As always, I respect your opinion and I think your blog is at the top of the list in importance to any domain investor. Your news site is a MUST READ for all domainers, and I’ve been a reader and supporter of your blogsite since 2005. I feature your website in my blogroll at my blog, Successclick.com. (I noticed that you have yet to reciprocate *ahem*)

However, your article has an unfair negative spin on it, and it needs to be addressed. Spending time on this commentary by you is time I don’t have, but in defense of the topnotch sponsors, organizers, panelists and attendees at the Domain Roundtable Conference 2007 where I was the executive producer, I first provide this link by my friend Chuck Kisselburg of ICANNwiki.org which was posted a few days after the event:

http://icannwiki.org/User:Chuck_Kisselburg/BlogEntry:_2007_August_21_16:31:37_EDT

It’s not just me that was affected by your comments about the Domain Roundtable Conference 2007 “deterioration of quality” but your negative opinion of the value of that conference insulted many others who worked very hard and invested their valuable time and money in the event.

Stating “But I find it much more fulfilling to go to a conference that isn’t just a bunch of domainers” doesn’t go over well in the “domainer” crowd, either. In your followup comment to my comment you state, “It wasn’t the content per se, it was the people.”

My final response can be wrapped up by two of some of the most highly-respected domain industry experts.

First is Ron Jackson, who most domainers agree to be the top doggy of domain industry news, and where you nabbed the info for your blog article about the new DRT 2009 event to be produced by my friends at Thought Convergence:

“As this industry continues to grow at an exponential rate, competition is heating up in every sector including registration and parking services, aftermarket platforms, media outlets, trade shows and everything in between.

“It is getting harder to stand out in the crowd but if you don’t find a way to do it, you’re sure to get lost in the shuffle. Organizers of the 2007 Domain Roundtable conference obviously understand that. Last week at the Seattle Sheraton, THEY CUT THE STANDARD CONFERENCE DECK IN WAYS NO ONE HAS SEEN BEFORE AND THE POSITIVE RESULTS WILL IMPACT THIS INDUSTRY FOR A LONG TIME TO COME.” (all caps my emphasis)

“Roundtable founder Jay Westerdal and Show Producer Stephen Douglas introduced a series of high tech twists that changed the way conference business has been done. ”
http://dnjournal.com/articles/events/domain-roundtable-2007.htm

Ron’s published assessment of the DRT2007 agreed it was a standout event, and rightfully so.

For myself, the comment publicly posted by one of the most knowledgeable domain name experts in the world, Jothan Frakes, was an honor. Jothan DESIGNED AND PRODUCED THE 2006 DOMAIN ROUNDTABLE which you stated was a better event for you.

“”From an outside perspective, …. I heard great feedback from the attendees and (Douglas) really brought in a wide spectrum of appropriate content and participants from the domain industry. As the creator of the show and former producer, it was refreshing to see it continue and thrive after my departure.” JOTHAN FRAKES, Director, Enterprise Business Development, Oversee.net

Andrew, I hope this sets the matter on a more even keel for everyone who worked extremely hard to make the Domain Roundtable Conference 2007 a success. I’m disappointed that you didn’t find it as enjoyable as the previous year, but you’re surely entitled to your own opinion. However, I’m not sure that blaming your negative opinion of the conference on the type of people who attended is a good position to take. Three of your banner sponsors featured on your homepage were there, and I’m confident their presence was very valuable and appreciated by the attendees, including yourself.

This is the last time I will address this issue. As always, I respect your opinions and consider your articles on domainnamewire.com as some of the best reporting in our industry.

Thank you

There’s been two Domain Roundtables since 2006. Which conference are you suggesting “deterioration of quality”? 2007, or 2008?

Whichever year you choose, providing a summary list of points to back up your comments stating the conference “deteriorated” would be fair.

Go the extra mile and give your readers a rundown of how you feel the DRT ((200?) deteriorated in quality.