For the respective owners of JustBlowMe.com, the business of webmaster shows was an afterthought; the business priority at hand was creating an active and informed webmaster community. When handed the bold assignment of creating a show format that would reflect the JBM potpourri of business chat and daily solace for webmasters, director of operations Greg A. knew it would be a formidable challenge.
"Executing an industry show is no easy task, and we aimed to accommodate the sponsors and attendees by making the process of our show a simple one. We wanted this show to be about business and fun, not about complicated sponsorship packages and our bottom line," Greg says.
Given those goals, the JBM Show has been nothing less than a shining success, joining the ranks of the most popular webmaster gatherings. Here's a rundown of the highlights of this year's event, which ran from Oct. 6 to Oct. 8 at the Mandalay in Las Vegas.
Liquid sky
On the arrival evening, webmasters stargazed in more ways than one when they congregated above the Vegas skyline in Mandalay Bay's trendy Foundation Roomof. The warm-up party, sponsored by ARS and JBM, offered attendees an opportunity to say their hellos and dip their toes in the waters of Lake Schmooze in a laid back, no-pressure atmosphere.
Royal Rhino treatment
Later that evening, NicheWealth.com sponsored the VIP room at Vegas' famous Spearmint Rhino. The event was well organized, upscale and a great time for webmasters that had spent much of the day traveling. Webmasters were treated like royalty throughout the night.
Like a shot out of hell
Day two was the first full day of the show, and it started off with a big bang (and I mean that literally). WEGcash.com, P2Pads.com, and Jettis.com, bused a group of 60 daring webmasters over to the gun range for "Guns and Ammo day." The event was without question unusual for a webmaster gathering and offered webmasters the opportunity to let loose and get fired up shooting machine guns and pistols, albeit not at each other.
Mangi at Maggiano's
A long day of gladhanding and gabbing can work up a powerful appetite, so Platinum Bucks provided an appropriate feast. Famished attendees were treated to gargantuan portions of high-end Italian fare in a private dining room at Maggiano's. The seating was arranged strategically to allow webmasters to navigate the room and talk to other diners with relative ease, something large dinners are not generally known for. Could this be the beginning of a new trend?
Strange Flush
For those with an affinity for Vegas-style gambling, Illcash.com offered the de riguer late night poker tournament. The game allotted webmasters a set amount of nondenominational chips, and all skill levels were encouraged.
Pimp my go-kart
The final day was not for loafing by the pool—in fact, it ignited early due to Pimproll.com's Go-Kart racing challenge. The event featured a lineup of high-powered go-karts and webmasters sporting lead in their shoes!
A ball for SAK
For those not racing Go-Karts, AdultPayMaster owner Timbo played host to a birthday party for SAK of AdultPlayersClub and Wiseman of Quickbuck.com. With the help of AdultPlayersClub and Quickbuck.com, guests were treated to a lavish spread at a soiree that possessed a pleasant late-summer feel.
Thank you, and good night
Tony Morgan of National Net placed a final exclamation point on the show by hosting the Farewell Party at Mandalay Bay's high-class club, The Mix. A private, roped-off section enclosed giddy webmasters as well as copious amounts of Grey Goose, among other items of a festive nature.
Strange, but true.
Cory Wayne is the director of marketing for WEGcash.com.
