Years ago, Rick Schwartz got 100 plus domainers out of their basement. They all followed the Pied Pipper to a small Marriott in Delray Beach. It was truly a special time. Most of us had known one another by name for years, but this was an opportunity to see the face behind the voices. Because of this show Demand Media was later formed by Richard Rosenblatt. He had read the Business 2.0 article Paul Sloan wrote about that show and turned Demand into a billion dollar company.
I went to the first 10 traffics. Some were amazing, others simply the opportunity to see old friends and network. It was only a matter of time that others would start shows. Competition started coming from Oversee’s Domainfest, Domainroundtable and some other smaller shows. Domainfest was such a hit, they are added 2 one day shows (New York and FLorida) and a European show.
There was a rumor that there was a Traffic Show in Milan this week, but even so, would you care?
Traffic over the last year had started to get dated. Same Speakers, same people, higher prices. People didn’t care if they missed it as there were more advertisers than attendees. Rick Latona licensed the Targeted Traffic show from Rick and Howard. He brought in a much needed overhaul. He started by asking what domainer’s wanted to see. He set a goal to have 5 shows all over the world. Latona is a great entrepreneur. If anyone can pull it off, he can.
Traffic Shows used to be a must go to event. Important connections were made. When you missed it, you know you missed it. Many domainer’s don’t feel that way anymore especially after the powerful Domainfest show this past January.
I hope Latona can build Targeted Traffic back to a show that’s one looks forward to going to.
Great post, there are a great deal of domainers which feel the same way. With the abundance of conferences, it is hard for one to attend each show. I’ve had the pleasure of attending both Traffic and Domainfest and can say that they both have there benefits.
If networking is your focus, then boths shows should be attended.
I can definitely say I am looking forward to Domainfest in January 2011! 🙂
hey this is absoult great post. i really like this this. Keep posting like this.
John/jason,
Thanks for your comments. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
larry
Let’s face it most domainers are in the USA. Who would buy domains in Euros and pay more when you can buy them in US dolllars. Bad mistake.
I know Rick’s group tried hard. But U think from now on Traffic only has a chance staying close to home. Especially since domain sales are really down.
It would be a short and long term mistake for Traffic to strictly focus on the U.S. market. Many of the domainers are outside of the U.S.
Professional sales people know they must continously prospect for new customers.
It may take time to develop the domain meeting market in non-U.S. locations. But, if they don’t claim that territory, their old and new competitors will.
Why allow a competitor to upstage Traffic and reduce future revenue?
Like you I am a Rick Schwartz convert. His inspiration got me off my butt and out to meet like minds. I was an inspiring 5 years. That era is over.
I wish Rick Latona well. If he can reinvent the conference and take it to the next era I will return to TRAFFIC if it is in the USA.
Domain Fest is a lot of fun, but that is it, fun. There is nothing wrong with fun but I can get it here at home. And I have seen naked women and don’t need the Playboy mansion.
2 cents worth? maybe.
@ steve – interesting that we had different prospectives on DomainFest. I got a lot out of it both times I went. Good seminars and great networking for me but like anything you have to be in the right place at the right time. I accidently bumped into someone that i did not know and that led to a conversation that was quite productive.