Webmasters & Affiliate - What shows will YOU be attending this year?

There's definitely a recession, more merges, sponsors buying up traffic source networks. I agree there has to be a whole army of people that aren't getting to the shows or have not yet taken that plunge - there's also the ones, such as yourself, that are no longer enticed or inclined to come out anymore.

The earlier panels I went to were interesting to me - most of the speakers were webmasters/affiliates and only few were sponsors so you were really getting 'hands-on' experience and not a hand-me-down notebook from the previous rep from X company type of info being given.

Thanks for your feedback, PornMySex - much appreciated.

Sex2Have - Haven't seen you around in awhile!! I hope you are well!

Actually, come to think of it - less parties, people 'may' sleep earlier and be refreshed in the morning when most companies are there in 'full-force'. On that same note, if the parties 'subside' then people may lash out as it being a 'boring' show....damned if you do, damned if you don't kind of thing.

I think the biggest problem is this... everybody wants to run a show. So instead of having 4-6 really great shows, you have 20 mediocre shows and 4 pretty good shows. The investment money gets split between 24 shows instead of 6 shows, meaning less money to make the show great. If it isn't a great show, it attracts less people and then everyone else is thinking "why go to the show? Nobody will be there."

Put an axe to 24 shows, consolidate money and effort, and I can see them not only being a better show but also more cost efficient for both sponsors and affiliates.

We generally go to two shows a year. We aren't big show people. I find it's not so much about ROI as much as it is face time. We have a company image we like to maintain and every show we go to helps that. I find going to shows helps us strengthen and enhance our business relationships more than anything.

I went to a mainstream internet advertising conference that blew away any of our shows. I learned more in 5 hours at that conference than any of our shows could have ever offered. The adult shows are all parties and bs fluff. The only reason anybody goes is because it's a common gathering spot. The shows themselves have absolutely no value. Their value is gathering people.

going to vegas in 6 days to attend xbiz
then internext in florida

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! 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

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