is the largest. Held each January/February, it focuses on the global industry. The European event (held each Fall) covers the E.U. marketplace along with mobile. The West Coast trade show (held each Summer) covers mobile, the enterprise social networking market. The Asian business meeting (held biennially each Spring) covers the Far East marketplace along with mobile. All are advanced events that discuss some of the most up to date forms of business management, internet marketing and new technologies.
Q: Who attends the Internet Dating Conference?
A: iDate2005 (The Online Dating Industry Expo) is attended by senior executives of dating companies and matchmaking professionals. In addition, Fortune 1000 companies, consultants, payment processors, marketing executives, hosting companies and background search attend the event. Click HERE to see the breakdown of delegates at previous event. The percentages are fairly consistent between all events.
Q: Why should I attend?
A: This is the forum for all involved in dating industry and the place where business gets done. executives negotiate with vendors. Venture capitalists and investors meet with firms. Mergers and acquisitions originate at this event. Mobile carriers and mobile providers meet with dating owners. New technologies are covered at the business meeting. Software developers meet with new operators. Strategies are evaluated and the latest legal issues for the industry are also debated.
Q: What can I expect at the convention?
A: iDate2005 (The Online Dating Industry Expo) attendance is certainly a different experience for most, if not all delegates. This is a serious business convention, and all delegates attending treat it as such. Business negotiations take place during networking sessions. The seminars at the business meeting are designed to discusss new technologies as well as best tactics, methods and strategies for managers of dating owners to run their operations. Networking at the Internet Dating Conference with other delegates, like yourself, has been found to be most productive in discovering new business opportunities. For this to work best for you, it requires that you will need to be assertive and introduce yourself to other delegates at the event.
Q: How much does it cost to register and what does a registration pass include?
A: If you register before September 16, 2006, the registration fee is USD $675. After September 16, 2006, the cost increases to USD $750. A registration pass includes access to the iDate2005 exhibit hall at the NH Grand Krasnapolsky Hotel, iDate2005 seminars as well as most of the iDate2005 associated social events taking place during the event. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided for both days. Lunch is is provided. Pre-event sessions on (except the Google Session) are not included with the 2 day conference price. Also, certian functions, such as the buyers and sellers gathering and the awards ceremonies (if scheduled) require additional fees. Note: Food is not provided during pre-event session days ().
Q: What is the Social Networking Conference?
A: The Social Networking Conference is a separate event on a different subject taking place down the hall. Attending that event are the largest in the industry. Both events have separate agendas (1), (2). Both do share the same lunch room and exhibit hall.
Q: What is the Buyers and Sellers Gathering? A: The Buyers and Sellers Gathering is a special *closed door* networking event for serious buyers and sellers of online personals and social networking properties. Those seeking to sell will show to entreprenuers and CEO's their web and/or mobile sites for sale. Speed networking is the format for this session. Vendors or companies that provide services to the industry are not permitted to this session. The session lasts a little more than 1 hour.
Q: {What are the iDate Awards?} A: The iDate Awards represents the best the Dating Industry has to offer to the public. With 11 categories, IDEA members are involved with the nomination and voting process. The Awards are also open to the general public for nomination and voting. At the 1st night of the annual Miami convention, the iDate Awards are distributed to the winners during a formal black tie / evening gown event, which includes dinner, entertainment and complimentary cocktails. The Awards are run by the Internet Dating Conference and Online Personals Watch
Q: Do I need to pay extra to attend the iDate Awards? A: Yes. There is a $100 additional fee per person to cover the food and beverage costs from the dinner. If your company was nominated and made it to final round for voting, one (1) seat will be available for your company representative to be able to accept the award as the winner. Please also note that seating is limited Passes will be provided on a first-come, first serve basis.
Q: What if I lose my badge during the trade show?
A: At this event your badge is your access to the Internet Dating Conference. With it, you can enter the exhibit hall, the seminar rooms and attend other outside social events. Badges cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. If you need to purchase a replacement badge at the event the cost will be USD $750.
Q: Do you provide a list of the the delegate names and companies?
A: No. This trade show is attended by wealthy entrepreneurs and senior executives that do not wish to give out their names or contact details to others they do not know. We suggest that you click HERE to see a list of companies that have attended previous events as well as using the Message Boards to communicate with other delegates.
Q: I am from the media. Do you offer media passes to the trade show?
A: If you are with the major media (examples are: National Public Radio, Die Welt, Le Monde, the Independent, the Los Angeles Times, etc.), then email us with your name, the name and address of the media publication, the name of your editor and his contact details. Upon confirmation, we will contact you and advise if you are approved to have a media pass to the event. If you are an industry or trade publication, please note that we have pre-arranged co-promotional agreements with other trade publications. Our co-promotional agreements are done months in advance. If you are contacting us for the first time just prior to the event, you will need to register and pay for your pass.
