Phoenix Forum - You going ?

[gonzo]

Im not.
Rooms at the hotel sold out in 45 minutes. And then I read that someone posted an ad on craigs list offering to hook you up with one if you donate $2500 to their club. Guys you need a bigger venue even if this is a joke.

Then I read a question asking if there are open bars at the show.

So I choose to skip it again. Why?

Im not staying offsite because they refuse to get a larger venue and honestly I cant see a return on a show that I know that is a known magnet for freeloaders.

Remember all those big mouthed celebrity webmasters that you didnt see in Vegas? They are all tweezed up to go eat free food and quaff endless fountains of free booze. Its no secret that Vegas has got qute expensive but this being the alterative I will chose otherwise.

I know many of you tell me how its the best show of the year.
I disagree.

Internext in Miami and Cybernet Expo continues to give me the most return on my cash.

CCBill let me know when you get a bigger venue or start charging to attend.
Either would solve the problem for me.

Thoughts?

[pornlaw]

Call me a lemming but Im going.

Can always stay with my mom or buddy who lives in Phoenix.

But I agree a bigger venue is needed.

Michael

http://www.adultbizlaw.com

[Hell Puppy]

Problem is the show in the format everyone loves wont scale. You already have the main sponsors like ccbill pumping tens of thousands into this show so everyone can have a good time and keep it all inclusive for nothing or close to it. Are they even charging ANYTHING?

Expanding it would mean a greater outlay with no real increase on returns. You basically would accomodate more freeloaders.

Keep the venue, charge $300, see what happens.

I like a reasonable registration fee simply because it weeds the guys who are only there to party. Consider that MOST "mainstream" industry conferences cost $1600 and up. Let's say you're at a conference for database administrators, it would never cross your mind whether the guy drinking at the open bar is an actually active participant in the industry. You know he's making his living doing databases or he'd have no business there.

In our business, hard to tell whether the guy sitting across from you is capable of sending you a couple of dozen signups a day or whether he just hangs out on GFY, submits 4-5 galleries a day, and is playing hookie from college (or mom's basement or both) for a couple of days to come drink and look at naked chicks.

[KevinG]

I'm a definite maybe.

The hotel booking thing, I believe is a scam. It was published that registration opened at 11 am local time which is 1 pm my time. I set my cell phone alarm for that exact time.

(Yes, I tried booking earlier, several times and was not allowed.)

I do not know where you got the info that it sold out in 45 mins Gonzo.

It "pre-sold out" in my experience. I couldn't book online at the exact moment it opened up, and then I phoned and was told it was sold out.

I called the Marriot, the over flow hotel at 5 mins after and was not only told the "special rates" of $250 were sold out, but I could get a room if I pay $300.

I said "no thank you" as I thought "fuck you asshole scammers".

I believe the rooms are bought out in advance and saved for "the special people" that may need them later if they kiss the right ass.

Last year, I was offered a room at the Mission Palms 2 weeks before the show started.

Here is my plan for this year.

Laura and I already have plane tickets. No other reservations are made. If I get a room offered at some point I will go to the show.

If not, we are taking vacation in AZ, going to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Tombstone and other tourist stuff.

[LAJ]

Well as someone who runs an adult webmaster event myself I'll defend the Phx Forum decision to keep the show at the Mission Palms. Finding a hotel with that kind of excellent layout, staff and leniency is a gold mine. They know the show well and are prepared every year to accommodate the attendees at the show and in the grand scheme of things pretty much let it all hang out. They are charging for attendance but it will be hard to keep the locals away who are only looking to party.

My advice... if you are looking to get business done at this show, and there is plenty to get... hit the courtyard by 10 or 11 am. The people who are there to work will be up and at em at that time.

[JoesHO]

I liked the show, when I was there a couple yrs ago.

Not sure if I will be there this year or not, However I do think it is a good show to attend if you know how to navigate your way around shows. If you are a newbie this one might be tough for you as a first show.

Joe

[TheEnforcer]

I highly doubt I'll go but I've heard nothing but good things aboutt he show from a vast majority of people. That said, mileage may vary from person to person on shows.

[Hell Puppy]

The question on GFY with someone asking if Phoenix is open bar is telling.

Obviously the originator of that question is going to base his decision on whether to attend on whether he can get free liquor or not. Business is irrelevent. And he's probably in the majority.

I think the folks at CCBill do a great job with the show and clearly demonstrate wondeful hospitality. For them, it's a great branding exercise. But the thing is you cant scale it, there's a limit to how much good will (and good liquor) anyone can give away. And I've gotta think it's tougher and tougher to get decent money out of other sponsors.

The percentage of free loaders in attendance and location will again keep me away. I hate those long flights to the west coast, I'll do it for Vegas because I enjoy Vegas regardless of the show. And if I cant even stay on site or at least within easy walking distance of the show hotel, I'm not even considering it.

[Jim_Gunn]

I tried to book at the show hotel online and on the phone and it was already sold out well within the hour after registration officially opened, and the nearby overflow hotel was also sold out for Friday by that time also. I am on the waiting list at the main hotel, but unless I get a call for a room I am not going to go either as much as I want to.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by Jim_Gunn

I tried to book at the show hotel online and on the phone and it was already sold out well within the hour after registration officially opened, and the nearby overflow hotel was also sold out for Friday by that time also. I am on the waiting list at the main hotel, but unless I get a call for a room I am not going to go either as much as I want to.

I need to remind LAJ to talk to Connor about the quailty of fun there is to be had when you mix freeloaders in.

You get quality advice such as, "Hey dude - did you know that guys that wear white socks under boots get laid 3 times less?

I know Jay dont remember he was kind of . . . busy.

Its ok Jay me and Conner abused your friends asshole limo driver.
He ended up waiting back in the car.