The educational component of the inaugural show, held at the W Hotel by hosting giant NationalNet, started with two tracks of interactive seminars focused on leadership, management and preparing for success. Sponsored by the XBIZ Ad Network, the Forum's seminar track has taken a unique turn, with interactive workshop-style sessions discussing everything from organization essentials, building long-term business plans, and how to handle less-than-satisfactory employees.
Speakers Carl Flowers and Tony Roberts — both of mainstream business seminar experts CareerTrack — engaged separate groups of sales representatives, webmasters, company owners and department managers with informative booklets that allowed audience members to follow along, take notes and easily take home everything they learned.
Meanwhile, folks too hung over to take notes headed to WET, the W's exclusive outdoor pool, where 12ClicksCash hosted the End of Summer pool party with its own cabana full of scantily clad local models clearly enjoying the free-flowing vodka drunk quickly and easily in branded shot glasses worn around their necks.
"The party was such a success," 12Clicks told XBIZ. "There were so many hot women here, it almost turned me straight!"
Adam of International Key felt the atmosphere was perfect for what many attendees agreed was the essential element of the Atlanta Forum: networking.
"The relaxing, chill-out atmosphere allowed for copious opportunities to network," Adam told XBIZ. "There were definitely deals being done."
In between complimentary Southern-style lunch, thanks to PimpMansion, and a full open bar from 2-4 p.m., attendees were seen scattered throughout the W's lobby and patio lounge discussing all aspects of the business, filling the hotel with the sounds of chatter and cha-chings.
Porn Poker is slated for tonight's main event, with another trip to the Waffle House for late-night plates of waffles and buckets of hash browns, followed by more poker, more free booze and a healthy serving of every webmaster's dream videogame: Rock Band.