I think it is great they are bringing back Test Track. I did attend the first Test Track session during T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Brooklyn in October. Although there were only three entries and no one was awarded money, it was very cool to watch. You can read about the three entries here. After reading the press release, I see there will be ten entries. I hope one of their ideas leads to funding this time. Who knows, maybe I’ll submit an idea.

I received the follow press release yesterday, but was traveling and unable to post.

T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Test Track was the most attended event in New York, so T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is making it a permanent event for 2010.

Atlanta, Georgia. December 2, 2009. T.R.A.F.F.I.C. confirmed today that they are making the popular Test Track a permanent event for the 2010 conference schedule. Test Track, modeled after ABC’s popular hit television show Shark Tank, was launched at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. New York this past October. This means that there will be six opportunities for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to the panel of angel investors with pockets deep enough to fund nearly any idea.

In today’s economy, it is hard to borrow money an existing or start up venture. Test Track may be the answer. Business owners are given the chance to pitch their ideas to the panel to get cash in exchange for a piece of ownership in their company.

Domainers have moved forward towards domain investors and a few have even taken the next step and simply become investors, creating successful businesses at a single domain. Two venture capital firms and several high-net-worth angels have already committed, so if the idea is good, there is a large liklihood that funding will be offered for it.

“If the angels like what they hear and see, and the business owners like the deal offered, then everyone wins,” said Rick Latona, founder of Latona’s and a partner in T.R.A.F.F.I.C.

If you are interested in submitting an idea for the next Test Track, which will be at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. Las Vegas, you may submit here.

If you are interested in attending T.R.A.F.F.I.C., please visit targetedtraffic.com.

Comments Off

Last night I attended a domainer meetup sponsored by Oversee.net in Boca Raton, FL. Let me tell you, it was worth the 2 1/2 hour drive! Originally there were going to be about 20 to 25 attendees. The final count, closer to 50.

South Florida seems to be the most popular domain spot in the U.S., at least that I am aware of. In attendance, besides Oversee.net, were Michael Berkens, Howard Neu, Ray Neu, Alan Dunn, Rick Waters, Sahar Sarid, Owen Frager and many more. The only domainer in the area that did not attend was Rick Schwartz.

Brian Diener of TeenDomainer.com (16 years old) told us how and why he started in the domain industry. He threw in a funny joke, “I bet most of you have domain names older than me”, lol.

Jeff Kupietzky, CEO of Oversee.net (flew in from California) and Dan Sanchez (drove 3 hours to attend)

All in all, this was a fun event. Even though there were 50 people there, it still had the feel of a smaller event, which made it more intimate and allowed for excellent networking opportunities.  I had a great time.

On a side note, there were no talks about the Halvarez scandal during the event. Incidently, I’m meeting with the CEO of Oversee.net, Jeff Kupietzky,  for lunch. I will see what, if anything, I can find out.

Thank you to Mike Ward (BocaNames.com) and Stu Maloff (StupendousDomains.com) with assistance from Brian Diener (TeenDomainer.com) for organizing this event, Owen Fragor and Michael Berkens for helping spread the word and Oversee.net for the sponsorhip.

Speak Your Mind (22)

I know this is short notice, but tomorrow night at 7:30pm est there is a domainer meetup sponsored by Oversee.net in Boca Raton. Jeff Kupietzky will be available for a Q&A session.

Founders of the South Florida Domainer Meetup are…
Mike Ward (BocaNames.com) and Stu Maloff (StupendousDomains.com) with assistance from Brian Diener (TeenDomainer.com)

Besides the founders, the list of attendees include Jeff Kupietzky, Michael Berkens, Howard Neu, Monte Cahn, Owen Frager, myself and about a dozen plus other people. Total expected attendance is between 20-30. As you can see from the list so far, South Florida is a hot spot for successful domainers.

Information:
December 1st at 7:30pm est
Tempted Tai Sushi
21065 Powerline Road
Boca Raton, FL 33433

Think you can make it? RSVP to RSVP@SouthFloridaDomainers.com

Speak Your Mind (5)

I’m excited to announce that I will be attending the DOMAINfest Global 2010 conference towards the end of January in Los Angeles, California.  It should be a great conference.  I look forward to meeting more of the people in the domain community that I’ve made connections with.  Of course, the fact that the final sponsored party of the conference is going to be at the Playboy mansion has given me much motivation to attend as well.

If you’d like to view a recap of DOMAINfest 2009, Ron Jackson of DNJournal.com has a great recap article with pictures. Pictured below is the DomainSponsor tent for the Playboy mansion party, taken by Ron Jackson during DOMAINfest 2009.

Also, it was announced yesterday that DomainFest is going to run two very interesting contests.  If you are an entrepreneur, as many of us domainers are, or if you think you are a creative individual, then keep reading.  There are going to be two different contests.  One is called PITCHfesT and the other is called LAUNCHfesT.

For the PITCHfesT contest, five lucky applicants will be given the opportunity to give a five minute presentation to the DOMAINfest audience and a panel of judges, about their ideas on how to increase website traffic and revenue through the use of creative new products or services.  Those interested in submitting an entry in to the contest can go here to read more.  The deadline is January 15, 2010 to get your entry submitted.  The winner will receive a trophy and get a “prominent” mention in the post-show press release.

The LAUNCHfesT will also involve five contestants.  All you have to do is pick one of the undeveloped domain names from the list of ten made available by Oversee.net.  Create a business model that includes what your plans would be for website development and monetization.  Fill out a submission form with the key points of your business model.  If you’re one of the five chosen, then you’ll also have the opportunity to give a presentation lasting five minutes in front of the DOMAINfest audience and, again, a panel of judges during the LAUNCHfesT session.  The deadline for application submissions is also January 15, 2010.

For this part of the contest, the person will be judged on creativity, viability, originality and revenue potential.  The audience will get to choose who their favorite contestant was, but the only decision that matters is the one made by the judges, because they will actually be scoring the contestants.  The winner will be given the chance to lease their chosen domain for five years with the first year of the lease fee being waived.  At any point over the five year lease, the winner can decide to purchase the domain.  To learn more about the contest and submit an application, go here.  Here’s a list of the ten domain names available for the contest:

1. Planners.com
2. AdvertiseHere.com
3. StartABusiness.com
4. GoOut.com
5. RealEstateNetwork.com
6. BoostSales.com
7. SiteFinder.com
8. WebIncentives.com
9. AnythingForSale.com
10. DailyPicks.com

Although these domain names are not category killers, I see some great potential in them. I can’t wait to see what the contestants come up with.

If you haven’t already purchased your ticket, do so now before the prices go up. Visit DOMAINfest.com.

Speak Your Mind (2)

I received an email early today from Michael Ward of Domainer Mardi Gras about another great registration special. Not only is Michael running a $595 registration special when you book your hotel room by Friday, but he is also giving away a 500GB Hard Drive with each registration. Please, if you have not purchased your pass then take advantage of this offer.

Below is a copy of the email I received from Michael Ward:

I am in New Orleans this week meeting with the New Orleans Marriott – the setting for Domainer Mardi Gras 2010. Last year’s venue was very good but the New Orleans Marriott is even better. Step out of the hotel and you are on Canal St. which is where parades will be flowing by all weekend long. Turn the corner and welcome to Bourbon St. — the location for the infamous Bourbon Street balconies. Those who attended last year can attest that the Bourbon Street Balconies will be the best seats in the house for Domainer Mardi Gras 2010.

Several attendees this year are receiving a Flip Video camera for taking advantage of the 3 day registration special back in September. For those of you who are attending and bringing your own camera, we thought you may need an external hard drive to store all of your Domainer Mardi Gras 2010 memories. Register for Domainer Mardi Gras by midnight Friday, November 13th, 2009, and receive an Iomega Prestige 500 GB Hard Drive! Registration rates are as low as $595 if you also book a room at the hotel conference, the New Orleans Marriott.

The agenda has also been posted on DomainerMardiGras.com. We are putting a lot of effort behind the agenda and entertainment this year so take a look at the agenda and let us know what you think.

Register today. Save money. Receive a 500 GB hard drive. Any questions?

We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans, Louisiana at Domainer Mardi Gras 2010.

Michael Ward
Executive Director
Domainer Mardi Gras

Comments Off