Robbie is right. I haven’t missed a show in 8 yrs and I get a lot of business done at every one. That business used to get done on the show floor for the most part, but the last 3-4 yrs Ive taken a 5 min turn on the floor and that’s it. It seems to all get done at the bar / tables / meals these days.

I wouldn’t take it as a personal dig, things are just not the same as they were 8 yrs ago. The show floors will NEVER again be 10% of what they once were and they will continue to get smaller and smaller every year until they disappear all together. The days of spending 200k on a booth to top what you did the year before was a fun time in the history of this business, but its done.

For good or for bad, people look at the shrinking show floor every year and associate it directly with the show’s success. If I was running a show, I'd just accept it for what it is and instead of trying to keep that part of the show alive (an impossible task and a no win situation) and best try to adapt to whats going on now. Organize more interesting smaller events, poker tournaments etc. If I meet someone I don’t know on the show floor, It feels (to me anyway) like its kind of a sad "pitch" zone where you hear the same old crap form people that really dont have much idea what they are doing. But if I take part in a good poker tournament or an interesting event, its much more casual and I feel like I have a chance to connect and bond with people Ive never met before and brainstorm a bit instead of feeling like Im being sold something.

People leave the Vegas show and say “I partied and gambled like crazy, It was a blast”…..People leave the Phx Forum and the Panama summit and say “I got a TON of business done”

:2 cents:

Ja$on please keep in mind that I was never trying to tell someone NOT to buy a badge.
Everyone attending SHOULD buy a badge.

I was responding to the question of whether the cost of the badge was worth the money that they are asking for it. My reply was "no" and for all the reasons given by others.

Hell if AVN would just step up once and actually DO something at the show then perhaps that would make it worth paying the price.

I DID buy badges for both AEE and Internext this year. I will be attending both as a full paying attendee.

Again, I would question WHY I am paying for badges for Claudia-Marie to attend either event. But no options were given on the website for talent. Probably one of the reasons there isn't more tits and ass at the show.

Another drawback to doing the show at RAIN and having parties at the clubs at The Palms is the fact that folks who have a TEEN program can't bring their models who are under 21.

Also, as I said earlier...this economy is tough. Piracy has really wreaked havoc on a lot of people's bottom lines. Many guys who worked for companies for YEARS are now unemployed. Doing this at The Palms and having the room rates jacked way up JUST for the weekend of AEE and the days of Internext AND having the outrageous drink prices at The Palms on top of everything else is also hurtful to attendance.

If anybody from AVN would like to meet up with me during the week of AEE and Internext, I would be happy to show you around Fremont St. (which is the old school original "strip" in Las Vegas) Rooms there are $39 A nice suite is under $200 And Fremont St. itself is closed off to traffic and has a cover over it. Beer and drink vendors line the street and bands play up and down it. And you can walk from casino to casino with your drink in your hand.

The Golden Nugget, Binions, The 4 Queens, Sam Boyds...those are some legendary casinos. And The Golden Nugget has rooms that are just as nice as The Palms. These old school downtown casinos are also world famous for their poker tables.

It's just down the street from what is known as "the strip" today. And I'd be happy to drive whomever is in charge of planning events in Vegas down to Fremont St. and showing you around.

Hell, even events like D$ Players Ball could find a home on Fremont St. for a lot less outlay of cash for the building.

And the usual party that somebody will inevitably have at a strip club? That always turns into a b.s. affair as the strip clubs in Vegas have a deal with the taxi drivers to do kick backs.

But on Fremont St. You could walk out of The Golden Nugget. Take 50 steps across the street...grab a beer as your walking. And go right into "Glitter Gulch" strip club. Costs $20 to get in and they pay for your first 2 drinks as part of the $20

No need for cabs. No need for shuttles. No need for everybody to take out bank loans to come to Vegas for a show.

I know thats not what you were implying :)

As I said, I spend 5 min on the floor AT MOST, and I still buy a badge. Not because I need it to get done what I came to get done, but because I always have and If AVN is going to go to the trouble of putting it on I feel I need to contribute. I dont stay at the Palms (I like the separation of being able to go for the day, then come back to a sepsrate hotel thats not Jammed with industry folks and just relax, plus the hotel is possibly the single least realxig place to stay and the rooms are a joke).....so the badge is the only way Im accutaul contributing financialy and I will continue to do so.

The fact of the matter is, I love Vegas and I love to gamble so I always attend, but if the same show was moved at a hotel in Pittsburg they would be lucky to get people from the 3 rivers area to show up. On the flip side, If the Phx forum was moved to Pittsburg, Id grab a Steelers Jacket and get my ass on a plane.

I think (my opinion only) as opposed to adapting and being creative with their shows, AVN has sat back as the industry has shifted and 20 other shows they dont control have popped up (many of which are the shows people choose to attend if they are limited to only 1 or 2 events a yr). They just put the blinders on and keep the same model running and every yr make is smaller and smaller.

Its a bit sad to be honest. It wasnt that long ago hundreds of us were all going ape shit throwing CE foam tits around a 100% packed Miami show floor. Its kinda like watching my grandparents....they are in their 90s and need help, but they just say "we'll be fine". They need to be in a home and to make a change in their lifestyle because things are not the same for them as they were 10yrs ago. But instead the choose to put the blinders on, keep falling and hurting themselves and refuse to believe something is wrong.

That is the core of what I was trying to say. :)

That and if AVN are going to charge these prices for badges...then they should have a BIG presence at the show. Instead of charging sponsors to do everything...it would be nice to see the money we paid for our badges used for a lunch sponsored by AVN. Certainly they could carve out a bit of that money for some cheap chicken and potato salad. It would go a long way towards regaining some good will amongst folks

I agree, I gladly pay for a badge at Phoenix forum, they provide about $300 worth of food, open bar drinks and receptions. You easily make that money back over the 3 days without even factoring in the business aspect.
WG

Hello, I'm the informant. I myself will not attend this event.
Internext Roll Call:
Summarized as follows so far:

People that said they will go:

01 Wizzo
02 JFK
03 KGucci
04 Smiley
05 Evil Chris
06 Bugbee
07 Guerillavan
08 fuzebox
09 notime
10 LeRoy / DTI Cash
11 Vegas Ken
12 Rigue
13 emmanuelle
14 Honez
15 bossku69 and friends
16 Andy CHOOPA
17 RyuLion
18 Loch
19 Barefootsies
20 ShellyCrash
21 Roald
22 HookUPcom and Jimbo
23 Robbie


People that will not go:

01 Johnny G - no (financial restraints)
02 SleazyDream - no (can't afford flight)
03 MaDalton - no
04 media - no
05 Martin - most likely
06 AdultSpaceJeff - most likely
07 JayDeeZee - has been meaning to book it

to clarify - I'm bankrupt and restricted on income and a convention in Vegas would be scene as too elaborate in my monthly financial statements.... they'd view it as a holiday.

I DO want to go this year though

for all the shitting on internext everyone does I have to say this.

Internext is where I met the majority of the people I know in this business.

Internext was the first probally 4-5 shows I went to.

Internext was always an amazing experience for me.

I always made new connections and learned new things at internext.

do I agree with everything AVN does? hell no

mind you I don't think there is a single company out there where I agree with everything either.

Internext HAS done a LOT of good for a LOT of people in this industry, for a LONG time.

THANK YOU AVN.

Everyone has a different agenda.

If you're going because of biz then make prior meeting arraignments.
some for the seminars..
others just to hangout..
sales reps to hopefully get new clients..
all others just to party and bite ass..

Going to be a great show. It has been awhile since the last domestic usa show and I think the energy that people will bring to this show is going to be awesome. I expect to get a lot of biz done at this show!

Internext is one of the best shows, whoever is complaining they have no fucking clue

Gonna have to agree with you here Bako.

Wether a show has ROI is up to the people themselves, not the organiser or it's location/time.
They just facilitate it. I've never been to a show that was not good for network, roi, etc. Some deals just come later or maybe not at all, but the network remains active and grows stronger...

Not going is a bad decision if you ask me. Then they'll miss all the fun, the networking, the potential bizz directly and indirectly, now and maybe later. Next to all meeting the new players, the latest gossip, new smart intel, new cool trends, new amazing technologies, international goodies and new safe/cheap/chargeback free (local) billing methods.
That would be the last thing I would cut costs on to be honest in this economy IMO.

I look forward to seeing you. Glad you've decided to come to Michael's party in Montreal.

I will say its pretty funny when I tell people who aren't in the industry that I go to these shows, they always immediately assume there is a mass amount of ass and crazy stuff going on at these events. When I have to explain to them that its relatively dull, and few to no "talent" at the events. They are always very surprised.

While I understand the purpose of the shows is for business, we also enjoy a good time, and standing around at "parties" with a buncha dudes, gets a bit old. It never quite made sense to me to require talent to pay these fee's when they aren't the ones doing the business. They are basically there for atmosphere, which is going to keep people around longer, and networking longer. I think the phoenix forum was spot on for doing drastically reduced single day rates for talent.

This also may be why the casino bars seem to be the place to be. Better atmosphere, more variety of people, and doesn't feel quite so forced.

I know 2 years ago, the closing party was basically a ghost town, it was pretty sad.

I will not be going.

Last year I went, paid for badges, and while it was great meeting some faces here, it's simple not worth me flying from Thailand to Vegas for just 2 or 3 days, just so I can say I was there or get my party on. If I was already in Vegas or LA, I may swing by so I can bang Claudia Marie this time, but that's about it. :-)

I always read, "I did a lot of biz" there, but I just didn't see it. Everyone was drunk, buzzed or trying too hard with a sales pitch. It was more about the party, which is a turn off.

I'm I'm going to make such a long flight, it will be to go directly to the offices of a company to close a deal. Not to party in Vegas.

Robbie makes some EXCELLENT points in this thread, and I agree with all of them. The business has changed, AVN needs to change. Think outside the box for once, bring true value to this gathering and it may bring more guests in the future.

Marjie and I will be there!!!! Hit me up for any desired business and pleasure opportunities...

Correction: Thanks to an angel sent from heaven I will now be going to Las Vegas.

Yep. We can put you on the list.
ICQ 342827
icw me and be sure to be put on the list.

Anyone else wanting to be put on the list may also contact me via icq.
Thanks guys!

We are
Yeah I said it
We are
This is Roc Nation
Pledge your allegiance
Get y'all fatigues on
All black everything
Black cards, black cars
All black everything
And our girls are blackbirds
Ridin' with they dillingers
I'd get more in Depth
If you boys really real enough
This is la familia
I'll explain later
But for now let me get back to this paper
I'm a couple bands down and I'm tryin' to get back
I gave the other grip, I lost a flip for five stacks
Yeah I'm talkin' five comma
Six zeros
Dot zero
Here it go...
Back to runnin' circles 'round white folks
Now we fired up
Hold up

:thumbsup:thumbsup

I will be going this year as usual to AEE & Internext.

We're going to switch to the Palms on Monday. I wouldn't stay that far for the show itself, mainly because I like the convenience of being able to pop back and forth on a whim.

It's really just a preference, it doesn't hold the same business advantage in Vegas as staying in the same hotel does in say Phoenix or Miami, where everyone you see is there for primarily the same reason and everywhere you go you're doing business. Honestly, those are my favorite shows. :2 cents:

Here ya go...save yourself some money:

http://www.goldcoastcasino.com/accom...s-and-packages

I live here in Vegas but I enjoy staying at the hotel during the show. Last year I stayed at The Venetian for AEE and The Palms during AEE. This year I have a room at the GoldCoast for 5 days for about the same money I paid for 2 nights at The Palms last year.
The Gold Coast is just across the street from The Palms so you're still in the mix of things. And from what I've read a lot of folks are staying there instead of The Palms.

Hell, they should just move the show over to The Gold Coast. heh-heh
But then I'm sure the room prices at The Gold Coast would probably jump sky high and we'd all be staying at The Palms. :1orglaugh

Who the fuck wants to save money in Vegas :1orglaugh:1orglaugh

I like Robbie's avatar.
I always figure he is actually making that "thinking face" as he types his GFY posts.

ITs kinda like a mouse running in a wheel in his head as he thinks and posts.
At least he thinks before he types though unlike most. But seems like a grind.

http://www.gfy.com/image.php?u=13061...ine=1256761189

I make that same face when taking a shit!
A rough shit...
Like Post Denny's Steak dinner style.

Robbie. Hit me up on icq for a bukkake party invite.

Yes sir! see you next month! :thumbsup

An invite? I though my old lady was the bukkake-ee and I was "coming" already? :1orglaugh:1orglaugh

You mean I've never been to one of these parties? Holy fuck! Then what the hell was going on every year when I came into my room and found dozens of webmasters gathered around her firing off cumshots on her tits?

WTF?!?!? I think I've been fooled again!

:1orglaugh

uhhhhhhhhhh... for the first time ever im speeeeechless.

The Gold Coast is actually a shorter walk to the Palms circle bar than the Palms Place tower is :1orglaugh :thumbsup

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh

My favorite place to stay in Vegas is The Hotel @ Mandalay.

They have a few specials running right now for anyone that might be interested.

Hi Jim. I hope I get the opportunity to bump into you at one of the shows. BTW if you haven't heard from her lately, Alicia is getting married in February.

I am going extremely low budget this year. Three days at Casino Royale and Hotel which is between Venetian and Harrahs and three days at Rio. Rio is only $40.00 per night and is close enough for me to hit the breakfast buffet at Gold Coast on the way to The Palms.

Casino Royale is the best for AEE :thumbsup

We park there every year still...

goodgirl and I will be there.

Thanks for letting me know. Last year I had a great deal at Treasure Island, but no such luck this year.

Thanks for letting me know. Last year I had a great deal at Treasure Island, but no such luck this year.

We will be there :)

Morgan and myself will be there to represent Cybersocket! woot

Thinking about going. If you are interested in talking business hit me up.