Everything’s lined up for TRAFFIC Miami. It seems that it will deliver.
I’ve been a vocal critic of some of the TRAFFIC shows in recent years. They seemed to have gone a bit stale and attendance had dwindled.
That will not be the case with TRAFFIC Miami, which starts Sunday evening at the South Beach Loews. Perhaps Rick Schwartz and Howard Neu had something to prove. It doesn’t hurt that this is the only event they’re planning for this year (Rick Latona did the rest), so they have the time to focus on this event.
But it doesn’t really matter why this is shaping up to be a good event. The truth is Rick and Howard have booked some great speakers. How will Don King be as a speaker? I have no idea, but I still want to see it. Myself and the 300+ expected attendees.
Here are other things that should make this show interesting:
-Congressman Cliff Stearns, who is a member of the Telecommunications and Internet Sub-committee. Nice to have someone to hear the domain investor’s side of the story.
-New technology for networking
-Rob Monster’s successful swap event returns for an encore
If you’re going to TRAFFIC and want to start networking in advance, feel free to leave a comment.
Deke says
The thing is, the damn industry is crashing and they have Don King speaking.
WTF does he know about domains? And, how is this moving forward?
It all seems like a dang minstrel show to me.
Rick is very aware of the problems with the industry as noted in all his posts. Why would he chose someone like this?
It makes me lose faith in this industry, quite honestly, when we are at the point of having Don King speak to us.
Seriously, is this what we have become?
I guess I have to make the changes myself and ignore these shows and domain experts, who I DO admire, but are really going down the tube.
I hope TRAFFIC has something new up its sleeve to show the industry, and to overcome Don King’s presence, otherwise I think this show will be the last real show of it’s kind.
A hard rains a gonna’ fall here soon, and nobody in the industry in power is doing anything about it…..that includes the domainers, parking companies, etc…. all of us.
I’ve already started moving on b/c I see the end of the road.
Kevin M. says
Should be an interesting and enlightening show. Look forward to seeing you again Andrew, and many others there.
Julie says
It seems Rick Schwartz books speakers that he would like to meet personally without regard to the value for domainers. That doesn’t mean they won’t be interesting speakers of course. But someone attending a conference, if they are paying for it personally, (as opposed to their company) is looking for information. I was always turned off by all the emphasis on fun and parties.
jp says
Don King I understand is a guest and not a paid speaker
Andrew Allemann says
@ jp – Don King is a paid speaker
Jacob says
Some people are all about those type people, I mean the guy is in to Tony Robbins. Those type people are usually the same ones that are involved in the pyramid schemes. It’s very strange to me, but some people might dig it.
Meyer says
You are all talking like amateurs.
If you look, if someone is successful in
one industry, the same principles of their
success applies to other industries like ours.
I’m positive if Kevin Hamm, Frank Schilling,
Rick Schwartz, Michael Mann, Mike Berkins,
Scott Day, and many others
had not entered the domain industry, they
would have been just as successful in a
different industry.
You are who you associate with.
If you want to be more successful, associate
with people who are successful and want to
continue to be successful.
I’m extremely disappointed that I am not able
to attend Traffic-Miami this weekend.
Unfortunately, my wife had surgery recently
and I had a choice
1. go to Miami and network with my peers or
2. stay married.
(I had to ponder on this for a long time. 🙂 )
I have already committed to attend Traffic-SF.
Henry says
Wow!
Many of you really misses the point. Period.
Like Don King or not, his presence is meant for awareness and exposure if for nothing else. The possible media play and the industry that invited him is enough to make somebody take a notice. And as Meyer stated above, the man is successful.
There are few things one can correlate with his success if one really pays attention. This sounds a lot like 1997 through 2001 when many did not believe what Rick Schwartz had to say.
History! History!! anyone?
Regards,
Henry.
Howard says
Don King is NOT a paid speaker.
Andrew Allemann says
Howard, I was under the impression that he’s a “keynote speaker”, which Rick said you guys pay. So he’s not a keynoter?
Howard says
there is only 1 Keynote Speaker, Simon T. Bailey
Andrew Allemann says
@ Howard – gotcha. I was confused after the announcement.
Daniel Dryzek says
The more speakers from outside of the industry, the better.
Landon White says
Good Marketing…
Dong King is a known draw, period…
His presence has mainstream media value
(even if a controversial one)
and his experience as investor/promoter/ and speculator is of boxing legend icon status not to mention part of INVESTMENT history, he should prove to be very informative and inspirational SPEAKER..
Congressman Cliff Stearns will be present at this show, this should present a chance
to arrange a future discussion of the UDRP and WIPO ongoing unethical debacle .DO MAKE SURE YOU MENTION IT HIM, BRIEFLY.
Remember, you can never have
to many KINGS on your side. 🙂
Don says
I think it will good. The auction should be good also. Have not seen all the names but expect numerous 100k sales.
It’s not like they are forcing you to go. Who else is putting together this type of line up.
Are you people saying that all the others that are speaking are not good also.
Negative talk. Will not get you anywhere
Rob Monster says
Arrived in Miami.
So far, am very impressed. Rick and Team Neu are on track to host a great event. The industry can be thankful for consistent leadership, of which TRAFFIC is one part. Attendance of 300 would be a huge win and no small feat.
Congrats in advance to TRAFFIC.