FSTA 2009 Winter Business Conference Information
GENERAL INFORMATION
ROOM RESERVATIONS
Once you have registered for the conference please contact the Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center to reserve your room at the special conference rate. Hotel rates are $149-$189 per night (this rate applies from Jan. 23 - Jan 29). Call (800) 344-5999 and refer to the "Fantasy Sports Trade Association Conference" to get the discounted rate.
SPONSORSHIPS
If you are interested in sponsoring the FSTA Business Conference and Research Symposium in St. Pete's Beach please review our sponsorship packages. Email Association Manager Justin Cleveland for details.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Event Sponsored by
Pre-Conference, Monday, January 26
8 p.m. -- 11 p.m.
FSTA Expert League Fantasy Baseball Draft
Poker Night
(Sirata Beach Resort, 8th Floor)
Conference Day 1, Tuesday, January 27
7:00 a.m.
Conference Registration Opens
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast sponsored by RealTime Fantasy Sports
8:20 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Jeffrey R. Thomas, President, Fantasy Sports Trade Association
CEO, World Fantasy Games
8:30am
Welcome from RotoExperts.com
Our title sponsor offers their insight on the world of fantasy sports and kicks off the conference. Ben Ice, Managing Partner, RotoExperts.com
8:45am
What is Fantasy Sports in 2009?
Fantasy sports used to be all about drafting a team and competing against your buddies throughout the season. Many different variations have now arisen that allow fans to test their skill on sports performances and outcomes, but are they truly fantasy sports? We kick off the conference with an interactive discussion with the members on what constitutes fantasy in 2009 and beyond.
Paul Charchian, Chairman, FSTA Board of Directors, President, LeagueSafe.com
Justin Cleveland, FSTA
Jeff Thomas, Fantasy Sports Trade Association
- Live Fantasy Event or Contest. This award recognizes the company managing the most compelling on-premise, live fantasy event or contest.
- Specialty Products or Services. This is a company award and recognizes the member company with the best combination of service, high quality products, and innovation. The products should be designed to enhance a fantasy sport experience and may include companies supplying trophies, rings, draft boards, mock drafts, promotional items, etc.
9:15am
Fantasy Sports for College Athletics
College Sports are the hottest new game in the fantasy sports industry, but not without a good measure of controversy. Join our panel of experts as we discuss the challenges of starting up in this new field, the legal ramifications of the NCAA’s amateurism requirements, and how the games differ from traditional professional fantasy sports leagues.
Moderator: Peter Schoenke, Rotowire
Glenn Colton, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Nathan Karp, U-Sports
Victor Lore, AlmaMater Sports
10:00am
Networking Break sponsored by Ultimate Trophy / Titlecraft
10:30am
New! FSTA Consumer Behavior Research Study
Dr. Kim Beason of The University of Mississippi will unveil his 7th iteration of fantasy sports industry demographic research sponsored by the FSTA. His research focuses on spending trends of fantasy sports consumers, and specifically if their spending habits are being affected by the current economic climate.
- Best Online Content Service. This award will be presented to the company with the best online information service to enhance a fantasy participant’s experience. The online service should demonstrate expert fantasy knowledge and a unique and creative ability to support and engage the user.
- Auction-Style Tool. This award recognizes the company with the best and most innovative auction style league tool.
11:30am
Fantasy Sports Writers Association Awards
We honor the scribes who keep us glued to their articles each week in search of an extra edge that will hopefully bring us the title.
12:00pm
Lunch sponsored by Fantasy Sports Ventures
1:00pm
Is Fantasy Sports Recession-Proof?
We have long believed that Fantasy Sports are recession-proof—and the current economy is putting that maxim to the test! Join a handful of fantasy sports providers as they talk about the economic impacts they have seen thus far, what adjustments they have made to compensate, and the plans they have if the downturn continues. Get ideas to keep your business’ budget in line without cutting the services your customers have come to expect!
Moderator: Justin Cleveland, FSTA
Tom Herrera, AOL
Danielle MacLean, CBS Sports
Jason Manasse, AccuScore
Clay Walker, Fantasy Sports Ventures
- Print or Magazine Ad. This award recognizes the most creative and effective ad of 2008. Ads for any fantasy product are eligible and will be submitted directly to the committee for review.
- Best Fantasy Magazine. This award recognizes the 2008 fantasy magazine with the best combination of information, presentation, and innovation.
1:45pm
Going Global with Fantasy Sports – A Legal Primer
Most fantasy sports companies have their eyes on the international market and are evaluating how to tap into the enormous potential that it offers. Join us as Dr. Joseph Kelly discusses the legal climate for operating fantasy games outside the U.S., including a review of current law in several countries.
Dr. Joseph Kelly, Catania Consulting
2:45pm
Networking Break -- Sponsored by Swanay Sports Consulting
3:15pm
Effective Podcasts – Creating Engaging Audio/Video
Providing dynamic content is difficult in the crowded fantasy sports marketplace. Transcending print—through podcasts and video blogs—has become the best way to reach an audience. Our experts will discuss the secrets to creating audio and video content that sizzles.
Moderator: Justin Cleveland, FSTA
Matthew Berry, ESPN
Rick Cordella, NBC Rotoworld
Ben Ice, RotoExperts
Marc Ronick, Blog TalkRadio
- Best Podcast. This award recognizes the website with the best combination of information and presentation using Podcasts.
- Best Blog. This award recognizes the website with the best combination of information and presentation in a Blog.
4:00pm
What’s New in Fantasy Sports
Companies continue to innovate with applications that bring fantasy sports to video games, mobile devices and beyond the traditional major sports. This panel discusses some of the exciting new developments in the industry.
Moderator: Ted Kasten, PlayerSearch.com
Jamie Kiskis, On The Record Sports
Jeff Ma, Citizen Sports Network
Scott Philp, PlayHard Sports
- Unique Contest. This award recognizes the company with the most unique and innovative contest. The contest should be non-traditional contests and not qualify for other designated categories. Examples include pick the winner games, survival games, pick a loser each week, simulation games, etc.
- Innovation. This award will be presented to the company with the most innovative new product design or technology innovation. The category is very broad, by design, and includes any new product, contest, service, feature, content type, content delivery service, design twist, or technical innovation.
Day 1 Evening Activity
FSTA Dinner Cruise
Conference Day 2, Wednesday, January 28
7:30 a.m. .
Breakfast -- Sponsored by FantasyCoverage.com
8:30am
CBS / NFLPA Lawsuit Analysis
A review of the topics covered in the lawsuit between CBS Interactive and the NFL Players Association over the right to use statistics and other data for fantasy football. Attorneys Tonia Klausner and Joe Kelly discuss the case and offer their perspective on how the outcome will impact the fantasy sports industry.
- Draft Kit. This award recognizes the company with the best and most comprehensive fantasy draft kit.
- Fantasy Draft Assistance Tool. This award recognizes the company with the best draft assistance software, designed to help consumers draft the best possible fantasy team. This can be an online tool, downloadable software, purchased software or other tool.
- Draft-Style Tool. This award recognizes the company with the best and most innovative draft style league tool.
9:15am
The Future of Fantasy Sports in Print Media
Oftentimes our conversations involving fantasy sports content start and end with the internet. Too often we forget that the medium that Fantasy Sports started with is still alive and kicking. Our panelists discuss the current state of print media for fantasy sports and share their thoughts on what the future holds.
Moderator: Mike Beacom, Fantasy Sports Writers Association
Ken Fuchs, Sports Illustrated
Kelly Grogan, AthlonSports
Ryan Houston, Fanball
Howard Kamen, USA Today
10:00am
FSTA / Fantasy Football Librarian Accuracy Award
FF Librarian Sara Holliday announces the winner for the fantasy sports site with the most accurate player performance predictions in 2009.
10:00am
Networking Break -- Sponsored by Rallypoint.tv
10:30am
Globalization of Fantasy Sports
FSTA research estimates 29.9 million fantasy players in the U.S. and Canada. How many consumers play fantasy sports in Mexico or outside of North America? How big can the market get in Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond? Will other markets resemble the U.S.? It’s a big world out there. Where do we go next? How do we get there?
Moderator: Jeffrey Thomas, World Fantasy Games
Kelly Perdew, Rotohog.com
Latha Iyer, Presino.com
Mickey Charles, The Sports Network
Jay Imus, PA SportsTicker
Jim Corelis, STATS LLC
- Draft-Style Contest. This award recognizes the company with the best draft style league contest. Consumers join these leagues and the host company acts as the “league manager or commissioner”. The tool or contest uses a static set of rules and may or may not award prizes.
- Salary Cap Contest. This award recognizes the company with the best salary cap style fantasy contest. Salary Cap Style is defined as using an artificial “cap” or maximum team value to challenge consumers to select a fantasy football team without going over the maximum value. The winning contest will have creative and innovative features and design.
- Fantasy Commissioner Product. This award recognizes the company with the best and most innovative commissioner tool in the industry. The tool must be customizable by the league’s commissioner and have live draft capability.
11:15am
New! Fantasy Sports Market Research
Join Rick Wolf, NBC/Rotoworld, and Aaron Amic, Director of Ipsos Public Affairs, as they present the results of the latest research on the fantasy sports market. Mr. Wolf and Mr. Amic will present the full findings of the FSA's recent study that offers insight on fantasy sports consumer habits.
Conference Sessions Conclude
Optional Post-Conference Events, January 28
1pm to 5pm
FSTA Unskilled Golf Invitational at the Seminole Lake Country Club
The first 72 Conference registrants receive a free round of golf for our Wednesday afternoon networking event. Others are invited to join us at the beautiful Seminole Lake Country Club to hang out and enjoy the afternoon in the clubhouse. All foursomes will be randomly created via random draw by FSTA Board Members at the conclusion of the final Conference session. This is a great chance to relax and network with others. A banquet will follow at 5pm, with a long list of great prizes for all. Presented by WCOFF
