Like the imperialistic lot we are, adult-industry professionals at a show always repurpose the venue's watering hole into ground zero, and Webmaster Access Amsterdam was no exception. It's amazing that we all know what "meet at the Circle Bar" means, no matter what hotel we're in.
Friday night, the lobby bar at the Radisson SAS was a beehive for webmasters gathering for two hours of power networking made possible by Loaded Cash.
After the liquid-based portion of the evening, it was time to add some solids to soak it all up. Some made a coffeehouse stop on the way to dinner, others went following the meal, and the indecisive among us did both. After all, having a menu of smokeables in an atmosphere that makes clandestine activity unnecessary is a quintessential part of the Amsterdam experience, much like the Red Light District, the seat of the evening's big party at Sinners.
Walking past the red lights - yes, the district has its name for a reason - one finds Sinners on the Wagenstraat. The club boasts red bars, purple ceilings, amazing lights and a powerful sound system. Billed as "A Night at Sinners" and sponsored by Payserve, VXSBill and OrgyCash, the evening delivered everything that no Friday night in Amsterdam should be without.
Saturday began with another trifecta of well-executed, well-attended panels: "Content is King," "Processing Updated" and "CMS and How it Can Help You." The roster of afternoon activities included the Rembrandt and Dungeon Tour, the Private Cash Canal Cruise Ride and the Platinum Bucks Heineken Brewery Tour. It was our last full day in Amsterdam, and everyone wanted to make the most of it.
Following an afternoon of sightseeing and deal making, we headed to Loaded Cash's cocktail reception at 5 p.m. to bring another day in Amsterdam full circle. That night, the PrideBucks and CyberSocket crews went to a dinner hosted by Buddy Profits, then headed out for one last night of Amsterdam-style carousing with the rest of the adult-industry troops. We eagerly anticipated the Python VIP Red Light District Tour, our last event before the journey back across the pond.
Yes, there is no place like home, but now I know that there certainly is no place like Amsterdam.
Harlan Yaffe, AVN Online's "go-to gay," is co-owner of PrideBucks.com.
