Soul I sent you an email.

boooooooooooo

I'll be there. We get in on the weekend and are staying our first few nights over at the Bellagio, believe it or not their weekend rates were better than the Palms.:2 cents:

I have always found it beneficial to attend the trade shows. I do enjoy the seminars and always seem to gain something from them. However the networking aspect is priceless. Not only do I make new friends, but I also learn from others who are in the same business as me.

It is also nice to rub tushys with porn stars.

99% on the yes side atm!!

Robbie let me just jump back in here and say this. And this isn't directed intrinsically at you, but to those who would blatantly show up at an organized event such as Internext, as a non-paying participant.

Try to relate this to what you do for a living. If you run a paysite, you know that the attitude you dislike the most is the one where the potential customer says it's not worth it to join a paysite any longer, that they can get what they want from a tube site. I'm sure you see the parallel lines here. You work hard on your paysites, and certainly don't expect people to take advantage of all that hard work by viewing it on another site for free.

Personally, I would be embarassed to show up at any webmaster event without having paid my entrance fee to the organizers.

Jimbo and I will be there!

see you soon!

J.

:2 cents: :thumbsup :2 cents:

That's why I said that people SHOULD buy a badge IF they are attending.

And don't worry...I have already paid for both Claudia-Marie and I to attend AEE and Internext. Though why I should have to pay fo Claudia-Marie to attend either event is beyond me.

But yes, I do think that IF a person were to come to Internext they should buy a badge. Not to access the "show floor", because that is a dead issue. And not to go to the seminars that are just the same people every year talking about stuff that doesn't really interest old school people like me...but to be able to freely access the parties (if anybody is left that has the money to sponsor them anymore)

I still think AVN has the name power to do this and kick ass with it. Just the last few years haven't shown that. The badge price is still way too high, the host hotel is still ass-raping us, and AVN itself is not hosting any kind of big get together and picking up the tab for drinks and food.

But as I said before...You guys have now made $550 off of me for AEE and Internext combined. So I'm not one to show up and not pay. I like having a show to go to. But I think when your predecessor was on here a few months ago that many people made it clear to him that they were VERY unhappy with the price/value ratio that they get from AVN itself during Internext.

I will say it again: To the relatively small group of webmasters who can afford to attend the show this year:
No matter what your feelings are towards AVN and past actions...Buy a badge.

AVN is not embarrassed to stick their head up their own ass and to fix their awards show, so why would anyone from AVN get embarrassed to attend a show without paying for a badge?

* Maybe if the price was not so high (for what you get in return), more people on the fence would come.

* Maybe if you had it at a less expensive venue, maybe more people would come.

* Maybe if it was not a few hundred feet from a BAR, maybe people would not gather at the bar for business instead of going in the show.

* Maybe if there were less parties and more business... nevermind, that one won't work.

* Maybe if the show was worth anything or had a lot of tits and ass running around, like the old days, more people would come.

Bottom line, it is too expensive for many people to attend, get rooms at that hotel, rent cars, fly in, and so on. The economy is not getting better, yet you don't change anything to accommodate for this.

I've been to the shows for many, many years and will not pay for another. I'll be the guy at the bar or hanging out with the fellas. AVN may have a lock on the industry, but not a lock on Vegas. If it was worth anything to go INSIDE the show, maybe I'd pay. :2 cents:

Go ahead and define "many many years" for me. Is it 5? 10? If you're such an industry vet, why post negative crap under an anonymous nick?

Tradeshows (not just Internext) are a reflection of the current business climate. Have you not noticed that? Wait... did you want us to pretend it's 2001 for you?

I'll address your bottom line now. Expenses. The show is $150 in advance and for a major trade show, that's reasonable. Rooms are available everywhere in Vegas, not just at the Palms. We're not forcing you to stay there. And flights? Please... my round trip from Montreal to Vegas is under $350 US.

I'll be there :)

As always, it will be awesome to see you Stephane :thumbsup

SexSearch peeps will be there

Chris we are all just going to see this BAKO nickname

I stayed at Bellagio one year for Internext. My travel companion at the time got a very good deal. It is a really nice hotel. One thing though; It cost us a lot in cab fare to go forth and back to the shows. Now I try to stay within walking distance of any convention.

I haven't decided yet.

Consider it a Lock...
I even heard the Anal Hobbit will be there as will be the Tradition of Vegas Internext, the Bukkake Party!

Sponsors needed.

I will be there

i just hope i could come

Kid, I started with the first awards ceremony in 1984. You were probably not even out of high school yet, but I was knee deep in this business, working with true industry legends. I have AVN Awards on my shelf that have been there longer than you (or most of the people here) have been in this business.

It is of no concern to you or anyone else who I am. Nobody would believe me anyway if I registered under my real name. I tried that on another board and it didn't work too well. I was called a "fake nic" there too.

As far as why I post negative crap about your shows, it's because they are crap now. AVN is sadly now crap, the industry is crap, but this is not breaking news.

You said it. So again I say again, it's all crap. The truth is often painful.

Tell this story to the empty floor that you'll be seeing. :2 cents:

Vegas is not a cheap destination. Never has been. It was worth the expense back when the shows meant something or were at least entertaining. Face it, it's all gone downhill. Robbie has the best suggestion here and it will never even be entertained.

Enjoy the parties lad. There won't be many more of them.

I doubt I'll go. This will be the first Internext Vegas since 2001 I miss too but the ROI from this show simply isn't there for me anymore. Enjoy everyone.
WG

WTF!!
Who's going to have my back for the babe hunts?

I'm taking the money I would have spent in Vegas and going to Niagara Falls instead. Sorry bro. I might come last minute for the MPDinner but I can't see myself going to Vegas for 3 days otherwise. I gave it 9 years and the value isn't there anymore. I'll ICQ you if I come out last minute.
WG

:upsidedow:upsidedow

Am i getting a freaking invite this time?

Going to be skipping this one ourselves but hoping Chris can help get that show back on it's feet again.
So maybe next year.
See you next week in Montreal Chris and we can chat/debate this thing to death.
Cheers

I finally get to meet you

90% for now haven't fully decided yet, either vegas or a trip out of the country with the girlfriend. I am considering it haven't been to a show since 2004 will be a last minute thing i guess just like all the other shows. Or maybe both most likely will see you all there :thumbsup

Serious question... Doesnt AVN also get a percentage of the take of the food/bar and hotel rooms ? I think that is what Babenet has alleged in their lawsuit. If so, your analogy is a little off.

And BTW I will be there.

Hit me up i would like to speak to you.

Just sent you an email....

This will be the 1st show since the ia2000 I will not be attending. As wiredguy said above the ROI just isn't there anymore. These shows have simply just turned into a big party with no real business value to them...:2 cents:

Hey asshole..
Its people like you and this attitude that make it difficult not just for AVN but for people like me to get sponsors for my Bukkake Party.


Ive never had this difficult of a time getting sponsors for what used to be the best private party at internext.

We are are about 40 percent behind in sponsorship compared to this time last year.
Id hate to have to cut budget, but I refuse to run this party at a loss.

When you stay for example 7 nights at Ceasars Palace near AEE it is only 100 euro more expensive than staying 3 nights. Use that money for the cab :) Playing with dates can give better rates.
This year my tickets Amsterdam - Vegas are only 460 euro, booked at the right time and played with the dates, that can save hundreds of euro's.

This will be my second show i don't know how it was years ago. But i think Robbie has good ideas to make it better. I will take a look downtown this year. I could see/hear that there use to be more action. The AVN Awards where in a 30% filled hall, most seats where empty. The floor parties and bar are the best places to meet people. Maybe the entrance of 150 dollar must be spent on a open-bar and entertainment.

But i am also going to see more of the US, starting in San Francisco, take Route 1 to Los Angeles, Las Vegas - Grand Canyon. I want to see more this year than only the hotel bar.

http://www.goldcoastcasino.com/ - directly opposite of the Palms - about 200 meter or so, room prices start at $34 per night. and the rooms are totally ok

You'll be missed WG.

About 60% sure I'm going to drop into Vegas...

We have only been doing the Phoenix show for the last 2 years (and I love it) but now its in the middle of April and I could really use a short vacation between now and then :)

I don't necessarily agree to not go based on the economy, you never know who you'll meet or when those personal contacts you made will come in handy. Its like people yanking their advertising during hard months -- its not good for your long term success.
:2 cents:

If people are saying that there isn't value for them, AVN should have these people on the phone, asking what would make it better.

Vegas wins !! :winkwink:

I am thinking about it....