Conferences & Tradeshows

IDN Event Coming to New York City October 30

A night of domainer networking and sushi is coming up in New York City, and I will be attending. Here are the details:

IDNTools and sponsors Register.com, Moniker, and SnapNames will host the first-ever IDN Event in Manhattan on Saturday night, October 30th from 7:00pm – midnight. The night of dinner and networking will be held at Haru, a great sushi restaurant located in New York City.

The purpose of the event is to facilitate networking and educate domain registrants about international domaining opportunities and the importance of connecting with local audiences. The organizers will also hold an IDN auction to coincide with the event.

If you register before October 1st, the cost of attendance is $99, and it includes a full sushi dinner.   Attendees will have the opportunity to network with other domain investors and industry professionals. There is a full agenda for the IDN Event listed on IDNEvent.com.

My Favorites for Epik / Moniker Live Auction Today

The Epik Developers Conference will be holding a live auction today at 4:30pm Eastern time. You can bid on the auction via Snapnames if you are interested in bidding remotely. Below are the list of names scheduled to be in the live auction, and my favorites (with reserve prices in mind) are bolded. I do not have any domain names in the auction.

10 DvdStand.com No Reserve
20 BeachBags.net $501-$1000
30 Diode.net $2501 – $5000
40 ClothingRack.net $501-$1000
50 CamcorderMicrophones.com $1001-$2500
60 EthernetRouters.com $2501 – $5000
70 3gPhones.com $5,001 – $10,000
80 AbdominalTrainer.com $10,001 – $25,000
90 Bridle.com $25,001 – $50,000
100 HdmiAdapters.net $501-$1000
110 GirlsTees.com $2501 – $5000
120 Analyze.net $5,001 – $10,000
130 AdvertisingSales.com $10,001 – $25,000
140 ComputerTips.com $10,001 – $25,000
150 CurryDishes.com $10,001 – $25,000
160 CarTransporters.org $25,001 – $50,000
170 Pillows.net $10,001 – $25,000
180 Cuffs.com $25,001 – $50,000
190 HairCare.com $250,001 – $500,000
200 Poster.com $1MM – $5MM
210 BabyDecor.com $5,001 – $10,000
220 Dishwasher.net $10,001 – $25,000
230 Downline.com $10,001 – $25,000
240 GelPens.com $25,001 – $50,000
250 HardDrives.com $250,001 – $500,000
260 HoodedRobes.com $501-$1000
270 CottonThread.com $1001-$2500
280 RollerBlade.org $2501 – $5000
290 Drapes.net $10,001 – $25,000
300 SlideShow.com $1MM – $5MM
310 ExerciseMat.net $1001-$2500
320 Brakes.net $5,001 – $10,000
330 CamoBedding.com $5,001 – $10,000
340 NecklaceExtender.com $5,001 – $10,000
350 FishingLure.com $10,001 – $25,000
360 LedStrips.com $10,001 – $25,000
370 Nuisance.com $25,001 – $50,000
380 Bikinis.net $50,001 – $100,000
390 FlowersAndPlants.net $1001-$2500
400 Earmuffs.com $50,001 – $100,000
410 HdProjector.com $50,001 – $100,000
420 PackingMaterial.com $25,001 – $50,000
430 Hobbies.com $250,001 – $500,000
440 Leggings.net $10,001 – $25,000
450 Heroine.com $50,001 – $100,000
460 Saws.com $50,001 – $100,000
470 Comfort.net $5,001 – $10,000
480 Magazine.net $50,001 – $100,000
490 Ring-tones.com $25,001 – $50,000
500 ComputerHardware.net $5,001 – $10,000
510 ETF.com $5MM and up
520 Ship.net $50,001 – $100,000
530 Lemons.net $10,001 – $25,000
540 Spoons.com $50,001 – $100,000
550 Digital-watches.com $5,001 – $10,000
560 Modem.net $10,001 – $25,000
570 GolfSet.com $5,001 – $10,000
580 Hearing-aids.com $5,001 – $10,000
590 PlusSizeTops.com $50,001 – $100,000
600 SdCard.net $2501 – $5000
610 OrganicTea.com $10,001 – $25,000
620 Co2.com $500,001 – $750,000
630 PrinterWireless.com $5,001 – $10,000
640 HepaFilterVacuums.com $5,001 – $10,000
650 PearlEarring.com $10,001 – $25,000
660 SolitaireDiamond.com $25,001 – $50,000
670 Collision.com $250,001 – $500,000
680 Hair-straighteners.com $1001-$2500
690 Phones.de $10,001 – $25,000
700 DnaSequencing.com $250,001 – $500,000
710 RewardsCreditCard.com $10,001 – $25,000
720 Hobos.net $5,001 – $10,000
730 Insect.net $5,001 – $10,000
740 MalteseDog.com $5,001 – $10,000
750 Maid.com $250,001 – $500,000
760 Patents.com $1MM – $5MM
770 KidsChairs.net $1001-$2500
780 MiniPerfume.com $5,001 – $10,000
790 RiversideMovers.com $10,001 – $25,000
800 WeddingTiara.com $25,001 – $50,000
810 Wifi.com $1MM – $5MM
830 UltrasoundMachine.com $10,001 – $25,000
840 SanduskyStorage.com $10,001 – $25,000
850 StereoAmplifiers.com $5,001 – $10,000
860 Lubricant.net $5,001 – $10,000
870 WhoWoreItBest.com $2501 – $5000
880 SkirtsDresses.com $2501 – $5000
890 BathingSuit.net $5,001 – $10,000
900 WirelessHeadPhone.com $50,001 – $100,000
910 VesselSink.com $10,001 – $25,000
920 RacingJerseys.com $501-$1000
930 TacticalKnife.net $2501 – $5000
940 LargeSunglasses.com $1001-$2500
950 CardioEquipment.com $5,001 – $10,000
960 Complain.com $50,001 – $100,000
970 ScannerAccessories.com $5,001 – $10,000
980 NaturalHair.com $50,001 – $100,000
990 Seo.mobi $2501 – $5000
1000 Snoopd.com $10,001 – $25,000
1010 BeerCoolers.net $1001-$2500

Day Late & A Dollar Short: Win a Cabana for a Day at TRAFFIC Miami

As the saying goes, I seem to be “a day late and a dollar short” when it comes to sharing my favorite TRAFFIC story about making a deal during TRAFFIC New York and making a good friend in the process. According to an email this morning sent by TRAFFIC founder Rick Schwartz,

“TRAFFIC will be giving away a free Poolside Cabana to the Domainer who can explain to folks why TRAFFIC is virtually free because of all the business they do. Perhaps just one event that changed your destiny. One deal that will pay you forward for a lifetime. What value did that really have as opposed to the expense of coming? Just send us a short story or essay by midnight tomorrow by return email. Winner will be announced later this week.”

Bummer. I guess mine doesn’t count. The cabana sounds pretty nice, too. It comes with champagne, water, flat screen tv, chairs, towels, and bottle/drink service from a “TRAFFIC cabana girl.” Domain investors who are interested can also lease a cabana for $375 (costs $750 for sponsors). If you’ve ever been to South Beach or Vegas on a Sunday before during the football season, you probably know this is actually a good price for a poolside cabana, although you’ll be surrounded by a bunch of domain investors rather than hundreds of hot women in bikinis. At least there will be some football on tv 😉

If you want to share a story about a TRAFFIC experience that made the conference virtually free, drop a note to the TRAFFIC founders by the end of the day.

Flashback to My First TRAFFIC Conference

I’m not sure if I’ve shared this story before, but with the Jewish high holidays happening and my planning my trip to the TRAFFIC conference in Miami, I wanted to share it with you.

I am generally an outgoing person, especially when I am in the company of friends and colleagues. I may be a bit reserved when I am with people I don’t know. Keeping this in mind, I was somewhat hesitant to attend a domain conference. I knew a number of people through domain forums and private deals, but I had met just a couple of people in person. When I learned that the TRAFFIC conference would be in New York a few years ago, I decided I would make the most of it and bought a ticket.

In the same way that it’s fun to attend an event that you know will have sports stars signing autographs or movie stars milling about, it was neat to see domain investors I had heard so much about. I was a bit shy at first, but I soon introduced myself to the people whose names I recognized, and to those with whom I had previously done business. Some people were friendlier than others, but most people were seemed happy to chat and learn more about who I was and what I did.

When people asked me if I had any domain names for sale at the time, I told them I was there to meet others and not to make any deals. Truth be told, I just wasn’t comfortable negotiating in person, but since that time, I’ve realized domain conferences are great opportunities to lay the groundwork for future deals rather than to strike deals on site.

Just before the big Moniker auction, I used the restroom and held the door for someone as we were both exiting. He was wearing a yarmulke, so I knew we both had something in common. We introduced ourselves, and after a bit of small talk, he asked me if I had any Jewish-related domain names for sale. I remembered I had recently hand registered a Hebrew phrase (in .com), and I offered it to him. He asked me what I wanted for it, and I replied that I would take whatever he wanted to give me, and I would donate it all to charity. I also let him know that my company (AIG at the time) would match his gift. He offered me $1,000 and the deal was done.

After we made our way back to the conference room, this person introduced me to his business partner, Lonnie Borck. Lonnie was happy to learn about the deal, and Lonnie and I spent some time chatting about the domain business. It’s been over three years since that chance meeting, and Lonnie is not only a good friend, but he’s one of my most trusted business colleagues with whom I speak and/or email almost daily.

As I am making plans for the TRAFFIC conference next month, I am re-connecting with friends and colleagues to confirm that they will be there. Had I chosen to remain private, I am not sure I would have been able to make the personal connections that helped enhance the awareness of my blog and my business.

I know that attending a domain conference is an expensive proposition, especially with the uncertain economy. One thing that is certain is the fact that if it wasn’t for attending a conference, my business wouldn’t be the same. If you have plans to attend TRAFFIC Miami and want to say hi, please let me know.

Vote Today for TRAFFIC Awards

Last week, Rick and Howard announced the TRAFFIC Award nominees, and I am honored to have been nominated for 3 awards (thanks to whomever nominated me). Emails were just sent to the TRAFFIC mailing list asking people to submit their ballot by Wednesday (tomorrow) at 8pm Eastern US time to be counted.

One vote per category (except Hall of Fame) more, will result in the ballot not being counted. To vote, send your ballot to nominations@targetedtraffic.com. Winners will be announced Tuesday, October 19th at 10AM at TRAFFIC South Beach.

SPONSOR OF THE YEAR (Vote for 1)
.CO
DOMAINADVERTISING.COM
NAMEDRIVE
PARKED
SKENZO

DOMAINER OF THE YEAR (VOTE FOR 1)
JAN BARTA
MIKE BERKENS
JUAN CALLE
STEVE CHEATHAM
LARRY FISCHER
ROB GRANT
MERLIN KAUFMAN
MORGAN LINTON
MIKE MANN
GREG MCNAIR
JERRY NOLTE
ILZE KAULINS-PLASKACS
ELLIOT SILVER
DIVYANK TURAKHIA
JOEL WILLIAMS

BEST OVERALL DOMAIN SOLUTION (VOTE FOR 1)
ABOVE
DOMAINSPONSOR
EPIK
MONIKER
SEDO
SKENZO
SMARTNAME

BEST NEW MONETIZING SOLUTION (VOTE FOR 1)
ABOVE
DEVHUB
ELEPHANT TRAFFIC
EPIK
LOCAL.COM
SKENZO
SMARTNAME
WHYPARK

DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR (VOTE FOR 1)
FRED MERCALDO
ROB GRANT
KEITH LEVENSON
ROB MONSTER
SHAUN PILFOLD
ELLIOT SILVER
TIA WOOD

THE “WE GET IT” AWARD (VOTE FOR 1)
BODOG & SLOTS.COM
LEXIS-NEXIS
MIKE MANN
NATIONAL A-1
OVERSTOCK
QUINSTREET
SWIFT RANK

BEST DOMAIN NEWS BLOG (VOTE FOR 1)
ANDREW ALLEMAN (DomainNameWire)
MIKE BERKENS (TheDomains)
DOMAINERSMAGAZINE.COM
RON JACKSON (DNJournal)
LARRY FISCHER
MORGAN LINTON
HOWARDNEU.COM (Declined)
RICK SCHWARTZ (Rick’s Blog) (Declined)
ELLIOT SILVER (Elliot’s Blog)

DOMAIN HALL OF FAME (VOTE FOR 2)
MONTE CAHN
GARY CHERNOFF
ROB GRANT
JEREMIAH JOHNSTON
AMMAR KUBBA
RICK LATONA
MICHAEL MANN
HOWARD NEU
JERRY NOLTE
MARC OSTROFSKY
ADAM STRONG
DIVYANK TURAKHIA

Labor Day Weekly Update

Hope you’re having a nice, long weekend if you’re in the US and if you’re not US-based, I hope your week gets off to a strong start. Here are a few updates and thoughts from me as the week begins.

– There was an interesting article on Econsultancy this morning.   According to the author, Ian Harris the CEO and founder of Search Laboratory, “Parked domains are generally low quality resources.” I tend to disagree with this, especially on generic domain names that people type-in to their browsers in lieu of using a search engine. If someone wants a personal loan and they end up on PersonalLoans.com, I would imagine these visitors are good prospects for the advertisers whose links they click.

– I was really surprised when Rick Schwartz announced I had 3 TRAFFIC Award nominations.   Thank you to whomever nominated me for the awards. I personally believe Juan Calle is deserving of the Domainer of the Year award for his big successes so far this year with the .CO Registry, not to mention his other Internet companies that operate on great domain names. He knows this business well, and it’s been fun learning about Juan and what he has done.

– It is an honor to be nominated in the Developer of the Year category with several friends. Keith’s primary website, Vibrator.com, has done extraordinarily well, and he’s on the road to success with Rio.com. I’ve mentioned Fred’s projects several times, and we’re obviously close with his company building out Burbank.com for my company. Rob Grant’s portfolio of real estate and Adirondacks-related domain names and websites is unmatchable. Rob Monster’s Epik platform is helping domain investors earn money with their underperforming domain names, and his Epik conference is going to help a whole lot of domain investors. Finally, Shaun’s Kelowna.com design was an inspiration for two of my geodomain names, not to mention his recently launched TorontoJobs.com website. There are a lot of successful developers working in the domain space these days, and it is cool even to be considered.

– I continue to receive emails and blog comments offering names for sale that need to be sold “urgently.” I assure you that this isn’t the right way to go about things, unless you either have great domain names or I know you well. If you are urgently trying to sell domain names, you should either hire a broker, post on forums (not spamming blogs), or seek out end users rather than domain investors.

– I heard a horrible story this weekend. A fraternity brother of mine (two years older than me) was fishing with his father on Lake Oswego in New York a couple of weeks ago. They weren’t wearing life jackets and their boat capsized a couple miles from shore. My fraternity brother was able to hang on to the boat until help arrived but his father couldn’t and drowned. They were both experienced boaters and fishermen. Makes you realize the importance of life jackets when you’re on the water.

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