** Continued From: Internext Florida 2003! - Part #2
Friday is when Michael and Evita arrive, bringing with them the stars of Vengified. Coming in from Detroit, Michael and Evita are the owners of Clutch Content and are responsible for the Vengified videography. Three models accompany them; and, soon, we are all dressed and ready to go downstairs to the lobby. Have I told you how much I loved the lobby? What a grand place to network. Many have already figured out that sitting here in this magnificent space is a great strategy. Between here and the pool area, there are plenty of bars with which to get refreshment and everyone passes through the lobby on their way to anywhere else.
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"A business like attitude for the showroom floor shows we are serious. Being able to party and relax is also essential." |
Our three models are dressed in skimpy clothes, with shiny black boots. They are all attractive and friendly and immediately begin to work the room. Fortified with the same stickers used on the site, webmasters are finding themselves being hugged first and 'vengified' with these cute promo tools. The atmosphere is festive and nobody seems to mind. Curiousity is aroused, which is the purpose of our models. Pretty soon, the lobby and pool area are buzzing with talk of this incredible site. Mission accomplished and the models will be stickifying everyone for the rest of the weekend.
Even after the bars close at 2 a.m., people are milling about in the lobby; but, it is now when the private parties begin. Room 1759 was right down the hall from us. This party is destined to be the talk of Internext, as it continued every night for the duration of the weekend. Grimshawn and LocalG, the party givers, make sure everyone is happy with Jaeger, good music and a place to be until the wee hours of the morning, well within stumbling distance to our room. We were grateful for that consideration. EC Steve and Monique/Afrekete had a great time in that room. But, hell, they'll go anywhere for redheaded sluts, their official drink of the show.
Saturday morning was a little hard for me, in that I had a wee hangover from the partying the night before. I think it's important for webmasters to show both sides of their personalities. A business like attitude for the showroom floor shows we are serious. Being able to party and relax is also essential. I've seen plenty of deals made at 4 a.m. While I do not advocate falling down drunk and I'm not an advocate of making a fool of oneself in public, it never hurts to be seen at these after show gatherings.
As I stated before, the showroom floor was very different than Vegas. From what I observed, it was quieter, more business like. The powers that be had some pretty stringent rules, so there weren't any oompah bands nor were there naked women strolling the floor. There were some adorable models dressed as nurses, which I thought was a great promo tool. Who doesn't want to be ministered to by sexy angels of mercy. They were a great hit.
Since the showroom was smaller in Florida, it didn't take much time to visit booths that interested me. I was able to talk to the sales people for any amount of time, without feeling rushed or crowded. I saw that as a real plus to this show.
By Saturday evening, I was ready for Freekfest, held at the Voodoo Lounge and Solid Gold. Sponsored by Erotica Cash, Adult Web Games, Ethernext, NoCredit Card, and Klixxx, this party promised to kick some serious ass. All dressed up and ready for some drinking and dancing, we got on the shuttle and were whisked to a really cool place. I liked the Voodoo Lounge. There was a place for the sponsors to sit and drink and schmooze and there were incredibly long lines outside, with people waiting to get in.
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The drinks were free while we were there and we had a grand time. Then, somehow, we got on a bus to go to Solid Gold. I don't know what the driver was doing; but, it took him two hours to drive thirty minutes. By the time we got there, my pleasant buzz was gone. Solid Gold, for me, was a little disappointing. Very unorganised. Not by the sponsors, but the management of Solid Gold themselves. There were twenty of us crammed into a space meant for ten and the waitress was cranky. Plus, we had missed the free drink time period because of the whacky bus driver, so I became cranky. Once Tev had his lap dance, we decided to continue our party back at the hotel.
Princess, Kath, Burtros, Tev and I went back to the hotel. Since we had all missed eating dinner, it seemed like a great opportunity to see each other one last time, before getting ready to end the show. We are all very good friends and the discussions we have incorporate the personal and the professional. I always walk away from our talks with a greater understanding and perspective than I had before.
By Sunday, even though the show officially ended, I felt the show had pretty much ended Saturday night. There were farewell parties, if anyone awakened in time or had the presence of mind to attend. I'm sure many did, especially the one at JoeE's house.
Being this was my first Florida show, here are my impressions. This is not to take away from the importance of the gathering. The roundtable discussions were well attended and complimented highly. There were new programs and sites being launched. I don't want anyone to think this was not a serious event. It was. The networking was awesome. The atmosphere seemed to be more casual, less frenetic than Vegas. And, as I type this article, I realise there really is no comparison to Vegas.
The hotel was wonderful. For the most part, the staff tried to accomodate our needs and were successful. There will always be a few who act immaturely, displaying poor manners. Our industry does not need any bad press. We are under such scrutiny from VISA and the government, so any behaviour not in keeping with business like conduct will reflect on us as a whole. I am only one person and could not be everywhere; but, from what I could see, we were pretty well behaved. In reading the subsequent postings and looking at JFK's pictures, I could see many having a great time. I know I did and I will be back next year, if they will have us.