What I got out of Vegas

[babymaker]

hey, here is a curious question, what is the total cost to attend one of these shows, buying people drinks, food, hotel, reg fee's etc, and if you arent a program owner is it really worth it other than social?? Of course social is great and can be a big benifit, now that i have been doing much better and am fultime the last 2+ years I am anxious to hit a show or two, but wondering if blowing "$$$" money on a show as opposed to putting same into ad spots and other things i know work, if I might wait another year I really want to go. Then of course there might be more expenses for me being BabyMaker! lol, to make it fun, might have to invest in a bunch of over-the-top pimp suits

[RedCherry]

Some of my thoughts on Vegas -- figured I'd jump in here too.

T Pat. Awww, thanks for the kind words. I really enjoyed meeting you and your wife. And the tips you gave me made me feel like this -->|goodidea I too wish you guys were closer, you are the kind of people I'd love to have over for dinner and talk business.

And UW was funny as hell, but I have to admit a LOT nicer than I ever would have thought he'd be after seeing some of his posts on the board.

DocHolly I've known now for awhile, and she is such a sweetheart, and after listening to all you do in your life, you make me want to take a nap. I don't know how you do it girlfriend.

I also agree about D2222 it is wonderful to see young people so enthuastic about their program. But they have to learn not to be shy when telling an older woman what niches they have in their program. It is just biz guys, lol.

Greenie and The Bitch, wow thanks for all the food and water. (ok, that sounds funny, but they can all tell you I wasn't drinking anything but lots of bottles of water). I didn't get as much time to chat with you too as I'd like, but you are the best and I'm looking forward to spending more time with you in July.

That is all that is coming to me right now, my head is spinning with all the things I want to add to my sites.

[T Pat]

Originally Posted by babymaker

hey, here is a curious question, what is the total cost to attend one of these shows, buying people drinks, food, hotel, reg fee's etc, and if you arent a program owner is it really worth it other than social?? Of course social is great and can be a big benifit, now that i have been doing much better and am fultime the last 2+ years I am anxious to hit a show or two, but wondering if blowing "$$$" money on a show as opposed to putting same into ad spots and other things i know work, if I might wait another year I really want to go. Then of course there might be more expenses for me being BabyMaker! lol, to make it fun, might have to invest in a bunch of over-the-top pimp suits

I am one cheap SOB and have never felt like I had wasted money going to Vegas to meet board members.
The next show is XBIZ Summer Forum in July and it's a good show with lots of meals and drinks paid for.
$150 for the show, rooms last year at the hotel were in the $130 a night rang (Useless Celtic Tiger and I stayed off site and saved like $50 a night). I find the biggest expense is what is spent on gambling

[LeRoy]

Thanks for the kind words Red Cherry and T-Pat.

I didn't get to meet Ramster

Funny thing is...I didn't come to this place find friends . I had no idea what was in store for me.

More good times. I promise

[tyre71]

What I got out of Vegas...oh wait I didn't get to go

Some of us poor porn peddlers (say that 3 times fast) were up to our eyes in html (or as my wife calls it "Lining up Asses")

Sounds like you guys had a blast.Guess I'm going have to get off my ass and get to the next one.

[docholly]

For me, Internext Vegas is always a blur. the timing is terrible since it falls directly after CES. So, personally I just use the time to hang out with my board buddies.

Xbiz on the other hand is not only a great value $$ wise but it is very well organized with relevant seminars and lots of time for getting together and discussing business.

It was great seeing everyone and I'm glad everyone had a great time. I was a little scattered at my organization but look at it this way.. we were bar hopping thru the Orleans..

Also, let me just say I saw a historic moment in porn history when UW & XXXJay actually shook hands. Don't let UW fool you.. his board bark is far worse than his bite--just ask Preacher.

[Preacher]

What I got out of Vegas... other than what I already said here: Vegas Morning Thread.

The thing that amazes me most is the need for people to comment on how much Useless Warrior and I are alike. Two grown men with shaved heads and facial hair can no longer walk hand-in-hand down a casino without people assuming that they are two gay twins.

Let me say this loud and clear, we are different!

I think I can better explain our differences with a picture rather than words, so please view this image!

Thank you!

Love Preacher

[Preacher]

Oh, and I got to meet my favorite pornstar of all time...

(and no, she obviously is not the one in the picture!)

[Greenguy]

Originally Posted by babymaker

hey, here is a curious question, what is the total cost to attend one of these shows, buying people drinks, food, hotel, reg fee's etc, and if you arent a program owner is it really worth it other than social??...

The XBiz one in July is well worth it. I think it's $150 for your badge, which gets you into all the seminars (2 days worth), free drinks for 2 hours each night at the casino bar, lunch for 2 days & breakfast the morning the event ends.

The Hard Rock is reasonable - around $100-130/night (but like T Pat said, you can find cheaper places & spend $20/day on cabs)

Assuming it's just you for 3 days, you're looking at $550 + airfare ($200?) and then money for 2 meals a day (your 3rd is comps from XBiz), drinks & gambling.

(the gambling one always seems to throw my budget way out of whack )

For AVN, I'd guess $300 for the badge, $200-250/night for the room at the Palms, money for 3 meals a day.....you're already about $500 over XBiz.

[Useless]

Originally Posted by babymaker

hey, here is a curious question, what is the total cost to attend one of these shows

I paid $252 for my round trip flight, $150 for my hotel stay (split the cost with Preacher) and spent around $300 on drinks, meals, cabs, etc. (had a couple of dinners at someone else's expense). It's probably worth spending more and staying at the venue rather than being cheap like me and staying at a less expensive hotel. Getting a cab in Vegas is fast and easy, but it would be less aggravating to not need to travel to where the sexy people are. Also, the more you pay for a room, the prettier the people in the casino will be. (there's a correlation there)

Business-wise, it probably doesn't make sense for a guy like me to go to shows. I'm not going to go out of my way to network with sponsors because they really don't have anything to offer me. If their reps are too lazy or too stupid to approach me, or too busy giggling with each other, then I assume that me and my enormous traffic flow are not needed. I'm really beginning to think that these shows have become nothing more than a meeting place for programs to discuss up-sells with each other. That, or they are all really shy. At this show, I didn't have a badge, so maybe they thought I was just another lurker. But I wore my badge constantly at Xbiz and never had a rep say more than 'hi' to me in passing. If you are particularly outgoing and are willing to fish for reps yourself, you could do so. Tell them your name. They'll say, "who?" Then they'll give you a mouse pad or tshirt and thank you for promoting them even though they've never heard of you and really wished you hadn't interrupted the conversation they were having with their fellow pimps and bullshitters. It's sad to say, but I honestly think that I'd make a better rep at a show than the ones I witnessed talking amongst themselves at the bars. But I do have an every sale counts attitude.

On a personal level, I think the shows are great. If you want to meet and drink with the unpretentious anti-pimp members from GG&J, or even the douchey surfmasters from GFwhy, the shows can be a lot of fun.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Useless Warrior

If their reps are too lazy or too stupid to approach me, or too busy giggling with each other...

Yeah, it kind of surprised me to see all the affiliate managers sitting with other affiliate managers, and there should be more reps willing to introduce themselves and whisper sweet nothings into my ear -- that's how my Epoch rep won me over (the cocksucker)!

I do a little bit of introducing myself when I can, but when I walk near reps that are talking to other reps I'm not going to butt in. I walked up to the bar to grab a beer and the bartender was working the other side so we're waiting a bit and I say hi to the guy next to me and ask him what he does. He was in hosting and asks me what I do, and I told him "I'm an affiliate." He laughed and said they need more of those at shows because there's really no one for them to pitch to at the shows anymore. Then he left without saying another word.

One way to avoid the random wooing is like BDok said, set up meetings with companies you want to meet with ahead of time, or just stand in the bar and offer free drinks as apparently most reps are alcoholics. |drunk|