Suggestions to make Shows/Conferences worthwhile for business again?
 

Don't get me wrong, I love seeing all my friends at shows, and I still do business regardless, since I'm in billing; but it seems to me that shows are not nearly what they used to be, especially for the affiliate managers who are trying to pick up new business.


Personally I think that shows should be very cheap, or free, to affiliates. I suspect that there are tons of new affiliates in the mainstream market that would be curious about making money in adult, but are frozen out by the high cost of going to shows. Even if free entrance for affiliates would result in higher costs to sponsors, those higher costs would be justified by the new business coming into them.

Back in 2000/2001, shows seemed to really cater to affiliates. Now it seems that there has become a solid "in crowd" that does not welcome newcomers, and spend their time at shows hanging out with people that they know. I'm certain that there are newbie affiliates out there that have some great new concepts and perspectives for getting traffic, but they can't afford to come to shows and really break into the business.

I'm actually curious to see what happens at the Miami show next month. With the mixing of different aspects of the industry, there may be chances for some interesting cross-pollination and new angles on doing business, (rather than the attitude of some, which is that it will be "watered down").

Have shows become too insular and inward looking?


Anyone else have any thoughts on this?



:helpme

No one has any ideas?



.

Ideas? Sure, make it free for affiliates to attend ( got that covered :thumbsup )
https://gfy.com/showthread.php?t=978154

Ok, so we agree on that.... anything else?


.

Join the adult webmaster meeting in Holland, www.webmastermeeting.nl

This show is for everyone and it is free. We start with business and than make some fun. Sponsors have sponsored for 1000 euro of diners, so the early birds could also join dinner for only 15 euro. There will be a lot of free beer, bowling is sponsored, a famous body airbrusher gives a show and some sponsors will also put up a show, good DJ is sponsored, snacks are sponsored, location is sponsored, coffee is also sponsored and free.

And for sponsors it is very cheap, for only 250 euro you have, website banner, bag insert, free coffee, 4 beer, logo on our bannerstandard, dinner, and a lot of fun.

We are cheap for sponsors and attendees :) When i see the sponsor prices at some meetings i think they could hire Bruce Springsteen as entertainment. I spent the sponsor money for attendees, and don't see it as a way for making big profits.

You are also welcome as visitor or sponsor
www.webmastermeeting.nl

sure, i have a couple ideas-

1. show producers should actively pursue businesses/people they want to attend their show, based on a strategic plan of what they want their show to produce. have show salespeople make the calls and close the deals on the major people that need to attend. THEN attract the rest of the attendees based on that and the goals of the show.

2. show organizers need to shit a better networking activity other than golfing. have several events and partner people up strategically and create opportunities for people to meet with an agenda of working together.

After the bad AVN shows there were threads with dozens of brilliant ideas that everyone seems to have ignored.

:)

So who will join mr in creating a presentation that I will the to show organizers with some ideas about improving the shows

the problem is the low number of faces left to network with - seminars etc are all just window dressing- the main event is the networking throughout the shows. to fix this requires a time machine or the dmca rules to be reformulated.

Yeah it seems like every year there is less and less reason for affiliates to come.

The Gravy Train is OVER!!!!

Shows will never ever have a turnout like they were back in the heyday.

All the affiliates are millionaires. Just read GFY.

There is no reason for them to get in free, unless the program owners simply want to have them coming in, and meet with them face to face. I am sure they are more than happy to buy a $300.00 badge for their whale affiliate.

That said, I am sure that show owners could make deals with BROgrams to give them a bulk rate on badge passes for them to buy for all their affiliates and send them badges if they so chose. For a $1000/2500/5000 sponsorship, they could get 200 badges to hand out to whomever they like.

If the BROgrams want these guys there. They should foot the bill.
:2 cents:

Hi Michael,

As it seems that none of the other show organizers wants the job, I will step into the ring with you, and let myself get beaten up :)

· First of all, money is relative. If you expect to make 1.000 USD in revenue, I do not think you mind paying 200 USD to get into a show. If you expect to make 50 USD in revenue, you will mind paying 100 USD to get into the show. And if you are convinced to make 5.000 USD in revenue at a show, you will not mind to pay 1.000 or 2.000 USD to get into the show. And if you expect to make zero revenue out of a show - why even bother attending? Math 101.
· So, the show prices are NOT the issue!
· It's the RETURN ON INVESTMENT of the shows that is the current issue!!

To improve that you will need:

· First of all you will need an INDEPENDENT show
· Only an independent show organizer will go out and try to bring in good business for EVERYONE, not just for himself.
· Then that independent show organizer will have to actively go out and analyze which companies own the TRAFFIC currently (and those are less and less webmasters but rather large corporations nowadays)
· Then the show organizer has to try to bring in additional traffic from related Online Entertainment industries (Gaming, Gambling, Betting, Dating, Social Networks, etc.), which currently do not send traffic to our industry. Lots of additional business to be made there.
· To be able to deal with those non-adult corporations and industries the show has to present itself with an extremely professional image (no nudity, etc.). Because if the Adult Online Industry does not present itself as what it is, a professional industry with lots of business opportunities, the big traffic drivers from other online entertainment industries will NOT attend the show. Big dating, gaming, gambling, betting, social network corporations will NOT join a pure Adult show. They have a brand to protect. Visa, MasterCard, Google, Yahoo, MSN, FHM, Maxim, PartyPoker, BWin, etc. will always have an issue with showing their faces at an event with live fucking going on in the background. So the event has to NOT be a pure Adult Online event but rather an event open for all Online Entertainment Industries.
· The show has to lose it nationalistic touch. The Internet is global. So is the Internet business. So needs to be the show. The major Online Entertainment companies from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia have to be present. There is still a lot of business left on the table there.
· The various Online Entertainment sectors have to meet, get to know each other, learn to trust each other, and ultimately start doing (new) business together. Therefore excellent, working networking opportunities have to be provided by the show organizer.
· The independent show organizer has to classify each participant (What does the company offer? What is the company looking for?), and pass that information on to all the other participants, so that people can start the networking BEFORE the show. So that people only have to meet at the show to FINISH OFF deals.
· Like that people can start making bigger traffic deals again - and ultimately start making more money.
· Last but not least you will have to RAISE the price of the show, to insure that the show only attracts C-level decision makers. Better 2-3 really relevant significant big deals than speaking to 50 people who like to speak about business, but unfortunately got none.

So, to answer your question in a line: To make shows/conferences worthwhile for business again, we will all have to start building professional, independent business shows/conferences together. And that is not a job for a single show organizer, but rather for our industry as a whole - in the benefit of the whole industry. Some real team work is needed here.

This includes for the show organizer
· Stay independent
· Go actively out and bring in new Adult biz
· Motivate the other Online Entertainment Industries to get to know the Adult Online Industry
· Bring in the professionals
· Keep out the freeloaders

For the industry it means
· Tell your show organizer what you like about his shows
· Tell your show organizer what you did not like about his show
· Help the your show organizer to become better - it's in the interest of everybody
· And: Support your show organizer(s). In the end they are setting up those shows for YOU.

I also believe that not ONE show can please EVERYBODY. The target groups are too different. There should be excutive shows (type Island Gathering), professional B2B events (type Summit), webmaster meetings (type Dutch webmaster meeting), offliner shows (type Venus or AVN), etc. One event will never be able to cater to all those various target groups. That idea is deemed to fail.

Looks like quite a fun job to me ;)

Hope someone is crazy enough to take this challenge on any time soon! :)

Kindest regards,
Andreas

P.S.: And sorry, again, it's not about the entrance price of shows. If someone does not have a couple of hundred Dollars or Euros to invest in his new business idea or business network, what kind of business man or woman is that? People can spend a hundred dollars on drinks in a weekend, but cannot invest the same amount in their professional growth? Sounds weird to me. Sorry. You will only attract uninterested, unmotivated people just wanting to "check out a porn conference". That is all you will attract. Just my 2 cents.

P.P.S.: And please send me your presentation whenever it is done. I am open for discussions about how to improve my show.

OK, this inspired my blog post today.

I propose an Unconference. We all want to get together for a variety of reasons. One is to network. One is to meet old friends/reinforce business relationships. One is to learn new things. One is to party. No one wants to pay 300 bucks to attend. No one needs to be bought sponsored drinks. No one wants keynotes that are VERY thinly disguised product pitches. No one wants round tables where no one is watching.

An unconference would remove all the bad things and keep all the good. It would revolutionise the way porn industry meetings happen.

Continues...

http://www.adultmarketing.co.uk/2010...-the-solution/

Have an Affiliate and Programs Speed Networking Hour Setup (no processors or anything else) Check business cards/badge before you let them in the room..

Also I believe an independent show organizer will in general be more motivated to get the job done - as he is living of what he is doing. So he better delivers a good show (and new business for his participants and sponsors) - or he will be out of business real quick, as it currently happens with a lot of shows...

porn is dead. move on.

Andreas took time to write a full marketing strategy. And he is right. You can see that different shows are targeting at different people. The dutch webmaster meeting for instance is aiming at everybody who is involved in the business, bigger and smaller players will show up. That way they keep in contact with their affiliates and their colleagues, learn, do business and have fun. The affiliates appreciate this sponsoring cause it is always interesting to meet other people in the business and to see who they are promoting. Cause the dutch webmaster meeting it is also cheap for sponsors, smaller newcommers also will show up aiming at affiliates and learn from other companies. At some bigger shows there are mostly billing companies presenting themselves, that is not interesting for most affiliates. But there is always a change that this affiliates will be big companies in the future :)

The Barcelona Summit is putting a lot of time in connecting the more professional international companies and keep them connected. And he is looking at several shows if there are new companies who might be interesting for attendees of his show. That is more work than just put up a meeting.

Just visit some shows and see how different they are.

How crazy are you Andreas, taking the challenge :)

Spot on.

Getting loads of new affiliates to turn up to a show because they got a free pass is not going to make many a lot of profit. The traffic from those who did turn up would be minimal and their time in the industry would be even more limited. It would take some very in depth seminars to teach them how to survive the first year.

The business has changed and Tubes have proved the cost of traffic for paysites is way too high. We need to be sitting down to think of ways to get more people to buy, not thinking of ways to get more newbies to send traffic that does not buy.

Depends on your attitude. I would LOVE to have a whole bunch of affs I didn't know turn up because it cost them nothing. I would talk to them and try and get them to promote my clients' programs. In fact, I am in talks with one show organiser to put on a newbs' seminar right now.

You would probably just moan about how stuff isn't like it used to be. And content is king and all your usual drivel

That would make me profit. And it wouldn't cost the show organisers profit, because currently these people are not coming anyway. In fact, it would increase the org's profit because if they could guarantee x number of affiliates, more program owners would pay to come.

I would relish some less experienced affiliates. We could show them what to do, help them make more money. It would take a couple of seminars, sure. But isn't a trade show where you GO FOR SEMINARS? lol.

Paul, all you every bloody do is moan and cry like a baby. Rather than sitting there crying like a bitch don't you make some positive suggestions?

I know you don't really get this whole online thing, but did your mother never teach you that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all?

Sigh.

keep out all non webmasters

if you arent proven to be in the business...you shouldnt be allowed on the premises

i hat talking to someone and finding out they live in the town...and have aoe shitty fucking website,,,hosted by godaddy

After 4 years of going to shows, I still don't see the value... I go because it's the only opportunity I have to connect with friends, because I live outside of North America. Speed networking, seminars, parties, dinners, whatever, none of these make me more money.

What's really funny is the last few vegas shows I've been in a group of me and like 6-7 other affiliates representing a combined 150+ joins a day yet we can't get the attention of any of the sales reps who are too busy enjoying their paid vacations...

that last part is too funny.

i know what you mean...the reps have no clue and walk around like cocks of the block.

meanwhile mega joins will walk on by, and they snub their nose..lol

its too funny

Shows are what you put into it.

:2 cents::2 cents::2 cents:

A year and a half ago I was browsing the show floor with a guy who had like 2 million uniques a day, and when he told the guys manning the booth that he was selling ad spots, they basically told him to fuck off. It was so bizarre. They were also ordering drinks at 11am and wearing sunglasses indoors.

There are far easier, cheaper and more effective way to reach 1,000s of new affiliates than doing a newbies show. You're thinking inside the box as usual. Go away and think a little deeper rather than trying to sling mud. This is me being positive, if you can think a little deeper.

I was bitching that this industry has little answer to the decline other than getting more affiliates to send more traffic that does not spend. If you convert 1-100, which for most is a dream, you're losing 99% of your traffic. Convert at 1-1,000 and it's 99.9% of your traffic. Ans we all know which way ratios are going. Am I moaning? Yes, it's a shame to see the industry I love so incapable of adapting to the market.

True. I could make more money staying at home, shooting a few sets, spamming and contacting people on ICQ to buy content.

The last Vegas and Miami show I went to I took my family and used it as an excuse to have a holiday paid for by the business. But don't tell the tax man. :winkwink:

Shows need to change but not getting by in a few 100 people who are new or thinking about becoming a webmaster. That will discourage a lot of industry people from coming. Maybe a show purely for newbs and potential webmasters might work. Good luck funding it though. This is the age of the Internet and people still think seminars at show are the best way to get new webmasters. :Oh crap

Plus dumping the expense of this idea onto the sponsors attending shows could make it less attractive for them.

An easier, more effective and more profitable way to get newb affiliates or not?

http://www.gofuckyourself.com/showth...4#post17340724

I think it's better than doing it at shows.

Any other concrete suggestions? I got a show coming up in about 2 months, so please feel free to let me know your ideas, and I will try my best to implement them into my up-coming event (if they make sense for the industry).

Thanks,
Andreas

Andreas and I are going to start putting a framework together this week... :)


I really think that he is spot on when it comes to trying to pull in other internet market segments in order to come up with more cross-promotion, and more creative ways to generate traffic.

Keep you posted!!


:thumbsup

A question to everyone:

Who is the one person you would like to listen to most on a panel? Who would be that one "online industry expert" you would like to meet for once in real life at a show? Please feel free to go crazy...

Here are some examples from my side:

- Risk manager from Visa explaining what to pay attention to when opening an merchant account, and how to keep it open
- Risk manager from MasterCard explaining what to pay attention to when opening an merchant account, and how to keep it open
- Corparate strategy manager from FaceBook explaining their corporate view on the Adult Industry
- Corparate strategy manager from Twitter explaining their corporate view on the Adult Industry
- Corparate strategy manager from Google explaining their corporate view on the Adult Industry
- Corparate strategy manager from Yahoo explaining their corporate view on the Adult Industry
- Andrew Cornu explaining how he started AdultFriendFinder and what happened until he sold out
- The Hun explaining how the industry started, and how life was back then

Whom would you like to learn something from, and what would you like to learn more about?

Now I am curious... :)

Great List Andreas!!

:thumbsup:thumbsup

I think there is 1 person everyone wants to see Andreas, Stuart from ICM registry (.xxx)

They are all interesting. I think Facebook, Twitter and Google would be great.
All the suggestions are good, but my interest is in the future.

I asked The Hun, but his band already had a gig on our showdate. That would have been great.

I'd like to go to a convention that is actually about the business side of the business. Remember when we were just a little curtained off area at the back of CES? Now every show, whether it's for the fans or the industry leaders, is just more T&A, rappers that suck, seminars held by people who pay to be on the panels, and a golf tournament. How many times have you walked up to a booth or a cabana and you're not even acknowledged by anyone except the talent? The pictures from the shows are generally better than the shows themselves.

I know we go to these things to party, and I love hanging out at the pool as much as anyone, but doesn't anyone ever get down to business.

I think I count like 4 people in this thread that have registered for Cybernet Expo in the last couple of years.

Reading some of these other comments it would appear that you are long overdue to attend ;)

Hey Spyce,

That was the main idea when I started my show: To build a serious business show for the European market. Obviously we are not perfect yet (and never will be), but I believe we have come a pretty long way in the past 12 months.

Any thoughts or suggestions you might have, please feel free to pop me an email, and I will take them into consideration.

Thanks for your input!
Andreas

Don't abuse the companies with booths. Don't jack up prices when people visit. How about charging nothing for a booth?

Hey airholland,

Trying to bring Stuart to a show is an AWESOME idea!!

Thanks,
Andreas