Oct 21, 2008 12:00 PM PDT    Text size: 

The all-inclusive Island Gathering offered a personal attendee guide, "executive bonding activities," photo-free areas and networking opportunities, including several dinners.

Attendees were spared the predicted thunderstorms and instead received a few days of humid tropical weather, for what is claimed to be the event with more CEOs as a percentage of attendees than any other event.

Hosted by Epoch and 123Resourcing and sponsored by SexSearch, AWEmpire, Eurorevenue, Maleflixxx, DatingGold and Moniker, as well as media sponsors Klixxx, XBIZ, and Cybersocket, the Island Gathering was organized by the B1Events staff under the direction of Fabian and Dana.

The Island Gathering began with an informal night-before mixer, enjoyed by those attendees that arrived on the island prior to the event. Lacking a seminar schedule or other more formalized educational opportunities, the event's parties and networking served as the primary information sharing and deal making venues.

A variety of industry topics and current events were under discussion at the event.

"So what looms on the horizon for online e-commerce?" commented attendee JoeD from Webbilling.com. "You heard it here from the people who know, discussed along with the global economy with all its implications, political positives and negatives, discussions of mutual goals, synergies and options for moving the industry forward, defining specific opportunities to work together on collaborative deals to effect positive change for individual bottom lines and the overall e-commerce environment moving forward."

Attendees received a business directory to help them remember those they had these discussions with.

While recent rains made the advanced ATV adventure particularly challenging, the trek through the bat cave; the cliff top view of Curaçao's north coast; daily sailing and SCUBA trips; fine dining and more all awaited attendees seeking a bit of relaxation.

"IG has truly evolved into the must-attend event for the industry's biggest movers and shakers," JoeD added. "Every year attendees join fellow industry professionals for a truly unforgettable experience — a relaxed professional ambiance which combines great food, great fun and proven ROI culminating in a feeling you just won't find at any other industry event."

The ninth annual Island Gathering will reportedly be held in Cyprus, sometime in 2009.