Should I go?
 

Would it be worth my time as a small player / newb in this industry to go to any shows?

Is there opportunity for me to learn and meet people? Or are they mainly for the industry whales?

If so what show would you recommend?

Thanks

If you want to have a good time and network go for it!

Is anyone even going to want to network with a person at my level in the game?

Join Date: Sep 2008 ... and newb in the industry? WTF?

2 years is nothing.

Opinions?

I'm sure you'll find plenty of people who want to do business with you.

you'll be laughed at by everyone at once.

I agree. You're going to meet people, maybe learn or more so maybe give :2 cents:

:1orglaugh Domain Broker quotes this from personal experience :thumbsup

Domain broker is just a loser...

depends on the show I guess. Make sure there are at least a few webmasters attending
so you have someone to discuss strategies with and exchange experience.
At any show there will be a lot of affiliate reps which will tell you how
great their program is and why you should be sending them traffic, you'll
get bored of their lines pretty quick.

Are major parts of the shows geared towards affiliate programs? I have paysites and probably wouldn't be very interested in program offerings.

The biggest part of the crowd are affiliate reps, some program owners, lots of billing processors as of late and some hosting company reps.

It's just fun, nothing to learn from there that you can't learn from home (on the net) ...

Sure why not? :)

There's always a couple of newcomers at these shows, so don't let that hold you back

they will all give you negative reps on entrance :D kidding, why not, you will meet people, they dont know how much traffic or anything you have so have fun

Good. Point.

From everyones responses , it seems like the shows are pretty welcoming and that everyone there is pretty much trying to just have a good time. I recently got a place down in Phoenix, so maybe I will catch the show there.

Actually, The Phoenix Forum is a good one to start with. Many say it is their favorite show of the year. Everybody I know that has cut down on their yearly show attendance seem to keep TPF on their itinerary.

it would be a good idea. it is how pete-k started in the biz.