Tips for next week’s NamesCon conference

Here are some suggestions to get the most out of NamesCon.

NamesCon returns in person in Austin next week. It’s the first in-person stateside domain conference for domain investors since the pandemic took hold.

Here are some suggestions for next week, whether you are a first-timer or you’ve attended every show.

Tips for Austin

I lived in Austin for 25 years, only decamping a few years ago for Seattle. Here are some suggestions for visiting Austin this time of year. (See a more in-depth post about what to do in Austin from 2020. I’m unsure if any of this has changed since the pandemic.)

• Bring clothes for the weather – NamesCon Austin was previously held in January when the weather is cool. Because of scheduling, this year’s event takes place at the hottest time of the year. There might be a nice cool front next week, with daytime highs of only the low-to-mid 90s. The lows will be in the mid-to-upper 70s. But it’s going to be humid, too. So pack some shorts. Better yet, start your day off paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake or swimming at Barton Springs.
• Book dinner reservations in advance – Austin is known for its food, but many of the best restaurants book up in advance.
• See the bats – The hotel is just a few blocks from the famous Austin bats. They emerge differently depending on the weather, but it’s worth checking out.
• Avoid 6th Street – Austin’s 6th Street is world famous. But unless you just turned 21, I recommend venturing to other nightlife hotspots like the Warehouse District or Rainey Street.

Tips for the event

• Meet new people – Michael Cyger had a suggestion for meeting new people at the event. It can be difficult (and perhaps unwanted) to break into a group conversation. If you’re trying to meet new people, I recommend looking for someone who is standing alone, who perhaps is also trying to find people to talk to. It’s much easier.
• Don’t be the list guy – Please, don’t be the person walking around the show with a list of domains you’re trying to sell.
• Come up with a conference question – 90% of conversations at conferences go like this: “When did you get here? Where are you staying? When are you leaving?” Not exactly life-changing stuff. Think of a question ahead of time that you’d like to ask people when you connect. After all, it’s been a while!
• Plan sessions you want to attend – There are some good ones on the agenda this year.
• Listen to this week’s podcast – Check out the show preview with Soeren von Varchmin for other great tips and suggestions.