Angelbeat Bait and Switch

I'm a freelance IT Project Manager who is in a position to recommend and implement technologies to clients and collaborate with IT companies to implement projects.  I signed up for this event and, after providing my information, was rejected with the below email. I contacted a colleague who reached out to the CEO and was told that he would have to become sponsor in order to attend.

Thank you for the inquiry. Unfortunately, after reviewing your data against the sponsors’ guidelines for complimentary attendance, your request for a free pass was rejected. However, we can admit you at no charge if you attend with an end user client who is a senior enterprise IT executive (CIO, CISO or IT Director only), meets the criteria below, and has not previously registered to attend. Alternatively, the CIO at an end user client (that meet the criteria below and is approved by Angelbeat) can email me and verify you are attending on his/her behalf. These simple procedures will take a minute and two at most, and maintain the quality of the Angelbeat audience.

Alternatively, you can pay $200 to attend by registering and paying on Eventbrite.

Listed below are guidelines from the Angelbeat website regarding free passes. There is no onsite registration; you must be registered and approved in advance to attend or you will not be admitted into the event, even if you show up. If you have any questions contact Angelbeat CEO Ron Gerber directly at rgerber@angelbeat.com. Angelbeat reserves the right to accept or reject a free pass request at its sole discretion.

There is no charge to attend for an end user IT professional who works in the telecom/IT/networking/security/data center/desktop/purchasing departments of corporations (private and publicly-held, large and small), universities, school districts, government agencies, hospitals, manufacturers, retailers, banks, financial services firms, insurers, real estate/construction/property management, insurance/brokerage agencies, pharmaceutical companies, law/accounting/consulting firms, trucking/transportation/logistic firms, etc. and use, support, purchase and/or are involved in or influence the purchase of products and services offered by our sponsors. Systems integrators and consultants who attend with or are representing their enterprise clients are also eligible to receive a free pass. Full-time reporters from major newspapers, websites, television and radio stations can also attend as our guest. If you are a government employee and have limitations/restrictions on your ability to attend free events, then please contact the Angelbeat team by clicking below. For instance, some individuals simply reimburse Angelbeat for the cost of the meals, to avoid any perception of conflict-of-interest.

If you do not meet the above criteria and still try to register, then you will receive an automatic reply/confirmation from Eventbrite. However you will shortly receive another email from Angelbeat, rejecting and cancelling your registration.

Ron Gerber, CEO
Angelbeat