A nobody's guide to Xbiz Hollywood
 

Ok...yea...I called myself a nobody. But, in this industry, I definitely am. I've been to other conferences (as part of my 'mainstream' carreer) where I've been one of the conference 'celebrities,' but since Xbiz Hollywood has nothing to do with Voice Over IP, this was not the case.

We showed up to our first industry conference looking for affiliates for our site (shameless plug) Party Girl Poker dot com, leads for DVD distribution for our first 2 DVD's, and potential investors. And while we did make some good contacts and had a good time overall, it was definitely not what I expected. How was it then? In a word...overwhelming.

The first night, we came to play poker and were hoping to win, or at least make it to the final table (we are a poker related website after all). That didn't happen, but we had a good time and were able to familiarize ourselves with the layout of the place. Rule of thumb...don't get drunk to play poker...it's an easy way to lose.

The seminars on Wednesday and Thursday were pretty good. Some decent information, but nothing surprising or shocking. Sometime during the first day's worth of seminars, I realized that the real reason people go to these is not for the seminars, but rather to network with the people out in the hallway. Everytime the door would open to let someone in or out of any seminar, the noise level outside sounded like a party compared to the relative serenity of the panels.

The Xbiz Awards show was also good, but having learned the above lesson, I opted to sit outside and talk to people rather than watch the awards show. You couldn't hear what was happening over the noise anyway. We got to meet and talk to Evan Stone for a while which was a highlight for us...still starstruck by the industry we now consider ourselves a part of. We also ran into some of the girls from our shoots which is always nice as well.

So what did I learn? What did I get for my $200.00 admission price besides 4 free drink tickets?

1. The real action happens in the hallways. Being our first conference, and not knowing anyone in the industry definitely hampered our efforts, but now I know...screw the seminars and work the hallway.

2. This business is about who you know. Looking around, it appeared that everyone knew everyone else. But now I have made some contacts, and perhaps next time, I won't feel like the red-headed stepchild sitting alone in the corner at a family reunion.

3. A lot less ponytails than expected. 95% of the people I met were cool, down to earth regular guys and gals that just happened to work in the adult industry. I was expecting a lot more douchebags...but that was not the case. Although I did get the blow-off from my lawyer (name omitted)...I guess when I'm not spending $450/hour I'm a pain in the ass.

All in all, great conference, and I'll take what I learned to the next one...ready to build contacts and kick some ass.

Oh...one side note...probably the best part of the conference for me was the speed networking. I highly recommend it to everyone...ESPECIALLY if you're a nobody.

Sounds about right for a first timer's experience.

yup, good post, You do have to keep going to the conferences and soon you will be one of the ones on the inside:2 cents:

One of the best post I read on GFY in a long time. :thumbsup

Sums it all up about right...

great post, if you plan on coming to the phoenix forum, hit me up and ill make sure you get some good networking in :)

[email protected]

Really good post. Listen to this man. :thumbsup

Great seeing you again man. BTW thanks for the tips before the panel.

great hanging out with you omar, see you next month

No bro club invites?

I know you miss me Mark. :winkwink: See you in Phx :thumbsup

Thanks guys...I plan to keep up with all of this, but it is still very new. I expect I'll feel that way for a few more conferences. :)

Regardless...I'd love to be able to start saying 'Hi' in Phoenix. Mark, I'll definitely hit you up...the more people I am able to meet, the better!

Thanks again!

if you come to phx forum come hang with me , we party !!!!!!!!!! after this experience with me you will never walk more than 20 feet without being stopped by someone

usually a cop or a tranny

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

if i ever go to jail first thing i do is find meanest biggest motherfucker in there and cut him. loll

who is your lawyer?

Great post.. sometimes in the beginning it's just best to observe and listen and figure out who's who.. I did that for a while in the beginning and it worked for me.. But always know that todays small fish is tomorrows big whale.. And you cannot be afraid to talk to people and show them what you're offering..

You saw the chance with me and gave me a card.. Thats all good in my book..

hmm, a well written post that makes sense..you should contact me about your affiliate program...
rob at shemp.com

Can't mention the lawyer...he is still my lawyer after all.

And as far as tranny's and cops go...I don't mind meeting them...but I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of either one. :)

Thanks for your input guys...

It sounds like you're a quick learner! Welcome to the industry :) I hope to meet you in Phoenix!

Excellent post.

You're going to do well in this biz. I can just tell.

D$ approved.

needs a bump :)

Welcome to the industry. Your observations are on spot.
Come say hi in Phoenix, let's do business.

I felt the same way when we got into the industry in 1998. I remember our first show as an attendee and then as an exhibitor. Making relationships is what this industry is ALL about.

Nice Post.

The guys from http://www.partygirlpoker.com are a GREAT bunch of guys who will do well in this biz... I was able to meet them a few months ago and was VERY impressed with the team behind it. Look for good things from these guys soon!! They are new to the biz but are VERY talented and put out a great product out of the gate.

I don't miss shows I miss my friends.

2c

Yeah - where have you been?

D Money approved...nice. We appreciate that. Kickin' party at Xbiz by the way...I had never been to anything quite like it.

And RevSand...thanks for the props dude...I bet you say that to all the girls. :)

Great post and it was a pleasure meeting you.... You will do well - the force is with you.

Thanks Chris! Excellent to meet you as well...the speed networking was a huge hit for us.

Cool post, thanks for sharing your first time experience. Helpful definitely, and good insite for other newbies like me who've never been.

Tip: Just get drunk and stupid, break shit, throw things off of balconies, make a total ass of yourself, go to every single show for at least 2 years, get in every single picture no matter who is taking the shot, be sure to get arrested at least once. Go home after the show, and post all of your pictures that you took while puking your guts out at the overcrowded clubs. Then repent and start bashing show-goers for being lemmings, and they should save their money, because the shows are a waste of time.

Great post and welcome to the party! I've personally known the PGP crew for 15 years and they're definitely good fellas! They have my full backing :thumbsup

only when they have as nice of an ass as you do!! :thumbsup :1orglaugh

Very nice post. Your observations and ego-less learning curve research will get you far because those alone tells me you 'get it'. Your eyes and ears were open.

good foundation.

If you need some assistance in a direction, etc. feel free to hit me up. contact info in sig.

ps-we met at the happy hour bar :)

Great thread Rapport

Derek from AdultWhosWho is particularly great at networking and meeting NEW people at all the shows. I saw some pics from his new networking party they organized, very cool.

Marina,
Thank you for the kind words.

Rapport,
Thanks for mentioning the Speed Networking event. I think that a lot of people were shocked at how much business can be done in a 1 1/2 hour session of talking. XBIZ did a great job of organizing it.

If you ever need anything, hit me up at AdultWhosWho.com.

VooDoo - I'm a relatively conservative person, but I'll give all that a shot and see if it works for me.

Fabian - Glad we ran into you dude...and we loved your advice! We owe you a drink at the next convention.

Lori - Thanks! And we are still looking for leads for DVD distribution...I've added you on ICQ.

Thanks Derek...definitely a great event. I was the one in the front row sitting to the left of Sheri from AVN.

I'm already on AdultWhosWho...great site! I posted my favorite picture as my icon. :)

Hey it was nice talking with you guys, I look forward to doing some business with you guys as well.

What's wrong with being redheaded? :(

Daaaahling, welcome to Industry!!! (a.k.a. Adult Webmaster High School - LOL) I hope to meet you soon, you got some props from some of the best people in the biz so you're off to a great start!

Bugbee - Thanks! I love your website's main pic...that girl in the center has an ass that's off the hook!

VS_Jeff - Nothing wrong with being redheaded...that is unless you're also a stepchild. :)

JenniDahling - Thanks! Hope to meet you as well...I think we pretty much have to show up in Phoenix now!

Family time and working hard.

After 26 shows in 2 years and over 500000 frequent flyer miles I had enough.

The longer now between jumping the pond again the less inclined I feel to do it again.

Like I said, miss my friends, but do NOT miss the show BS.

Not at all.

:thumbsup

Voodoo,
Why does all that sound very familiar to me?
LOL :winkwink:
Richard

Just get tipsy & enjoy yourself. After all thats why every show "event" is located around/in/or at a bar,club etc.

I'm just a big party animal....like John Belushi/Chris Farley...so i never had a problem getting in with the "in-crowd". Just don't over-do it....obviously. A lot of the young guys think being obnoxious is being a party animal...its not!

As "clicky" as this business tends to be...once you go up to these guys you'll find most of them are nice people. Once in awhile you'll find a guy who's got the "rockstar" mentality and brush ya off.

Trust me...laugh at those guys...they aren't shit. Usually by the end of the show they get their ass kicked in some drunken coke party with a couple half-ass whores in attendance.

And the cardinal rule....

RULE #1 -
If you get fucked up to the point where u might get sick/say something stupid, or otherwise lose your facilities, find the 1st cab back to your room. Do not under any circumstances continue the party.

This is how every person I've ever known thats has an enemy, made their enemy.

:pimp
- pimps up ho's down mainstream dood

I thought he might be talking about me for a moment, until I realized that I did not double my hourly rate to $450 and I try damn hard not to blow anybody off (that doesn't really really _really_ fuckin' deserve it)

I think everybody's first show is a little overwhelming, but after that people get to know you and recognize you.

Although, having ToyBoy recognize you, come running across a lobby, grab you in an unbreakable bear hug, lift you off the ground and plant a big wet kiss right on the mouth is not really _all_ that desirable....

:1orglaugh


You know I love ya Linds! Miss you TONS!!!

its nice to see a new guy not be a noob and explain how going to a show where everyone else seems to know everyone else means its a Bro thing and there's no business to be had.
This is a classic example of a new guy who will make it compared to the countless other noobs who go thru the revolving door never to be seen again.

Chadknowslaw - not you...but if you're half the price of my lawyer, I may be giving you a call. :)

12clicks - exactly the point I was trying to make...thanks for the nice words.