Comments on: Neverending conference registration fee gouging http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/ Technology, music, video, art, news, reviews and muse on the web Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:42:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Your conference doesn’t have to suck nor discriminate, just follow this list » Make You Go Hmm http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-458941 Your conference doesn’t have to suck nor discriminate, just follow this list » Make You Go Hmm Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:13:36 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-458941 [...] You’ll note that I didn’t mention pricing anywhere in this post. Sang that sour note of conference pricing in the past. In this case I wanted to talk about value. Even free conferences aren’t worth attending if it wastes the most valuable resource we have: time. Conversely, a $1,000+ conference plus travel expenses could be worth it if the creativity factor and value is high. [...] […] You’ll note that I didn’t mention pricing anywhere in this post. Sang that sour note of conference pricing in the past. In this case I wanted to talk about value. Even free conferences aren’t worth attending if it wastes the most valuable resource we have: time. Conversely, a $1,000+ conference plus travel expenses could be worth it if the creativity factor and value is high. […]

]]> By: Make You Go Hmm: » Getting the Mix06 conference value yet? http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-60395 Make You Go Hmm: » Getting the Mix06 conference value yet? Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:15:48 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-60395 [...] Readers might recall me taking a pass on Mix06 doubting that it would be worth it. Was I wrong? Right? Let’s follow along with what’s happening so far as the first day of the event (March 20-22 in Las Vegas) is in the bag and day #2 is just getting started. [...] […] Readers might recall me taking a pass on Mix06 doubting that it would be worth it. Was I wrong? Right? Let’s follow along with what’s happening so far as the first day of the event (March 20-22 in Las Vegas) is in the bag and day #2 is just getting started. […]

]]> By: Make You Go Hmm: » Doc takes King to outhouse in camping drama http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-54675 Make You Go Hmm: » Doc takes King to outhouse in camping drama Sun, 05 Mar 2006 15:32:33 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-54675 [...] This unhappy campers exchange reminds me of what I had to say about the upcoming Mix06 with Neverending conference fee gouging. I agree with Mr. King that these code-related camps should be focused on the technology. I mean isn’t that the point of these camps? Let’s get together, exchange ideas and code something cool in a group setting? Or is the point let’s just get together and spam each other network with products/services (like most conferences)? [...] […] This unhappy campers exchange reminds me of what I had to say about the upcoming Mix06 with Neverending conference fee gouging. I agree with Mr. King that these code-related camps should be focused on the technology. I mean isn’t that the point of these camps? Let’s get together, exchange ideas and code something cool in a group setting? Or is the point let’s just get together and spam each other network with products/services (like most conferences)? […]

]]> By: TDavid http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50974 TDavid Sat, 21 Jan 2006 00:36:37 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50974 A million bucks is "not even close" to covering the expenses for this event? Hmm, with all due respect, I really have my doubts about that one. You didn't really answer my question about the search for reasonably priced venue, but maybe you don't know? The choice to use the Venetian is curious. Interesting comments though, so thanks for stopping by, Joshua. I think that's a good move that there won't be any sponsors. One thing is for certain: we'll find out very quickly if it is "well worth the money." People were complaining about CES being a bit of a yawner this year and there were no registration fees for that. Gonna be a tough sell, I think. We'll see. A million bucks is “not even close” to covering the expenses for this event? Hmm, with all due respect, I really have my doubts about that one. You didn’t really answer my question about the search for reasonably priced venue, but maybe you don’t know? The choice to use the Venetian is curious.

Interesting comments though, so thanks for stopping by, Joshua. I think that’s a good move that there won’t be any sponsors. One thing is for certain: we’ll find out very quickly if it is “well worth the money.” People were complaining about CES being a bit of a yawner this year and there were no registration fees for that.

Gonna be a tough sell, I think. We’ll see.

]]> By: Joshua Allen [msft] http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50932 Joshua Allen [msft] Fri, 20 Jan 2006 17:49:25 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50932 We are definitely not making money on MIX06 registrations; not even close. We're being very careful to show a cross-industry picture including companies not traditionally in Microsoft camp, and we're not selling sponsorships. We feel that this is just about the only place you'll be able to get this breadth of industry players together and see what kinds of things you can do regardless of whether you use MSFT technologies for the whole experience or not. We also feel that it will be unique in that we'll be talking about things people are doing today, and making real money at -- but which people don't often talk about. There is lots of buzz about particular things like adsense, but I think you would find it valuable to see the broad gamut of things these consumer web, media, and services providers, networks etc. are doing. I think it's a murky area for a lot of people, who don't realize that they can participate in the same networks as MTV, BBC, and cell carriers for example. We set the bar high that we're not going to pitch technologies that are not shipping or imminent, and where there is controversy about the value of an approach, we try to represent both sides and let you discuss and decide. I believe most people will find it's well worth the money. We are definitely not making money on MIX06 registrations; not even close. We’re being very careful to show a cross-industry picture including companies not traditionally in Microsoft camp, and we’re not selling sponsorships. We feel that this is just about the only place you’ll be able to get this breadth of industry players together and see what kinds of things you can do regardless of whether you use MSFT technologies for the whole experience or not. We also feel that it will be unique in that we’ll be talking about things people are doing today, and making real money at — but which people don’t often talk about. There is lots of buzz about particular things like adsense, but I think you would find it valuable to see the broad gamut of things these consumer web, media, and services providers, networks etc. are doing. I think it’s a murky area for a lot of people, who don’t realize that they can participate in the same networks as MTV, BBC, and cell carriers for example. We set the bar high that we’re not going to pitch technologies that are not shipping or imminent, and where there is controversy about the value of an approach, we try to represent both sides and let you discuss and decide. I believe most people will find it’s well worth the money.

]]> By: Sterling Camden http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50623 Sterling Camden Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:23:35 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50623 Oh yeah, and I had EXACTLY the same reaction towards the %995 MIX06 registration fee. Not for me! Oh yeah, and I had EXACTLY the same reaction towards the %995 MIX06 registration fee. Not for me!

]]> By: Sterling Camden http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50622 Sterling Camden Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:21:52 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50622 I've always thought it would be in the best interests of Microsoft (or any other fairly well pocketed provider of software development tools) to give away all of their development tools and conferences. OK, maybe a nominal fee for conferences just to weed out party crashers. But think of the grass roots support they could build in the developer community if anybody who wanted to be a developer could just pick up the software for free, attend an almost free conference, and start banging away at it? Think of how much more ubiquitous the deployment platforms would become! If they really want to make some money, developers should be cultivated as partners and platform evangelists, not as a market to be exploited. I’ve always thought it would be in the best interests of Microsoft (or any other fairly well pocketed provider of software development tools) to give away all of their development tools and conferences. OK, maybe a nominal fee for conferences just to weed out party crashers. But think of the grass roots support they could build in the developer community if anybody who wanted to be a developer could just pick up the software for free, attend an almost free conference, and start banging away at it? Think of how much more ubiquitous the deployment platforms would become! If they really want to make some money, developers should be cultivated as partners and platform evangelists, not as a market to be exploited.

]]> By: DL Byron http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50620 DL Byron Thu, 19 Jan 2006 16:57:43 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50620 I know the rock star speakers syndrome! I know the rock star speakers syndrome!

]]> By: TDavid http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50612 TDavid Thu, 19 Jan 2006 15:47:39 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50612 Oh, and as for speakers. I've seen those expenses too. A lot of times they get not only their registrations comped but other perks. Hopefully if you are speaking somewhere you are factoring in this as part of your overall speaking compensation. Some don't, some speakers just assume that not only should they have everything paid for including staying in some better room than the rest of the block of room attendees, but be paid a speaking fee above that. Ok, if that's your job, that's what you do: professional speaking gigs, that's one thing. But if your job is CEO of company ABC or you made some killer app ... you aren't exactly Mick Jagger. Rock star psychosis in the speaker field. I realize there are some really great professional speakers and that's their business, but let's face it, guys like Michael Gerber are in a different league than 99% of the speakers at technology conferences. Most of the folks speaking at these blogging/technology conferences are getting prime advertising out of the appearance. Oh, and as for speakers. I’ve seen those expenses too. A lot of times they get not only their registrations comped but other perks. Hopefully if you are speaking somewhere you are factoring in this as part of your overall speaking compensation. Some don’t, some speakers just assume that not only should they have everything paid for including staying in some better room than the rest of the block of room attendees, but be paid a speaking fee above that.

Ok, if that’s your job, that’s what you do: professional speaking gigs, that’s one thing. But if your job is CEO of company ABC or you made some killer app … you aren’t exactly Mick Jagger.

Rock star psychosis in the speaker field.

I realize there are some really great professional speakers and that’s their business, but let’s face it, guys like Michael Gerber are in a different league than 99% of the speakers at technology conferences. Most of the folks speaking at these blogging/technology conferences are getting prime advertising out of the appearance.

]]> By: TDavid http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50611 TDavid Thu, 19 Jan 2006 15:31:19 +0000 http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060119/2862/#comment-50611 DL Byron - This wasn't a shoot from the hip commentary. I happen to know something about conferences, being part of a couple of them and I know more than a little bit about the balance sheet (my friend put together like six different webmaster conferences across the United States between 2001 and 2003). I also used to be in the restaurant business (10 years) and I know the profit in catering business (it is extremely profitable for them). The people putting on these events can negotiate for good deals if they work at it instead of trying to pass it along to sponsors and registrants, but if they just pay whatever the prices are *they* will get ripped off. As for hotels .. this is Vegas, and the Venetian is one of the most expensive and overpriced places on the strip. There are plenty of venues in Vegas. Did they shop around? I bet not very hard. I don't buy for a minute that $995USD per registrant plus the sponsorship money will not turn a profit. If you believe that, then I've got some beachfront property to sell you in Arizona. DL Byron - This wasn’t a shoot from the hip commentary.

I happen to know something about conferences, being part of a couple of them and I know more than a little bit about the balance sheet (my friend put together like six different webmaster conferences across the United States between 2001 and 2003). I also used to be in the restaurant business (10 years) and I know the profit in catering business (it is extremely profitable for them). The people putting on these events can negotiate for good deals if they work at it instead of trying to pass it along to sponsors and registrants, but if they just pay whatever the prices are *they* will get ripped off.

As for hotels .. this is Vegas, and the Venetian is one of the most expensive and overpriced places on the strip. There are plenty of venues in Vegas. Did they shop around? I bet not very hard.

I don’t buy for a minute that $995USD per registrant plus the sponsorship money will not turn a profit. If you believe that, then I’ve got some beachfront property to sell you in Arizona.

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