BUSINESS THREADS

The 2001 Internext convention in Las Vegas was a very successful show for YNOT Network. If you remember back in January, a dark cloud was hanging over the YNOT booth.BUSINESS THREADS

The 2001 Internext convention in Las Vegas was a very successful show for YNOT Network. If you remember back in January, a dark cloud was hanging over the YNOT booth. Otto was leaving the company, the beloved and respected Khan and RoseAnn were leaving the company, and I was probably leaving the company soon as well. Andy Edmond at Flying Crocodile was exerting greater control over YNOT Network and our future did not look sunny. I remember sitting at dinner, on our last day of the January show, and basically saying “Good bye” to all the YNOT Network staff. We were sad, felt screwed, and reminiscing about the fun times we did have at YNOT.

But this show was different, much different. Otto, myself, and Gary bought the company from FCI. Our future looks bright and sunny, and the reception at Internext was phenomenal. Along with the parties and social gatherings (more on that soon), there was much, much business accomplished at the YNOT booth this year. I personally had 11 different meetings, 7 interviews, and met over 300 new webmasters I had not known before. I also got to meet a couple of the “big dogs” I have never met before. Michel Gringas at UltraCash (http://www.UltraCash.com), just to name one.

While overall attendance at this show seemed to be lower than before, and while many businesses could be heard complaining of lower foot traffic, I personally did not experience this. The seminars, in my opinion, were more crowded than ever before, and our booth was always a-buzz with new and returning webmasters. There was definitely a large number of newbies at this show. Which is good for us, for our advertisers, and for the traffic at YNOTBob.com, too (which caters to newbies).

The seminar I was lucky enough to speak on was “Amateur/Single-Model Sites: How to Set Up and Run a Successful One”. On the panel with me was Doug Wickes from CCBill (http://www.CCBill.com), Chris Rodger (EvilChris) from Wild Rose Productions, and Stephen Yagielowicz from PornWorks. There was a full crowd of approximately 150 webmasters, listening to advice and asking great questions. I was surprised that there were also a number of people at this seminar that don’t even have a site yet. This shows me that our business will continue to grow as more people are getting involved. I also recognized quite a few newbies from this seminar that I met at the SouthWest Webmaster Conference in Phoenix a couple of months ago. There are some dedicated newbies out there looking to make some bucks in this business!

This year there were also some fantastic parties. One of my favorites was the Naughty Maids Disco party held at Club Utopia and sponsored by SexCounter (http://www.SexCounter.com) and TotemCash (http://www.TotemCash.com). This party, open to all webmasters, was able to keep the VIP section VIP. Many parties you will attend at these conventions give you VIP passes, but they mean very little. This party definitely took care of its VIP’s. Both sections were packed with amateur models, webmasters, and industry leaders.

I was invited to dinner with Benjamin from WiredSolutions (http://www.WiredSolutions.com) on Friday night. We took the big Hummer limo over to the Belagio with the HerbalO (http://www.HerbalO.com) gentlemen, BannerMaster Matt (http://www.BannerMaster.com), and the man the myth, the legend himself, Fernando. Fernando is one of the “founding fathers” of our industry and one of the smartest out there. I thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at the exclusive restaurant Prime, and more so, the conversations with Fernando. We talked of everything from his homeland of Portugal, to some stories of the Adult Internet in the early days. Fernando is one guy I could spend hours talking with. Fernando, Benjamin, and Melissa, thank you very much for one of the most enjoyable dinners I have had in a long time!

The Hustler party was also very exclusive and well organized. Held at the V Bar inside the Venetian, it was amazing. This was one party where all the “beautiful people” wanted to be seen. TopBucks (http://www.TopBucks.com) had late night parties and I heard a lot of positive feedback on this, too. Exclusive Media Group (http://www.exclusivecontent.com) had an afternoon “cocktail party” in their suite and I enjoyed relaxing and hanging with the people in there. I finally got to meet Circes and ThrobX, and of course, my favorites Bestat and Jack. Chris from SplitInfinity (http://www.splitinfinity.com) had another cocktail party to announce the launch of his online E-Zine “the LitterBox.” My little elfin love nugget, Laura, was the fine hostess there. There were more private and exclusive parties I attended as well, but If I tell you about them, you know, I’ll have to kill you. Then there was the granddaddy of all the parties, the Players’ Ball.

D-Money kicked ass this year on his shindig, the Players’ Ball. Sure you may have had to wait in line longer than you wanted, sure there was some people doing drugs out in the open, and sure there were some small, getting-your-drink problems, but this was the best Players’ Ball in a long time. You can only do so much. Just to get the talent, the venue, and the party started must have taken a large commitment. I was lucky enough to be onstage with some of the hottest looking people in our Industry: Jenna Jameson, Aria Giovanni, and Busty-Angel (http://www.busty-angel.com), just to name a few. D-Money put it all together to make it mesh and it seemed there were no frowns in the house. Everyone had a great time. Fantastic job D$!

So overall, both on a business, and personal level, this show was excellent. I failed to mention being surprised by the beautiful Monet (http://www.french-kisses.com), the wine dinner with my friends at the House of Blues, the late night knocks at my door, hanging with NakedNicole and NikkisPlayground (http://www.NikkisPlayground.com) (sorry about that confusion Nicole), and of course, seeing many, many of my old friends again. Next stop Miami, see you there!