Internext Las Vegas 2007 - Thoughts?
 

Did everyone see the new site and read about the new format?

I read it through a few times, but I don't quite get what will be going on. The whole thing is very confusing.

Looks like they are forcing us to buy an "all inclusive pass" this year. No discounts for passing on the seminars.

Sounds similar to what happened in Miami. (As I heard from various people. I did not go.)

Those of you who went to Miami, what did you think? Worth it?

I also like how when you click on Events, it only displays 2 events.
1 is for the AVN Expo, which happens 5 days before.
the 2nd is for the AVN awards, which happen 2 nights before.
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I'll be going to Vegas for sure, but I'm not sure if the $500 (I'll be bringing a co-worker.) is worth it or not.

Anyone want to give some feedback on what they think will be going on and if you'll be going this year....

I'm thinking that the weather at that time of year in south Florida and sleeping in my own bed sounds wonderful.

Im thinking IM done with AVN :)

I don't have to say how I feel about AVN. But I will anyway...they have no business in the online adult industry. They have taken a once great show and nickled and dimed it to death.

The all inclusive pass will mean an empty showfloor.

I guess I was right...It appears they are getting rid of the show floor. What the hell are people paying for? Just a big get together?

The weather in Central NY is quite nice that time of year as well. I do love a snow covered lawn :)

IMHO based on Miami, NO the $500 is not worth it.

I read their spam the other day as well - looks like the show floor is now called "The Hub" (I think "The Nub" would be more appropriate since it's really is just a smaller version of itself - although they do have a lot of fancy pics of the big show floor circa 2001 flashing around)

They have "workshops" & "seminars" - not sure what the difference is (except one is an hour longer than the other) I wonder what the basement of the Mandalay Bay looks like?

ID Exchange? I wonder what company gets to keep track of all that personal data :D

...and I see their still glowing over the band Lit performing in Miami (which would have been very cool in 1999)

That being said, I will be in Vegas form the 14th-20th, but AVN's not getting a DIME from me - Jan 06 was the 2nd & final "last chance" I'm giving them.

I'm planning on being in Vegas |pimpin around that time, but I'm not planning on dropping the cash on AVN's seminars and whatnot.

I probably won't bring my wife though, so I doubt anyone will want to meet up with me. |cry|

The date is still too close to the holidays and I dont see why they have to charge so much when the Phoenix forum is free.

I didn't receive their spam, I read it on another board by chance. Somebody might whisper in AVN's ear that they'd get a little more support over here if their board reps made an occasional appearance. There is more to this industry than the eighteen year old 'traffic managers' who live in mom's sewing room and hang out at the zoo.

1 - it would have been moved to Prodcuts & Services :D
B - they know we don't exactly like them a real lot |catfight|

|banghead|
maybe we should arrange our own seminars.. on like traffic, freesites etc.. and just hold them in one of the rooms.. charge 5.00 at the door to get in .. sure would be more worth while than anything i saw last year at Internext .. Ok seeing GG on the dias would be worth the 5.00 .... ok jay arriving late with a Bloody mary in hand might have been worth pay 5.00...ok the months of giggles i've had at the expense of CuriousBoyToy taking a cell call in the middle of the seminar is def. worth the 5.00 but NOT 250.00

We will be there tho again not giving any buckos to AVN.. but Tart and I plan to stay the 15-17 at the Luxor.. the rest of the time will be sent in my already paid for house. Since it's the Bitch's, ChynaBanks and my birthday all on the same day.. i expect a big turn out *glaring*.. for whatever we end up planning.. |boobies|

I still dont get the wisdom of having a circle bar on the show floor.

The Miami equivalent of the main lobby? Although I don't think it will get the same kind of traffic.

Hello!,
(sorry for a long post but this is an issue I care about)

AVNonline Vegas Show;

Well I have to give them some credit for trying something different as most everyone will agree last year didn't work for anyone.

I think the bigger question is do big adult industry shows still work as a business model giving the changes our industry has gone through since they first started circa 95?

Back then I recall there were only a hand full of Affiliate Programs compared to today where almost anyone can afford MPA or NATs and become a "Program".

I go to a show now and it's all program owners and vendors trying to do exit trades and selling hosting or content to one another. People who run their own Free sites whose business is to build traffic to send to us sponsors seem not to go to these shows anymore. It's like going to a strip club thats full of customers and no strippers. If you're spending thousands of dollars to sponsor the show, send sales people, marketing give aways etc all to get more affiliates to your program you end up like that strip club visitor... sitting around with Blue Balls!

Sure it's nice to talk traffic trades, see old friends meet a few new ones and you'll meet the occassional traffic bearing affiliate but is it really worth spending thousands of dollars for this anymore?

This industry has changed. Affiliate marketing,. with the new saturation of programs and condensation of sources of decent traffic (that's for another post) has become a very costly endeavor.

What do you want from a "show"?
1. See what's new. New technology, new vendors, new ideas, new show booth hotties even.
2. Meet the people with whom you do business all year via icq/email in person and further your business goals.
3.Find new sources of traffic, affiliates, trades, brokers etc ie Make More Money!
4.Get out of the office and party away some of the stress that this business creates.

So is the big Industry Convention the best model for doing this ?
If they could do something to actually get more free site owners, search engine company reps, tgp owners ie traffic sources to the shows then maybe sure. But if its just a business to business "lets throw each other parties" thing.. I don't think so.

Thanks
Joe S.
EntertainmentCash.com
SexOnTheSide.com

I think its a simple as giving a little more value for the entry fee.

With that being said I will go as I always go. I plan before I go to these shows and I walk away with business each and every time.

Every show might not be right for you and just becasue you went last time it might not be the right time for you to go again.

If you st up your meetings months ahead prior to leaving town you will find you are in a better position than those who aimlessly wander at night looking for a party or free booze.

I can picture the meeting they must've had on coming up with this wonderfully tacky spin campaign.

The show floor last year sucked, so they needed to come up with something to bring people back to it.

The popular hangout at The Venetian is the Circle Bar, but we won't be at The Venetian this year, so why not call the bar that's on the show floor (aka "The Nub") The Circle Bar, because people know The Circle Bar, they like The Circle Bar, they are comfortable with The Circle Bar...EVERYONE GOES TO THE CIRCLE BAR!

I do remember Mandalay Bay having a somewhat circular bar - and I really hope people think that's where they're supposed to gather |thumb

I'd have rather seen them come up with THE GFY White Board - a 100 foot white board were you can leave messages using a multitude of colored markers & draw in your own sig :D

I don't think I'd be as upset about it if they didn't talk me into giving them a 2nd chance last year - it was like taking your wife back after she cheated on you, only to find that she had a guy living in the spare room when you moved back into the house.

Good point...
I was telling MrMaryLou the other day that I spend a small fortune on Christmas. I buy a lot for my wife, children and now, Grandchildren. On top of that, I donate a lot of money to my wife's Gifts for Teens Charity. The last thing I want to do in January is to give money to AVN. I have no problem with spending money to make money but, I do have a problem with flushing it down the toilet.

I have dogs!!! |couch|

Actually - it's tough as hell for me to get out of here. I need to hire an overnight sitter for 3 days at 50 a night. (single dad)
Too close to holidays, and apparently I haven't missed a damn thing for a couple of years.

You think they would have knocked the price back to get a better turnout. Especially since it's a "new concept".

Even at $150 I may have bought 2 tickets, just in hopes that it would be something different and better then last year.

I don't need little perks, like brunch included......I can buy my own meals. I'd also rather pay a reduced ticket, and skip the "seminars and workshops".

I usually would hit the floor to meet sponsors or business associates, because I knew they would be at the booths.

I'd also like to browse and see what was new and how it might relate to my business. (or even get new ideas)

It also kills a few hours in the morning/afternoon for 2 or 3 days.

I really get more out of meeting people at dinners, parties and smaller get togethers, then on the floor.

I think the year Greenie won the Viper was by far the best year for the show. Remember, Cybererotica had 4 or 5 booths (one with just a temp office for business), there was sumo wrestling where you could put on the suits, an open bar and a ton of people.

It was reasonably priced as were the booths. I think that was the last good show. They must have seen the big turnout by both sponsors and webmasters and thought, if we can charge $150 for this, it would be easy to get twice that for the same.

I guess simple greed killed the AVN shows.

It's a FUCKING money grab. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!

$250 for a ticket? You think a sponsor sending 3-4 reps EACH are going to the seminars? NO. It is a way to get an extra $100+ per person times...what....100's of people (mostly sponsor reps).

I am bringing 2 friends with me this year to Vegas/Internext. One might work for me but the other is simply a friend. I'm not buying tickets. $750? FUCK THAT.

JosephS is right that the show is exit and trade talks mostly. Not many webmasters trying to strike a deal with a sponsor for content or whatever to send them traffic.

Now as GonZo said if you line things up ahead of times you will do business. And THAT is the piss off. AVN knows this and doesn't give a shit about us at all. They know people will go and will pay so they talk and say hey let's stroke people for whatever we can get out of them.

Brunch? In Miami it SUCKED. Believe me. No selection and crappy eggs!

Im gunna be there in vegas getting drunk, riding coasters and getting tattoos.

i'll stay at home

If there's a way to make money they'll find it..|yawn|

Besides it's getting cold round ya and Miami should be
sounding great..
What part of Chi you from by the way??
|thumb

I lived downtown (700 W, 300 S - Right on the outskirts of Greek Town) for years. After we had the kids we moved out to the Western Surburbs.

It's quiet out here....


Where you at?

In Arkansas right now but I was born and raised in Melrose Park
and still own a condo I rent out at 30 East Division 1/2 block east
of State.
Have 2 Brothers in Elmhurst and still go back a few days a month..
Usually hang out on the North Side of Chi or in Stone Park when I'm back there..
I use the name Toker on other boards by the way.
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My BIL is a Cop in Stone Park. |thumb

30 E. Division. That must be a nice. Much better then about 800 W Division. :D

They tore Cabrini Green down didn't they?
I used to go up on the roof at 30 E and I could watch the gangs
pop caps at each other at Cabrini. 30 E is a 17 story HighRise and
I bought a 1400 sq ft 2 bedroom on the 16th floor in 1979 when
the bank took it back from the Management co over nonpayment
of the mortgage.
I knew every Bartender on Rush in the late 70s and 80s.
I used to go to Greek Town once in awhile to eat also..


And as far as Stone Park, I couldn't get arrested in SP or Melrose
when I was growing up. How long has you BIL been on the force.
There's a SGT there named Ron Fabiani or Ron Fabs I've known
since he ran a joint in the basement at 25th and lake called
The Basement, A 24 hour joint owned by Rocky DeGraza.

I could tell ya and your BIL some stories about both those towns
in the 70s and 80s...
The guy that ran Stone Park was named Rocky Prano and back
then everything was mobbed up..

Now I wind up in Carls on Mannhiem Rd after 3Am when I'm in
town usually..
Gotta go...Later.Dave
PS You know Tommy at the TGP called Bubbashouse???

PSS Do you still stay in touch with CelticTiger??
|jackinthe

You 2 gonna share a room in Vegas?

I'm bared from Vegas............|jester|

Did you throw a chair down the atrium at someone?

|pokefun| No, was more on the line of too much Pickled Eggs and Beer
and an enclosed elevator!

I sent some feedback via their site the other day and got a reply about it.

I am going to talk with the Senior Show Manager (Renee Johnson) on the phone. Probably today around lunch time.

Anyone have any more feedback they would like me to relay to her? (Constructive criticism only please, not just a slam.)

My constructive criticism would be that I was talked into going to the show in Jan 2006 by Farley & it stunk, so I see no need to give them a 3rd chance.

I honestly think it's too little too late.

I really just have one suggestion that I believe will only bring the show back from the deep. Sell it to a company that knows about webmasters.

The show floor keeps getting worse and the current process of charging an arm and a leg doesn't seem to make it any better. There's bar on the floor but if I want to take my wife there it will cost us $500 US so obviously I'm not going there and many of the people that I know will never bother with the floor.

I can book a room for less else where or maybe even at the same hotel for less or at least the same amount. I'll meet everyone that I want to see some place other then the show floor.

Basically, why should I give them a dime when I can go, spend less money and do all the business that I need done without them?

Would be interesting to see how they handle the "circle bar" when the show floor closes down (5pm?) :)

Serious critism:

-Make an option for lower priced show badges. People bring their wives and employees and should have an option for a lower price for those people. They will NOT attend seminars so have a $125-150 price offered or something. To pay $750 for me an 2 employees to go and not attend a single seminar is INSANE!!!

-Maybe look for a better "center bar" option that is open until 2-3am. The show floor is just stupid.