some good ideas mike, i want to comment on a few though....
1) why not scrape the traditional show floor venue and opt for a complete turn around on the show idea.
i disagree - this is how many new people find out anything.... i'd suggest lowering booth prices or incentives to get more booths from all segments of the industry.....
2) Move the venue to a cheap hotel like the Gold Coast (Across the street) where the room rates were $25 a night and drinks were $1.
I agree. but make sure an amazing hotel is across the street for those that want to high roll. the gold coast is perfect with psalms across the street.
3) Get only a few larger sponsors to cover the rooms (Buy out the entire hotel if possible at $25 per night or less) so that every attendee now gets a free room and the sponsor can brand the hell out of the room, flyers, TV, inserts, etc in each room
or at least do everything possible to get free rooms for more women - cam girls, amateur site girls and content girls. more girls will make for a better porn show and less sausage fest. guys can pay
4) get a large sponsor or two for the main floor bar (A la Circle bar) and have them issue free drinks to all attendees with the correct wrist band. Sponsors would get banners and promotions there as well.
i don't know if this would help or not. cheap drinks in my mind is fine. free drinks brings the wrong people out.
5) Scrape the Seminars all together...opt for a web version instead
i think a lot of new webmaster go to the seminars... they have value. old school people rarely go. i don't see anything to change old school people's mind on that either. it's for newbies... and good for them
6) AVN would still charge the standard $299 for a pass but now the webmaster gets a free room and drinks included.
the price is ok but i think incentives to bring more women should somehow be included
7) since much of the business is done outside the show floor and in the bar areas it would such a great way to maximize your event and on top of that create the "cool factor" for a show platform that desperately needs a change.
workable......
8) if you use these ideas pay me handsomely for my 2 cents.
you can skip mike my room key wink wink