Free margaritas from the bar, a delicious pig roast, and a late-night bonfire were just some of the activities offered at this year’s YNOT Party (YP), an annual gathering of webmasters anxious to leave the formalized business dealings of events like Internext and Webmaster Access behind for a more intimate experience.
In fact, with its emphasis on fun in the sun instead of business meetings, YP, which was at the Baja Seasons resort approximately 72 kilometers from the Mexican border, could be called an "anti-forum." And that's exactly what the webmasters who attended seemed to like about it.
“To just relax, this is one of the best events that I come to all year,” said Rob Rowley, co-founder of StripClubsReviewed.com. He attended with hopes of garnering enough information to start an affiliate program. “When you’re relaxed, you get to meet people in so many different ways that you wouldn’t at a normal convention. I’m getting business done in a relaxing way. I’m not committed to anything. I’m not going to stress over anything. I’m going to go to the bar, get a drink, and have a lot of fun.”
The fun kicked off on Thursday night with an opening-night fiesta dinner sponsored by Naughty America, and it kept on going all weekend. Sponsored events included not only the open bar (sponsored in turn by Adult Profit Network, Guerilla Traffic, BlazingBucks, Adult.com, and RealityCash), but also a Bloody Mary Bar courtesy of AmPornStar.com, brunch at Palapa de Jose courtesy of CherryPimps.com, and TNACash’s lobster-and-margaritas dinner in Puerto Nuevo. On Friday night, attendees were treated to an IncredibleDollars-sponsored performance by Mini-Kiss, who rocked the cantina stage with renditions of classic tunes like “Shout It Out Loud,” “Lick It Up,” and Motley Crue's “Home Sweet Home.” Saturday night offered a live laser show in the sand from LightspeedCash, the closing night pig roast from QuickBucks, and a bonfire on the beach that lasted well into the wee hours of Sunday morning.
In between all the partying and drinking, some business even got done.
“We just came down here to get the word out about [business] in a good, intimate setting,” said MrSkinCash’s Derek Meklir, a co-sponsor of YP.”You get to meet people face to face, and you really get to know them.”
“This is my first trip to Mexico since I was 12 years old, and I love it," proclaimed Jason, co-founder of mobile company Funbox, another co-sponsor of YP. "[YNOT] Bob [Rice] asked me to come and sponsor, and I'm loving it. For me, it's about friends, then business. Friends are business. I only do business with people I'm friends with, so this weekend business is fantastic."
“YP is a close-knit group,” said TNACash co-owner Aron, who sees YP as more of a “professional’s gathering.” “You get to know the sponsors and affiliates that come to the events. It gets your name out there for sure. You get the face-to-face time, and that’s what I think these little events are for: to give you face time. These smaller events, you pretty much know most of the people, and if you don’t, then [those are] the people you get to know. You get a lot of close, personal business done. Most people here have been in the business for a while, so it’s really not so much about meeting people, but about getting to know them better.”
Even so, for others, YP represented a chance to make new friends. “I’m here to meet all the people I’ve never met at the bigger shows,” said Shaft, a sales rep attending on behalf of Python. “It’s a great environment; not so fast-paced. No matter what we say, though, it’s business—but we do business more in a friendly type of environment; not so [crazy], not a lot of competition.”
If that lackadaisical attitude seems contrary to the excitement found at larger industry events, well, that’s the whole point, at least according to the event’s major sponsor. “It’s like my little slice of heaven, and I want to share that with people that know and see me, and they’ll see what I enjoy, and hopefully understand it, and then you go home and play on a level playing ground as far as where we’re coming from,” Rice told AVNOnline.com.
Those who are skeptical about the relevance of such a loosely structured gathering might want to consider checking it out next year. “It definitely gets business done,” Rice claims. “Every year there’s a success story. Every year there’s a big program that comes out and blows up. I’ve seen a million images given away while sitting around drinking tequila. I’ve seen complete programs built and ideas generated. It’s unbelievable. It lets your guard down. They see who the real person is. You’re not wearing a tie. You’re walking around in your flip-flops, and you really get to know the person. And now that you know the person, you feel better about doing business with them.”
At least one other person agrees. “I’ll be back next year for sure,” Funbox’s Jason told AVNOnline.com as attendees packed up to head home on Sunday. “This is better than holiday!”
