Hey Mitch -

In addition to everything I said before regarding why I'm skeptical of free badges... no matter how much D-Money disagree. ;)

Something for you to consider. At the end of the day, the people who are running these shows (like YNOT, AVN, etc) need to make sure the COST of running the shows is covered. It's not a simple matter to organize shows like these... there's a lot on the line, and you want everyone to have a good and profitable time, feel like the show was worth attending, etc. Nobody in their right mind is going to run a show at a big loss. It just makes no sense. And I think we all would agree that the people who run these shows SHOULD at least cover their own costs.

The only serious ways to do that is through sponsorships and registrations. So, if you make the registrations free, that means you have to shift the burden of cost over to the sponsors. And since most sponsors get hit up to sponsor a ton of shows each year, is that really appropriate? It's also getting harder for the sponsors, and if they drop out, NONE of us will have shows to attend.

I totally agree about keeping costs as low as possible. That's been the approach at Cybernet for years now. That's why we've been a regular event in June for many, many years, and will be back next June as well. We had hotel rooms for WELL under $200 in San Francisco. Low badge costs for advance registration.

AND.... we also made sure our sponsors weren't soaked, because they too need to see some ROI.

Wow, times are really THAT tough for you guys? Sorry to hear that.

He wasn't being rescued as far as you know....

bahahahaha!

Plus, he loved it.
I love anytime you have your red face on and are feeling no pain
I am your biggest fan!

lol!

Okay, so... is anybody else against free registration that does not run another show? So far they seem to be the only one with that stance.

Well when attendee's not in the industry show up with hand guns like they at the recent XBIZ in Vegas one can guess a few factors lead to it...

PS3 was stolen as well.

I have no idea if "Free" had anything to do with it, or if security was inept.
Either way it goes to prove the shows these days attract alot of trouble maker's, non industry invader's and poser's that have no business in our community. I view that alot of us are really just fun people and would never hurt anyone and when hearing of violence, guns, drugging of people reflect's smaller attendendence from long time industry people. If the shows were more secure the environement would be far more inviting to people like myself.

I have written off going to shows for some time now largely because they are infact dangerous and get more and more dangerous each year. Security of our event's is a growing problem. I think the attempt to attract as many people as possible to these events has gone to far.

Twas a great night:drinkup:drinkup

That seemed like a slam...hope it wasn't... I'd be very surprised and disappointed.

I was merely stating that there are too many shows to go to. If some of the costs are mitigated then its an easy decision to go.

and times are not THAT hard

JFK, I love you man.

Believe me, I'm a seasoned vet to criticism and feedback.

I understand what you were saying. I think? LOL

Was this last Ball on the level of some in the past?

No.

But that's my point in this thread. It could have been, but we need more support from the sponsors or from the shows to continue it on that level.

"Party Pass" - $50 or $100

Pay to play...

Or shit, maybe I should start charging at the door and let the sponsors give a limited amount of passes to their people.

Sly, the Genie is out of the bottle, now it needs to be tamed and refined:winkwink:

Hey I think that was a low blow-
If his business is hurting I'd like to hurt like him.

It hurts working with clients like Vivid and Hustler...

I am sure you know that...don't they advertise on YNOT?

lol

Connor I am not picking a fight but he never said his biz was hurting...he was being smart about his show budgets

EXACTLY!

I'm glad to see at least YOU got it :)

thx

Well Sly, of COURSE you're not going to find many people to come out and say "please charge me" when they can shift the burden to someone else. It's like taking the position that you will hand out free health care if you're elected president. It's a position that will always be popular. But that doesn't make the points I'm making any less valid.

Both free and paid shows have their place, for the previously stated reasons.

The free shows may attract some douche-bag civilians , but bring smaller affiliates that may not have otherwise attended, an acceptable trade off.

A paid show may discourage douche-bag civilians form attending, but keep some smaller affiliates out, another acceptable trade off.

It's really a non-issue to me, I will continue to attend XBIZ and AVN shows.

Well said

Interesting comparison, LOL.

It doesn't really matter to me. Paid or free. If there is a show I want to go to, I will go to it.

Anyway... I was merely commenting on the perception that others may be getting from the responses of this thread. You may want to think about that.

I know you're not, and I'm not either... I'm just saying that if $120 registration is the deciding factor in whether or not to attend a show, either a) times are really tough, or b) it's not REALLY a factor but why not take the free cheese if you can get it. That's just my honest opinion.

I don't have 149 dollars for a show badge. I am a big guy in this business. If I had to pay 149 dollars I would not go. I am a huge webmaster.

Your show is always great, either way... :-)

Oh look, the chief scientist of retarded shit has arrived.

Hey, I have to throw parties to get free badges!

In one of my showers I have only cold water, I need a hot tube I think, how much for a hot tube?

Which is? That most people are for "free registrations"? This isn't news to me, but the popular opinion isn't always the ONLY opinion.

Shows are dangerous?

oooooopps

HEY i can say this much....

XBIZ may have been a free show, but I left and spent more money in Vegas this trip than any other trip i have ever had in January in 11 years.

I was there half as long as the AVN show in Jan as well as the rooms in January are $600 a night- I still spent more at the Hard Rock than ever.

I enjoyed this trip immensely too-

I could eat at NOBU every night of the week.

But If I ever split 8's and get another 8 and a deuce - double down, and lose to a black jack again.... I am going to jump off the fucking roof face first into the concrete

LOL :1orglaugh

lolll how many times i told u that if you play BJ u have to play with me on the table to help you loll.... i took hard rock for ass romp last time , we got a system we use bizzzzleee its all about placing the approp amount on a bet at the best time .... bizzzzzzzzzzzzzle

Thanks Sly. :)

That's fucked up. Really fucked up. I just committed to sponsoring the Atlanta Forum. Ynot has lost my business in any capacity. I won't be associated with some dickhead who thinks it's okay to post negative and libelous statments about my business, as you have so easily did with my friend and business associates at Sexentertain.

I'm curious Connor, other than Ynot, what else have you run?

Haha... wow. Sorry to see you go. ;)

Ya can laugh now, but watch someone will get shot at one of these parties someday.
The violence at each show increases each year.

Figure out why and save a life instead of laughing.

It not to funny really.

I hear you man... and yup, hard to go to Vegas and not spend. I spent a ton there in January... but the hell with it, it's a fun place to visit. But you need to play poker, not blackjack. ;)

Oh man I know... the last show I was at, the violence was so bad that I left in a wheelchair.

Something definitely must be done about this issue.

I am a big webmaster. Who are you? Are you a big guy in this business like I am. I like big things. You have a big, pretty mouth.

What would you expect him to say?

Hes still not very good at this.

There seems to be a train of thought here that a registration fee will keep out the riff raff, thieves, scammers etc. NOT so !!

A 150 registration fee will not keep out people who want to Scam you. It was mentioned here That Sweet T had his laptop ripped off at a show. It was paid admisson. I lost 2500 at a show where my laptop was hacked, paid admisson. and so on and so on......

Wallets get stolen, other untoward things happen, a fee is not going to deter a determined criminal.The PS3 and the gun issue could have happened at any other show. Unfortunately our industry attracts an unsavory element, not much you can do about that, but keep your wits about you.

Now that the free admission to a show is a reality, how about fine tuning it? Work out the kinks, so it is a win - win situation? We need new blood in the business, not all small webmasters starting out can afford huge hotel bills.

YES a 150 registration fee could be a breaking point to some of them. It is nothing to be ashamed of, not all of us started out to be millionaires.

I think you will see the free admisson model prosper in the upcoming years, the promoters will just have to start thinking out of the box:2 cents:

My honest opinion:

Love the idea of free badges, of course problems can easily occur with this like bringing friends, free loaders, etc.

So my opinion is a middle ground solution, free badges, but you need to prove you're in the industry. No on-site registration, must have a website or prove you're related to the industry. If you're new, signup to a program and get them to register on your behalf. Make people jump through some hoops, if its free, they'll do it.

Alternatively, charge a descent registration fee but make sure you get your value's worth. Phx forum might cost a couple hundred but comes with open bars, buffets, snacks, etc. Tons of free items that justifies their fees.

Not pointing fingers here, but a certain other show charges $300 and I never once saw any justification for that other to line their pockets. Not to mention a $17 Mojito in Florida which I know for a fact doesn't cost more than $10 when there isn't a show going on...

PS: I would have loved to come to XBiz this time around Alec, but I'm in the middle of buying my first home so I couldn't make it, next year for sure.

WG

Too bad, eh? You'll eat those words soon enough asshole.

Look who isn't getting invited to the next Sexentertain Dinner.

See this is why nobody ever posts honest opinions on webmaster boards, always someone trying to make you pay for having an alternative opinion. But please... you're free to do as you will of course.