Are Industry Events Worth It? - GoFuckYourself.com - Adult Webmaster Forum

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Punyeto

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#1

Are Industry Events Worth It?

06-12-2026, 03:27 PM

...for the average webmaster? I'm going to be in Vegas towards the end of AVN Expo for a different convention. I was thinking of extending the trip an attending AVN as well. Is it really worth the expense though?

1. What should expectations be? I had a bunch of sites way back in college (90s / 2000s). Somewhat recently I got back in the game. The game has changed significantly. I'd be there to network and learn.

2. Are smaller / local events better to attend? I don't know if these events cater more to studios, content creators, toy companies, etc.

I'd love to attend for the experience, but I want to get my money's worth. What were your experiences like?

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#2

06-14-2026, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by Punyeto

I'd love to attend for the experience, but I want to get my money's worth. What were your experiences like?

Just sneak in through the fire escape door, or, failing that, 'lift' (steal) a badge that's been left unattended while the owners at the bar or doing blow in the toilets... Just be creative and it wont cost you a penny...

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Huggles

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#3

06-14-2026, 02:44 PM

You used to be able to clothe yourself for like 3+ years on all the swag from shows

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CaptainHowdy

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#4

06-14-2026, 02:48 PM

Yes and no . . .

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DemonitizedPorn

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#5

06-14-2026, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by Punyeto

...for the average webmaster? I'm going to be in Vegas towards the end of AVN Expo for a different convention. I was thinking of extending the trip an attending AVN as well.

My honest opinion is that the events were quasi worth attending 20 years ago. Today, they're absolutely a waste of time. My advice is that you're better off spending time with a hooker.

These days the only reason I would attend an industry event is to get a feel for where the herd mentality is going then use that information to chisel a path in the opposite direction. But you probably can figure that out by just watching what's happening on the Internet and reading the comments on here.
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TheLegacy

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#6

06-14-2026, 03:55 PM

Before you go to an event - ask yourself what you want to get out of it then begin looking at those who attend - the seminars - the exhibits - the sponsors. If you're a webmaster and are looking for anything to boost your site but you're at a convention that is focusing on creators and OF then you'll get nothing out of it.

Sadly most are going that way - so the only benefit you may find is networking hoping to find other webmasters etc. in your area of interest. Good luck

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Punyeto

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#7

06-14-2026, 07:56 PM

Sounds Bleek! Maybe I'll attend a single day for the experience. XBiz may be a better fit, maybe I'll attend that next year in Miami instead.

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#8

06-15-2026, 09:09 AM

Is it worth it? Dunno.

If you are already in town and it's not going to cost you an arm and a leg, sure, it's completely worth it. If you are going to fly across country and have five thousand dollars in airfare, transporation, hotel, food... maybe not.

On the other hand, I remember going to Mexico on one of my first trips and meeting someone who said they could send us dozens of joins a day. We got back, reached out to him, and he sent us thirty-two joins the next day. He eventually become one of our top affiliates.

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CarlosTheGaucho

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#9

06-16-2026, 12:35 AM

The US adult trade shows are lately indeed very much creator / talent focused.
With a select number of actual old schoolers or web people still attending, and not making a fuss about it.

You may be able to find representatives or senior people from the sponsors that you may work with, which is also always benefitial.

Affiliate Summit is much more affiliate / tech centered, but it's a major crowd to go through and a 95 % people with no business in adult.

You'd have more luck finding more actual affiliates at the European shows, such as TES Affiliate Conferences, or AWSummit.

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plsureking

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#10

06-16-2026, 03:50 AM

what you'd find at an industry event - every damn vendor trying to sell you some shit.

20 years ago it was mainly affiliate programs. networks throwing big parties. everybody getting wasted and having fun. now its all vendors. who the fuck wants to be around a bunch of suits?

if you need a vendor, online research is a much smarter move.

i did like the virtual events, since this business is mostly people sitting at their desks. i was able to chat and meet some of the people lurking around here.

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Alex21

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#11

06-16-2026, 04:48 AM

Originally posted by plsureking

what you'd find at an industry event - every damn vendor trying to sell you some shit.

20 years ago it was mainly affiliate programs. networks throwing big parties. everybody getting wasted and having fun. now its all vendors. who the fuck wants to be around a bunch of suits?

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Everything was better 20 years ago
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Captain Roo

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#12

06-16-2026, 06:44 AM

Most industry events are worth attending once. Not because you'll discover some secret money printer, but because sometimes the guy who ignores your emails for two years suddenly becomes your good partner after three beers.

If your existing contacts are going, it's probably worth it. If you are up to hookers - yes, too. If you're flying there hoping to find "the next big opportunity" - no.

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Spicy Wraith

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#13

06-16-2026, 06:56 AM

i went this year to meet a few people and i thought it was just a serious waste of time
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plsureking

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#14

06-16-2026, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Alex21

Everything was better 20 years ago

its a rolling 20 too. in 20 years now will be better

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#15

06-16-2026, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by Alex21

Everything was better 20 years ago

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#16

06-16-2026, 10:06 AM

I would fly to TES Prague instead, as affiliate.
In the end i think it is even cheaper than Vegas.
Great sponsors are attending, that also sponsor a lot.

I must say that TES managed to become even better than 20 years ago.

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#17

06-16-2026, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by Captain Roo

sometimes the guy who ignores your emails for two years suddenly becomes your good partner after three beers.

I owe everything I have to the people I met in real life at shows. A lot of the biggest opportunities have come from friends I made after 1-3-5 years.

Heck I met someone at Ynot Phoenix 2022 and we not only became close friends we have also made a ton of money together.

I love the boards but they were only a one part of the industry even 20 years ago and of course aren't relevant today. At Prague this year there will be over a thousand people who work full time in adult and many companies doing 8 figures in revenue.

I guess it depends on your budget and goals. Skip AVN lol.
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mechanicvirus

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#18

06-16-2026, 03:41 PM

I started going to shows as an affiliate around 2017 and honestly yes it's worth it.

Sure you may be standing awkwardly in a crowd of hot chicks / content creators but shit sometimes even then you can get into some interesting conversations.

But like what fuze and roo said, getting face to face time with owners, reps and everyone else really is helpful and just puts a face to a name. You might even get invited to some awesome dinners!
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#19

06-16-2026, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by mechanicvirus

I started going to shows as an affiliate around 2017

Holy shit buddy the early 00's were so incredible I don't think you quite understand what you missed out on

Man things were just sooooooooooooo fun... so many free t-shirts, buffets, dinners, booze, drugs, chicks, funny conversations, nothing was professional because it didn't need to be, it was the wild wild west!

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mechanicvirus

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#20

06-16-2026, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by Huggles

Holy shit buddy the early 00's were so incredible I don't think you quite understand what you missed out on

Man things were just sooooooooooooo fun... so many free t-shirts, buffets, dinners, booze, drugs, chicks, funny conversations, nothing was professional because it didn't need to be, it was the wild wild west!

Oh for sure, I hear great things about shows from the early 2000's but sadly was too young for the industry at the time.
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#21

06-16-2026, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by fuzebox

I owe everything I have to the people I met in real life at shows. A lot of the biggest opportunities have come from friends I made after 1-3-5 years.

I guess it depends on your budget and goals. Skip AVN lol.

Yes and no. ))) AVN is great if you're still attending for the porn stars and if you've still got enough eagle left in you.

For actual business, TES is somehow better. Not even because of the conference itself, but because you can meet 50 people you've known for years in one place instead of spending six months scheduling calls.

The downside - you spend the next two days trying to remember who promised what.

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Alex21

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#22

06-17-2026, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by plsureking

its a rolling 20 too. in 20 years now will be better

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soo true
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Punyeto

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#23

06-17-2026, 08:28 AM

Thanks for the input everyone! Since I'll be there I'll go for a single day. My plan is to make a list of exactly what companies I'd like to meet with, get that done, then experience the rest of the conference from there.

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Publisher Bucks

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#24

06-17-2026, 08:31 AM

The only event that was worth attending was the Phoenix Forum, all the others were just an excuse for people to get drunk AF and throw furniture off hotel balconies...

[edit]

Actually, thats a lie, Cybernet was good too for old skool business...

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