Quote:
Originally Posted by JaceXXX
you didn't answer this in another thread, so I will have a go at it here
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Please excuse the cut 'n' paste from a different thread...
Regarding Internext badges now being $250 ($300 after June 17) for all attendees... This comes as a response to feedback from webmasters. This year, Summer Internext is not a Convention; it's a Conference. The difference is that it is no longer all about booths and a trade show floor; it's now about communication, education and networking throughout the resort.
In the past, all event costs and revenue were generated by the sale of booth space and attendee badges. This year, that model doesn't fit because participants have become more interested in throwing networking events and parties instead of exhibiting with a booth. As a result, the hotel has been closed to the public completely to address the concern of non-industry people coming to the event for the wrong reasons. In order for Internext to still cover it's costs, sponsorship opportunities have changed, and all attendees are charged entrance to the event. Personally, I'm not convinced that this will actually make Internext more money than in the past; the costs to do it this way are much higher than in the past.
I don't have a full list of Internext costs to hand but, to name a few: the show has a huge contract with the hotel that includes lower room rates but makes the show liable for all rooms whether they're sold or not... this also includes fees for shutting hotel properties off from the general public... the bars and restaurants and so on - it's kind of like a rental fee to rent an entire hotel including bars, restaurants and all facilities; there's a separate fee to rent the convention centre; there's a large insurance fee; temps are hired to run registration; a separate company is hired to manage the online and on-site registration process; a decorator and labour are paid to deal with exhibits and signage etc; breakfast and lunch is included each day; medics are paid to be on site 24/7 incase of an emergency; there's a fee for setting up wireless coverage across the entire resort property (poolside for example); there's a strong marketing push, which costs money; there's also the overhead involved with running a trade show business... attorneys, salaries, health benefits, office space etc. I guarantee I'm missing a lot, but there are enormous costs to do this sort of thing.
Here are a few of the key benefits to the new format.
- They've paid the hotel a lump sum for wireless Internet access to be turned on in every possible corner of the property. Meeting space, the exhibit hall, seminar rooms, the lobby, restaurants, swimming pool....etc. This allows for all attendees to do get online freely.
- I'm building up the Seminar program so that it is as compelling, informative and timely as possible. Typically the summer event has only had 6 or 7 seminars, this year there will be 12, plus additional training sessions and roundtable discussions.
- They will be providing complimentary Breakfast (in the Feature Pavilion/Exhibit Hall foyer) and Lunch outside the seminar room.
- They are shutting down the entire Diplomat Resort for Internext. Other than the convention center lobby (registration area), no one will set foot on hotel property without a badge. This is an exclusive Industry event.
- As requested, they are mailing badges out prior to the event to all pre-registered show goers. This will cut down the wait time on-site.
Overall this event is about ACCESS:
Participants pay for a badge that grants them access to the market they want to reach ? the people they want to do business with, access to the seminars, access to parties, access to do business without restriction anywhere and anytime. The point is, once you get the badge - the entire resort property becomes your business forum. You are paying for access and Internext is creating the optimal atmosphere conducive to your business needs.
Changing the show is a risk, but it's one that's been built around feedback from the Industry. In my opinion, that's worth trying.
Feel free to email me -
[email protected] if you want to communicate personally.
