DomainFest LA 2006: September 20-22, 2006 - Anyone going?

[Domainate.com]

http://www.domainfestla.com/

I didn't even know about this until getting an email from DomainSponsor about it. Thankfully, LA is nearly in my neck of the woods (I'm in San Diego) and I know a couple people up there and thus would hopefully not need a hotel room.

Anyone else possibly going to this?

 

[Charley]

Does this mean a HUGE domain sale ? Or is it just a conference.

 

[namey]

From site...

This is going to be a gathering as opposed to a big full-blown conference, so attendance size is somewhat limited.

 

[Smith]

I haven't had internet for the last week so I'm going to unwind from my vacation with a long post

"DomainFest" is something that came to life a few years ago.

When Dark Blue Sea decided to launch fabulous.com they invited the members of "Rick's Board" and other guests in the industry to Los Angeles for a presentation on the company and the new registrar.

The people on Rick's board nicknamed it "DeanFest" after Dean Shannon the founder of Dark Blue Sea and a very well known person within the online industry. (Great guy incidentally)

To me, bringing the group of people that had been friends and business associates together was great. Sitting and talking with people that I had "known" for sometime seemed to really solidified friendships by making them more tangible.

After DeanFest many of us wanted to get together and see each other again. What happened is that members of Rick's Board independently took the incentive to start planning informal get together. "DomainFests"

This all happened well before there were formal commercial events such as Domain Round Table or Traffic which are outstanding events in their own right.

I'm not involved with DomainFest LA in any way, but I really believe that anyone who is domainer on a serious level should make an effort to attend a DomainFest.

 

[RJ]

It's an easy trip for me. Would be cool to meet up with some other NP'rs. Who else is thinking about taking the trip to L.A.?

 

[Domainate.com]

FYI, I posted it in Industry News here. I thought the email I got about it from DS was long after they started organizing it, but looking at the site they put up about it, they've only started advertising it on the 21st!

Anyways, the bad news for people is that it's during the week. The good news for some people like me, who save up their vacation/sick time like crazy, is that it's during the week. I've already scheduled time off of my work so I can go up all 3 days. I love how there's going to be a hold-em tournament on day 3. Hopefully owning some good poker domains will give me some extra poker skills, hehe. Nah, actually I'm quite good and plan on winning that, heheheh.

I haven't had internet for the last week so I'm going to unwind from my vacation with a long post

"DomainFest" is something that came to life a few years ago.

When Dark Blue Sea decided to launch fabulous.com they invited the members of "Rick's Board" and other guests in the industry to Los Angeles for a presentation on the company and the new registrar.

The people on Rick's board nicknamed it "DeanFest" after Dean Shannon the founder of Dark Blue Sea and a very well known person within the online industry. (Great guy incidentally)

To me, bringing the group of people that had been friends and business associates together was great. Sitting and talking with people that I had "known" for sometime seemed to really solidified friendships by making them more tangible.

After DeanFest many of us wanted to get together and see each other again. What happened is that members of Rick's Board independently took the incentive to start planning informal get together. "DomainFests"

This all happened well before there were formal commercial events such as Domain Round Table or Traffic which are outstanding events in their own right.

I'm not involved with DomainFest LA in any way, but I really believe that anyone who is domainer on a serious level should make an effort to attend a DomainFest.

A-ha...great story about the birth of the DomainFest. I agree too that meeting people in the industry face-to-face really personalizes things a lot more than all of us sitting on our computers looking at text. At my day job, I am a servicing manager for real estate lenders and the appraisals they order through us. I've worked for the company for over 2 and a half years and have only once met a client of mine, the appraisal operations manager for Town & Country Credit. Even though since meeting him, he wound up leaving the company, it was and still has been a lasting experience to have met him, as he was an incredibly nice guy and very pleasant to talk to on a personal level let alone regarding business matters. Ever since then, I've really been longing meeting more of my clients and never get to! Thankfully, this DomainFest will at least fulfill that craving for my domaining life...I'm definitely looking forward to it.

 

[RJ]

Just a little bump to get some more attention.

Looks like ~ Cyberian ~ and I will both be attending. Anyone else want to meet up?

 

[loscocco]

I definately would like to attend but i might be in Denver that weekend for another seminar. La is just a few hours south from here
Erin

 

[Domainate.com]

Just a little bump to get some more attention.

Looks like ~ Cyberian ~ and I will both be attending. Anyone else want to meet up?

I'd be glad to! If meeting before check-in on Day 1, I can come up pretty much anytime (except would like to avoid SD-to-LA traffic in the morning).

 

[movingconcierge]

I'm going to make at least one day, maybe more...I'd definately like to meet up and put faces to some NP'rs, have a beer or two, and learn something as well.

 

[peaches017]

I would definitely make it, but I have school... I believe it runs from wed - friday so I might be able to come up friday night after school.

Peter

 

[RJ]

Just a little bump to get some more attention.

Looks like ~ Cyberian ~ and I will both be attending. Anyone else want to meet up?

I'd be glad to! If meeting before check-in on Day 1, I can come up pretty much anytime (except would like to avoid SD-to-LA traffic in the morning).

Great Steve!

I should be at the hotel on Wednesday around 4PM, and leaving late Friday evening. I'll wait until the final schedule is posted before making any plans for a time to meetup. Maybe we could do a NamePros sponsored meal or entertainment event on a small scale if we have a few NP'rs joining us.

Peter - how far is Marina del Ray for you?

 

[Kenny]

I've RSVP'd and ready to go. This will be a blast.

 

[Gerrit]

So basically this is a sort of domainers social club? Or a huge domainers meeting?


Sounds interesting. But... LA... Nah, I won't be there. I mean, travelling from Europe to LA would cost way too much. For that price (and we're only mentionning flights, add to that hotel costs etc) I buy hundreds of domains...

Is there no similar initiative in Europe existing? I'd be interested in that. UK would be ideal, but with low-fare airlines all over Europe I'd be well capable of attending any such conference in any European city. Flights to the US just are out of my budget right now given other travels I already scheduled ; but a short trip within Europe for a domainers meeting would not be an issue.

 

[ebess]

Gerrit - if you are a SedoPro customer, there is a conference in Germany during Oktoberfest

 

[gr8trfoo]

It turns out that anyone affiliated with DS competitors are officially NOT invited.

I've communicated with Ron about this. While he agreed that I have some valid points there was no change of heart. I've given him more than ample opportunity now to discuss the matter internally and rethink their stance. Since I've not receive a reply in several days I'm airing my peace in public.

I wouldn't be upset about this except that it was never made clear that its nothing more than a DomainSponsor event. In fact the language used on their "blog" makes clear just the opposite, that the event is designed to be an open, industry wide gathering and that DS is merely the prime sponsor.

Am I wrong about this? Judge for yourselves. Selected excerpts from domainfestla.com:

"The event is meant to be a gathering of domainers for and by domainers. DomainSponsor is simply stepping up as the primary sponsor and coordinator of the event. Domainers from all areas are more than welcome to attend, but we only ask that you contact us in advance and let us know."

"The event is meant to cater to topics that domainers themselves are interested in hearing about, rather than a sales pitch from various sponsoring members."

"We are not trying to set up something exclusive, but due to limited space, we have to warn folks up front, not everyone is going to be able to be accomodated, though we'd love to have everyone who signs up be able to come."

This last one is probably my favorite:

"The quest for sponsorship is on for this gathering of domainers in Los Angeles...
So far, Domain Sponsor is on board.

We've lined up Domain Sponsor already, there's a commitment from them to back events like this.

Special thanks to Domain Sponsor for coming in to support this gathering."

Now if that alone wouldn't lead anyone to belive that the event was independent I don't know what would. But take a look at the whois:

Domain Name: domainfestla.com
Registrar: Name.com LLC
REGISTRANT CONTACT INFO
Ron Sheridan
Ron Sheridan
2801 Ocean Park Blvd
PMB 307
Santa Monica
CA
90405
US
Phone: +1.2135551212
Email Address: [email protected]
Expiration Date: 2007-08-09 21:49:00
Creation Date: 2006-08-09 19:55:54
Name Servers:
ns1.mediatemple.net
ns2.mediatemple.net

I don't belive it can be denied that this is a DS project all the way and intended to be nothing more than a 3 day sales pitch.

I'm sure that many people, like me, will be fooled by this crap. But many will not. More than anything else I'm concerned that it will be made to seem as though DS competitors simply don't care enough to sponsor or even attend this gathering and not one word will be spoken about how they were barred from coming.

BTW, I'm not saying "don't come" to this event. I hope that everyone who makes it has a great time. Since I already made my travel plans before I was officially banned I plan to be in the area and intend on having a good time regardless.

 

[peaches017]

*bump*

I'm going to get up there for the final night. Look forward to seeing you guys.

 

[Domainate.com]

It turns out that anyone affiliated with DS competitors are officially NOT invited.

I've communicated with Ron about this. While he agreed that I have some valid points there was no change of heart. I've given him more than ample opportunity now to discuss the matter internally and rethink their stance. Since I've not receive a reply in several days I'm airing my peace in public.

I wouldn't be upset about this except that it was never made clear that its nothing more than a DomainSponsor event. In fact the language used on their "blog" makes clear just the opposite, that the event is designed to be an open, industry wide gathering and that DS is merely the prime sponsor.

Am I wrong about this? Judge for yourselves. Selected excerpts from domainfestla.com:

"The event is meant to be a gathering of domainers for and by domainers. DomainSponsor is simply stepping up as the primary sponsor and coordinator of the event. Domainers from all areas are more than welcome to attend, but we only ask that you contact us in advance and let us know."

"The event is meant to cater to topics that domainers themselves are interested in hearing about, rather than a sales pitch from various sponsoring members."

"We are not trying to set up something exclusive, but due to limited space, we have to warn folks up front, not everyone is going to be able to be accomodated, though we'd love to have everyone who signs up be able to come."

This last one is probably my favorite:

"The quest for sponsorship is on for this gathering of domainers in Los Angeles...
So far, Domain Sponsor is on board.

We've lined up Domain Sponsor already, there's a commitment from them to back events like this.

Special thanks to Domain Sponsor for coming in to support this gathering."

Now if that alone wouldn't lead anyone to belive that the event was independent I don't know what would. But take a look at the whois:

Domain Name: domainfestla.com
Registrar: Name.com LLC
REGISTRANT CONTACT INFO
Ron Sheridan
Ron Sheridan
2801 Ocean Park Blvd
PMB 307
Santa Monica
CA
90405
US
Phone: +1.2135551212
Email Address: [email protected]
Expiration Date: 2007-08-09 21:49:00
Creation Date: 2006-08-09 19:55:54
Name Servers:
ns1.mediatemple.net
ns2.mediatemple.net

I don't belive it can be denied that this is a DS project all the way and intended to be nothing more than a 3 day sales pitch.

I'm sure that many people, like me, will be fooled by this crap. But many will not. More than anything else I'm concerned that it will be made to seem as though DS competitors simply don't care enough to sponsor or even attend this gathering and not one word will be spoken about how they were barred from coming.

BTW, I'm not saying "don't come" to this event. I hope that everyone who makes it has a great time. Since I already made my travel plans before I was officially banned I plan to be in the area and intend on having a good time regardless.

That's too bad. I'm with you that it's a bit disgusting for them to make it sound independent and then ban competitors from being there. The ironic thing is that at least with the names I've tried at DS, they are atrocious! Still, I'll be up there to meet people and have a good time. I already know DS is crap, so any propaganda they try to pull won't work on me. Even if I'm appreciative of them putting this event on, I'm never going to park another name at DS and lose myself more money.

 

[sirengirl]

I just sent a query, as I would enjoy meeting those I have met from afar.
I am in LA so I I am close. Hopefully I will not be the only lady in attendance. I have class until thursday afternoon, but it would be fun to hang out.

I hope its not a propoganda pitch though, from DS. anyone for sure going?

SG

 

[netzilla]

Boy I would love to but its just to far away..darn!