Anyone hear anything about GayVN Summit?

[Patrikyyz]

Like many others...I also sat on the fence about whether I should or shouldn't go...I am glad that I didn't...

From what I heard from some of my business acquaintances, etc...that are in San Fran....is that it was a bit of a waste of time...

And much like everyone else, they also echoed that if you weren't a 'Big' studio pumping $$$'s into advertising, marketing, etc...then there was little value in attending.

I always like to think that what is being offered and promoted at these events is genuine (e.g. a large network of industry professionals that you can mix and mingle with) that are there to do business...But unfortunately, I find more often than not...it has nothing to do with doing business...

But more often than not...Its about seeing and being seen...Enough said...I am beginning to let my bitterness show again...I need to bitchslap myself...Ouch!!! that really hurt.

And lets not even talk about the awards!!!! What a farce...All I can say...is that a couple of my films were nominated (legitmately) in Europe in 2006 and these same films that were submitted for nomination were not even acknowledged for GayVn...I am still waiting for a reply as to why??

You be the judge!!!

[XXXWriterDude]

Like many others...I also sat on the fence about whether I should or shouldn't go...I am glad that I didn't...

From what I heard from some of my business acquaintances, etc...that are in San Fran....is that it was a bit of a waste of time...

And much like everyone else, they also echoed that if you weren't a 'Big' studio pumping $$$'s into advertising, marketing, etc...then there was little value in attending.

I've just received feedback from several companies, and while each of them had suggestions for improvement, they all agreed that the show was a great beginning to what they hope will become an annual event. So, I don't think that "everyone else" is an accurate term.

I always like to think that what is being offered and promoted at these events is genuine (e.g. a large network of industry professionals that you can mix and mingle with) that are there to do business...But unfortunately, I find more often than not...it has nothing to do with doing business...

But more often than not...Its about seeing and being seen...Enough said...I am beginning to let my bitterness show again...I need to bitchslap myself...Ouch!!! that really hurt.

Bitterness often cancels out objectivity, unfortunately. Hope your face is feeling better now.

And lets not even talk about the awards!!!! What a farce...All I can say...is that a couple of my films were nominated (legitmately) in Europe in 2006 and these same films that were submitted for nomination were not even acknowledged for GayVn...I am still waiting for a reply as to why??

You be the judge!!!

I AM one of the judges! LOL!

What titles were they, Patrik?

It sounds like someone is a little miffed, and is letting his personal feelings get in the way of an honest assessment of the show. I'm not sure how much stock to put into criticism from someone who gets all of his info heresay and not first-hand.

Anyway, it seems that every show is subject to the same opinions. I've noticed this on the boards after every trade show. For as many people who diss them, there are just as many others who say what a great time they had. I guess it comes down to not being able to please everyone.

[Lee]

there are just as many others who say what a great time they had. I guess it comes down to not being able to please everyone.

Have you also noticed how its also the ones that dont do much serious business or the ones with close ties to the show organizers that are always saying how they had a great time though?

The ones who spend money on sponsorships, spend money on open bars, spend money on talent, these are the individuals and companies that constantly complain about the shows not meeting expectations because attendance keeps dropping due to high priced entry fees.

Perhaps we should start telling AVN to raise the prices of attendance, after-all telling them to lower the cost of admission doesnt seem to be doing anything.

Regards,

Lee

[Patrikyyz]

I agree...you can't please everyone...And there will always be people that enjoyed, liked, disliked, etc...Its the nature of the beast...I suspect it all has to do with what your expectations and what you are looking to get from the experience...

As far as my films... Adorable I (nominated for Best Amateur Film - Foreign), and Cum and Get It (nominated for Best Direction - Amateur Film)...

Chances are that you didn't get to review these films as they were not considered for nomination, in spite of being submitted to the nominating committee....

[shaun]

I LIKED this show, a lot.

I also did a LOT of business there - pretty much everything I went there to get accomplished, I accomplished.

Yes, I suppose the seminars could be pumped up a little bit ( - perhaps this is a bit cynical, but my experience with seminars in general is that the information in them is generally nothing more that you can pick up online. The REAL information on this industry is learned through your relationships with people, and not in seminars. So, I don't GO to events for the seminars, because if someone knows how to make 100 million dollars overnight, they are not going to be telling competitors about it at a round table discussion!)

The size of the seminar was an advantage - as it allowed me to meet more people one on one, and as a native San Franciscan, there was no better place for it to be held.

The W is a fabulous place. The food was TERRIFIC and the amenities awesome. The awards parties were fun. I wish I looked better in Dick Hunters pictures - but I was jet lagged - so what the heck.

Honestly, given a choice between Vegas and this show, I would do this show all over again. I just wish I had met more of you there!

[allboysvideo]

I kind of agree with Chip as I'm reading this thread. There are so many shows/functions to attend and then you have to figure out which one's to attend and which functions will benefit you and your studio.

Our studio/production company does both...we film for web content, we are affiliated with BluMedia/IntenseCash and then we have our DVDs that we produce...so we are kind of in both worlds. For us we have to decide to go to functions that cater to both the websites and then the DVD distribution and production.

We passed on the GayVN/San Fran. show to attend a function called "the ExpoMark" which was held in Orlando. This show pairs up buyers and sellers in the "DVD" market and we found it to be much more sucessful then going to the GayVn function. We accomplished more in this function that we have ever accomplished at any function.

We find that going to the Phoenix Forum is also great because we have noticed that folks from the production studios are there as well as many of the webmasters from many of the popular sites...and we all have a great time! I loved the gay phoenix forum and I hope they do another gay phoenix forum again!!!

You really have to pick and choose wisely which functions to attend...I mean I have a business to run, going to all these functions is a full time job!!!LOL!!! And it cost lots of money to attend...it really adds up!!!

[Fatal Attractio]

This was my first official gay show that I've been too, and I thought it was great! One of my favorite shows, for business and just networking! I've been going to shows for about 6 years, one a month. I even went to a couple seminars that I thought where great, which I haven't said in years!

[XXXWriterDude]

We passed on the GayVN/San Fran. show to attend a function called "the ExpoMark" which was held in Orlando. This show pairs up buyers and sellers in the "DVD" market and we found it to be much more sucessful then going to the GayVn function.

I think it's awesome that you got some business done at the show in Orlando, but I don't think you can call it much "more successful" than attending the GAYVN show, since you didn't attend, and therefore have no idea how successful it might have been for you. <wink>

Just something to point out.

I'm hearing a lot of criticism from people who didn't even attend the show, and that's just not criticism that we can put any stock in.

[Lee]

I'm hearing a lot of criticism from people who didn't even attend the show, and that's just not criticism that we can put any stock in.

Unless they didnt attend because of the ridiculously high entry price

Regards,

Lee

[Dick Hunter]

Considering how much it costs to get to SF and stay there for three days, to me, the extra $150 or so was not an issue at all. Plus it included admission to the Awards show (including access to areas where the general public wasn't allowed, like the floor and the Nakedsword reception), and pre and post parties, as well as the transportation between them. What was the face price for the GAYVN Awards floor seats?

SF is an expensive place and the W, which I think everyone enjoyed, isn't cheap I'm sure. I doubt that AVN made a lot of money from the registration fees. But what do I know? :vanish:

[XXXWriterDude]

Unless they didnt attend because of the ridiculously high entry price

Regards,

Lee

That's a complaint that has been well noted, Lee, and is being taken under consideration by our staff. It's worth noting, however, that the entry cost to the GAYVN Summit included entry to the GAYVN Awards, a premiere event in the industry. Considering the cost of a regular ticket to the awards show, I'd say the registration fee for the Summit was actually a pretty darn good bargain.

By the way, just as an FYI, there is no entry cost at all to our upcoming GAYVN Retreat...

[allboysvideo]

I think it's awesome that you got some business done at the show in Orlando, but I don't think you can call it much "more successful" than attending the GAYVN show, since you didn't attend, and therefore have no idea how successful it might have been for you. <wink>

Just something to point out.

I'm hearing a lot of criticism from people who didn't even attend the show, and that's just not criticism that we can put any stock in.

I see your point...but lets look at the break down! Since I'm located in South Florida, my trip to Orlando cost me under $600 with food and hotel and travel. Meanwhile, my sales-rep completed $75,000 in new sales invovling our DVDs and we also picked up additional long-term contracts to several new online retail stores and brick and morter stores to carry our product line.

OR

We could have paid close to $4500.00 for an event in San Fran. Party like hell....we would have had a great time...meeting great people...but wouldn't have effected our sales one bit...just like many of the other shows we attend...we have a great time, we meet great people, we network our product but get very little in return.

We feel we made a better business decision by attending the EXPOMARK oppose to the gayVN function. I have spoken to many other individuals on the phone and they all agreed that many of these functions everyone has a great time and meet great people. In most cases, everyone goes to the parties, networks, exchanges business cards, and then when the functions are over. When its time to you follow-up on the great conversation you had a few days before at one of these events....the same people that you had a quality conversation with a few days ago at function ignore's your phone calls and emails days later. What I do like about these functions, we get to meet the people that we already network with and do business with. Its our time to spend quality time with some really great people and meet others from our industry and sometimes it's great to getaway from the office/studio and party and have fun!

Just my simple view of the functions...again, you have to pick and choose your functions wisely and decide if its worth going or not?