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The Phoenix Forum was excellent for me as well. It was a first class act from start to finish.
I've discovered a number of new opportunites and had some very productive meetings. And my entire business is completely in promoting affiliate programs. I do not produce content or run any kind of membership site. I actually think it would be interesting if more affiliates attended shows. Don't shortchange yourself.
I don't understand why some of you associate the parties with lube and sex. For me, I have to *go out of the event* for any of that. Just like with anything else, there is a time and place for everything.
Steve
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The Forum was GREAT.
There is no subsititute for face to face meetings, the conferences are where we meet, develop and strengthen relationships. My business would not be where it is if I didn't show up and meet people. My first conference I left with 100 business cards--the next one people remembered me. My third was when people started calling on me for my business. Every event after that the people I work with told anyone I hadn't worked with how much they appreciated the quality of my work. I invested a lot of money into going to shows and it definitely paid off--showing up over and over keeps my name and face out there. If I relied on the Internet to promote my Internet practice I would starve. We may be in a virtual age but business expands with face to face human contact.
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Really great for us (Tony&Cam) - picked up sales, on all levels, and gave us a good intro into the internet world where we will be investing time and $$$ to sell our movies on line - and all for the price of a hotel room and a little gas - and a nice drive at high speeds through the desert (we took the pooch along and she had fun too!)
Face to face interaction can't be beat!
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Phoenix = fun
Some events are better then others...Internext sucked this year but was really good a few years back. Phoenix keeps getting better and better and "the gays" were mixing more with the str8 crowd. We even had some real girls appear at the gay gathering.
But the parties are only a part.
Mix a bit of cocktails and about 2am you can talk to anyone.
Even my mild mannered outside becomes a bit looser. I was once told "never trust someone that doesn't drink" comes to mind at these events. But then again, I've had a lot of good converstations over coffee ... the results are relationships.
Everyone brings with them their own goals and eveyone leaves with their own results. We had a blast talking about how to use Microsoft Encoder and our DRM Packager....we even had a chance to talk to a lot of straight companies that sell non-gay videos. Oh my!
But it's getting a chance to see people from this board and to meet new poeple. My first few year was rough..but after a few forums I began to see "old friends" and we caught up what was happening, shared fears, frustrations, and also worked on how to exchange traffic.
I saw some people only during the 2am after hours parties and they did not attened any sessions or any mixers...they came only for the parties. I guess if you want to spend $250 a night (room) for a 5 hour party that is okay. I perhaps they created new friends and business partners.
I suggest that everyone tries to be a part of this industry and to form the relationships. What better way then face to face where you can see 10, 20, or more contacts at one place?
For those that I saw in Phoenix (tempe) it was great to see you again.
And for those that I didn't I hope to see you at:
Gay Phoenix Forum - Phoenix
CyberExpo - San Diego
LA Gay Expo - Los Angles
And who knows where else...
Steven
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