NEW YORK, NY – I’m happy to report that I will again be visiting beautiful and sunny Orlando Florida this September 14-19 for the Merge Domain Conference, rightfully dubbed the “Merge Digital Asset Conference”.
MERGE serves as a five day multi-conference event focused on Digital Assets, Domains, Hosting, E-Commerce, Content Management, Security, Intellectual Property, Stock Photography, UX, Design, Blockchain and Crypo-Currencies and more.
To me it’s just another “domain name enthusiast get-together” where I’ll get to mingle and likely have some drinks with people who really ‘get it’ and understand this exciting and rewarding business industry I am involved in. There aren’t really many places where you can get together, all in one place, with people that actually appreciate what it is we do on a day-in and day-out bases, although when you’re at MERGE, most everyone there gets it.
MERGE is an opportunity to meet and greet with people who can benefit your business and career while also allowing you the opportunity to learn a great deal of information while networking with others in the business. It’s also a nice opportunity to visit sunny Florida and just take a break while at the same time, allowing opportunity for advancement in your career.
But here’s why I’m really going to MERGE this year:
There are many people in the domain business that I just don’t get to talk with in person unless I’m visiting these conferences and I find it worthwhile – each and every time – to meet-up with them in a relaxed atmosphere where most people’s busy schedules are prepared to benefit from a needed pause with like minded individuals.
The domain business is one that keeps you on your toes, and if you’re good at it, you likely spend an enormous amount of time in front the computer reading, researching, and using tools to find opportunity to buy, sell and invest in your digital assets. These domain conferences provide a needed and necessary break from all of that.
I’m also going for the ICA (Internet Commerce Association) get together. Worth mentioning, as a member of the ICA, I saved a whopping 70% on my ticket price, which is actually another good reason I’ll be there. This was a big discount on the ticket price; adding it to the discount I will likely receive for NamesCon in January, my ICA membership is actually profitable.
Here is why I almost considered skipping it this year:
- I’m not going to be sold on false promises of new gTLDs and other nonsense opportunities that are always pushed at these conferences.
- I’m specifically not there for the information that is designed to take advantage of new comers to the industry and those who are easily persuaded to invest in poor alternatives designed to increase registry numbers for domains only to be dropped or sold at a loss a few years later.
- I’m also not there to visit the booths unless there is specifically someone working the booth that I’m looking to talk with or meet.
So if you’re like me, you’re specifically there to make new connections, network and further ongoing relationships with friends in the industry while getting some sun by the pool.
See you in about two weeks.
About The Author: John Colascione is Chief Executive Officer of Searchen Networks Inc. and Internet Advertising Inc. He specializes in Website Monetization, authored a ‘how to’ book called ‘‘Mastering Your Website’, and is a key player in several Internet related businesses through his holding company Searchen Networks®
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