New Webmaster Show: Introducing the GAYVN Retreat!

**XXXWriterDude** · 12-11-2006, 07:10 PM

Yes, folks, the rumors are true: We are launching our own gay-specific webmaster retreat, co-sponsored by Epoch, Cybersocket and Channel 1 Releasing. See below...

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2006-12-11

First GAYVN Webmaster Retreat Scheduled for October
By: Rick Richards
Posted: 3:30 pm PST 12-11-2006

CHATSWORTH, Calif. - AVN Media Network announced today that in addition to February's GAYVN Summit there will be a second, but-webmaster-specific, event held in October 2007...

Read all about it here:

http://avnonline.com/index.php?Prima...tent_ID=280574

**Lee** · 12-11-2006, 07:12 PM

In October? Because CCBill has their gay forum event in October?

Interesting stuff, i hope CCBill sticks to October for their gay forum event next year, because out of the two shows, im pretty sure who'll get the attendance

Regards,

Lee

**CorbinFisher_BD** · 12-11-2006, 07:27 PM

I think another event similar to the Gay Phoenix Forum could be extremely valuable. I know that the GPF was and it showed that such an event could be extremely well attended, be a tremendous success, and help a lot of people. I'd love to attend as many as I could.

Just don't see why another such event has to be set up on a time frame to compete with, rather than compiment, the other. Why not spring? Summer? Any other month of the year?

I'd hate to see what could have grown and blossomed in to an invaluable resource for all of us for many, many years to come get damaged by competing events that affect attendance and resources because that doesn't help any of us - even those that might attend both.

Hopefully timeframes will be such that as many people as possible - especially those with smaller sites and more constrained budgets - will be able to attend both and not have to choose one over the other.

**citiboyz** · 12-11-2006, 07:31 PM

OK, so I'm going to get scolded by GayVN (and I DO like those folks personally) but it seems like the GayVN events are all big-name "pat yourself on the back" events for the SoCal companies. Does anyone else think it's about time the independent non-SoCal-clique folks organized their own awards competition and event? Maybe have it coincide with CCBill's October show? Just a thought..

**Lee** · 12-11-2006, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by citiboyz

Does anyone else think it's about time the independent non-SoCal-clique folks organized their own awards competition and event? Maybe have it coincide with CCBill's October show? Just a thought..

Everytime someone not in that 'clique' organizes something like that things go wrong, buses get cancelled or diverted, cops show up to raid the locations etc etc.

Its actually quite scary because it ONLY happens when its something that 'clique' isnt involved in.

On the plus side though, those events usually end up getting a lot more publicity and attendance and a lot of business gets done all around

Regards,

Lee

**CorbinFisher_BD** · 12-11-2006, 07:49 PM

Well I think this new one could be an awesome event. By the looks of those putting it on they'd definitely have the resources and expertise to put together a kickass event.

I just hope neither one suffers on account of attendance ending up being split between the GPF and this new one, because that'd decrease the value of each to attendees.

**XXXWriterDude** · 12-11-2006, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by CorbinFisher_BD

Well I think this new one could be an awesome event. By the looks of those putting it on they'd definitely have the resources and expertise to put together a kickass event.

I just hope neither one suffers on account of attendance ending up being split between the GPF and this new one, because that'd decrease the value of each to attendees.

Many thanx, Brian. I have to admit; I was a little surprised myself to see that the event was being scheduled for October. If I'd been consulted, I would have steered them away from that. Sadly, I don't have any control over the trade show department.

Should be totally fun, though. I mean, just look at those sponsors.

**Lee** · 12-11-2006, 07:59 PM

I just had a thought and wanted to throw it out there for discussion based on what Steven mentioned..

When you look at the webmaster events to attend, does seeing the same list of companies sponsoring an attending put you off going to the show in question?

I know over the past 12 months ive had a lot of one-on-one discussions with company owners who have been cutting back their show attendance for that very reason, same people, selling the same product, at the same shows, i was just wondering if anyone else felt this way?

Have webmaster shows become so saturated that they have lost their broader appeal so far as making new contacts and getting business done for the 'regular' webmaster goes?

I know we're not planning on attending any shows this coming year unless one of them stands out in terms of sponsors, location, and attendees.

If the same sponsors, same venue and same attendees go a show, no matter which, its not even going to be considered for us.

So what are you folks thoughts on this, does the fact that these shows happen at the same venue and times of the year, with the same sponsors and attendees put you off registering and actually attending?

Regards,

Lee

**gaybucks_chip** · 12-11-2006, 08:04 PM

I'm glad to see more gay events, but I'm really, REALLY annoyed to see AVN being so petty as to try and directly compete with CCBill's events.

Nobody should forget how they initially tried to schedule Internext 2007 in March, conveniently competing with Phoenix Forum, and rescheduled it only when it became clear people would vote with their feet.

There is enough room for both AVN and CCBill to host successful events. Perhaps AVN has already learned from CCBill how to run a successful event in 2007, but AVN still has a lot to learn... gouging people $350 for a ticket to an event is not the way to get the up-and-coming webmasters that many big sponsor programs (gay and straight) are looking for, and attempting to directly compete with two very successful events is also not the way to do this.

The industry needs to work together, not to splinter itself.

**Lee** · 12-11-2006, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by gaybucks_chip

Nobody should forget how they initially tried to schedule Internext 2007 in March, conveniently competing with Phoenix Forum, and rescheduled it only when it became clear people would vote with their feet.

You know, i totally did forget that they did this.

It does make you wonder why all of a sudden AVN seems to have their sights set on CCBill events.

No matter, lets just hope the retreat date DOESNT get changed and CCBill continues to schedule their Gay Phoenix Forum event in October, that will send a resounding message to AVN if it happens.

Regards,

Lee

**citiboyz** · 12-11-2006, 09:32 PM

I believe that attending industry events is a good thing. It means you're serious about being a part of this industry. I go to shows for the networking value. I don't expect to sell anything at the show itself. But IMHO there's too many damn shows and 1 or 2 a year is all I can justify, so I'm going to pick the ones I think have the best value for my business. I'm sure I'm not saying anything that 90% of you aren't already thinking, though.

Dzinerbear · 12-11-2006, 09:41 PM

Sorry I can't afford to go to two shows in the same month. Given the fiasco that I've always found the Internext shows to be -- what a disorganized mess -- they'll really have to pull out all of the stops to get me to another one.

Ken, I'd highly recommend you push the organizers to move the show to another date. Here's how it looks to me: Patrick Curran started the ccbill Gay Phoenix Forum, Patrick Curran left ccbill for Epoch, now Epoch and others have announced a new show in the same month as ccbill's. Tacky, tacky, tacky.

Or course, ccbill hasn't committed (I don't think) to doing another gay show in October, but still there do seem to be certain factions of this community that are happier when they're trying to split it up.

Michael

**Pistol** · 12-11-2006, 09:48 PM

I think it's really unfortunate. Every one that went to the Gay Phoenix Forum this year thought it was a great event worthy of being supported. I agree with Chip - it would be to the gay industries benefit if events weren't scheduled at the same time.

A split audience kills the worth of sponsoring either event.

**gaybucks_chip** · 12-11-2006, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Dzinerbear

Or course, ccbill hasn't committed (I don't think) to doing another gay show in October, but still there do seem to be certain factions of this community that are happier when they're trying to split it up.

Michael

My impression in talking to Sherri and other folks at CCBill is there's no question there will be another Gay Phoenix Forum in 2007. The only issue they were discussing is where to hold it... they were interested in the Mission Palms, but the date coincides with football season so they thought it was unlikely they'd be able to get the Mission Palms. Haven't talked to them in a month or two so dunno what's up, but I'm guessing they are pretty booked out right now dealing with the regular Phoenix Forum in April.