I’ll give you several good reasons to attend. Aside from the fact that Montreal is an incredible city on so many levels, and last year’s mid-sized show was quite an amazing experience for the over 500 Webmasters in attendance, and with spring in full bloom and Internext two whole months away at that point, why wouldn’t someone want to go to Cybernet Expo in Montreal? You are practically guaranteed a great time, excellent networking opportunities, and all for a very reasonable price.I’ll give you several good reasons to attend. Aside from the fact that Montreal is an incredible city on so many levels, and last year’s mid-sized show was quite an amazing experience for the over 500 Webmasters in attendance, and with spring in full bloom and Internext two whole months away at that point, why wouldn’t someone want to go to Cybernet Expo in Montreal? You are practically guaranteed a great time, excellent networking opportunities, and all for a very reasonable price. Putting that all aside, I’m still trying to figure out what is holding people back from attending.

Not once have I heard that the looming summer slowdown or potential terrorism are issues holding people back. On rare occasions I’ll hear SARS as an excuse (a piss poor one in my opinion), or attending too many shows (understandable), but to cut the show in Montreal out of your schedule because perhaps you feel it “won’t be a good show” or you spoke to someone who “thinks no one is going” is ridiculous. Go to the show. It’s that simple. Just go. If not you, then send one or more of your employees. There are plenty of sponsorships, events and fun stuff to do at the Cybernet Expo as well as in the socially liberal and friendly city of Montreal, and at the very least, the hotel, weather, people and scenery are simply beautiful up there. Anyone who knows me or reads my editorials knows that I’m big on public praise where praise is due. It certainly won’t benefit me or anyone else to honk up a shitty event, so get the buzz going and sign up already if you haven’t!

As if all of the above aren’t reasons enough, what’s more, tons of kick ass people in our industry have joined YNOT Bob and myself to help put together what we feel will be some very inspiring, informative, entertaining and memorable Webmaster seminars. These seminars will not just all be for newbies either! Thanks to show organizer Fay Sharp in bringing YNOTMASTERS on as a sponsor, I’d like to announce the YNOTMASTERS Morning Seminars and Afternoon Discussion Groups and the over a dozen experienced speakers who have signed on:

The ULTIMATE newbie seminar: Anything and EVERYTHING you have always wanted to know but were afraid to ask!

Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM / Thursday, June 5

Moderator: YNOT Bob

Format: This seminar is all about learning the definitions and the basics giving newbies of all levels the information they need to jump-start their career into the adult Internet. From defining what a “TGP” or an “eprocessor” is, to determining what services you need to get started and how to put a business plan together, this seminar is designed for Webmasters who haven’t even started yet, to Webmasters who may have been around the block a few times. Get started on the right foot… there are no stupid questions here!

Panelists:

Eric Matis – GFY

Kathee Brewer – AVN Online

Jay “LAJ” Kopita – YNOTMASTERS

Platinum Albert – Platinum Bucks

Dealing with our industry HOT issues: Spam, shaving, fraud, theft and hacking

Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM / Friday, June 6

Moderator: YNOT Bob

Format: This hard-hitting discussion will bring into light what’s wrong in our industry, and open discussion on how to protect yourself and proposed solutions to making our industry a better place.

Panelists:

Chaos – C-Me Marketing

Dr. Douglas Wicks – CC Bill

Quentin – TopBucks

Aaron Matthews – AMP Content

Eric M. Bernstein – Eric M. Bernstein & Associates, L.L.C.

Getting the word out: Advertising, marketing and getting traffic

Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM / Saturday, June 7

Moderator: YNOT Bob

Format: Traffic is the lifeblood of ANY Website… pay, free, avs, TGP, resource, etc., and getting quality traffic is key to your site making money. All Webmasters want to know… How do I get traffic? Do I buy it? Do I pay for advertising? What marketing methods are most effective? Find out what works and what doesn’t work for your type of website and budget.

Panelists:

Steve Jones – Lightspeed Cash

Scott – SleazyDream

Daron Babin – SEGuru.net

Sweetums – TrafficDude

VirtuMike – Virtucontent

After the above seminars finish on their respective days, there will be a break, and the afternoon discussion groups will commence at 2:00 pm and again at 3:30 pm (if necessary) in a designated area near the networking hall. These will be run by the panelists who spoke earlier in the day and will be informal gatherings, meet and greets and discussion groups, and will also be moderated by YNOT Bob and myself. Location will be announced at the show.

Again, I wish to thank all of the above speakers who have signed on, and who have agreed to abide by our rules to be a speaker on the YNOTMASTERS seminars, and making this show the best it can be.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to email me at the address below, or start a discussion on our General Chat board.

And don’t forget to register!

Enjoy this issue! – LAJ

Jay “LAJ” Kopita is the Editor-In-Chief for YNOT NEWS, Communications Director for YNOTMASTERS and Chat Board Administrator and can be reached at editor@ynotnews.com and jay@ynotmasters.com.