Suggestions - What should be there in Domain Name Conference?

[Soofi]

As world's second largest domain name events organizer, I am looking for Suggestions on what should be the highlight of Domain Name Conference?

What do people like seeing, hearing/listening etc at a proper conference? More networking? Domain Name Auctions etc...

Please share your thoughts and let's discuss to get some useful ideas out of you all

 

[Edwin]

Definitely not domain name auctions, unless all the names are of high quality (they probably won't sell, then, but that's a different story). Nothing screams "amateur" more than a list of 50-100 names on auction, many of which are junk that wouldn't raise a flicker of interest among domain professionals. It's a complete waste of several hours out of a very expensive day/few days...

And if you're going to have an auction, then know your audience. If it's primarily UK, then only .co.uk and perhaps .com will be of interest - nobody here will care about super-premium ccTLDs from a country far away (even if they might achieve good sales prices at "home"). And nobody* cares about the new GTLDs.

(*rounded down)

Does your question mean that you're still trying to figure out what DomainX will be about, or is it meant more generally?

 

[Edwin]

Similarly (again, in the "know your audience" category) if the conference is aimed at industry professionals, then you don't need any super-basic, introductory sessions. But if it's aimed at non-domain industry folk then you're going to need to find some way of bringing them up to speed.

Finally, no breathless hype. Many people have been in the industry for 5, 10, 15 years or more. We've seen it all, or at least it feels like that. So no amount of shouting about the next "big thing" is going to make it any more believable...

 

[Soofi]

Definitely not domain name auctions, unless all the names are of high quality (they probably won't sell, then, but that's a different story). Nothing screams "amateur" more than a list of 50-100 names on auction, many of which are junk that wouldn't raise a flicker of interest among domain professionals.

I like this because I have been asked quite many times to conduct domain name auctions however, I declined politely in order to save some time for more informative and innovative sessions + a day (evening) full of networking at the events I have conducted so far.

Does your question mean that you're still trying to figure out what DomainX will be about, or is it meant more generally?

The question is more in general sense here. Though Agenda or Schedule at DomainX is always tentative until we have less than 30 days to go for the event. I may also push some last minute suggestions from here over to the content team for them to figure out what participants and audience prefer at an event like this.

What is it like for you at an event?

 

[Soofi]

Similarly (again, in the "know your audience" category) if the conference is aimed at industry professionals, then you don't need any super-basic, introductory sessions. But if it's aimed at non-domain industry folk then you're going to need to find some way of bringing them up to speed.

I always prefer one track events however, do you think 2 track events would do here in order to cover both aspects (new audience and intermediate/professionals in the industry)?

Finally, no breathless hype. Many people have been in the industry for 5, 10, 15 years or more. We've seen it all, or at least it feels like that. So no amount of shouting about the next "big thing" is going to make it any more believable...

I never let that happen because I have been here last 16 years and I know earning a positive reputation in the online industry takes years while 1 negative action can ruin it within seconds. Hype or Pump & Dump schemes aint got room at DomainX

 

[Edwin]

I always prefer one track events however, do you think 2 track events would do here in order to cover both aspects (new audience and intermediate/professionals in the industry)?

I have no idea. It depends entirely on how you're going to market the conference, and how successfully you can attract people who would fall under one track or the other. If you put half your resources into one track and half into the other, but only 10% of attendees would fit within one track's audience and 90% within the other, then you're going to have a lot of empty rooms/packed rooms, and disappointed attendees all round.

 

[Edwin]

I never let that happen because I have been here last 16 years and I know earning a positive reputation in the online industry takes years while 1 negative action can ruin it within seconds. Hype or Pump & Dump schemes aint got room at DomainX

Good, so definitely no new GTLDs then

 

[dog]

Good, so definitely no new GTLDs then

I'd love it there was no new gTLDs at a conference. Just .com/.org and ccTLD talk.

 

[Soofi]

I have no idea. It depends entirely on how you're going to market the conference, and how successfully you can attract people who would fall under one track or the other. If you put half your resources into one track and half into the other, but only 10% of attendees would fit within one track's audience and 90% within the other, then you're going to have a lot of empty rooms/packed rooms, and disappointed attendees all round.

Well put... As I suggested earlier, one track events work far better with mix set of agenda which caters to and has offerings for everyone participating

Another important thing that has worked for me in the past and I try that often is to keep self-marketers away from the stage. People who are there on the stage to sell their BS, until and unless they are clearly identified as sponsor of the show.

 

[Soofi]

Good, so definitely no new GTLDs then

I cannot say NO to any TLD because there is an audience for everything out there. On top of that, being an event organizer I will have to be fair & square and cater to all without being biased. But definitely, no hoopla around what's the next best thing and of course, advise audience to research before pushing their money whichever domain route.

 

[Soofi]

Don´t do it in London, far better places out there

That's some advice. Would you mind sharing, why no London?

 

[Soofi]

I'd love it there was no new gTLDs at a conference. Just .com/.org and ccTLD talk.

I understand, however, don't you think that is being biased towards people who are pro-gtlds?

 

[Edwin]

I cannot say NO to any TLD because there is an audience for everything out there. On top of that, being an event organizer I will have to be fair & square and cater to all without being biased. But definitely, no hoopla around what's the next best thing and of course, advise audience to research before pushing their money whichever domain route.

That's a very strange argument. Either you accept that there are some things in the domain industry that are hype (like the new GTLD) or you lose credibility with the many who see them that way. You can't have both.

There's indeed an "audience for everything out there" including flat Earth conspiracies, infinite energy machines, alien abductions and climate change denial. But there's no obligation to give that audience a credible platform when it's a fringe view. The same applies in the domain industry.

As the organiser, you are in fact in the perfect position to say "no" to things. And if you say "no" to enough things, you could end up with a much better event as a result.

 

[aZooZa]

Plenty of strong booze.

 

[RobM]

I understand, however, don't you think that is being biased towards people who are pro-gtlds?

The only people who are pro-gtlds are the people new into the market who either don't understand the value of an established domain, can't afford an established domain, or are quickly trying the 'pump and dump' routine. Have a look at the gtlds being pushed here and on other forums - look at the signup date..... We know that the only people making money are the registries. I think that if you approached from that angle you would put off the people who've been doing this for years - remember we've seen the .info hype, the .mobi hype, the .uk hype, and then the gtld hype. By giving credibility you are saying 'hey we're amateurs please give us your money'. That's just my opinion anyway I've always been of the opinion that 'domain conferences' are a waste of time and promote a lot of back-slapping.

 

[dog]

New domains, focused on UK market, usage stats.

http://www.hosterstats.com/wales-website-usage-survey.php

http://www.hosterstats.com/london-website-usage-survey.php

http://www.hosterstats.com/scot-website-usage-survey.php

 

[Lovekraft]

Plenty of strong booze.

This. And then if you run auctions i'm sure they might fare well

 

[Soofi]

Nothing strange here. I have a personal opinion as an individual about every TLD out there and of course, this cannot be clubbed with my or team's view as a business entity. Every business needs support (every way possible) in order to succeed.

We need an audience, sponsors and speakers to organize such events. If you are getting me right, we only provide a platform and do not endorse any views shared by each participant.

As per namestat.org new gTLD summary, there are around 25 million of these registered so I see that there is definitely a market out there, though I do not own any or invest in any one of them in my personal capacity.

As an event organizer, I can definitely say no to many things but how can I be sure of what's a right NO and would not directly hurt audience expectations or me business-wise? Though, your point of view as an individual is very valid!

That's a very strange argument. Either you accept that there are some things in the domain industry that are hype (like the new GTLD) or you lose credibility with the many who see them that way. You can't have both.

There's indeed an "audience for everything out there" including flat Earth conspiracies, infinite energy machines, alien abductions and climate change denial. But there's no obligation to give that audience a credible platform when it's a fringe view. The same applies in the domain industry.

As the organiser, you are in fact in the perfect position to say "no" to things. And if you say "no" to enough things, you could end up with a much better event as a result.

 

[Soofi]

Plenty of strong booze.

For the after/pre parties eh?

 

[Edwin]

As an event organizer, I can definitely say no to many things but how can I be sure of what's a right NO and would not directly hurt audience expectations or me business-wise? Though, your point of view as an individual is very valid!

If you really don't know, then you're hardly qualified to organise a conference! Not here in a mature market like the UK, anyway.

25 million registrations across 1,000 new GTLDs works out to about 25,000 each. That's just pathetic. There's no other word for it. As Rob pointed out above, the only folks making money are the registries and the pump-and-dumpers who find a "greater fool" to flog their worthless domains to.