Well, I made the commitment. I bought my ticket and booked my flight. Then a little bit of panic set in.
Is this your first conference? If it is and you’re a little intimidated by the whole thing, this post is for you because I am too! I haven’t attended a conference since 2008 and I only attended that one because I had a purpose so I’m basically a conference newbie too!
Many of you know I have a small private forum,  DomainBoardroom.com. I do my own “unConference” once a year,DBRFunFest.com  and I’m bringing back the  DomainersChoiceAwards.com  which has been on hold since 2008. We need a way to honor the best of the best and YOU need to be choosing! But more about that at another time!
I chat with many of you on Facebook and try to like and share and do my little bit to help promote other peoples business when I can. We should all do what we can to help each other.
What none of that tells you is anything about me when I’m not on the internet! In a nutshell, I’m a hermit. A loner and painfully shy.
And here I am. Planning to attend one of the most important events ever to grace our industry. Alone. Yikes!
On a serious note, this conference is different in many ways and I’m not going to miss it.
First, it’s put on by Richard Lau. I’ve known Richard since dinosaurs stalked the web. Whether it’s helping recover stolen domains, his work with Water School or just plain reaching out a helping hand to everyone, he’s always there to support our industry. What a great representative of who we really are as an industry! If he didn’t know you when you walked in the door, I’ll bet he knows you when you leave! That’s just the kind of guy he is.
I love the agenda. I’m trying hard to remain open minded about the new gTLDs and it looks like both sides will be represented on the panels.
All the speakers and panels are superb but I am especially excited to meet Duane Forrester of Bing! I’ve read both of his books and chatted with him in DBR so I’m looking forward to hearing him as a keynote speaker.
So my advice to all you first timers..jump in with both feet. Introduce yourself but don’t be “spammy”. Don’t walk around pushing a list of your domains at people. Get to know them! And look for me, I’d love to meet you.
All that and the conference is affordable! For less than the cost of admission at other shows, I can get my ticket, flight and room. My friends are the same, the sponsors are the same. If you’re only doing one conference, choosing NamesCon is a no brainer!
Great write up Donna and there’s no reason to be nervous. In the end, we are one big dysfunctional family and we can dotwhatever we want. 🙂 Have a great time out there!
Thanks Jason!
You are not alone! And I have a hug reserved for you Donna – not sure who’ll deliver it, so you may end up with multiple hugs if many people step forward. 😉
And now, I have to not suck! Which means editing my preso…and, well, not sucking…LOL
I’m excited to attend this event and meet people who’ve had a material impact on my life, too!
See you guys on Tuesday!
See you there!
I’m going just to pay my forum fees in cash and in person. You didn’t take my two party out of state payroll check last year so I figured traveling to Vegas and paying in cash would get me in. See you there.
You’re always welcome Shane!! I look forward to the slot machine $$$
Nice write up Donna. This is the first domain conference I’m attending since DN Cruise back in 2011. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting new peeps.
Thanks Brian! I’m looking forward to meeting the other half of the Gilbert team. If you’re anything like your wife, you ARE the party.
Nice write up Donna.
I can’t attend, but I’ll be with you in spirit!
I hope everybody has a great conference!
Thanks Tasha, see you at the next one!
I’m actually nervous meeting Donna. She’s half-Greek, half-Irish; that’s one dangerous combination right there! 😀
I particularly love the “pushing a list of your domains at people” part. Every single TRAFFIC I attended, a particular lady that shall remain anonymous promoted the list utilizing her female, ahem, assets as leverage.
WOW Acro, I’m surprised and impressed by your memory! Of the Irish half! I can’t wait to meet all three of YOU Acro! 🙂
Great post by Donna and was very well thought of. I haven’t attended a conference yet. Donna is one of the great people in the industry and is honest and has helped me along the way. Always makes me think on things. One day we shall cross paths.
I am not a huge fan of big groups and networking but seems like a solid conference besides .cluster agendas and used car sales pitches by some. But at same time, good for the domain industry and wish them the very best. Some pretty powerful presentations going happen out in vegas.
Have fun and cheers everyone!
Hi Jeff, I was really hoping to meet you..maybe another time. Don’t be a stranger
Great post Donna!
With this gang of folks you’re never alone 🙂 I’ll be sure to introduce myself to you 🙂
I love the blend of people/naming businesses who will be there!
Thanks Cate..see you Monday!
Great to hear you are attending Donna! I am looking forward to seeing you!
I’ll be looking for yo, Ken
Hey Donna, sorry I will miss you, but I am burned out on all the TGLD stuff, maybe a little burned out on domains right now, been doing it since 1998, need a break. Have fun, and I will see you at DBR fest in May again! Have fun, be good in Vegas(lol)
I was hoping to see you Jim! I’m actually more excited about the industry than I have been in a long time..and it has nothing to do directly with the gTLDs. I’m enjoying all the new energy…the community is alive again! See you at DBRFunFest!