For those of you that don’t know HostingCon are coming up in July, and are really the only conference geared towards our industry. Also, for those that haven’t seen my previous posts, I am trying to get an association over our industry to bring a little organization over the industry.

On Sunday July 16th, the day before HostingCon, I am going to have an open meeting on the association. I welcome all those interested (pro or con) to attend; I will post more details soon as soon as I work them out. I will be posting general questions soon, as far as what we are going to cover in the meeting.

The one thing I do ask, is no matter weither you are for, or against an association, that we remain total civil in this meeting, anyone acting out of order will be asked to leave. We fully respect all opinions on the idea of an association, but if you can respect everyone to act civil, then you are not welcome.

Please post any comments, questions, etc.....

Good for you, for spearheading this. :gthumb:

:) Bailey

Moved to HostingCon, this thread is more suitable here.

Dear Moderators,

I have posted on this topic in the HostingCon forum as well, but I posted in the public section because there are people interested in the association, that may or may not read the hostingcon section. If you could please move this back to "Running a web hosting business" it would be greatly appreciated.

Meeting Called for the potential of an Association over the Hosting Industry

Murfreesboro, TN – Sunday February 19, 2006

On the day before HostingCon starts, July 16, 2006 at 4:00 pm, there will be a general meeting held on the need and want of an association over this industry. This meeting will be open to everyone, but will requiring registering at the following website: http://www.ipitha.org/register.php

Items of subject will include, but not be limited to:

• General interest in an association over the industry (Pros / Cons)
• How can an association help?

o Legal and Accounting - Helping connecting with attorneys, accountants and professionals that have experience in our industry, that can give advice on the legality of your terms of service agreement, to if it makes more sense for you to become incorporated or a sole proprietorship.
o Standards in the Industry – Setting things like standard php modules to be installed, working with the software vendors to make compatibility more accessible when it comes to transferring a client from one host to another.
o Training and Info – General training and information center. Help save your company money buy not having to hire a MSCE or A+ for a level 1 tech. Also provide new information such as marketing ideas and management skills.
o Company Regulations – We all are competing for a piece of the pie in this industry, but when we are having to compete against companies that do not follow the same laws and business practices as we do, it makes it hard to be competitive. The association is never to set pricing, but should require things such as proof of legal business, setting values to what are acceptable overselling levels, etc.
o Preferred Vendors – Working with software, hardware, datacenters, and other vendors to provide exclusive offers to association members. This can include discounts, training, and other offers.
o Group Discounts – Many of the companies in this industry are small operations, and can not afford to offer their employees things such as group rate health insurance, 401K programs, etc. But this could also save money on such things as business insurance, travel, and general operating costs.

• Procedure to go forward with idea
• Final thoughts and ideas

so how did con go?

The conference isnt until July.

On the day before HostingCon starts, July 16, 2006 at 4:00 pm, there will be a general meeting held on the need and want of an association over this industry. This meeting will be open to everyone, but will requiring registering at the following website: http://www.ipitha.org/register.php

Just wondering...is this meeting still happening? If so, where is it going to be? The above page doesn't have any information.

Thanks,
Lois

This meeting is going to happen. It will be happening in on of the conference rooms of the Mirage, we are unsure which one yet, because of it will vary based upon the number of people that sign up. I plan to send out the exact place 10 - 14 days before the meeting, once we get closer and get an better count, then I can provide more information.

OK, thanks. How many people more or less have signed up for it so far?

Lois

We around 35 so far. I was hoping to get atleast 50, but I know alot of people havent made their travel plans yet, so they cant say for sure if they can make it.

Will there be video and text transcripts available after the conf? I wouldn't be making either, but the idea of a web hosting association is interesting.

Any hint on things like membership fee? :)

I presently do have a way to provide video, if someone else can provide this, then they are more then welcome. I do plan on taking notes, and will post in a "minutes" type format on what is discussed. Memebership fees can not be commented on yet, as there is no decision on what all the association is going to get involved with, things to be discussed is membership min requirements. I have some strong feelings on this, that will probally hurt some feelings, but this need to a group thing, and I by no means will have final say so on any subject.

This is to be an association for the members, run by the members.

Ok, just a side note, for those that are planning on coming, if WHT does not move their dinner to Sunday night, I am going to try to get us a someplace to go afterwards and eat. I know the Monte Carlo has a micro brewery, maybe some one else has some suggestions. :-)

I don't see us moving our dinner. :)

I'll come to the meeting Tony. I don't know about anything after that. I have a pretty full plate. :blush:

I know we all are busy, but we all have to eat. :-) Not really sure where we are gonna try to sit and eat afterwards, honestly, got too much going on right now to think about food. I will try to come up with an idea, once we get closer. :-)

Is there any information on the associatation, what your trying to achieve, what the meeting will be about and such?

there is some prelim info here:

//http://www.ipitha.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3

Within the next few weeks, I hope to have the completed break down of what we plan to cover at the meeting. :-)

Should be able to make it out for this. Have to check the flight's again :)



Thanks,
Clint