IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Editor’s note: We weren’t expecting to run this story — we didn’t even know it was coming. The writer, Bill Slevin, is a newbie who sent us an unsolicited article about his experiences at Internext, focusing on a new webmaster’s perspective.IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Editor’s note: We weren’t expecting to run this story — we didn’t even know it was coming. The writer, Bill Slevin, is a newbie who sent us an unsolicited article about his experiences at Internext, focusing on a new webmaster’s perspective. We thought it would be a good idea to share his story with other webmasters, some of them who may be newbies as well, who weren’t able to attend Internext.
Seminars … parties … contacts … models … major players … invaluable information … This was the vibe at Internext Las Vegas. I wasn’t sure what to expect, this being my first time attending the Internext-Expo, but I was pleasantly surprised and very overwhelmed.
I have been around the Internet industry from the beginning (our company has designed over 2,600 websites for all types of companies). I have always been very interested in crossing over to the adult industry, so about 7 or 8 months ago my partners and I formed DX Entertainment, Inc., A web development company solely devoted to the adult industry.
I would like to share my thoughts on my experience at Internext:
Frederick S. Lane III, author of Obscene Profits: The Entrepreneurs of Pornography in the Cyber Age, developed and coordinated an intellectually-stimulating set of seminars to benefit old and new webmasters alike. This highly experienced panel of experts addressed everything from the Legal Battles in the Industry to Celebrity Nudes to Content Management.
Internext has proven to be more valuable then any research a webmaster could do. The seminars were packed with information from the “major players” in the Industry. Greg Geelan had a wealth of information to share with everyone. Greg’s advice is sure to help boost webmasters’ ongoing business or aid in starting their new businesses. Greg, along with other industry leaders, shared his experience and knowledge in a number of different seminars that were highly informative.
Being in the competitive world of the Internet for so many years, I would never have imagined gaining so much knowledge and developing so many great business relationships. The adult community is like a giant family, everyone is willing to take time to get to know you and offer any information they have learned over years of experience. I have never seen any other community come together to help one another succeed within the same industry like the adult community. People like Greg Geelan, Fred Lane, Colin Rowntree, and Brooks Talley, are just a few who took time out of there busy schedules, not only to share their expertise at the seminar, but to hang around and answer many questions, and help point newcomers in the right direction, whether it be legal advice, design issues, or trends in the industry.
Of course, expect not to get too much sleep while you are there, once the seminars are over for the day, the parties begin at night. I attended a number of parties where I was able to make some contacts, gain some great information, and have a great time while doing so. But do not think of this convention as a massive orgy or giant party, the information and contacts you will gain are far more valuable then any of the parties, but most of the contacts are actually made at these parties.
I would like to thank Fred Lane and everyone involved at Internext, Las Vegas for a great time and a wealth of information. I encourage anyone involved or thinking of being involved in this industry to attend the Internext conventions. Also, anyone in interested in the adult web industry should absolutely check out Frederick Lane’s book, Obscene Profits: The Entrepreneurs of Pornography in the Cyber Age.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Internext in January!
