FSTA 2009 Summer Business Conference Information

8:40 a.m.
Realigning FSTA Membership Standards
The FSTA’s membership committee will discuss the new standards the FSTA is putting into place for its member companies.

9:15am
Fantasy Industry Legal Update
Attorney Glenn Colton will update attendees on a variety of legal issues relevant to our industry. Discussion topics include the status of the NFLPA/CBS case, and probable next steps. He will also address impact of the ruling, and how it applies to entities not specifically named in the suits.

10:00 a.m.
Networking Break -- Sponsored by Titlecraft

10:30 a.m.
Open Source Platforms
An open source alternative exists for nearly every technology and application that companies need – operating systems, databases, programming languages and software applications.

11:00 a.m.
Elevator Pitch: Five Minutes to Fame and Fortune (Sponsored by Echostar)
Do you have a new product or company idea? Kick start it with $20,000 in free advertising! Presenters will have a few minutes to sell their product or idea to our panel of judges: The winner will be awarded $20,000 in interactive media from Dish Network! Interested? Make sure you meet the following guidelines:

• Presenters must be members of the FSTA.
• You must pre-register with Scott Higgins before the start of the conference (see below).
• Registration is limited, and spots are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
• A/V will be provided. Note that accompanying visuals must be in PowerPoint format, and must be no more than five slides.
• Presentations will have a firm running time, likely no more than 5 minutes. Running over the time limit will disqualify the presenter from winning.

Participants, here’s what you need to send to Scott Higgins (scott.higgins@dishnetwork.com):

• Name of company and date of incorporation.
• Type of fantasy product.
• List at least three distinguishing points
• How do your three distinguishing points fit a market need or are supported by your marketing research.
• Who is your presentation targeted to (e.g. advertisers, funding, partnership, distribution).

12:15 p.m.
Lunch -- Sponsored by Fantasy Coverage

1:30 p.m.
Fantasy Sports In An Economic Downturn
Ph.D professor of economics, Dr. John-Charles Bradbury, author of The Baseball Economist, and www.Sabernomics.com will discuss whether fantasy sports actually grow in a time of recession. He’ll discuss the state of the economy and how leisure activities, such as fantasy sports are traditionally impacted. Bradbury has taught a dozen different classes, including Economics of Sports and Budget & Finance in Sports.

2:30 p.m.
IPSOS Report on the Fantasy Sports Consumer
Aaron Amic of IPSOS presents the latest research on the demographics of the fantasy sports industry. In addition to our traditional data, IPSOS will present data relating to the drop-out rate, and reasons why some sports fans don’t pick up fantasy sports.

3:30 p.m.
Networking Break -- Sponsored by RapidDraft

4:00 p.m.
Fantasy Sports Business 101

• Technology: choosing an ISP, how to find (and qualify) programmers.
• Business: Which documents does your need startup, what can you do yourself?
• Legal: Is your fantasy idea on firm legal ground? Are you opening yourself to lawsuits or even a criminal complaint? What areas require an attorney?

Day 1 Evening Activity
Dinner at Gino's East -- Sponsored by Pay the Fan

Conference Day 2, Friday, June 19

7:30 a.m.
Breakfast -- Sponsored by Fantasy Headquarters

8:30 a.m.
FSTA Consumer Behavior Research Study
Dr. Kim Beason presents the results of his latest survey into the behaviors of the fantasy sports consumer. His findings will include possible changes in behavior that may result from the economic downturn.

9:30 a.m.
User Engagement
Rajat Paharia, founder and Chief Product Officer of Bunchball, describes how to address and leverage fundamental human needs and desires through the use of mechanics from game design and behavioral economics. Learn how to incent and motivate consumers through the use of mechanics like points, levels, leaderboards, virtual goods, challenges, and real-time feedback.

10:30 a.m.
Networking Break -- Sponsored by Mission Competition

11:00 a.m.
Delivering Compelling Marketing Data: Obtaining Corporate Partnerships
Roanne Coffey and Lesley Parkinson (Marketing Research for Dish Network Ad Sales), Jonathan Norman (GMR Marketing) The amount of information presented at this conference may seem overwhelming but, if used properly, it can help you build advertising partnerships and ad revenue to put your product at the head of the line.

Conference Sessions Conclude

Optional Post-Conference Events, June 19

1:15pm
Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians from Wrigleyville
Join the FSTA for a Cubs game from the historic Wrigleyville Rooftops

Register for the 2009 FSTA Summer Business Conference (and Cubs ticket) Now!