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Internext Thoughts

By

Voltar

Cloud Cash

A few words, comments and thoughts on the Internext show in Vegas two weeks ago.

Arrival was several days prior to the show, a good thing too, with the jet lag, weather and time difference.

It was 8 degrees F with 3 inches of snow when I left home, and 53 degrees and spring weather when I arrived in Vegas. A big change, but for the good. Why people there were wearing snow parkas I really don't know. Guess you have nuts where ever you go. (Only kidding, I know it's all what you're used to.)

First day was taken over by the flight, room check in, meeting other arriving webmasters, scoping out the lay of the casino and restaurants, and getting prepared for business. Yea, I go to these shows for business reasons. Getting drunk, stupid, and laid I can do any time. Networking, business contacts, meeting friends from various businesses, seeing what's new, what's being offered, what deals I can come up with, and best of all, meeting a non stop line of Newbies, both new and old, are my primary reasons for attending the InterNext shows.

I attend Intenext because they are the largest show in our industry. I have noticed some changes recently in them though. The shows have less booths that are party oriented, and are more spread out with more areas to sit down, talk business, and meet people. This is a move in the right direction. Don't get me wrong, a good party is and always will be happening at the show, it's just not the main point of attraction anymore.

Back to the trip run down for you. I spent the remaining days before the show working with partners and other webmsters, some casino trips for breaks, an all nighter playing black jack, and a trip over to the convention hall the day before the show started to get my show pass.

And yea, I did attend some parties while I was there. Gameworks was a fun time, but even then I found a back room to sit down and talk an hour or so of business. Some parties were standing room only and finding more than 3 chairs total in the place was impossible. This was the VIP area even. Get real people, we are webmasters, we sit down to do work at computers all the time... don't expect hours of standing at parties, be prepared for a group who have wide asses and likes sitting comfortably *GRIN*.

Day One of the show. Traffic at the show was light until about 1:00 pm and then it picked up. Foot traffic at the show seemed to be about 1/3 less than the prior shows. I expect that the September 11th thing had something to do with that though. People are just now getting back into the skies, but not in the same numbers as before.

I met lots of the sponsors that I use, people I have met before at shows, and lots of new people that I'm very glad to have met. Also, the large number of lurkers we have will just dazzle you. If you post regularly on the board and come to the show, you will get people walking up to you and talking to you like you were old friends, people who you have never seen post. They are there and they know you, they like you, they read your every post and helpful word. So be prepared for this, it will happen, and it's a good thing to know you really are helping people.

I was there with a group of board people at all times. It's very nice having them around, and they get to meet a lot of people themselves that way, learn some inside info and tricks of the trade. Hopefully I didn't bore any of them too much with text links and traffic tips.

Day Two, my Newbie Breakfast. Great to meet everyone! Then back to the show, much the same as day one, knew the lay of the land and completed every row of sponsors booths there. This is harder than what it may seem at first. I'm usually on peoples list to meet, so when I stop by their booth, they naturally want to talk a while. Same goes for me, I love seeing people I've helped moving up and into so many good positions in companies or having their own companies.

Day Three, show closed early and I'm still on the hunt for certain tickets, which never happened, just a missed meeting is all. Lots of photos are being taken, so be prepared for that. Lots of last minute deals on content and other things. I finalized several deals and wrapped up other business lose ends, and made plans for after show meetings.

After the show, I had meetings and such most the time. Eating was mostly room service or for a meeting. I worked with people almost thru the entire night and close to when I needed to leave for my flight back. I stayed two days after the show ended.

My point in all of this? Come to the shows. Come ready for networking and business. Take advantage of the opportunity that an Internext show gives you. It's your business that will profit from the contacts you make there.

Voltar