At many conferences I keep hearing some attendees saying the conferences is overpriced, or a “waste”. Let me make this clear here: Domain conferences, if you don’t know where the value proposition is, are a waste, all of them .Targeted Traffic, Domainfest, Domain Roundtable, and even though I did not yet attend GeoDomain Expo, it is a waste too.
If you are looking for one of the following as your value proposition, I believe you can do better elsewhere.
1. Partying: there are better places to party. Try Internext.
2. Learn from sessions: While some sessions are good you better off buy the DVD. You can pause, rewind, replay.
3. Food: While the food is OK it is not where the value proposition is. Spend a couple of hundred dollars in local restaurants and you will get better food, guaranteed.
So where is the value?
1. Networking: By far the big value of conferences is in networking. This is where you can make things happen, where the sky is truly the limit. The great thing about domain conferences is they are still small enough for major players to attend. You can easily find many top players walking around the conference willing to explore opportunities, share knowledge, and if the right deal presents itself, even do business.
2. Meet the sponsors: Big value there. You can put a face to people you work with, renegotiate contracts, or explore working with new sponsors.
So are domain conferences really a waste? They are if you don’t know what to look for. If you keep your eyes on the ball (networking, sponsors), if you take PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to make things happen, I have no doubt at the end of the conference you will walk out highly satisfied, with a feeling of “more”.
Have a great day!
Sahar
I couldn’t agree with you more on this point. It really frustrate me when I hear people complain about conference prices etc. It’s not an expense equation….it’s a return on investment decision.
The problem that many people face is that they don’t do the things that you mention in your article therefore they don’t get the ROI.
Keep up the great blogging!
I concur - the people I met was the greatest value from DOMAINfest. I went by myself to the conference and didn’t know a soul going into it. I left with a stack of business cards and notes from meeting many great people.
It was especially great to meet in person the people whose blogs I have been reading, such as yourself!
mp/m
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Thanks Mike
Sahar
Domain conferences are a melting pot of differing energies. Many of us spend large amounts of time in front of our computers and on the phone. These conferences force us to get out and “kick the tires” sort of speak. I prefer to watch people from afar and much as speaking directly to a person. Maybe it is a “city” thing. Many that I meet, could potentially be doing business with me someday. Like getting out on a golf course with a group of people and hitting the ball around. You just can’t get that type of interaction on the internet “just yet”.
The conferences also allow us feel part of something that is new and exciting. Those that “don’t know what they are looking for” are there trying to find out. It is like the first day at school. We all need to be there to answer their questions if they have any. Provide seats so they can watch a panel on an interesting topic. Something is drawing them there and much of that excitement you just can wrap yourself around on the internet. Until they invent the halo-graphical wall for my home office I will continue going.
I think if folks are focused on saving $500 then that takes their eye off the ball and they are guaranteed to miss the $5 million opportunity. It’s a real balancing act for us and them but the key is slowing down and taking personal and business inventory. Taking a deep breath. Getting reinvigorated by talking to like minded people with similar visions and bring a different set of talents to the table. From there it is about making things happen. Not sitting there and being passive. This is a contact business now. There are a multitude of business alliances and partnerships developing. There is innovation and help coming our way. New partners and a more open mindset from past negative experiences with old partners. The ingredients of a successful show are breaking bread with each other, networking in a way that is not superficial, discussing issues that are important now and later, being at the right place at the right time with the right people.
Opportunity is something you seize. Nobody rings your doorbell to give it to you. So the way to lasso opportunity is a place where more opportunity will pass you in an hour than you may find in a year out in the cold cruel world. It’s creating the conditions and bringing great people together to accomplish great things.
From my standpoint I will never know how many deals were struck at TRAFFIC. It’s not my business. But I know how big and deep some of those deals are and they would likely have never happened had those folks not met each other at the right place and at the right time. How many folks can trace something good resulting from a seed planted?
It’s impossible to satisfy everyone. Like you point out, there is better food, there are better parties, there are better whatever, but that is not why you go to a show. You go because GREAT people will make GREAT things happen when they slow down and discuss where they are, what they are doing, dreams and shortfalls.
In 35 years in business, the one thing I have learned above all others, is when you enter turbulent economic times as we are about to do, there is really no better time to make a great deal. Circumstance has a habit of creating opportunity. 2008 is going to be a golden year in this business because of the opportunities that will be available and coming our way.
The first few weeks of this year have been nothing short of sizzling and we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Rick Schwartz