Cybernet 2009

Taking a little longer than I wanted to write this, got the flu when I returned...

If you've never bee to one of the adult industry shows, I HIGHLY recommend Cybernet! LAJay, Connor and the gang over at YNot put on a heck of an event. This was my first Cybernet, but it won't be my last. For one thing, it's pretty much local to me, so that helps. Local or not though, it's worth the time and effort.

During the day, there are some very good educational sessions. Great if you're new or newish to the industry, but also of value if you've got experience. The sessions are full of people of all experience levels, so no matter who the session is targeted at, you are bound to learn something worth your time. The sessions are put on by people who are at the top of their respective fields, so you get a chance to ask questions and put the information to use immediately.

The networking gatherings in the evenings were a perfect time to relax, connect with old friends and make some new ones. I hung out with our old buddy KevnG a lot over the time I was there. Thanks to Kevin, I ended up talking with a couple people I knew through mainstream areas, but had NO clue they would be there! We rather surprised each other when we realized who the other one was. I also made some new friends and contacts during the networking sessions and got to know a little more than I wanted to about the business side of the escort business. Damn... that's a hard life!

Two of the coolest official 'business' functions were the speed networking and the live model shoot. The speed networking was just what it sounds like. Spend a couple minutes per person chatting each other up about what part of the business you are in and how you can help each other (or not... lol). I missed the first part of the networking simply because I lagged in getting signed up. There ended up being an opening and Jay was good enough to remember me and hooked me up. THANKS Jay!

The live model shoot... something to behold to say the least. Take two professional photographers who have done the likes of Playboy and many other major content providers and one smoking hot model, treat it like a class on what you need to do and then add in the live shoot at the end... simply friggn amazing! They successfully showed how to shoot one girl in three settings & outfits in about 30 minutes, without a lot of effort and moving about! I doubt that I'll ever shoot content, but as somebody who enjoys photography, it was a blast to watch and learn.

I almost forgot! BEST statement of the conference... happened during a session on Opportunities for Women in Adult. Really interesting panel discussion with women from various parts of the industry. There were more than a few insightful comments made in this session, but this one was FANTASTIC! Ashley Fires was one of the panelist. At one point, she said that she had gone back to the 'real world' for a couple weeks and gotten a job in a title company. After two weeks, she went to the boss and said that she was quitting. She told him that she had been hung for hours by ropes in BDSM shoots, and described some other situations in photo shoots that many would consider not a desirable place to be, but that she had NEVER been treated so poorly and made to feel taken advantage of as she had in the two weeks of that job. She hasn't looked back since.

Unfortunately, my schedule for the weekend didn't allow me to stay for everything, but I'll be following up with people for a while to come. As I said, if you have not attended an adult conference before or if you have but have not made it to Cybernet before, I HIGHLY recommend this one. Plan your calendar around it for next year. I know I will be!