Howdy from Phoenix

[DonMike]

My two favourite new people I got to meet face to face and talk with:

DonMike & Bec...You two are the best and genuinely nicests I've met!

Awww, always a pleasure. It was so nice meeting you too. I got a chance to meet a lot of new people this time around. And I was really surprised to meet a few folks who I missed in the past.

I was off sick yesterday with a terrible cold. I spent much of the day sleeping. But I feel better today. Not 100% but getting there. I'm not surprised though, I was on the go for two weeks before the show with other projects and got very little sleep during the show, so I guess if I was ever gonna be sick this would be the time.

[gaybucks_chip]

This event ROCKED for us.

In addition to be able to wander up to anyone in the hotel knowing you'd probably have business or opportunities in common -- a bit difference from the regular Phoenix Forum -- the people that showed uip for the event were just a fantastic group.

CCBill as usual did an amazing job of putting on a great event and thinking of all the little details.

The seminars were well planned and, for once, the moderators were well versed on the topics they were speaking on and kept any one person from monopolizing the panels.

The networking tent was a BRILLIANT idea. I hope they extend something similar to the regular Phoenix Forum.

The other thing I noticed was... people were clearly there to have fun AND do business. Unlike some other shows, hardly anyone was so shitfaced as to be obnoxious or unsociable. It was great being able to spend nearly 100% of the time networking, and we got a lot of "face time" with new people, which was even better.

[DonMike]

Chip, I totally agree. I know a lot of great people in the straight side of the industry, and I like the mixed Phoenix Forum because you get a nice mix there. But it is frustrating when you see someone you don't know, start talking and once they find out you're company deals in the gay market they just walk away. I'm amazed that it happens, but it does. Of course, you don't let that stop you because you'll eventually meet other cool people whom you can build good friendships and business relationships with, but it's really nice to be in an atmosphere where you don't have to really worry about that.

I was also really thrilled to see straight people at the show who deal in the gay market. It really shows that they understand (or if they are new they are working to understand) the gay market and are cool with mixing and mingling with others who work in this side of the industry, be they gay or straight.

[Madame0120]

Looks like I’m late again! I just made it back home today, but I wanted to make a quick post to say that it was so awesome to see all my friends and make so many new ones! I already miss you guys! :sunny:

But I have my memories!

[dirtygeek]

LOL Me too!

But I have my memories!