The State of Adult Industry Conventions - LONG, Positive Post!

[Jayvis]

I haven?t been to as many industry conventions as some of you veterans here, but I do feel like I?ve attended more than enough to realize the staleness they all seem to carry. I think shows are great for networking with like-minded individuals and picking up business you otherwise may have missed out on. I also think that you get what you put into them. With that said; I think they could greatly be approved in a number of different ways and I wanted to throw out some ideas as I currently am taking a break from Cybernet and ordering some room service. So while I wait for some food, let me ramble a little bit. This could end up being a long post but I think someone needs to bring these points up and I?m totally open to any scrutiny or suggestions you?d like to throw in. Normally most people just bitch on this board without ever offering up solutions or suggestions, so I?m gonna do both! And I know this post is going to come off in an angry or pissed-off tone and possibly as arrogant tone as well - but I can PROMISE you those are not my intentions. I love going to shows, have met some interesting people, partied and had fun with truly unique individuals, done plenty of business and so on. So please keep that in mind when reading this (if you even do read this, it?s probably going to be long).

Oh before I get started, I guess I better play it safe and say that these statements are my opinions only. These are not meant to be taken personally or directly by an individual. So just because I?m posting this while attending Cybernet, please don?t think for a second that I don?t enjoy LAJ or the show etc, because I DO get value out of them. In fact, I?m really motivated to perform better and it?s only my second day here. I?m just posting these as suggestions and THAT?S it. A suggestion. Nothing more, nothing less. No hidden meaning in anything I say. And I?m sure I?ll see some equally great replies in this thread. So let me begin?

Speed Networking

To me, this is my bread and butter. This is also the most important part of any convention for myself (outside of pre-set meetings). This is where I usually find the majority of new affiliates and b2b relations. The problem is, it is a horrible way to pick-up business. Well, maybe horrible isn?t the word but there are better ways. Firstly, 2-3 minutes is honestly WAY too long for each encounter. Out of this entire group I think the 80/20 rule applies. You have 80% of people that you will never do business with (for me these are people like billers, hosting, etc). Sitting there awkwardly trying to carry a polite conversation and seem interested is totally unnecessary. I sit there and count down the seconds until I can hit the 20% of people that will ultimately develop into something positive.

Second problem with speed networking? You only hit half the room. You have the stationary inside seaters that you never even get to chat with.

My proposal? Get rid of speed networking all together. It?s loud, you have to speak up in a noisy ass room, try to remember details about every single person? unless you?re writing it down which is still difficult and primitive considering you?re trying to have a conversation at the same time. It also has limited fucking seating. I could go on and on.

Instead, implement a system where each individual has 3-5 minutes to speak to everyone in the room collectively and they can then pitch whatever they?re all about. Give them a mic and let them talk. Each person is given a number, just like speed networking does now, ten people in line at a time waiting for their turn to give their brief presentation. The others all are seated, taking notes if need be, listening in a quiet room, not shuffling all around. Not interested in the person currently speaking? No problem, check your Facebook on your iphone, who cares.

If you wanted to get really into it, there should be a pre-registration for this event. Like a REAL pre-registration, not filling out your name on a sheet of paper five minutes before it starts. From here you could develop a simple pamphlet that each attendee could receive. Within the pamphlet are details on each person/company speaking including contact info, etc. Now you don?t have to worry about carrying 600 business cards in your pocket and trying to put a name or face to that business card later on. This pamphlet also gives you the opportunity to see if the last 15-20 presenters in line will be individuals you may or may not be interested in listening to.

This allows ANYONE else registered for the convention to sit down and check it out as well. No more limitations. It would probably take longer than the 45 minutes to an hour most speed networking events currently adhere to but I?ll take a two hour long session with this system over the old way.

Most of these shows should be live broadcasted on the web, for free.

I hear a lot of sponsors are pulling sponsorship more and more and understandably so. At the end of the day how much branding and ROI are they really receiving by placing a couple of huge banners around some pool cabana? It doesn?t take a rocket scientist to realize they’re only going to be seen by the thousand or so attendees and that?s it. Pointless.

What is the other reason sponsors are pulling sponsorships at an ever increasing rate? Lack of real affiliates in attendance. It?s no secret that only a handful of affiliates attend these things. Most of the business being done here are usually B2B deals which can only happen a certain amount of times before you have a case of seeing familiar faces you?re already working with.

My proposal? Broadcast all of these speaking panels live on the web and for free. Not only does this give your sponsors a wider variety of exposure but you now have the ability to reach out to the affiliates that are otherwise not attending. Plenty of mainstream conventions currently do this. Let?s say no panels are currently going on, what do you fill the live feed with during that time? You could have it showing a schedule of what?s to come next or you could take it to the next level and walk around and get personal interviews; for instance:

Once again, more branding for your sponsors, more eyes on your show.

Once the show is over, have someone break down the footage into their respective individual clips and archive that on a tube site or something for later viewing. Now you?ve got great thinkers and speakers on video and available anytime via the web.

Now, I can see where the counter argument to this would be ?Well if we give them everything for free via a broadcast, what is going to make them ever want to purchase a badge in the first place?? Maybe you?re right but I have a feeling that people who don?t pay for a badge now, probably never will. In fact, I think offering this footage for free would do nothing but excite an individual to say ?Man, that looks fucking fun, I gotta buy a badge next year!? Watching it and being there are two different worlds. It?s like watching a basketball game on tv, sure it?s pretty cool but wouldn?t you want to be there in person with front row seats?

Last but not lead, how cool would it be to have one or two panels that take questions directly from people viewing the show online?

[Jayvis]

Affiliates Should be Allowed to Attend for Free

?or at a substantially lowered rate. The average affiliate doesn?t NEED to attend these shows. There is no value for them. They already have a good idea of what?s out there for them to promote and can have any Q&A done through email. I?d suggest letting them in for free under some simple pre-screen regulations; find out what sites they run, and if they?re legit send em a badge. This in turn generates more sponsors interested in attending your show and possibly sponsoring it as well. As is, no current affiliate is going to spend money on airfare, room AND a badge. The badge is the main thing that stops them in my eyes. You still fill your hotel room quota with this method as well. It seems like a simple equation to me but maybe I am missing something? Affiliates aren?t going as is. Make the show free for affiliates, which increases the value for sponsors trying to acquire said affiliates, which increases the chances of more sponsors coming to shows in the first place, which increases the chances that more things will be covered by said companies. Seems like a win/win to me?

The Speaking Panels

Am I crazy or do I hear the same speech from the same people year after year at these things? I?m being 100% serious. Topics which are of little interest and while they COULD be enjoyed they are instead bogged down with monotone lectures on basic information even the newbiest of newbs already knows. ?Ok this is a panel on adult traffic, instead of giving out useful information I?m going to dumb this down by explaining what CTR stands for.? This is not pointed at anyone directly by the way, just something I merely noticed as of late.

And I?m not blaming the individual(s) personally. It?s quite obvious that they are intelligent and truly know their shit; it?s just hard for anyone to get up and hold an audience?s attention for an entire hour. Most are not good public speakers (and I?m probably the same way, we?ll find that out tomorrow). It?s probably also a case of no one wanting to give out their secrets and hidden gems they?ve worked hard to figure out (and respectfully so) This is why I think?

Every panel should have a moderator capable of handling the flow and pace of the discussion. This is especially true for panels which only feature one person talking. Make it more of an interview rather than relying on someone to talk for an entire hour in jumbled thoughts. Just noticed this evening that the woman from ASACP (forgot her name) is a wonderful moderator! There needs to be more people like her overseeing these sessions. She was great.

To be fair, I?m not sure if I could carry an interesting panel off either, I?m sure it is incredibly tough to get up there and have every word carry value and to keep wandering eyes and ears on you at all times. In fact, I?m doing a panel tomorrow and I?m nervous as shit that I don?t fall down the path of others who would do quite well if there would have just been a moderator.

Also, I think we need to see a drastic change in the broadness in topics for these panels. If people aren?t willing to share valuable information (like I said, I totally understand that, I wouldn?t want to either) then we need to get rid of those topics in the first place. Bring on more creative, niche specific subjects for panels, more companies demoing their software, products and soon to be released sites etc. Bring on an auction for people looking to sell not only domains, but already existing sites! Hell even a simple case study featuring statistics on aspects of the adult industry dealing with trends would be fascinating.

More Forced Interacton

I don?t really have an answer for this one but I?d love to see more forced interaction. It?s the natural for human nature to form cliques which seem impenetrable by someone on the outside. I?d love to get to know everyone at these things but that?s never going to happen unless we have more forced interaction (right now I think speed networking is about the only thing going for this). It would be cool to see some new and fun interactive events. Just wish I could think of some off the top of my head!

Anyways, food is here, time to eat and get back to the event? I hope I haven?t bored you too much by now. I mean at the end of the day, what does the world?s best affiliate manager really know about running a show? Absolutely nothing! BUT? I do know that I love ALL of the current shows, I love the people, just some random suggestions that came to my head. I have some others but for the sake of time I?ll keep it to these points. Feedback is appreciated. Let's keep it positive, no need to hate. If you have an issue with the current state of shows, its only best for the entire industry to present it in a positive light with the allowance of possibly suggesting a better alternative as well.

PS: Any event that starts before 10am is insane And there should always be an open bar, always.

[baddog]

Sorry man, have to disagree with you on the speed networking, but I am not going to write a response as long as yours was. Granted. some suck.

Disagree on the open bar as well. Too many webmasters do not know how to drink. Nothing would get done.

[Lace]

Do you really think one 25th of gfy will read this?

[Jayvis]

Originally Posted by baddog

Sorry man, have to disagree with you on the speed networking, but I am not going to write a response as long as yours was. Granted. some suck.

Disagree on the open bar as well. Too many webmasters do not know how to drink. Nothing would get done.

No worries my man everyone has an opinion, I'm not saying mine is the only one or the correct one.

And the open bar thing was more of a joke because I'm cheap.

Originally Posted by Lace

Do you really think one 25th of gfy will read this?

lol no I don't. I probably wouldn't either if someone else posted it.

[Barefootsies]

The Speaking Panels

Am I crazy or do I hear the same speech from the same people year after year at these things? I’m being 100% serious. Topics which are of little interest and while they COULD be enjoyed they are instead bogged down with monotone lectures on basic information even the newbiest of newbs already knows. “Ok this is a panel on adult traffic, instead of giving out useful information I’m going to dumb this down by explaining what CTR stands for.” This is not pointed at anyone directly by the way, just something I merely noticed as of late.

And I’m not blaming the individual(s) personally. It’s quite obvious that they are intelligent and truly know their shit; it’s just hard for anyone to get up and hold an audience’s attention for an entire hour. Most are not good public speakers (and I’m probably the same way, we’ll find that out tomorrow). It’s probably also a case of no one wanting to give out their secrets and hidden gems they’ve worked hard to figure out (and respectfully so) This is why I think…

Every panel should have a moderator capable of handling the flow and pace of the discussion. This is especially true for panels which only feature one person talking. Make it more of an interview rather than relying on someone to talk for an entire hour in jumbled thoughts. Just noticed this evening that the woman from ASACP (forgot her name) is a wonderful moderator! There needs to be more people like her overseeing these sessions. She was great.

To be fair, I’m not sure if I could carry an interesting panel off either, I’m sure it is incredibly tough to get up there and have every word carry value and to keep wandering eyes and ears on you at all times. In fact, I’m doing a panel tomorrow and I’m nervous as shit that I don’t fall down the path of others who would do quite well if there would have just been a moderator.

Also, I think we need to see a drastic change in the broadness in topics for these panels. If people aren’t willing to share valuable information (like I said, I totally understand that, I wouldn’t want to either) then we need to get rid of those topics in the first place. Bring on more creative, niche specific subjects for panels, more companies demoing their software, products and soon to be released sites etc. Bring on an auction for people looking to sell not only domains, but already existing sites! Hell even a simple case study featuring statistics on aspects of the adult industry dealing with trends would be fascinating.

Amen toe dat shit BRO.

After a few years, it was almost always the same names talking about the same bullshit. Little more than a sales pitch on the forum. Not really a lot of information. If you go to a couple of shows a year, you no longer need to attend most of the seminars. Which is why you could fire a cannon through them and not hit anyone.

Also, most panels never get into any real topics. I have seen Kelly Shibari on three panels in the past two years. Other than her talking ABOUT social networking, she never gets into more details about it. There are too many fucking people on these panels.

If you want to get into any issue with some substance, you need to have real experts giving a presentation on it. Not just giving you a sales pitch. I can't count the number of times some panelists never get a chance to talk, other than their name and a sentence or two in an hour plus. Its fucking ridiculous and waste of their time.

Sin2.0 has done a great job recording them, and broadcasting those I do not attend. Which is awesome. But there could still be more coverage and advertising opportunities in this.

Also, the conferences should let talent in for free. I enjoy seeing some of the talent running around in their panties for my amusement. They are trying to network and make contacts to get into the business or whatever. Throw in some fresh meat.

[ShellyCrash]

Originally Posted by Jayvis

Just noticed this evening that the woman from ASACP (forgot her name) is a wonderful moderator! There needs to be more people like her overseeing these sessions. She was great.

That's Joan! She is great!

[LickMyBalls]

Originally Posted by ShellyCrash

That's Joan! She is great!

[DateDoc]

adding 'long post' to the thread title at least keeps all the drive by posters away. :P

[ShellyCrash]

I agree with you on most of what you're saying here.

Speed Networking-

Probably the best I've seen it done was in Internext Vegas '10 where we were at the round tables and each person got 2 or 3 mins to pitch to the entire table, then once the rounds were made we rotated. Tom was the moderator and it was going good but there was a kink in the musical chairs formula and after 2 or 3 rotations we kept winding up at tables wth the same peeps. If they could iron that one out I think it would be the best format.

Also businesses shouldn't try to brute force a speed networking event with their entire crew. At one event I was talking to the 4th or 5th person for a certain company who said, "Well, I'm really just the administrative assistant, but here's my boss's card!"


Webcasts / Panels -

I remember a few different webcasts over the years but I agree, there should be more web coverage of the show, but along with the increased exposure the quality of the panels could use a little work as well. This is somewhere adult can look back at mainstream. Maybe it's just me, but events like Ad Tech don't seem to be hurting.

I'm not at this Cybernet, but let me also add that Connor Young from Ynot is also a pretty bad ass moderator who does research on the topic being discussed and stirs the pot / gets people talking about not the same old shit.

I say make it like the gong show. Every time a speaker works their way back to the same old self promotion talking points bang the gong or ring a really annoying buzzer. It sounds juvenile, but honestly I think it would be an entertaining improvement.


New Idea- Attendee Face Book

I don't know if any show has done this yet, but what if when you register your show badge online you get a listing on the show site. A "Face Book" in the litteral sense of the word. Just a 100x100 avatar, Name, Company, maybe 2 or 3 pitchlines and contact info to set up a meeting. Throw it into a directory that people couls sort by company / niche / name, etc. Seems like an automatic value add AND it would increase the # of early bird registrations. Early registration = more exposure

[ShellyCrash]

Originally Posted by LickMyBalls

Why can't I show Joan love? I've known her for almost a decade.

[Jayvis]

Originally Posted by ShellyCrash

New Idea- Attendee Face Book

I don't know if any show has done this yet, but what if when you register your show badge online you get a listing on the show site. A "Face Book" in the litteral sense of the word. Just a 100x100 avatar, Name, Company, maybe 2 or 3 pitchlines and contact info to set up a meeting. Throw it into a directory that people couls sort by company / niche / name, etc. Seems like an automatic value add AND it would increase the # of early bird registrations. Early registration = more exposure

Love it! Thats why I made this thread, I think shows are great as they are but could be soooo much cooler at the same time. That would be a great way to set up meetings versus the 100+ threads people (including myself) create announcing they'll be at the show.

[tony286]

I think webcasts of the panels is a great idea. I dont go to alot of shows but I would gladly pay $25 for a pass to watch the panels.

[J-SiN]

Jay,

I appreciate your situation but I think you are letting most of the show organizers off too lightly.

Like you say, attendees may get out of it what they put in to it, but ultimately these shows are supposed to be money making endeavors for the show promoters. Thus the organizers should be putting enough effort into organizing and executing on their events to make it viable and obvious for attendees to participate (and attend).

Today it seems like Tom is the only one that gives a shit at AVN about putting in the hard work to produce a show which is best in class; even still everything is a scramble and a last minute affair- not exactly a sign of a well organized event.

Xbiz seems like it is trying to change things up but it has been hit or miss the last couple of shows; Yes, I honestly feel Alec and team are trying, but maybe they just need to wear the 'Think Different' hat a bit more during their show planning meetings.

Barcelona and Qwebec are both shows which have a lot of excitement and optimism around them, and I think ultimately have the best potential to really shake up the same-ol formula. Being the best non-US webmaster shows is not going to be a label which lasts forever; however the personalities behind these shows seem to have much more enthusiasm and drive to produce a worth while and different type of event. So if anything pushes the webmaster show status quo, I would expect it from these two...

As far as the panels go, having moderated and spoken on a handful over the last few years, the key here is to pick the right (niche) topics and fill it with true industry (or non-industry) experts, not a show sponsor or someone else that is owed a favor by the show organizer. Sure this makes the draw of being a show sponsor less lucrative, but the key to having seminars and panel interviews which are well respected (and well attended) is to do them "right"... or to not do them at all. Seriously... no one said you had to have panels as a part of your show. So if you are not going to put the effort into making them worthwhile to attend, and a cornerstone for the show, then use your limited resources some place else.

Also, having recorded several of the seminars and panels over the last 2 years (to broadcast on the SiN2.0 Adult Webmaster Podcast) we usually end up editing out 30-50% of the recording for content reasons. Hell, we could broadcast the entire recording since we have no hard time limit on the length of our episodes, but we honestly feel it would be a disservice since there is only good, semi-useful content in half to two-thirds of what we have recorded. Sure, even the best panel in the world wouldn't be great content, 100% of the time, but with the right moderator and the right speakers, and the right topic, we would surely feel compelled to broadcast most of that hour long recording.

[FrozenJag]

Never been to a show before but am a decent sized affiliate with a team of employees. So for me the points you made about the live video and the archives sounded great!

Everything you suggested makes perfect sense to me, great post!

[amateurcanada]

Speed network is very important, it allows even the most shy a live venue to refine the ability to make their sales pitch :D Yes, some suck, alot of shows suck if you show up thinking your going to strike it rich.

Further, the same speeches I listen to every year - i'm the manager of this program and its important to sit in the trenches. Maybe the goal is to not listen to the speeches but listen to the people in the crowd to determine a direction to promote yourself to them.

I goto the shows to show presence, to say "HEY, I'M A REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS SITE AND YOU CAN FIND ME HERE".

Love ya. And love the QWEBEC show, Michael does a great job

Thats my ramble.

[fuzebox]

At least you took the time to write up your thoughts and some feelings... I just bitch

The most interesting thing I've read in this thread so far was the idea of a round table speed networking... I gave speed networking a try and was first overwhelmed by the noise and 60 seconds of info from people that I couldn't or didn't want to do business with, followed by silly conversations between people I already knew, while waiting for the bell to ring so I could get pitched by someone else who's product I probably didn't need. I wanted to meet people, not get sold. The highlight of my one attempt at speed networking was I was sitting beside Meepers so we talked a bunch in between rotations.

[fuzebox]

Originally Posted by J-SiN

I appreciate your situation but I think you are letting most of the show organizers off too lightly.

I don't like it when a show makes me feel like I'm a customer purchasing their product... The only one that makes me feel like my attendance is more appreciated than my money is the Phoenix Forum.

[amacontent]

This board needs more posts like this. Very well thought out comments and very respectful responses. Ive been to about 100 shows over the years... I agree Michael does a great job in Montreal..

I think the speed networking is a great tool to the show.. but yes its filled with billers who peoople like me dont need to speak with, and its too loud and short when you do get a conversation you want.

Maybe its a silly idea , but maybe have 2 or 3 speed networking sessions:
1- Billing
2- Content and production
3- Affiliates and program managers

You can choose what session suits you best. Spread them out so if someone wants to attend them all they can.

Anyway , great post. Hit me up on ICQ, will be nice to meet and chat with you.

[crazytrini85]

Originally Posted by Barefootsies

Amen toe dat shit BRO.

After a few years, it was almost always the same names talking about the same bullshit. Little more than a sales pitch on the forum. Not really a lot of information. If you go to a couple of shows a year, you no longer need to attend most of the seminars. Which is why you could fire a cannon through them and not hit anyone.

Also, most panels never get into any real topics. I have seen Kelly Shibari on three panels in the past two years. Other than her talking ABOUT social networking, she never gets into more details about it. There are too many fucking people on these panels.

If you want to get into any issue with some substance, you need to have real experts giving a presentation on it. Not just giving you a sales pitch. I can't count the number of times some panelists never get a chance to talk, other than their name and a sentence or two in an hour plus. Its fucking ridiculous and waste of their time.

Sin2.0 has done a great job recording them, and broadcasting those I do not attend. Which is awesome. But there could still be more coverage and advertising opportunities in this.

Also, the conferences should let talent in for free. I enjoy seeing some of the talent running around in their panties for my amusement. They are trying to network and make contacts to get into the business or whatever. Throw in some fresh meat.

I went to 2 forums 8 years ago, went to two forums last year. They were talking about pretty much the same bullshit in their usual spammy way. There has not been any real evolution in the business other than allowing those who steal content, credit cards, personal data, traffic and so on, continue to do business.

This is a pathetic business. I can't wait until it totally falls on its face.

[Barefootsies]

While I concede Cybernet Expo is one of the better shows, for speakers and learning. It is one of the smaller shows compared to many of the others IMHO. Which is good and bad.

Originally Posted by crazytrini85

They were talking about pretty much the same bullshit in their usual spammy way.

At also any conference I can tell you off the top of my head the topic, and who is in them.

Bernstein
Traffic is King
Mobile
Tube Bitching
Dating/Social Networking
FSC
Speed Networking
Poker Night
Rockstar air guitar
State of Industry
Domain Auction B.S.

Typically if there is anything new on the roster, it is because it's their sales pitch. So you have a few companies pitching you on some new software, program, application. Also, it is normally some sales guy or affiliate manager who.... when you ask them WM questions can't answer because they were never in the trenches to understand the sales process from beginning to close.

[Barefootsies]

toe da top