Signing up for Internext

[Cleo]

I understand that you have no control over what the hotel does. Actually it sounds like the hotel decided to make us pay for it since they knew we wouldn't buy it if you gave it away. The problem is I only care about it in my room, I'm not going to be dragging a laptop around the hotel with me, so now I'm basically paying for access that I'll never use.

Which brings up the other point. It isn't just the show fees that has gone up, everything has gone up.

I don't know… I've gone to every Florida show… they just keep on getting more expensive and smaller and I keep on asking myself why I keep on going to them.

[LB]

You know with all the hype, the obvious need for a reputation, the requirement to have 'VIP' passes to get anywhere after hours, the lack of real business benefit apart from 'being seen' and most importantly the move towards even having your toilet breaks organised ....

Is it no wonder many of us from overseas wouldn't spend the estimated $4-5000 and whole week away from work to come over there?

Internext sponsors and participants would benefit from having me and my business attend the conventions, because my current business presents many opportunities for others, and we spend a lot of $ on the many services being offered at the convention.

But simply put ... internext doesn't make at all appealing to people like me. From what I see, there is a large shift towards more local conventions and gatherings, and reading the reports from each past Internext ... I can understand why.

[dareutwo]

Aside from meeting Cleo and an ex father-in-law/grandfather, I have no reason to visit Florida. (sorry Cleo)
I can get wireless on the Strip in Vegas for free.
Phoenix looked good, but airfare from here sucked.
"Badges" used to be like popcorn, given away by nearly everyone. Booths used to be filled, and cars given away.
That Biz model changed years ago, unfortunately I don't see anywhere that AVN is changing to fit the times.
My ex and I stayed for 5 days/4 nights for about 450.00 each, including the "badges".

Find a mix like that again, and you'll have way more than you know what to do with.
(hint- walmart, nike, toyota - does anyone there read Fortune?)

Aly - met you and Snoop at the Vegas show along time ago, this isn't personal. You just have some idiots running that company, that need to seriously figure out their plans.

[emmanuelle]

Many of those who actually DO something in this industry are the ones who will suffer and be excluded based on financial issues.

The amateur website owners- you know, the ones who put their heart, soul, and personal (and intimate) pics on the web- it used to be that they scrimped and saved all year long, to be able to attend the show. It represented the only opportunity to network, shoot with other web girls, and most importantly- LEARN. Hell, I flew to Vegas before opening my first paysite and the education I received there was invaluable.
In the past, many amateurs would learn to cut corners- stay at the Holiday Inn and hike up the street; eat at Denny's instead of the Grande Luxe... Whatever it took, but good golly they could do it! You know what? Nobody pays for their passes either. They're far too insignificant for sponsors to want to cultivate. These people work damn hard to earn the extra money to purchase show badges.

The webmasters who are slaves to their autosubmitters, who pray that something works to keep those (sporadic) sponsor checks coming in. The tgp and link list owners that we all rely on for our traffic supply... The people glued to their desks 15 hour days, growing their home based businesses- nurturing them like small children, trying to think 5 steps ahead... Also people who pay thier own way. People who work damn hard, and still refuse to see the shows as a vacation, but as an important opportunity to make those crucial contacts that will hopefully make next year just a little bit easier.


Sadly, it is no longer possible for those who have not yet reached a significant financial benchmark to participate, be educated, and be motivated by those that went before them. Our 'trade shows' have become elitist soirees designed as an opportunity for major players to pat each other on the back...


I get a quiet chuckle in the last weeks preceeding the shows. I watch people scramble to find someone they can piggyback off of, 'represent', or just beg for a pass. These people would never dig into their own pockets to attend a show. They simply will not attend unless someone else pays the bills. Yet these are the people at all the shows, while so many others cannot.

</rant>

[Far-L]

I have a completely different perspective.

I have had a good working relationship with AVN for years.

In the past, AVN worked with us to be able to provide a discounted rate for amateurs. They went out of their way to help and give people that can't afford it easily an option. We wanted to create focused roundtable discussions and they were very amenable to all our suggestions. I would say they are more than willing to find the ways to make the show worth every penny.

Most mainstream events cost far more. I spoke at Digital Hollywood and the walk in price was $695. The hotel was much pricier (though admittedly not off season).

The opportunity to network at the show was, is, and will always be what you make of it. In my own experience, every single one of their shows has brought me business and been full of opportunity. IMO, any event big or small is what you make of it.

I know from previous experience that the hotel likes to make bank and that is not something that AVN has any control over. But let's face it, there really are not that many hotels that will gladly accomodate a bunch of pornographers even though we are actually less obnoxious than other conventioneers.

People always suggest doing a different show. Some pull it off but ask any of them it is not easy. AVN tries hard to be a resource to the entire adult industry and it is no easy task either. They might make some missteps along the way but they have always been proactive to address issues. Ultimately, imo, they are focused on on providing a benefit to the industry and doing it at a fair rate.