Montreal Cybernet

[Mister X]

The following was written by me at the request of my boss Daniel. But I will say that I pretty much agree with it all.

We would like to make very plain our extreme displeasure with the Montreal Cybernet show organizers. Not only do we feel that we did not get our money's worth, we feel like we were actually ripped off.

To charge an amount like $125 USD for a show with no booths or significant displays and only entry level seminars is quite ridiculous. Paying for the privilege of standing around in the "networking area" for a while wondering who all these people were and drinking over-priced beer was not only unrewarding from a business standpoint, it was also extremely frustrating.

Surely there were people at the show that we would have been very interested in talking to. In fact we went there planning to talk to some people about specific things. And I'm sure that the people we wanted to talk to were there somewhere. But we really had no way of knowing who they were, or finding them if we did know. The lack of even the inclusion of a company name on badges meant that it was reduced to asking people who they worked for and what they did.

From the standpoint of a local Montreal business the show was actually embarrassing. We had clients who were quite satisfied with us and what we provided them with but they expressed their disappointment with the whole experience of coming to Montreal for Cybernet. Almost certainly these people will not be back next year. A tradeshow that hurts business instead of helping it is worse than useless.

I think I can speak for all Montreal industry people in saying that we are very proud of our city. Which is why this show was such a terrible disappointment for us. People will be going home thinking that perhaps Montreal is a good place to party, and a beautiful city. But too many of them will be thinking that it's an unrewarding place to do business.

Perhaps Montreal should do what the Toronto industry did and organize our own tradeshow. People that actually care about business in this city might do a better job than someone with a "take the money and run" attitude.

Probably there are going to be a lot of people who disagree.

But I have to say that the format of the show really sucked for those of us who don't already know most of the attendees from previous shows and meetings. I was disappointed enough that I decided not to even bother with going back today and going on the Webmaster tour, which I was quite looking forward to. All in all it was a more of a frustrating experience than a rewarding one. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations for my first trade show. But I doubt it.

[Digital Shawn]

the following has been posted by me:



dude, what expo was you at?
this expo fuckin rocks, and if it didnt appear to be feasiable for you or your business, perhaps its best to find a different industry.

the networking at this expo is beyond wonderful, the contacts and info I have obtained here (as I sit in the networking bar right this second and write this) has well paid for this trip, and then some.

Your point of view as to not being able to "meet" the people you desired to get the info you needed is crap. you walk up and meet people and then ask for other people that may have your needed info.

again, your opinion of this expo is absurd. if it didnt work for you, again, you did everything wrong.


blame yourself, not the expo. being anti-social will get you no where at these type of events!

[12clicks]

Assclown, This has been one of the best meetings I've been to.
I really can't imagine how you could continually be out of the action.
I slept most of the days away and still met everyone in the hotel.

Your post is silly and way off base.

[Mister X]

Originally posted by Digital Shawn
the following has been posted by me:



dude, what expo was you at?
this expo fuckin rocks, and if it didnt appear to be feasiable for you or your business, perhaps its best to find a different industry.

the networking at this expo is beyond wonderful, the contacts and info I have obtained here (as I sit in the networking bar right this second and write this) has well paid for this trip, and then some.

Your point of view as to not being able to "meet" the people you desired to get the info you needed is crap. you walk up and meet people and then ask for other people that may have your needed info.

again, your opinion of this expo is absurd. if it didnt work for you, again, you did everything wrong.


blame yourself, not the expo. being anti-social will get you no where at these type of events!

As I said. A lot of people will probably disagree with what I wrote. If it was worthwhile for you then great. More power to ya. Oh... since you seem to think it's okay to be insulting... Fuck off! Lol.

[Mister X]

Originally posted by 12clicks
Assclown, This has been one of the best meetings I've been to.
I really can't imagine how you could continually be out of the action.
I slept most of the days away and still met everyone in the hotel.

Your post is silly and way off base.

Since you are one of the people that already knows everyone else your opinion is hardly relevant to the points I raised. And one of the reasons that I thought it sucked is because of just what you said you did. Slept most of the days away and didn't put in much time at the actual show. An awful lot of people seemed to be following the same pattern. Have a nice day.

[NetRodent]

You make a couple of valid points:

1) Lack of company names on badges

2) Over priced drinks

Otherwise I disagree with you. I am the worst person in the world when it comes to walking up to someone I don't know and introducing myself. Even still I actually met far more people here than at Internext or previous Cybernets. You may shake a lot of hands at Internext but do you actually have a chance to get to know the person?

The seminars at this were as informative as any of the other shows. Its a given fact that seminars are geared mainly towards newbies and nobody is going to share any advanced "secrets". YNOT's seminars were better than in past years because they schedualed small group follow up time each after with their speakers.

I don't believe we met which is odd considering we're based in Montreal and were always hanging around the floor.

[Evil Chris]

There is always one in the crowd that is impossible to please.

Mister X, your boss Daniel is someone I have never met, and I doubt I will ever meet him unless I am wearing a show-badge with my name, my company name, my address, my social insurance number.. etc..

Sounds like someone doesn't know how to network with others in this business. Get Daniel some "Hello my name is... " badges for future conferences. Maybe he'll start to get known for that.

Otherwise, you guys will just have to step up to people and say hello on your own like the rest of us do.

[DaveKnell]

Just to add my tuppence-worth: I thought the seminars were great - at least, the ones I went to were. And the guy I came over with - Bijan - who joined us a few weeks ago didn't seem to have any trouble at all finding key people to talk to, making contacts, etc. AND there's a cartoon featuring the show on the front page of the newspaper this morning :-)

I will agree, though, that Montreal's a great city. The old bit's charming, and going out bar-hopping and then clubbing on Saint Laurent last night was top. But it was also a good place to do business.

--Dave

[Carrie]

Daniel's dissatisfaction with the convention itself, and the manner in which he chose to communicate it, tells me volumes about him.

First the letter itself. He can't write it himself, he has someone else write it for him.

He complains about the lack of information on badges, and makes the point that in a room full of people, he didn't know who anyone was.

He is unhappy with the seminars, calling them entry-level, as if they, too, did not provide enough information for him.

He has many negative adjectives in which to describe the show - which were written by someone else at his request - and then tries to claim that he is speaking for all of the Montreal webmasters in saying what a disappointment the show is.

And in the end, he suggests that "we" should organize a show, rather than stepping up and saying that "he" will organize a show.

Does anyone else notice the pattern here?
Daniel reminds me of the newbies who see the entire world being offered to them, and complain that it's not enough. They have tutorials, they have pre-made galleries, pre-made free sites, unlimited bandwidth, instant plug-in TGPs, free content, free programs to resize the content, free programs to make any galleries or sites should they ever get the urge to do something for themselves... and still it's not enough. They want someone else to do the work for them - and you, Mister X, just perpetuated Daniel's belief that he is entitled to this type of treatment by writing the letter *for* him and posting it *for* him.

Daniel, business and life are all about opportunities. Success depends on what you do with those opportunities. It is not the job of the show promoters to ensure that you meet the people you wanted to meet. Had you really wanted to do that, you would have contacted them before the show and cemented times upon which you would meet and talk. Plenty of sufficient "warning time" was given before the show to do this.

It's not the job of the show promoters to make sure that you know who everyone works for - it is your job to introduce yourself to people and network. Ample space was given to everyone equally with a large room for networking with both "loud" and "quiet" spots and plenty of tables around which to gather. The hotel bar/restaurant downstairs also provides a fantastic networking area, as it is the first place most folks go to after getting off of the elevator to see who else might be there.

The seminars were publicized beforehand - both what the subject would be and who the speakers would be. It is not the speakers' job to telepathically know what level your "knowledge" is at and adress it specifically, nor is it the speakers' job to telepathically know every question you may have wanted answered. It is your job to ask questions you want answered and to ask for certain areas to be addressed if you feel they're not getting enough attention.

And although you may feel differently, it is not Mister X's job to put himself in front of the flames to voice YOUR discontent. In having him do this, you have not only generated a healthy disrespect for the way you choose to do business (because this is business), but also put Mister X's own reputation and good standing at risk. When you are dissatisfied with something, it is YOUR job to tell people about your opinions.

This is not kindergarten. No one is going to take your hand and show you how to use that crayon. Likewise, I doubt that any attempt by Montreal webmasters to organize their own show will include you, since you seemingly can't be bothered to make any type of effort on your own behalf - yet you expect and call for others to do what you yourself won't do.

I respectfully suggest that this is not the business for you, and that perhaps you would be better suited in a line of work where self-starters have already paved the path and now write best-selling "How To" books that clearly outline the steps that you should take to make money and even offer consulting companies who will gladly empty your wallet for the privilege of doing everything for you.

I also find it interesting that you mention that you are a Montreal-based business, but glaringly omit the name of your company, what it does, or what you do. Hmm, exactly what you blast the convention for not doing with its lack of company info on the name badges.
Unlike yourself, I'll step up to the plate and ask - what is it that you do? What is your company? What can you provide that may be of interest to me?

While I am interested in the answers, you can rest assured that I am only asking so that I can make note of it in my little book where I write down companies and people to never do business with. I prefer to align my business with other folks who work hard, make the extra effort, and who take action rather than whining that not enough is being done.

[Magnus3x]

Networking:

You get back what you put in

You GAIN from your efforts

In a packed room everyone is a potential client, every client a potential sale, every sale is another potential sale and so on..word of mouth speaks volumes and you will get higher returns than any other form of advertising.

Everyone is there for the same reason, to meet and greet with like minded individuals in the same industry!

If it's 5 people or 500 people..WOW them with your positives and make the best first impression you possibly can.

[McAttack]

The company names on the badges would be great, sure. That's about as far as I'll go in agreeing with you.

If you wanted face time with specific people, then be responsible for your own business and schedule appointments. I did. I missed a bunch of partys and seminars cause I went out with certain people that I needed to talk to. Some were planned in advance, some were last minute deals. If you already know WHO you're looking for, how can it hard to find them? People don't hide in this industry. If you wanted to talk to let's say Karl from PrivateFeeds, you could've emailed him before hand, send an email to the webmaster email address if you couldn't find any contact info anywhere and try to set something up. anything.

The price. I come from the Gaming industry as a background. Our big expo is E3 which is HUGE. And for the price of $550, you get passes to seminars and the show. No drinks. No food. I say go work in mainstream. $125 is a good price and if you find that steep, and feel like you can't make that money back during the show in contacts, I feel real sorry for you guys. We're not a big company, we're very small, but we had to make this show. It's the cost of business. As a local company, you didn't have to pay for a hotel, for a flight, none of that stuff.

The seminars. Wow. ok. Did you expect everybody to come up there and say "Ok, this is how you can make $3M in 1 year" and break down a business plan for you? They're all introductory and personally, I'm amazed Mark Tiarra from LUMYR gave THAT much information.

I say sharpen your networking skills. I always go into trade shows with a base idea of what we're looking for. What is it that I need to find? Do I need a live feed? fresh content? traffic? SEO? whatever my real major goal is. And usually I find it by talking to people that I never met.

[Raven]

I've only been to one show that didn't deliver what we expected...and that was the fault of the hotel, not the event people. Even still, with very few in attendance, an opportunity to speak with the other sponsors presented itself and I walked away with much that was positive. As a matter of fact, it ended up being money worth spending due to the business it eventually generated and the friends I made.

The old saying about making lemonade out of lemons is apt.

Seems to me....without booths, there's even more of an opportunity to network, which is largely what these shows are about.

I've been talking to Tev from Erotica Cash on a daily basis. We're married, so I've attended the show vicariously through him......

Sounds to me like he had a blast and he's a fairly shy kind of guy. Every time he called, he told me about yet another webmaster he's met...some he knew before from other shows and some he's never met before. I'm sure there are some future deals in the works...

Did he meet everybody? I doubt it. But, that's the beauty of conferences. The one you missed this time is the one you meet next time around.

I went to the Phoenix Forum and met huge amounts of people I had never met before...names I've seen on boards...some new whose names I had not heard before.

Regardless of what information is placed on badges, it's up to us to approach somebody and stick out our hands and say "Hi. My name is...what's yours? For whom do you work?"

[-=HUNGRYMAN=-]

Stu :

I am good friends with you and don't want this to jeapordize our friendship, but I feel Daniel is way outta line here ...

No show floor was a bit disappointing, and I agree that company names on the badges (mine was ... ) would benefit everybody ... but many PPL also took a pen and added it themselves too

IMHO ... typing up the same letter as above, ver baitem, and distributing a few hundred copies of it at Cathedral was a very wrong way of handling his displeasure with the show ... whether his OPINIONS are valid or not, you do not go about voicing them in the manner that he did ...

I will say, that for me personally this show was very worthwile. I met ALOT of people I had never met before, as well as catching up with several PPL I already knew ..

[Mister X]

Originally posted by Evil Chris
There is always one in the crowd that is impossible to please.

Mister X, your boss Daniel is someone I have never met, and I doubt I will ever meet him unless I am wearing a show-badge with my name, my company name, my address, my social insurance number.. etc..

Sounds like someone doesn't know how to network with others in this business. Get Daniel some "Hello my name is... " badges for future conferences. Maybe he'll start to get known for that.

Otherwise, you guys will just have to step up to people and say hello on your own like the rest of us do.

Respectfully sir ... You seem to show a bit of an insulting attitude there. And I'll point out that you are certainly one of the ones who already knew a pretty large amount of the attendees before the show. Good day to you sir.

People are entitled to their opinions. I really don't understand why people who simply attend such an event think they have to gang up and spank anybody who says anything against it. It's an old boys club mentality that I personally find to be repugnant. There has been a significant amount of feedback on Mr. Perrault's letter to Tradeshow Productions. And it was overwhelmingly positive. Of course that was feedback from their private faces. Their public faces will likely disagree or have no comment.

A certain segment of this industry seems to find pleasure in thinking of themselves as elite and thinks of anyone who doesn't have a successful program as being beneath them. Well I have news for a lot of these people. There is a whole wide world out there that could care less. Mr. Daniel Perrault has a very successful business and really has no need of anything from anybody with an attitude like that. His client list reads like a who's who of the porn industry. There is a whole big sucessful industry out there made up of people who don't have much of anything to do with the internet. In case you hadn't noticed.

I won't say that the show was a total disappointment. I personally found the seminars to be quite good and wish that I had been able to attend a couple more of them. But I have to point out that the "organizers" of this show relied mainly on local Montreal people and YNOT to do the organizing of this aspect of the show. And I did manage to make a couple of contacts that might prove to be fruitful in the future. But it certainly would have been easier to do that with a better organized show. Quite honestly if I was someone who had paid a significant amount of money to sponsor this show I would be thinking I should have at least got a table where I could have an employee hand out some literature for my cash.

Possibly if I had been able to attend the show from the beginning I would have had a more rewarding experience. Unfortunately I missed the preparty due to unforseen circumstances and I was busy on Thursday. Personally I would like to point out that Mr. Perrault had absolutely nothing bad to say about the attendees of the show in his letter to Tradeshow Productions. The letter was entirely aimed at the organizers. Some of you seem to have failed to make this distinction. And it was indeed a letter that was sent to Tradeshow Productions and then made public at the behest of Mr. Perrault.

Hungryman! I don't give a damn if you disagree with me or Daniel dude. I'm not the kind of person that thinks anybody who disagrees with them is "bad", lol. In fact if it had been left up to me I would have kept my mouth shut on the whole issue. But I don't sign the cheques, hehehe. Actually I didn't even know that copies of the letter were handed out. And I'm man enough to admit that I should have gone on the Webmaster Tour despite what I felt about the show itself. I think Dugmor! did a simply awesome job of organizing that whole thing. The fact that I knew what was coming might have dampened my enthusiasm just a tad, hehehe.

McAttack! The fact is that I did NOT know all the people I wanted to meet ahead of time. Isn't the whole point of a convention to meet new contacts? We did indeed have meetings, etc. booked ahead of time. But that isn't everything. The seminars: Nothing was said about the quality of the seminars. Indeed I'm kicking myself for missing Mark Tiarra. The fact that most seminars were entry level is not inherently bad. But I do think that the network area and seminars were not exactly a great return on investment for what Tradeshow Productions charged attendees. Especially when they were mainly organized by local people and YNOT.

Carrie! I will point out that Daniel had me write the letter because he simply wanted it to be understandable and clear and English is not his first language. As far as volunteering to organize a show.... it hasn't been ruled out. And if others were interested in doing it then certainly Eromodel would be interested in contributing. Your other points... I have no comment. Lol.

In closing I will point out that the large majority of positive comments about this show were about the parties and the great people who attended the show. I am certain that the parties were indeed great and I know that the attendees were great. But the parties had very little or no input from the show organizers. They weren't actually "part" of the show. In my honest opinion it seems that, except for booking the hotel and delegating tasks to other people, Tradeshow Productions did little or nothing to earn what they charged people. Which is what that letter is all about. Tradeshow Productions organized this show for ONE reason. To make money. I am indeed certain that a show organized by a different organization would be much more successful and rewarding. And I will point out that in many of the replies in this thread that are contrary to the original post, people said they agreed with something BUT it was a great show anyway.

I will repeat myself a little to make sure that this point is understood. The contents of the letter I posted here were IN NO WAY directed at the attendees of the show or those who hosted parties or spent their time to give the seminars. It's contents were 100% directed at Tradeshow Productions. It is Mr. Perrault's belief, and I happen to share it, that the success of the show was in spite of the efforts of Tradeshow Productions and not because of them.

I see absolutely no need to start personally insulting someone over their opinions. And those of you that feel it is appropriate behaviour to do so... I really don't care what you do anyway. Those of you that happen to agree with one point or another that was made but don't voice your opinion... that is indeed your prerogative and I respect it.

I'm not interested in getting into a pissing contest on the whole issue(and I still have to try and make a living in this industry) so I'll limit my replies to this thread to this message only and that will be the end as far as I'm concerned. Those of you who visited our fair city... I wish you a safe and happy return to home turf. And I hope you will have fond and happy memories of the trip!

Good day to you all.

[Mister X]

Holy shit! That was a freakin' novel!

[Crak_JMan]

Wake the fuck up bro, this is the ADULT industry.

[Crak_JMan]

Originally posted by Mister X
Holy shit! That was a freakin' novel!

I would called this bowring tabloid bullshit more then a novel. Hope you don't plan on becoming a writer.

[12clicks]

Originally posted by JMan
I would called this bowring tabloid bullshit more then a novel. Hope you don't plan on becoming a writer.

No, you putting me in a headlock and kneeing me in the nuts was tabloid bullshit.

[Crak_JMan]

Originally posted by 12clicks
No, you putting me in a headlock and kneeing me in the nuts was tabloid bullshit.

HAHAHAHA,

Shows all the love i have for you bro ;-)

Nice meeting with you Ron and damn you look sexy without the moustache taba.....

Oh and btw Eric as a big fat ass

[LAJ]

All I have to say is, what a fuckin awesome show. I'll be buried with follow up and getting caught up all week, but for now, I just want to say Chris and Stephanie... very sorry for missing our meeting on Sat (( My apologies... however, I still plan to move forward with what we had discussed previously, and will hit you up when things are moving forward on it over here.

[sherie]

We were a tad bit shocked that there was no show room floor. However, it was great for business and meeting new people. As for the company name on the badge, all one had to do was put it on there while registering. Sherie-Porn Profit tada

Sorry that you found it to be more money and not worth your while, but these things happen.

IMO this was a kick ass show and I had a great time!

[Evil Chris]

Mister X, not an insulting attitude. No. Somewhat sarcastic I will admit to, but not insulting.

Don't forget that these shows spawn business at many levels.
For instance, I may meet someone very briefly during this show, and end up doing a follow-up upon my return home and strike up a good business relationship. All based on a chance meeting in the hallway, perhaps.

The parties may not have been put on by TPI, however the sponsors of those parties were given the opportunity to do so by TPI. No show, no parties. I would be curious to know if Daniel had attended many other adult internet tradeshows, or if he has attended any at all. The inter-personal networking that I witnessed (and participated in) during Cybernetexpo was no different than any AVN show I have ever attended. In fact, I got more of it done here in Montreal at a scaled down show than I do at the huge AVN shows.

[Digital Shawn]

Originally posted by Mister X
As I said. A lot of people will probably disagree with what I wrote. If it was worthwhile for you then great. More power to ya. Oh... since you seem to think it's okay to be insulting... Fuck off! Lol.

Oh did that make your cry? I cannot seem to find where I was being "insulting" aside from stating the obvious. Its a shame your wasnt able to meet people such as myself while at the show, but seems as if you and your boss needed to be babysat, and I, unfortantely, dont hang round babysitters.


As far as telling me to "Fuck Off", I sure hope and pray I do get to meet with you in the future, and doing a little of your negatory networking, and perhaps solve your problems

[JFK]

I see Some of you were dissapointed at not seeing the same old booth set up! Get used to it !! Its the new lean and mean model of a show , as we have seen in Phoenix. No show floor, people get together for seminars and to network. As far as the seminars and round table discussions at this show, they were well organised, and professionaly presented. You do not need a show floor to do business! More business gets done at these events at parties, and informal settings, then anywhere else. Everyone who was a registered attendee, got a Badge with a name and firm on it. Did you guys pay to get in ? The organiser cant make people wear them at all times.The events are what you make of them, a lot of wms had a great show meeting others and doing business. You have to get out and greet people , approach them they dont bite. The distribution of the letter at the Cathedral was an underhanded move on part of the letter writer.The writer of the same, dosent have the balls even to post on this board, but has an employee take the heat for it. Shows Character dosent it ! Just my 2 cents worth flame away if you must.

[Crak_JMan]

Originally posted by JFK
I see Some of you were dissapointed at not seeing the same old booth set up! Get used to it !! Its the new lean and mean model of a show , as we have seen in Phoenix. No show floor, people get together for seminars and to network. As far as the seminars and round table discussions at this show, they were well organised, and professionaly presented. You do not need a show floor to do business! More business gets done at these events at parties, and informal settings, then anywhere else. Everyone who was a registered attendee, got a Badge with a name and firm on it. Did you guys pay to get in ? The organiser cant make people wear them at all times.The events are what you make of them, a lot of wms had a great show meeting others and doing business. You have to get out and greet people , approach them they dont bite. The distribution of the letter at the Cathedral was an underhanded move on part of the letter writer.The writer of the same, dosent have the balls even to post on this board, but has an employee take the heat for it. Shows Character dosent it ! Just my 2 cents worth flame away if you must.

Amen Brother!!!

Can't wait to see your pics and also I have something for you please had me to your ICQ 124588247

[JFK]

Originally posted by JMan
Amen Brother!!!

Can't wait to see your pics and also I have something for you please had me to your ICQ 124588247

JMan check your ICQ

[LadyMischief]

I hadn't been to any of the shows, I didn't know anyone beforehand, and I did some amazing networking. You get from the shows what you put into them. How fucking hard is it to walk up to someone and introduce yourself? Cripes. Epitome of laziness. and if you are expecting cheap drinks in a four star hotel in a port town in the middle of touristland, you're smoking too much crack.

Tell your boss to write the letter himself next time.

[LadyMischief]

Originally posted by JFK
I see Some of you were dissapointed at not seeing the same old booth set up! Get used to it !! Its the new lean and mean model of a show , as we have seen in Phoenix. No show floor, people get together for seminars and to network. As far as the seminars and round table discussions at this show, they were well organised, and professionaly presented. You do not need a show floor to do business! More business gets done at these events at parties, and informal settings, then anywhere else. Everyone who was a registered attendee, got a Badge with a name and firm on it. Did you guys pay to get in ? The organiser cant make people wear them at all times.The events are what you make of them, a lot of wms had a great show meeting others and doing business. You have to get out and greet people , approach them they dont bite. The distribution of the letter at the Cathedral was an underhanded move on part of the letter writer.The writer of the same, dosent have the balls even to post on this board, but has an employee take the heat for it. Shows Character dosent it ! Just my 2 cents worth flame away if you must.

Absofuckinglutely AMEN!

[RawAlex]

Okay, I am biased, so any comments I make about the show are tinged with the fact that Fay and Dave are personal friends, and it was my honor and pleasure to help make the Montreal show all work out.

Rather than talk about THIS show, let's just talk about shows in general (any industry):

You go to a show for the first time, you don't know anyone. You mingle in the crowd, and end up talking to some people who maybe work the same sorts of things you do. They have other people come up to them, and you get introduced. You explain the type of products you handle, the type of work you do, etc, and listen to everything you can find out about them. Your business brain kicks in an tries to find ways that you can work together, do buisness, make money.

Unless you are super lucky, you cannot have a personal trade show sherpa lead you around by the hand and make you make business.

As for CybernetExpo Montreal, $150 is too expensive? If you couldn't find $150 worth of value between the seminars, the bar areas, and the social events (thanks to all the great sponsors and companies for doing that stuff!), then you certainly are not only in the wrong business, but you are never going to make it in any business that requires even 1% social skills.

I am not the most social person. I spent most of the show making sure that everything was working, and that everyone was around, etc. I am sure that I still managed to squeeze at least $150 out of it.

Drnks too expensive? Hmm... you better not go to Miami, you are in for a shock - you will easily go through $12-$14 CANADIAN for a drink at the hotel. You can buy a round for a few people and easily go through a hundred bucks without a breath... and that is if you only have a few friends!

More over, if you had the balls and the contacts to be able to distribute these letters at the Cathedral party, I am sure that you know enough people to be able to meet new people and make some money.

I wish you luck in attempting a show of your own. Ask the people who have attempted to do webmaster get-togethers and shows in the past in Canada, you will learn that it isn't just about posting up a time and place - and that $150 is nothing compared to the effort required to make it go.

Alex

[LadyMischief]

Originally posted by RawAlex
Okay, I am biased, so any comments I make about the show are tinged with the fact that Fay and Dave are personal friends, and it was my honor and pleasure to help make the Montreal show all work out.

Rather than talk about THIS show, let's just talk about shows in general (any industry):

You go to a show for the first time, you don't know anyone. You mingle in the crowd, and end up talking to some people who maybe work the same sorts of things you do. They have other people come up to them, and you get introduced. You explain the type of products you handle, the type of work you do, etc, and listen to everything you can find out about them. Your business brain kicks in an tries to find ways that you can work together, do buisness, make money.

Unless you are super lucky, you cannot have a personal trade show sherpa lead you around by the hand and make you make business.

As for CybernetExpo Montreal, $150 is too expensive? If you couldn't find $150 worth of value between the seminars, the bar areas, and the social events (thanks to all the great sponsors and companies for doing that stuff!), then you certainly are not only in the wrong business, but you are never going to make it in any business that requires even 1% social skills.

I am not the most social person. I spent most of the show making sure that everything was working, and that everyone was around, etc. I am sure that I still managed to squeeze at least $150 out of it.

Drnks too expensive? Hmm... you better not go to Miami, you are in for a shock - you will easily go through $12-$14 CANADIAN for a drink at the hotel. You can buy a round for a few people and easily go through a hundred bucks without a breath... and that is if you only have a few friends!

More over, if you had the balls and the contacts to be able to distribute these letters at the Cathedral party, I am sure that you know enough people to be able to meet new people and make some money.

I wish you luck in attempting a show of your own. Ask the people who have attempted to do webmaster get-togethers and shows in the past in Canada, you will learn that it isn't just about posting up a time and place - and that $150 is nothing compared to the effort required to make it go.

Alex

I met you and I hung out with you Alex, and I think the show was great, meeting you was sheer pleasure, and this uhh..whatever who can't even write his own letters is certainly not going to get too far in the business with his attitude.

Thanks for an amazing time, man! Get in touch with me anytime icq 3522039 or email treasure@jactstudios.com