PHOENIX - The Phoenix Forum kicked off Wednesday with a golf tournament, and the festivities continued Thursday with hot-button-topic seminars and welcome parties hosted by Cybersocket and BuddyProfits.
Wednesday's 5th Annual Phoenix Forum Charity Golf Tournament, hosted by X2K, was a rounding success. X2K Owner Stephen Bugbee had this to say: "Fantastic people, fantastic weather what a great way to kick off the 10th Annual Phoenix forum!"
On Thursday, the all-day seminars were well-attended, and covered a range of topics, such as new affiliate strategies and finding business stability in an ever-changing marketplace.
"The Costs to Gain and Keep a Customer" was one of the first seminars, with Oystein Wright, CEO of Mansion productions, moderating. Strategies such as using technology to better yourself overall, assessing members needs though voting options, and old-fashioned customer service were some of the methods panelists suggested to retain customers. Brian Randall, founder of GunsBlazing/AEBN, recommended that those starting out need to "form relationships at these shows!"
Going on simultaneously was the "Affiliate Strategies in the New Economy" seminar, which drew a standing-room-only crowd. Steve Lightspeed, CEO of Lightspeed Media, was the emcee. As the seminar got under way, most panelists agreed that starting an affiliate program now is a difficult task at best.
With that in mind, though, several offered thoughtful advice, such as offering bonuses as an added incentive to your high-producing webmasters, internally generating your own traffic, and being very wary of those engaging in cross-sells. All concurred that show attendance, face-to-face time as opposed to strictly online interactions, was key to getting your name out there, because as Gunner from ATK Cash noted, "What worked in 2003 [getting your name out via message boards, etc.] doesn't work in 2009."
The late-afternoon seminars continued with moderator Monty McMahon, publisher of AVN Online, navigating a diverse panel through "Finding Business Stability and Security in These Insecure Times." Out of the gates, the panelists jumped on the topic of PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliancy and data security standards. Self-compliance is a must in the current climate, the panelists offered. Adapting your business? Start looking at stuff you used to spend money on when times were good and cut those costs out. The rest of the seminar was dedicated to 2257 and obscenity legislation, which JD Obenberger, of JD Obenberger and Associates, firmly said, "cannot be ignored." Though the industry is breathing sighs of relief that Obama has taken over for the Bush posse, Obenberger stressed that there will always be obscenity cases in the pipeline (pre-dating the new administration), and that Democrats don't want to be perceived as being soft on porn, so even though there will be an "amelioration of efforts toward prosecuting more mainstream content," no one should let their guard down. He added that, "This is a mainstream American issue, not a Democrat or Republican issue.
"We have no friends in Congress. The only thing that protects us is the Bill of Rights."
"Amen!" yelled one attendee.
The lively seminars continue through Saturday.
A welcome party took place Thursday night in the Tempe Mission Palms courtyard -- the host hotel for the show - which allowed Forum attendees to mingle and do some business under the stunning Arizona sky.
The Phoenix Forum continues through Saturday. For more information, visit ThePhoenixForum.com.
