Goddamn it!

[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.