the truth about lalexpo
 

Several industry friends asked me how was Lalexpo Medellín.

The show :
It's only the 2nd edition of the Lalexpo and the very first time in this city so some adjustments can still be made but I was so surprised to see how big it was. I saw more than 800 participants. It's true that most of the attendees were from the webcam business but I've also found some interesting media buyers and some billing, traffic, dating, video, hosting, mobile and legal companies were represented there.

What I've really appreciated there in addition to the very good looking attendees was the dedication of the event organisers. AJstudios, Grupo Bedoya and JuanBustos were always there to help and to make sure that we were having a profitable show. Seriously, they've done a perfect public relations job and again, I publicly thank them for that.

Security :
I know that many stereotypes are painting a violent and crazy Colombia but in my opinion it's a bit far away from the reality. Especially for Medellín. The city is very comospolitan and it's safe. Of course just like in Paris, Barcelona, Miami ... and all those big cities with a social fortunes difference you need to make sure that you are not exhibiting your last Rolex or big super camera and fooling around with your iPhone 6 plus but this is common sense.
I bet you can list many more pickpocket issues from the Barcelona show when it was held in barcelona city or the Miami one, rather than the event in Medellín.
Sadly, pickpockets are everywhere and waiting for those international gatherings but again, I've been living in complicated cities and Medellín is not a dangerous place.

The medias will always try to sell an exotic Pablo Escobar dangerous and sexy place to make you forget that the whole world is actually dangerous and full of thieves.
And about Pablo Escobar, well, sorry but his time is over and we're far away from the narcolombian days ... + 1 stereotype.
If you are looking for hookers and cocain, I'm sure you can find some... just like everywhere else.

Here at JuicyAds we are very aware that the latino market is one of the most exciting right now and we were very happy to take part of a dedicated tradeshow.
I've had a good time.
Thank you all for this great Latino gathering.

OK, whats this shit now ? " big super camera" Trying to tell me sumthin ?:Graucho

yeah, you got a massive tool.

Pics or that's a lie :pimp

u was on that hotel room as well?

I would NOT be surprised since AJ has a lot of models there, Cali and other nearby Cities.
Everyone will have their own limited opinion since everyone has a different experience.
What did you think JFK?

The Latino market is growing at Dating Factory too. It will be a huge market in the near future.

I travel around in South America and that was a good moment to visit Cartagena and the Lalexpo in Medellin.

First: Cartagena is much nicer than Medellin and has more sightseeing to offer and has some beaches and a great historical center. The good news; I heard next year the Lalexpo might be in Cartagena…. In Medellin we took a tour and visited the ‘old’ center, cablecars, made a limo tour. The tourguide didn’t want to talk much about Escobar cause they ruined the reputation of the country he said. We went with the number 1 tourguide on tripadvisor, and in 4 hours we where shown the hotspots in the center.

The streetlife
Near the Event hotel was a small park, Lleras Park, and in the street around it there are like 100 – 150 bars, clubs, restaurants. This is the high end part of Medellin and is the safest area in Medellin. Every street salesman (cigaraettes/candies) also could offer marihuana, coke, prostitutes. In this small park backpackers and locals gather before going to the clubs, you buy a bottle of beer for 60 cents in a shop and can hang around. Also freelance girls where looking for work here. This area is safe and police is around and the atmosphere was good. It is all about the people that make you feel welcome and give the bars and disco’s a latin vibe.

In the old center we walked around with a big camera around the shoulder, and we didn’t get robed. We saw some people looking at this expensive equipment. Maybe they thought it was a set up, cause no normal person would walk around like that. We wanted to go in a erotic club, but changed our mind when a girl came out that was stabbed in both shoulders and police showed up. But this wasn’t in the tourist part of town… Around the corner of Park Bolivar we also a street with trannies. We visited some stripclubs and whore houses, that felt safe, but it wasn’t top notch like we know in Pattaya. Offcourse we only went there to do some erotic market research. There was also a small square ‘periodista park’ where ‘free minded’ people gathered, like weed smoking hippies and streetartist and some trannies. Maybe there are more updates coming.

The Lalexpo
The lalexpo attracted a big crowd, most of them working in the webcam business. Therefore the big seminars where in Spanish and was about making money as a webcamstudio or model. Also there where several English seminars about the latin market. People where friendly and liked to start a conversation. Even my beginners Spanish was good enough to start small talk and most spoke also a little English. The Translation App can help you out also. It was not all about cams, there where webmasters, affiliates, producers that where busy shooting content for their sites etcetra.

I noticed that all Colombians, including the ‘normal’ tourguide love that more and more people start visiting their country and are open to welcome tourists. They want to get rid of the bad reputation, the last 10 years a lot has changed. I think the Lalexpo will improve and attract more and more people. A move to Cartagena would be great cause that is more ‘cosy’ and historic (must be one of the nicest historic city in the region).

The organisers and sponsors gave everyone a good time and connect. The party’s where great with Colombian music and artists. I want to thank the organisers, sponsors and attendees for a great time.

I will be around for some more weeks, tips are welcome :) It was afe, if you don't start wondering around like we did. I didn't hear 1 person that had problems. Budapest has the record if it comes to crime during an event.

Sorry I couldn't see you through all this crowd..

Yeah but was Sofia Vergara there? (Or anyone who looks like her?) Then I might attend. :)

I would bet that at least 50 better looking models were there.

50 models looking better than Sofia Vergara?! I'm definitely going next time! Anybody else remember this awesome Maxim shoot?

http://uberhumor.com/wp-content/uplo...ara-pics-2.jpg

i wish i'd been there