Since its launch in 2006, Ticket Summit has grown to become the largest tradeshow on the secondary ticket market. One of the advantages that Ticket Summit provides is the chance to discover the latest improvements and most accurate information from the industry through different panel sessions that are scheduled throughout the conference. Ticket Summit 2008 will take place from July 23 through the 25 at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Experts from around the ticket industry will lend their knowledge on various topics from media relations to the emerging European market. Representatives from companies including StubHub, Live Nation, Google, RazorGator and TicketNetwork are among those who will be speaking.
One of the topics that will be discussed at this year’s Ticket Summit is the debate of “Hard Tickets vs. Paperless Tickets”. Speakers include Don Vaccaro of TicketNetwork, Robert Clegg of Trinity Mobile, Gary Shwartz of Impact Mobile, Christopher Stanchak of TicketLeap and Guy Villa of Veritix. Attendees will hear about the pros and cons of hard tickets versus paperless tickets, and how event ticketing has evolved in recent years. Also they will find out what consumers prefer, new available technologies in the ticketing industry, and what it means for the collectibles market.
Another event that will be a must for those in the secondary market to attend is the “Emerging Markets: Europe” panel. Those in attendance will learn both the European and American markets compare in size and growth, why these markets haven’t been linked in the past, and how to capitalize on potential opportunities to bridge these two markets in the near future. Andrew Blachman of Get Me In!, Graham Burns of Association of Secondary Ticket Agents, Joe Cohen of Seatwave, Christopher Goodhart of Blackbaud and Ryan Linton of Global Collect will all be speaking on the panel.
The secondary ticket market has been consistently under scrutiny from lawmakers, and the panel “Getting Legal: Tickets, Taxes, and Legislation” will provide up to date information on new laws affecting the event ticketing industry, and on the continued growth of ticket-resale. Andra Mazur of TicketNetwork, Braden Cox of NetChoice as well as Aaron Rihn and Robert Pierce III of Robert Pierce & Associates will discuss pending legislation being debated in different states, where ticket resale laws are headed, and how this all could affect your business.
“The Blurring Line: State of the Primary & Secondary Markets” will bring together experts from both markets to talk about the different ways the primary and secondary ticket markets are coming together and the potential shifts in the near future. Attendees to this panel will hear about the ways the primary market is attempting to extract more revenue from consumers, how the secondary market continues to provide value, ways the two markets are already working together, and how the line between them is expected to blur even more in the coming year. Speakers will include Eric Baker of Viagogo, Greg Bettinelli of Live Nation, Jeffrey Lapin of RazorGator, Derek Palmer of Tickets.com, Jeff Scheman of TicketNetwork and Chris Tsakalakis of StubHub/eBay.
Other panels at Ticket Summit 2008 will include:
Search-Engine Marketing – Discover the value of search-engine marketing and how to effectively advertise to online shoppers. Find out how to make the most of the services available to you, how to decide between in-sourcing or out-sourcing your management, and how to deal with pay-per-click fraud.
Media Relations – Find out how media coverage of the secondary ticket market has evolved and is shaping consumer understanding and acceptance of the industry. Learn strategies to build a strong relationship with the media, and get tips from insiders about how to market your business and get the media on your side.
Sports & Entertainment in the Ticketing Industry – Find out how media coverage of the secondary ticket market has evolved and is shaping consumer understanding and acceptance of the industry. Learn strategies to build a strong relationship with the media, and get tips from insiders about how to market your business and get the media on your side.
Event Ticketing Finance Protection – Find out more about financial strategies to protect your assets in the event ticketing industry. Learn tips and tricks from the experts on the available channels to ensure your profits.
Forums, Blogs & Online Networks – Learn about the recent explosion of online social networks and their role in steering the entertainment industry. Get the latest information on how these networks operate, their impact on business and event marketing, and ways to get connected that can help expand your business.
Build a Bundle: Tour & Travel Package Providers – Learn the ins and outs of the travel package industry and how companies effectively bundle event tickets with travel options. Hear the pitfalls of this industry, what to look for in a potential corporate partner, ways to strategically collaborate, and how to make the most of this growing market.
Building your Base: The Lost Art of Customer Service – Find out the main dos and don’ts of customer service and how to turn problems into profits. Discover the main customer issues that brokers are facing, learn key strategies to help earn customer trust and get repeat business, and gain valuable information on ways the industry as a whole can improve its reputation for customer service.
Premium Seating Market – Hear about the market for Luxury Suites and other premium seating. Learn how the market for suites differs from other seating and what challenges exist for brokers trying to resell this inventory.
The Futures Market – Learn all about what the “futures” market is and how it works. Discover the wide range of benefits this type of market has for both brokers and consumers, how event producers are reacting to this market, and ways you can capitalize.
PCI Compliance: Certifications for Success – Discover some of the options available to ensure your website is secure and assure customers they can shop with confidence. Hear how certifications can give your company credibility, increase your conversion ratio, and improve the consumer shopping experience. Learn about PCI compliance and what these requirements mean for your business.
