Attending hosting conferences, has become part of almost all big shots in the hosting industry. But what can a smaller player expect from such a conference? Why should a small or medium sized web-host visit or participate in such conferences?

A common answer to that question is “to network, to communicate, and to collaborate”. There are many who attend, just to learn and share ideas and technologies. Some even make it, for a time pass or vacation. The success of hosting conferences however lies in the level of interaction, and the sense of connection it gives to its visitors and participants.

For a visitor, conferences are a great source of information. Hosting conferences are usually held on a larger scale, and invites industry leaders, ISP’s, application vendors, control panel vendors, and of course media representatives. It is a very good opportunity for a visitor to improve the know-how about various products and solutions out there for grab. You can expect much more, since hosting conferences are not just about technical advancements, or newer products hitting the market, but best practices and best deals available out there.

Suppose, you are a Linux-only host. You wouldn’t really know the nuances of running a business with Windows servers. Nor would you know where to look for better margins, and how exactly would it work with your existing business/pricing model. Now, these are things you often see asked in web-hosting forums, but the answer to such questions are not always helpful, as they are not elaborate, or adoptable easily for your company. In a conference, you could hear success stories of many Windows hosts, and share your ideas in return for theirs.

In a conference venue, you would have the best possible means to interact with players in the industry. Building newer levels of communication/interaction helps you collaborate effectively on various aspects of hosting.

Now, all that was for a visitor. If you are thinking of sponsoring such conferences, but are unsure if it would give you a return on investment, well its a common thought. Having a stand/booth in such conferences are usually costly, and wont always fit into the pockets of a small player. But then it is a bold move in terms of building the brand. You get the much needed boost for your brand, while the media partners of the event do all the marketing for you. Your presence in such a platform, would in itself be a big move for marketing your products/services, due to the diverse audience and the level of interaction you could have with the audience. Over a period of time, being a frequent participant of hosting conferences, would give you the attention your company deserves in the ever growing hosting industry!

About the Author :

Sankar works as a Senior Software Engineer in Bobcares. He joined Bobcares back in April 2006. He loves grooming/mentoring people. During his free time, he listens to music, and enjoys singing..