Interview: Troy Augustine, iNetAn email conversation with iNet Interactive CEO Troy Augustine, on the subject of his company’s acquisition of web hosting tradeshow HostingCon.
By Justin Lee, theWHIR.com
July 15, 2008 — (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — After months of preparation and a series of announcements, HostingCon (hostingcon.com), is set to launch its fifth annual conference and trade show serving the hosted services industry at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
But just a couple of weeks before the show formally kicks off, the shows producers, Interjuncture (interjuncture.com), unveiled a surprise Tuesday when it announced that HostingCon had been acquired by iNET Interactive (inetinteractive.com).
The social media company owns a stable of online communities for Internet professionals and technology enthusiasts, including web hosting community Web Hosting Talk (webhostingtalk.com) and pay-per-click ad network HostingCatalog (hostingcatalog.com).
Effective July 31, following the close of HostingCon 2008, Interjuncture will continue to run all the show this year. However, iNET Interactive’s staff will be present to answer any questions from attendees and exhibitors and discuss the details of HostingCon 2009.
We talked to Troy Augustine, CEO and president of iNET Interactive, in an email interview Tuesday to help shed a little more light on the acquisition.
How long has this acquisition been in the works?
TA: We had identified HostingCon as a natural fit to our portfolio several years ago. While we’ve talked to George and Frank over the years, discussions started in earnest this April.
What does HostingCon bring to iNET and how does this fit into the company’s overall strategy?
TA: HostingCon is the world’s largest gathering of hosted services professionals. Web Hosting Talk is the world’s largest online community serving hosted services professionals. There is a natural synergy between the two. In many ways, HostingCon is the physical incarnation of what happens on Web Hosting Talk every day.
From the standpoint of the company’s overall strategy, iNET Interactive’s focus is social media. In our view, conferences and other events are an important element of social media. What could be more social than bringing together 1,500 attendees and 100 exhibitors for networking, education and a little fun?
Will iNET give a formal presentation at HostingCon 2008 about the acquisition, or are interested individuals required to approach iNET staff themselves about any inquiries, questions, or comments regarding the sale?
TA: I’m sure that George and I will have a few remarks, but the attendees are there to discuss hosted services, not iNET Interactive and Interjuncture. Interjuncture is focused on making HostingCon 2008 the best HostingCon yet. And iNET Interactive is working hard to continue that trend in 2009.
Our goal is to make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible. iNET Interactive will have a booth (Booth #122, separate from Web Hosting Talk’s booth) staffed with iNET event personnel to answer questions about HostingCon 2009.
Are there any plans for collaboration between HostingCon and iNET’s other venues like Web Hosting Talk?
TA: HostingCon will remain a stand-alone brand, separate from Web Hosting Talk. That said, HostingCon and Web Hosting Talk serve similar audiences, and collaboration opportunities naturally exist.
How integral will George Roberts and Frank Spaulding be as members of the advisory board?
TA: George and Frank have done a tremendous job of launching and growing HostingCon to where it is today. This year, they expect more than 1,500 attendees and nearly 100 exhibitors. They have a deep understanding of what has worked well and what has not worked so well. The two of them will be important resources as advisors to iNET.
