Goddamn it!

[bluemoney]

Just checked out the pics from Cybernet. Everyone I want to hang out with, and or meet was there.

And where the fuck was I ? Fuck!

If it's in Tampa next year I'm there






Fuck!

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by bluemoney

Just checked out the pics from Cybernet. Everyone I want to hang out with, and or meet was there.

And where the fuck was I ? Fuck!

If it's in Tampa next year I'm there






Fuck!

Theres always Miami!
Everybody lobby LAJ to return to Tampa.
I heard there were some West Coast Weenies whining it wasint in their back yard.

[iamkathi]

This was a good show. The seminars were informative and the speakers diverse enough that it wasn't the same ones you see at every show. We got a new perspective from new speakers. ( I am in LOVE with Dave Cummings).

I like the thought of a show in this area, it sure pulled folks that would not have made the trip to the other coast.

I met people I had only heard of and I've been around for 9 years!

Wonderful show.

[TheEnforcer]

Spekinmg of whining.. we need one in the midwest just once.....

[spazlabz]

Originally Posted by TheEnforcer

Spekinmg of whining.. we need one in the midwest just once.....

DAMN RIGHT!

there used to be the Midwest webmaster gathering in Chicago, but it only lasted a couple of years



spaz

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by spazlabz

DAMN RIGHT!

there used to be the Midwest webmaster gathering in Chicago, but it only lasted a couple of years



spaz

You wouldnt go

[Revshare-Omar]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Theres always Miami!

That's what I'm waiting for

[softball]

Originally Posted by bluemoney

Just checked out the pics from Cybernet. Everyone I want to hang out with, and or meet was there.

And where the fuck was I ? Fuck!

If it's in Tampa next year I'm there






Fuck!

Its the usual post show love in. You know I wanna give a big shout out to....fill in the blanks....I wanna thank JFK.....fill in the blanks.....Did some great business....Fill in the blanks....rocks.....Its been the same ever since I have been in this business. I wanna hear someone say they made more money than they spent to get drunk for three days. Still never heard that.
The only thing I see is aging salesmen pitching to new wannabees going to marginal seminars drinking overpriced booze and eating very expensive heart attack meals. Call me cynical, but nothing changes and the business is in the worst state I have ever seen it in. Personally I don't go to these things because I don't think they make money and that is the only reason I do this.
Someone I am sure will disagree, but bring it on and tell us how you improved your bottom line and not your fat ass by going to these shows.

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

Its the usual post show love in. You know I wanna give a big shout out to....fill in the blanks....I wanna thank JFK.....fill in the blanks.....Did some great business....Fill in the blanks....rocks.....Its been the same ever since I have been in this business. I wanna hear someone say they made more money than they spent to get drunk for three days. Still never heard that.
The only thing I see is aging salesmen pitching to new wannabees going to marginal seminars drinking overpriced booze and eating very expensive heart attack meals. Call me cynical, but nothing changes and the business is in the worst state I have ever seen it in. Personally I don't go to these things because I don't think they make money and that is the only reason I do this.
Someone I am sure will disagree, but bring it on and tell us how you improved your bottom line and not your fat ass by going to these shows.

It was off the hook!

All the sponsors are top notch!

[softball]

Originally Posted by Hell Puppy

It was off the hook!

All the sponsors are top notch!

Not the question. Did you make any money or did you just spend it?

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

Not the question. Did you make any money or did you just spend it?

I accomplished my goals for the show.

[softball]

Originally Posted by Hell Puppy

I accomplished my goals for the show.

Ya know I was in the news business way too long and heard lines like that way too often. If you heard a politician say that, you would puke.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

Someone I am sure will disagree, but bring it on and tell us how you improved your bottom line and not your fat ass by going to these shows.

There may be a few that can say specifically that they signed x number of deals worth x dollars during the show, but that's not the way it works most of the time. You make contacts at shows. Some lead to new deals very soon thereafter, some perhaps after a few months, and still other deals with someone you've never met that gets referred by someone you spent a half hour chatting with in the bar after dinner.

Making contacts and deals is also not the only business related reason I go to shows. I always come home with some fresh ideas on things I want to try, some reminders about things I should have been doing but haven't been for whatever reason, and in general a chance to recharge the batteries. How would suggest I measure the financial effect of the above on my bottom line? How much are ideas and inspiration worth?

[softball]

Originally Posted by Toby

There may be a few that can say specifically that they signed x number of deals worth x dollars during the show, but that's not the way it works most of the time. You make contacts at shows. Some lead to new deals very soon thereafter, some perhaps after a few months, and still other deals with someone you've never met that gets referred by someone you spent a half hour chatting with in the bar after dinner.

Making contacts and deals is also not the only business related reason I go to shows. I always come home with some fresh ideas on things I want to try, some reminders about things I should have been doing but haven't been for whatever reason, and in general a chance to recharge the batteries. How would suggest I measure the financial effect of the above on my bottom line? How much are ideas and inspiration worth?

I walk in the mountains four times a week for inspiration. It has made me hundreds of thousands of dollars by clearing my head and repositioning my business and how I produce product. Its kind of like Zen and the art of porn. I just see this business in a malaise at the moment and nothing really productive coming out of these events. A good party is fun but a convention should be profitable. Hell, these things just look like any number of Optician conventions I have seen in hotels I have stayed in.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

I just see this business in a malaise at the moment and nothing really productive coming out of these events.

To be quite frank, there is no way you can possibly make such a judgement without attending any shows. Unless I've missed it, you've not attended a show of any kind since I've been reading the boards.

I enjoy the trees and the mountains too, I'm a third generation Oregonian, but when I want ideas and inspiration about my business, I prefer to speak with others in the business who have a different perspective.

[softball]

Originally Posted by Toby

To be quite frank, there is no way you can possibly make such a judgement without attending any shows. Unless I've missed it, you've not attended a show of any kind since I've been reading the boards.

I enjoy the trees and the mountains too, I'm a third generation Oregonian, but when I want ideas and inspiration about my business, I prefer to speak with others in the business who have a different perspective.

You are right, I don't attend the shows. But because of that, I believe I prosper and do well in this business.

[LAJ]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

Its the usual post show love in. You know I wanna give a big shout out to....fill in the blanks....I wanna thank JFK.....fill in the blanks.....Did some great business....Fill in the blanks....rocks.....Its been the same ever since I have been in this business. I wanna hear someone say they made more money than they spent to get drunk for three days. Still never heard that.
The only thing I see is aging salesmen pitching to new wannabees going to marginal seminars drinking overpriced booze and eating very expensive heart attack meals. Call me cynical, but nothing changes and the business is in the worst state I have ever seen it in. Personally I don't go to these things because I don't think they make money and that is the only reason I do this.
Someone I am sure will disagree, but bring it on and tell us how you improved your bottom line and not your fat ass by going to these shows.

You raise some interesting and def. valid points. However (and sure I'm biased) I'd like to address a few where I'm personally concerned...

"The only thing I see is aging salesmen pitching to new wannabees"
-- i'm probably one of those guys LOL... however, i've actually got a half dozen biz deals on the table with established companies thus far... if any of them closes, trip is paid for in full

"going to marginal seminars"
-- IMO, Cybernet has some of the best... I think a few here would attest to that

"drinking overpriced booze"
-- Usually the case but not at the Westshore... ARS and Webmaster Central sponsored the bar all afternoons, and there was free booze to be had at the parties. Otherwise I think the prices were reasonable.

"and eating very expensive heart attack meals."
-- Fortunately the prices were cheap at the hotel and there was a plaza across the street.

"the business is in the worst state I have ever seen it in".
-- agreed

I typically break even at every show at the very worst. But then again, I go not only for business, but also to get the fuck out of the house and tie it on for several days. I need the biz social interaction and the partying.... that's just my social nature tho. I love going to these things and seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Keeps me sane.

The 2008 Cybernet show is on my mind and i'm trying hard not to even think about it. It's not my call where it happens ultimately but I do have plenty of sway.

[iamkathi]

I'd like to speak up about the "marginal seminars".

I have been in the industry since 1998 and I have been in some real snoozers. So much at the shows I have attended over the past 3-5 years I will totally avoid the seminars( except the ones where the boss is speaking)

These at Cybernet I attended, well for the lack of anything else to do in the morning. I actually attended the Newbie seminar and learned something! The one on Solo Girls was informative and I met a few folks I didn't know. I did miss the one on Sunday because I didn't get back to the hotel after our party until 4am and I really wanted to go to that one.

This only proves to me that when I have the opportunity I will attend more seminars. You never know when something new may be said... or an idea may come from something said.

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by LAJ

"drinking overpriced booze"
-- Usually the case but not at the Westshore... ARS and Webmaster Central sponsored the bar all afternoons, and there was free booze to be had at the parties. Otherwise I think the prices were reasonable.

$7.50 plus tax for a Goose Driver, that's not a bad price at all. Not sure I've ever had one poured for me cheaper.