Gay webmasters and affiliates yearning to party had a nice selection of events to attend. Naked Sword and Falcon Studios kicked things off in style on Tuesday with the Relief is at Hand Party located in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s bachelor party suite. Cybersocket hosted the official gay party of the forum on Wednesday and Thursday with the Gay Webmaster Cocktail Party in the Hard Rock’s celebrity suite.
Happy Hour at the Hard Rock’s Center Bar and Viva Las Vegas Lounge on Wednesday and Thursday allowed webmasters to enjoy free drinks after an informative day of seminars and breakout sessions, courtesy of TopBucks, DVDsForABuck.com, Pure Vanilla and Fleshlight.
Pulling out all the stops, the XBIZ sponsored Welcome Reception was well-attended and provided an elegant networking hub at the north side of the Hard Rock’s sprawling outdoor pool. Industry leaders gathered to enjoy free drinks, a martini bar and lavish catering. DJ Airek, Ragecash operations manager, provided music for the evening.
The winner of $10,000 in free advertising in XBIZ was announced by Sales Manager Kristen Kaye during the Welcome Reception. The finalists were judged as the first 10 people to complete the quote: “Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.” MJ McMahon of AVN was the lucky winner who gets to showcase his business in the industry’s leading trade publications, XBIZ World and XBIZ Video.
Immediately following the XBIZ Welcome Reception, attendees had a choice of where to continue the celebration.
National Net threw a bash at Ivan Kane’s brand new club Forty Deuce located in Mandalay Bay. And LatinCash.com, SideCash.com and EntertainmentCash.com organized a private party in the Hard Rock’s famous bowling ball suite where webmasters shot pool, bowled and soaked in the hot tub. In attendance was Joe Siegel of SexOnTheSide.com, Mike Vega of Satan Cash, Mario Amaral of Platinum Bucks, Juicy D. Links, A-Bomb of Sammy Smack, Aly Drummond of TheBestPorn.com and Dave Guru of Extreme Associates, among many others.
“All the parties were well-organized,” WebcamCash’s Derek Smout told XBIZ. “There were no problems getting into anything and all the parties provided awesome networking opportunities. No egos, no attitudes – people were just out to talk business and have fun at the same time.”
On Thursday night, sounds of a steel drum band greeted partygoers as they were welcomed to the Epoch Carribean Cool Down at the Hard Rock’s south pool. Guests munched on shrimp, crab legs and lobster tails at the seafood bar and were treated to an open bar.
For attendees looking to party away from the cozy confines of the Hard Rock, industry impresario D-Money treated guests to the Players’ VIP Party at Rain in Mandalay Bay. All that was needed for entry to the VIP section was the XBIZ Summer Forum wristband. In attendance were Kevin Blatt of Pure Vanilla, Ycaza of OC3 Networks, Magalie of Gamma Cash, Oystein Wright of Mansion Productions and Sean Holland of NS Cash, among others.
Extreme Feeds threw a well-attended party in a mansion at Spanish Trails. Stretch limos shuttled attendees from the Hard Rock to the mansion where guests enjoyed two live video shoots and over $17,000 in giveaways.
The XBIZ Summer ’06 Forum party slate culminated on Friday at the Danni.com sponsored party at Tao in the Venetian Hotel, Resort & Casino. Danni.com is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.