Coming from the video side of the business and realizing that every new tomorrow brings with it many new opportunities, it became evident to me that I needed to go back to school, as it were. And so I began my post-graduate study in post-modern, neo-technical ability, a three-pronged effort of learning what will be necessary to survive as a smut peddler in the coming years.
Prong # 1: Almost five years ago, I began attending various internet, webbased, new media conferences and events. These worldwide events offer a way to do business, while expanding both horizontally and vertically all in luxurious settings with fun, interesting and creative people. The attendees are the people who proudly say, “I make money while I’m sleeping,” a euphemism for “I run a successful webbased, multi-tier company providing content for various platforms in the global marketplace.”
Getting there and registering is the prelude to several days of conferences, forums, speeches, demonstrations and fabulous luncheons — in an atmosphere in which all are there to either help or learn. My goal was to learn, as much and as fast as I could, all the while making sure that my own brand was being seen by all the right eyeballs in all the right locales. Acquiring this particular set of skills and knowledge would be the foundation needed to continue on in this thing we do for many years to come. At least until next year when new gizmos flood the market and cause a flurry of new plans. This autumn there were three events being held in Europe, so I decided it was time to take a business/vacation and visit some places I have yet to see and get an education to boot.
In late September I arrived at the Barcelona Summit, which was held at the posh Le Meridien RA, in El Vendrell, Spain, a sleepy town along the coastline 20 miles from Barcelona. The days were filled with informative sessions and interesting discussions that led to a more relaxing, less studious atmosphere as the day pressed forward. My first night there I swam in the Mediterranean Sea at midnight under a full moon as a faint drizzle made for a delightful evening. What an absolute perfect way to end a productive business day. As I listened to the sea lapping the coastline from my balcony overlooking the vast nighttime, going over my notes from the day, I drifted off to sleep. Many thanks to Andreas and Walter for putting the entire event together for us.
Prong # 2: Next stop was Webmaster Access Amsterdam. The Park Hotel couldn’t have been more gracious and welcoming to the industry movers and shakers assembling there all with the future on their minds. Again, think 2012. These people understand that market trends will bend, that products will come and go, new technologies will replace the obsolete and that monetizing, branding and having fun doing it is why they are here. More classes, more information exchanges, more drinks, good food and interesting parties to attend. Now be aware that these “parties” are just another term for the ultimate in social networking. After all, the people putting on the events and sponsoring the parties are the same ones foisting social networking onto the public. Very smart. Little Buddha Bar in the heart of Amsterdam hosted a large party for all access attendees. Everyone showed up ready to drink the night away while doing some major networking. Shout out to Mojo Host’s Brad Mitchell for the use of his phone and being the cool dude he is.
Prong # 3: Munich, Germany, the home of Oktoberfest, was the next stop. This year celebrated the 200th anniversary of the eight-day mega event. It was a gathering of webmasters, fans and interested businesses from all over the globe, all on the trail to new web solutions for the ever-changing adult entertainment business model. Many thanks to Epoch for their hospitality in arranging for tent space, the food and beer at the “Oktoberfest Gathering 2010.” A good time was had by all with the festivities going well into the wee hours of the German morning.
As I flew back to the States, I began to fully realize why Europe plays such a big part of the business we’re in. The 10-year plan has begun. Learn something about your industry. Attend the forums, the seminars, the events. You’ll be better prepared for your future, especially 2012. It’s just around the corner ...Don’t Get Me Started!
Contact Roy Karch at roykach@pacbell.net or visit his websites at RKPAdult.com or RoyKarch.com.
