NamesCon is an inexpensive alternative to most domain name conferences.
NamesCon, a new domain name conference being organized by Richard Lau, will take place in Las Vegas January 13-15.
Right now you can purchase a conference pass for $199.
That’s not a typo. Tickets are $199, and the top ticket price for advance purchase if you wait until closer to the show is only $599.
That’s much less expensive than the two big domain name shows, TRAFFIC and Webfest. Each of those costs around $800-$1,800 just for a pass, depending on how early you purchase tickets.
Domain conferences are also usually held at nice hotels that cost a lot. As a result, attendees sometimes bunk up or look for nearby hotel options that are cheaper.
The NamesCon hotel? The Tropicana hotel for $79 a night.
Although food isn’t included in the cost of admission, you can realistically go to this conference for under $1,000 including registration, hotel, airfare, and food.
There’s a low minimum cost of attending. If you want to live it up, you can stay at a nicer hotel and spend on luxurious dinners. Or hit the craps tables. But the minimum entry point is quite low in terms of cost.
I think that’s a game changer. If Lau and company pull this off, it could shift the dynamic of domain conferences.
Can a more affordable domain conference attract a quality audience, have good quality content, and deliver value to attendees? These questions will be answered in January.
Domainer Extraordinaire says
I was going to sign up until I saw the $11.94 fee.
Andrew Allemann says
🙂
Owen Frager says
Good concept if the big names come too. What good are broke newbie domainers to sponsors when they have nothing to invest and ps portfolios they will waste the big guys time trying to sell?
Cheap is not necessary better. And the “free” model on the web about getting the most eyeballs then worrying about the revenue later has not proven a road to riches. I don’t see a charity conference having wide appeal. Then again Richard’s got a great heart and even as a non-profit with this is a cause, if he pulls it off, that will provide a lot of motivation and satisfaction for both he and the attendees. And to be honest, one of those broke guys could make a connection that will change their lives.
Andrew Allemann says
I agree that you have to attract the big swingers, too.
I’ll also say that many of the domainers that skip conferences or don’t stay at the conference hotel for money reasons are actually fairly profitable for service providers.
domenclature.com says
The success of this concept should be measured on the 10th anniversary of NamesCon, not in January. As an investor. I seldom calculate gains
in terms of instant gratification, but in relativity…
Acro says
“The success of this concept should be measured on the 10th anniversary of NamesCon, not in January” – says the man that doesn’t go to domain conferences, ever.
The paradigm has shifted. Not because of the price – we got $59 /night hotel stays in TRAFFIC 2010 in Vegas – but because of the mentality: make the domain conference’s focus on growth, versus same old, expansion, versus regurgitated methods, opportunity, versus high-fiving the same crowd.
Domenclature.com says
@Acro
I hope to see you in January!
james says
I don’t understand why some complain about this conference, considering that the only thing I heard about this year’s Traffic conference was Rick vs Frank over and over, before during and after. Not much value.