Another full day of seminars closed out Canada’s adult Web industry gathering and conference, the Qwebec-Expo. The expo is a trade show and technical conference serving existing and prospective online adult entertainment professionals across North America.
Some attendees may have felt the pinch of burning the candle at both endsFriday night’s TGIF party held at Disoteca in the fashionable area of St. Laurent ended wee into the night. Billing company Paymonde sponsored the event.
Seminars began with a late start Saturday, but a dynamic J.D. Obenberger began the day with an interactive legal seminar, speaking extensively on 2257 and HR4472, the recently passed legislation that has greatly affected the adult industry by making changes to federal recordkeeping requirements.
Both newbies and established webmasters attended the seminar. The Chicago-based attorney made it clear that despite the recent legislation, the American public and society in general are increasingly tolerant of online adult content.
“My firm and I are completely and 100 percent dedicated to defending the First Amendment and providing a safe space for content providers and webmasters to conduct business,” says Obenberger.
The second seminar of the day was a more intimate gathering — attendees were given a seminar on marketing and promotion of adult personals and dating sites. Panelists for the seminar included Steve Sonic and A.J. from adult video-dating and community site, Camazon (CamazonCash is the affiliate program for the site), Michelle from sexuality and dating site Eroticy.com, and Marina from adult personals site SexSearch.com. The seminar was moderated by show organizer Michel Plant.
Panelists stressed numbers during the seminar, namely the high conversion rates of dating sites as opposed to straight adult-content sites, although the two go hand in hand.
“Dating sites convert two to three times better than an adult site,” says Marina. “But, different traffic will convert in a number of ways. One of the keys to promoting dating sites is to really work with your affiliate manager to make sure that your business needs are being met.”
Additional key elements to running a successful dating site are commitment to the site, dynamic and fresh content, daily updates, an interactive online community, and communication with affiliate managers.
“Webmasters should also note that what dating sites sell is the opportunity to have human [physical] contact. That’s what makes these sites marketable, and that’s what is going to convert,” says Michelle.
The final seminar of the day, moderated by Plant, featured Dwerek
From WebCam Cash, founder of 2Much Mark Prince, Nancy from GammaCash/Pornication, Kenny B. of SexCamCentral, and Sebastien Lagace of Cyber2000.
All panelists agreed the webcam market is a hot commodity at present, growing, with no chance of slowing, emphasizing one of the main themes heard throughout the expo: interactive dynamics sell.
“Different companies have different strengths, and all of these facts are important to discover,” says Nancy. “Put yourself in the shoes of an adult surfer and make your choice of who to promote. Some webmasters have the tendency to promote only one company, but leave your options open and find out what works best for you.”
Still, panelists agreed when it comes down the success of a camsite, there is one bottom line.
“Nothing sells better than a live girl,” says Dwerek.
Adult content company Chestnutz Video was a first-time exhibitor for the event. Co-owner Buke says the show gave the newly launched content company the chance to meet a number of contacts.
“It’s been great for us so far,” says Buke. “We really want to let people know that we’re willing to go the extra mile to be one of the next best content companies out there.”
Effex Media Vice President John Mauser was impressed with the Montreal turnout.
“Our company came down from New Jersey for the event, and we’ve had an excellent time networking and getting to know potential clients,” says Mauser.
Exhibitors for the event included IncredibleDollars.com, AdultChamber.com, Klixxx Magazine, SubmitPasses, TastyDollars, StreamTheWorld, TooMuchMedia/NATS, Paymonde, PersonalBucks, and 2Much Internet Services.
Showcase exhibitors for the event were Fantasies Inc., PrideBucks, PenthousePets, Adult Hosting, Progmatik, and Premium Pass.
“This is definitely a vital show for business owners,” says Marc Laffer of AdultChamber. “Qwebec-Expo is growing and will continue to grow.”
