We at YNOT recently announced plans for our YNOT Summit 2020, a virtual conference for members of the adult industry community happening July 20 – 22 — and maybe you thought in your head, “Sigh… Another 0ne?”
Truth? Same. Virtual adult trade shows are a new thing, and they’re also rapidly becoming A Thing. So whether you think they’re a trend, a clever way to actually get more people engaged in useful business community discussions (like, why weren’t we doing these pre-COVID?!), a business necessity, a combination of all three or something else entirely, you’re also probably wondering whether they’re worth your time and attention. The answer to that question is pretty mush yes. Here’s why.
Why now, trendy online show?
Interest in virtual events has skyrocketed in the wake COVID-19. We saw YNOT Summit as an opportunity to provide models, webmasters, performers, marketers, affiliates and business executives with an alternative tool for interacting and staying connected — all without COVID-related safety risks and zero travel costs/hassle for attendees.
To be clear, we don’t think virtual events are a total replacement for in-person events. It’s pretty difficult to replace the benefit we all get from spending time in the same room, meeting face-to-face, sharing drinks and partying into the late-night hours. We’re all looking forward to the return of IRL shows as soon as it’s safe for them to do so.
Virtual shows though have a lot to offer though, both temporarily in lieu of in-person events due to COVID-related concerns and even into the future as a supplement to traditional shows. Yep, you read that right. We think virtual programming has a great future even when the world gets back to normal/”normal.”
What can you expect from attending virtual events? The benefits are similar from show to show, but we can take a look at the planned YNOT Summit to give you an idea how it all works.
1. Virtual Sessions are Valuable
When you arrive to YNOT Summit, you’ll be greeted with a schedule full of sessions for the day – and by sessions we mean webinars, roundtable discussions and presentations. Throughout the event, you can pick topics that interest you and join in. Speakers and presenters will be live on camera, so not dissimilar from a Zoom meeting. You’ll have a chat window as well where you can ask questions.
This is your chance to learn more about the topics you care about. It’s your opportunity to participate in live discussions about your business. Get answers, pick up tips and ideas and get to know some of the other people who have taken leadership positions in the adult entertainment business.
Virtual sessions are a centerpiece attraction for any good virtual conference. They top the list of reasons to attend, and they’re probably alone worth your participation.
2. Live Networking Keeps You Connected
Most virtual events have tools for business networking. For YNOT Summit, we’ll have several virtual “lounges” available where attendees can hang out and chat on camera and/or through text chat (for the camera-shy). Past events like AW Meet Up have shown that these lounges can be a whole lot of fun, so use them when you’re not attending sessions or browsing exhibits.
There also will be special Speed Networking times on the YNOT Summit schedule. This works a little like “chat roulette” in that when you enter the Speed Networking section of YNOT Summit, you’ll be randomly connected with another attendee. You’ll have a certain period of time to introduce yourselves and exchange information, then you’ll be connected to someone new. It’s a lot of fun meeting people this way, as well as running into people you know — and, most significantly, fostering those business connections
3. Virtual Exhibits Simulate an IRL Show Floor
You might at first think: How can the “booth”/tradeshow floor concept work with virtual exhibits? Turns out, quite nicely.
Virtual booths allow companies to present attendees with key information about their services, including basic descriptions, promotional videos and links to company websites or social media pages. Visiting a booth in-person is similar, you look through marketing materials and try to learn more about a company.
Most virtual events also allow companies to “staff” their booths, which adds a ton of value to their virtual exhibit. When a booth is staffed by a live representative of that company, the experience is similar to in-person events. Attendees can visit a booth and have a dialogue with that exhibiting company. If you already know the company this is an opportunity for you to swing by and say hello and talk about any business dealings you’ve had or should have in the future.
With the YNOT Summit show, companies can choose to have a live on-camera representative at their booth. Attendees can turn on their cameras to speak directly with the representative, just like a Zoom meeting. You can leave your virtual business card at the booth as well, so the company knows to follow up with you after the event.
We’ve also asked exhibitors to provide special promotional offers to anyone who visits their booths. This means that, as an attendee, you’ll be able to shop around at the different exhibits and pick up special benefits you can only receive by participating.
Add YNOT Summit to your calendar!
So… Now you just need to register! Register via hopin right here. There is also a Register button at the top right of the YNOT Summit site.
Spend some time looking over the event schedule and the featured speakers. Make a plan for sessions you don’t want to miss, and then spend some time getting familiar with the environment as soon as you log into the show on the first day.
Check out the schedule for the YNOT Summit right here — ynotsummit.com/schedule — soooo many cool sessions!
Hope to see you soon! xx
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Erika is a sex positive people watcher (and writer). Email her at erika@ynotcam.com.
Model image in header by Charles Deluvio via Unsplash.