I read this thread with interest, and the site with the trade show details. I've had for or no interaction with those involved, which made it MORE interesting to me. I've been to a lot of trade shows of all types, but this one has red flags all over if of being someone's ego trip. It starts here with the pricing:
Contributing Board Members $850
Uninvited Domainers and Industry guests $5,000
Past Board Members kicked off Board NOT WELCOME
... which translates to: If you didn't buff someone's ego, you'll pay for that by paying him 600% more than anyone else.
The text gets even worse... one expects these things to be a sales pitch for the organizers/speakers/sponsors, but this thing reads more like a high school argument. The boasts are a bit over the top; I was expecting to read quotes about their male member size, the way it was going.
How about a FREE get-together? Hell, I'll even organize it in San Diego if there is enough interest. We have venues (dance clubs and such) here holding up to 400 people I can get for free, just promise to buy a drink or two. It's sunny most of the time, beaches, bikinis year-round, Sea World, and the sights of Los Angeles are a 2 hour drive north, Mexico 30 minutes south. Wireless connections abound, and I can hope scope out inexpensive hotels.
shepherd2 said:
The question to ask is not if you can afford to be there - it is if you can afford NOT to be there?
I personally registered for me, my partner, and another person.
Since I know the caliber of people who put this together, the caliber of people who will attend, and the business opportunity that wil lbe available for a number of days, I have no doubt in my mind this conference will result in a substential extra revenues and deals for my business.
I can afford to be there. But agenda items like this suggest there are better ways to spend the time:
2 P.M. - Seminar by DOMAIN KING on MORONS!! GOD LOVE 'EM
That's 2 hours of your life you won't ever get back.