Very good points, Shap - thanks for that! I agree though - sometimes you 'need' to be there at some key shows. If you're not, you miss the potential business opportunities which may not fructify tomorrow but will in 6-12 months when your businesses make a match.

Thank you! We always welcome the love! :thumbsup And try to return it in kind. :)

I am but a "humble webmaster" but like Tony404 I live close so I'll be in Atlanta. I'm looking to meet people I've only known on the boards and as an affiliate. Oh yeah, and I'd like to score some "Trim" also . . j/k

"Trim" ?? heheh no idea what that is :helpme

Webmasters with traffic and people who go to shows are totally different groups. Of course there is overlap, but like people have said already, shows for the last 2-3 years have been about companies patting themselves on the back and giving free shit to affiliate reps.

Personally I love shows, but that's because I love to travel and party, and it's the only time I get to see a lot of my friends. Business reasons? Lol, I get more business done at home in my underwear.

Excellent point, back when there were a handful of shows a year they were awesome (before my time). Now there's probably less sponsorship money, and a show every 2 weeks.

for 2008 it's only Internext Vegas, Costa Rica Bash & Internext Summer. I'm really cutting back on shows now & in the future for these reasons.

- as a program owner, there's not many affiliates that go to shows anymore. not like it was years ago when the energy & crowds were different. More optimistic & willing to share & learn. Plus all my sites are microniches and not THAT many fetish-y webmasters are representing. The ppl i do the most biz with & my biggest affiliates have never been to a show.

- as an affiliate, there's no real need to go to a ton of shows anymore to find new programs, work out deals, etc. I saw anymore because i've been going to shows for years now & have met tons of great people to network with over the years but recently it seems like I'm meeting less & less new people & seeing the same ppl over & over (which is great to see them again always) BUT I just find there's other travelling to be done with the same time & money invested.

Now I pick shows based on:

- the number of people that will be going there & whether it's a closed enviroment or not so it's easy to see everyone & meet new ppl. All the big shows are (like PHX, FL)
- whether I want to visit as a tourist as well or not. I've been to Vegas a TON of times, if its a city I've never been to & visit, that's much higher on the list. Not counting Florida since we like Florida a lot.
- if my hubby's never been there & wants to see the city.

Maybe I'm just getting old or something, but after I hit 30, partying for days straight seems a little less appealing. Fuzebox will say differently of course!

i do not have a physical form, i am just a mind

not attending any shows

Yeah i`m ok .. just some rough times behind me, but the show goes on. I know i lacked in communicating with you, but i will make up for it one day :upsidedow

Klixxx will be at XBIZ (in a week, so say hi) because of the number of attendees (nice coverage) and to Island Gathering, great quality of attendees and atmosphere. :-) With the way the economy is going and gas prices, it is hard to pick up and spend big bucks on traveling long long distances.

As an affiliate, I was wondering the same thing. I have thought about going to them in the past, but time restraints have been a big thing. And working this business only part time makes me question whether there would be enough that I would get out of the experience to justify the cost of attending.

Me & my wife were looking at hitting Internext Florida up (we are in NW Florida) and actually have the time off from our full time jobs that week to head down. Atlanta would be close as well, but without any idea of what kind of conferences there will be, that is still out to decide. But at this point, it is completely undecided.

We love Vegas, and have thought about heading out there when conferences have been held, but still never made it during a show.

But at this time, we have no set plans to attend any of the shows. Just watching the few that are close and trying to decide whether to give it a shot or not.

I agree I have friend is an affiliate does very well for himself. Does very little on the boards and never goes to shows. Just works 18 hrs a day 7 days a week cranking out the cash.

Too many. Between adult and mainstream 15 -20 a year.

I'm 100% affiliate and went to the phx forums this year.. no plans on any other shows

Actually some great points made in this thread.

Thanks Trixxia....

Heheh yeah I remember you telling me that in Vegas this year. You were there just 'on your way back home' :)

Webmasters with traffic that have been in the biz for 'ages' will normally go to shows to get the 'free...enterwhateveryouwanthere' from their current sponsors. They really aren't there to change their system, try someone new *unless someone is going to give them 3x the amount they are making on the sponsor that is footing the bill for them to be there ;) )

I'd like to know where the new and up & coming webmasters are going or even the ones that are huge, but aren't going to shows - why aren't they going to shows? What will make them come out? The new ones or a healthy influx of new ones is what I'd like to see - if they aren't coming into the biz or moving over to adult from mainstream that's something else for sponsors to factor into their biz plans.

Great points zombiegirl!! And yup - fuzebox is still enticed by partying ;)

Can't be easy to make it to shows if they are mid-week - that I agree if you have a full-time job outside of the industry.

Probably a weekend show would be good - or one that falls during one of your local holidays. Take an extra day off + the weekend and you should be good. One warning though - make sure you have a day to rest after you're back. :)

You should at least make it to one show - it DOES make a difference in terms of broadening up ideas for you.

Ideas I have plenty of. Time to implement them is another thing.

But I do understand what you are saying. Getting out and meeting others that are willing to share their knowledge and point you in the right direction would be the number one reason to attend a show. Conferences that actually gave you new ideas and new techniques to try, the networking with people that are successful in the business, these kinds of things would be the major draw for me. However, it sounds more and more like just a party to more I read about the shows.

Maybe it is the perception of what the shows consist of (or better what they do NOT consist of) that keeps me from them.

Xbiz Summerforum
Webmaster Access Amsterdam

Good points - and exactly why I'm asking which shows are webmasters/affiliates going to.

As for yourself, you will always find good people who will share, help and give good tips. There are quite a few good reps in the industry with dark circles under their eyes, those are normally the ones who still work the nitty gritty to keep their skills/techniques up-to-date and have good tips for you.

Internext Florida is a great one to go to - you'll find people from many areas of the biz and surely there are ones that can help you grow your biz or simplify your processes.

bumpitybump

Going to Amsterdam:thumbsup

Why should they? Shows don't have much to offer. I can't think of a single "adult webmaster show" that has happened in the last year that would make the individual affiliate more money.

I've been to 2 shows in 12 years, that was enough dont plan on going to anymore.

First year in Amsterdam, but there's a funny story behind it... You see, I moved to America in 2002 and overstayed my visa! EEEKKK!!! So, I when I was in LA, I went to LOTS of shows. The WMA LA, The Tampa Show, Internext, AVNS... Virtually EVER year since 2002... Etc etc...

Then I got deported ! So Im back in Europe... I cant return stateside even just for a show... So I am limited to Euro shows ATM...

As I said, It will be the first Amsterdam show for me, but the thing is there is also a GREAT UK show / meet up that takes place in January... Its held at a hotel, just outside of London, takes place over two days and is FULLY COMPED by sponsors... Epoch, TeenRevenenue, Strictly Broadband etc, COVER EVERYTHING... Luxury food, Open Bar etc... 2 to 3v Days of great UK networking....

However, this show is not recognized in quite the same way as some of the others... But for the UK.. Its bloody BRILLIANT ! LOL

Have a nice travel!!

For Sure:
XBiz Summer Forum - come see us at our Cabana!
Internext Summer - We're taking over the Infinity Pool Deck and will have something for everyone!
Qwebec Expo - The best small show there is. If you want to get to know a good group of people these is where you should be.

Hope to Make:
Webmaster Access Europe
Island Gathering
Webmaster Access West