LAS VEGAS, NV – Every professional expo is different, and those dedicated to the adult internet are no exception. Veteran industry members can likely remember when liquor not only flowed freely throughout the tradeshow floor but was available for free. Since the dot-bomb meltdown, internet entrepreneurs have had to run leaner and meaner machines, adopting better business practices and acting less like overly excited frat boys and more like professional business owners.The most recent Las Vegas Internext Expo was a case in point about the ever-changing face of not only the online world of adult, but about that of the more traditional side. Much to the frustration of many, and delight of some, the Sands Expo Center shared tradeshow floor space not only with Internext, but also the Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE), and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – glutting the hallways between the various shows and complicating the schedules of those who hoped to take in more than one expo.
While Internext attendees’ opinions about the value of this year’s winter expo vary, the one thing everyone agrees on is that the tradeshow floor was exceptionally quiet, not just when compared to the mayhem on the AEE floor but compared to previous winter expos. Not surprisingly, exhibitors came away from the costly experience with a variety of opinions about its value and how they will approach future expos.
Approximately 10% of the exhibitors who participated in the recent Internext Expo responded to a brief survey asking about their reactions to the event. Those that responded ranged from industry veterans with up to a dozen Expos under their belt to newbies attending their very first Internext. Regardless of the details, nearly all had both positive and negative reactions they were eager to share.
Chief among complaints was a lack of foot traffic, frequent wireless connection problems, and competition with AEE, although those who had visitors to their booths found them to be especially serious about doing business. Some exhibitors wondered whether better attendance would have equaled more business, while others speculated that part of their success during this show had to do with the lack of competition on the tradeshow floor. Some respondents hoped that future Expos would be open to the general public, while others proposed that a true “convergence” of the two sides of the industry might be in exhibitors’ best interests. Several experienced vendors said that although they were likely to attend future Expos, they were unlikely to exhibit at the next one or, if they decided to do so, would probably select a smaller booth or send fewer people.
Noelani Westall, president of ExtremeFeeds.com, spoke for many when she observed that “this year’s show was poorly promoted and [run] compared to previous years. Although my company did fairly well in sales, I cringe at the thought of how many more potential sales we lost because there was so little traffic at the show. I will be attending Internext next year, but will definitely downsize the amount that we spend on our booth.” Another vendor was not so charitable, stating that “it was an interesting experiment that I hope will never happen again.”
Not everything that was said about the most recent Internext was bad, however. Marc Laffer, president of The AdultChamber Network, was especially enthusiastic about the leads his company had come into contact with during the three day Expo. With a dozen Expos under his corporate belt, Laffer praised AVN for returning show floor hours to their previous schedule, saying it allowed his employees the proper amount of time to meet with attendees, both at the booth and walking throughout the tradeshow. He was not, however, impressed by what he felt was a lack of responsiveness to the suggestions of experienced attendees and exhibitors by show management. “Hopefully one of these days we’ll receive a call to review those previously discussed ideas so we can all have Internext return as the clear leader as the adult internet expo,” he said. Laffer indicated optimism that moving Internext to March during 2007 might be a step in the right direction for the Expo’s survival.
Dave Anderson, CEO of AdultInsider.com, had praise for the Internext. Another highly Expo-experienced professional, Anderson’s company was a huge draw with its Porn Poker Tour sponsored gaming tables, which were nearly always full. Anderson came away from the three days feeling “that the show was a success when combining the poker and our hospitality suite, our both, and the parties.”
The consistent favorite for all interviewed was the event’s social opportunities, both official and unofficial. Along with doing hardcore business, nearly every respondent indicated that having a chance to interact face-to-face was of vital importance not only to their company’s bottom line, but also their ability to feel connected by a common professional community. Although Juli Crockett, director of marketing for first-time exhibitor Stockroom.com, was frustrated by her inability to sign up prospective affiliates while on the tradeshow floor, she was grateful for the chance to enjoy “the recognition and affection of so many folks for our company. It was always amazing to meet our clients, friends, and fans face-to-face.”
