Questions answered + 10 reasons I’m glad Shane wasn’t there — 5 DomainFest

Answers to the five questions regarding DomainFest.

I’m flying back from DomainFest right now, so it’s time to answer the five questions regarding DomainFest that I published on Monday. I’d also like to respond to Domain Shane’s post “10 Great Things That Will Happen By Me Not Going to DomainFest”.

First, here are the five questions regarding DomainFest and the answers:

1. How many people will show up?

Officially there were over 400 in attendance. It didn’t always seem like that many, but it could have something to do with the venue being spread out. I also suspect some people who just returned from the ICANN meeting in Singapore spent a lot of time sleeping in their rooms.

2. Will the return to Hollywood be well received?

This is a tough question to answer since there are pluses and minuses to both locations. I love the Fairmont in Santa Monica and being right on the beach.

The Lowes in Hollywood is fine but you have to exit the hotel to get to the conference area. On the plus side, all of the evening events were very close to the hotel. No hour long bus rides in rush hour. For example, the Stone Temple Pilots performance was in a nightclub in the same center as the hotel.

3. How will people react to the early results for fresh TLDs?

I’d say that fresh TLD backers were generally happy with the numbers. At least that’s what they stated. I think those coming in with reasonable expectations of supply and demand are enthusiastic regarding early results while others aren’t.

4. How will the multi-track format work?

Choice is good, especially when you have tracks that appeal to different segments of the domain industry. The downside is that many of the sessions were poorly attended.

5. Will monetization make a comeback?

There was definitely more talk regarding this thanks to the show’s promoters. There were also lots of monetization firms exhibiting. But the big discussion was still fresh TLDs.

OK, now I want to respond to Shane Cultra’s post regarding not being at DomainFest this stretch. Ahead of reading my response you ought to read his entire post, as my comments refer to each of his ten items. Plus a bonus.

1. I’m glad you weren’t here since I got Morgan and Braden all to myself.

2. It was nice being able to go wild and not have Shane around to judge me.

3. Thank God I can profit from the lists Shane put up this stretch.

4. Glad I didn’t feel obligated to schedule a meeting with Shane this stretch.

5. I hate lying to Shane regarding my latest big sales, so I’m glad I didn’t have to fib all week around him.

6. It’s always awkward when Shane’s at the conference and makes eye contact with me. I have to pretend I didn’t notice him.

7. I hate paying for dinner. Of course, if Shane keeps betting against the Astros he won’t have any money left to pay for dinner anyway.

8. It’s nice to not have to worry regarding brushing your teeth at DomainFest for once.

9. I can’t wait to get back, apply what I’ve learned, and kick Shane’s butt for a few months.

10. It’s nice to be able to write regarding Shane without having to see him in person.

Bonus: Without Shane here I was basically the only blogger. Except Adam. So I guess that means I was the only blogger.