Asian IDN Domainers Tokyo Conference, Nov. 2006

[donwebcorleone]

I know with that title i brought people s attention and heres the thing, i was talking with some friends that are in domains .com to do a conference about IDNs in a hotel in Tokyo, with a press conference to domestic japan, as well as one in the Foreign press club, etc about Asian IDNs. If only a few major japanese newspapers come -and my friend's father is a VIP in one of Japans leading newspapers- we can get attention. After all, in Asia, if things get interest and made some news in Tokyo, then this spreads to China, Korea, etc.

I know first conferences arent always easy to do or the best, not all things might go as expected on first ones, but well someone has to start them regarding Asian IDNs. We were thinking on late November, a 2 days conference - saturday/sunday- since it requires a lot of preparation time, to launch a website, to send invitation to interested parties, like asian or western parking services, to call important websites in Japan to invite them to give a lecture on Japans internet market, some MBA or economics professors from my Todai, Japans number 1 University, with in most cases work as well as members of important economic or company boards in Japan or governmental advisers; to invite some domainers, etc. Im not saying lots of people will believe to join the first Asian IDNs Domainers Conference. But if we dont start doing it, who will? I better be with some people the ones who start it and cash in, than the one that comes late.

How s that sound to you? Anyway it is a plan as I said, first step we wil do is, we are going to contact some japanese e-companies to see if they show interest. If they do, then thats for us the green light to go. Later we will just need to reach 100 participants as minimum, as any big hotel in Tokyo will allow us to use one of their conference rooms with projectors, stage, etc. if we book 100 hotel rooms or more. That at the end the most expensive part, the place of the conference. The rest can be covered with some sponsors, registration fee, etc.

100 guys doesn't sound that hard to reach for a first Conference. I guess with only the young japanese and foreign domainers in Japan we can reach that number. Anyway what do you guys think of this plan of my friends and I? Interesting or uninsteresting to you? We find that it is never too early to go hunting.

anyway, we are gonna contact the japanese e-business companies that for us are the key as we need to get big fishes to get credibility, meanwhile let me hear guys what you think.

by the way, some friends and I, we were part of the ones behind HPAIR 2005 in Tokyo. that took place in the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Roppingi Hills that is where Yahoo Japan, Livedoor, etc are located, more than 400 persons attended and great sponsors. That conference was academic between Harvard, my University, my friends universities, etc, but well if i said is because we got experience with it regarding press conferences, getting companies interested, etc.

this is the website of the programme we helped to organize the Tokyo conference in 2005 http://www.hpair.org/

anyway let me hear what u think.

[Clotho]

If IE7 gets released and my portfolio generates enough revenue for me to attend, I would be very interested in being there. Otherwise I just don't know how I would be able to swing it. It sounds like an excellent idea and I applaud any efforts you make in this regard!

[Edwin]

Bear in mind that local attendees won't need to book hotel rooms, so you need 100 out-of-towners. Just a thought...

Other than that, well, it's a good idea - indeed, anything that raises the profile of IDN domains is good. Important to keep everything factual and hype-free, or the backlash will kill any chance of a future follow-up event.

[Rubber Duck]

I think to be fair it is a bit of leap in the dark at this point, but a very good idea idea.

I think you need to see what speakers are interested in doing this. I think you would need to get some representaion of the A List speakers that do Traffic Conferences to attend, but I think it is likely that you could achieve that if you put it to them in the correct light. I am sure Verisign and Sedo would be up for it. If you could get them commited then others would follow.

You would also need one or two people like Olney from the IDN community to agree speak as well as representation from the Japanese Domain Registrars.

If you only book a 100 Rooms, I am sure you would have people killing themselves for places by late September. Of course of lot of locals would not necessarily need to stay over to attend so you could go for greater numbers keep the cost of the staying over down by the extra ticket costs. For those of us in Europe, the biggest problem is the cost of Air Fares. Might be a lot more manageable for those who do business in Japan or based on the US West Coast.

If you want to use our domain:

xn--1lqs71d.net 東京 Tokyo

to promote this event, you have it. I will URL forward to any promotion site you set up for Free for the whole of 2006.

[donwebcorleone]

Originally Posted by Edwin

Bear in mind that local attendees won't need to book hotel rooms, so you need 100 out-of-towners. Just a thought...

Other than that, well, it's a good idea - indeed, anything that raises the profile of IDN domains is good. Important to keep everything factual and hype-free, or the backlash will kill any chance of a future follow-up event.

im sure the hotel shouldnt be a problem. 2 days and usually with discount as it is 100 rooms that we intend to reach. but if people are interested to come, i guess is not only to listen the big guys but more important to meet business partners among domainers, why would u want to go? because Edwin, remember, why do you want to miss the informal late night talks that are usually the best?

it is a little investment to stay at the hotel, but at the end, the best to reach and meet potential investors or partners on what u do.

as a fun thing, dont u wanna meet personally and have some drinks Sunday 2 am with people like Dave, Olney, Thegenius, etc? I do ; ) i guess u wouldnt mind if i say some japanese girls would also be welcome...japanese business style : )

[donwebcorleone]

Originally Posted by Dwrixon

I think to be fair it is a bit of leap in the dark at this point, but a very good idea idea.

I think you need to see what speakers are interested in doing this. I think you would need to get some representaion of the A List speakers that do Traffic Conferences to attend, but I think it is likely that you could achieve that if you put it to them in the correct light. I am sure Verisign and Sedo would be up for it. If you could get them commited then others would follow.

You would also need one or two people like Olney from the IDN community to agree speak as well as representation from the Japanese Domain Registrars.

If you only book a 100 Rooms, I am sure you would have people killing themselves for places by late September. Of course of lot of locals would not necessarily need to stay over to attend so you could go for greater numbers keep the cost of the staying over down by the extra ticket costs. For those of us in Europe, the biggest problem is the cost of Air Fares. Might be a lot more manageable for those who do business in Japan or based on the US West Coast.

If you want to use our domain:

xn--1lqs71d.net 東京 Tokyo

to promote this event, you have it. I will URL forward to any promotion site you set up for Free for the whole of 2006.

thanks for the feedback, Dave. Im glad u also think is interesting to do it.

anyway as i said, let us see how much interest we can get in the next 2 weeks, where we will be first contacting japanese e-business companies. If they are interested, foreign guys will come.

[Edwin]

Except that Tokyo shows really don't seem to work like that. People really DO go home to their apartments or houses afterwards. Why wouldn't they, at the kind of rates decent hotels charge and with the subway running until past midnight anyway? In fact, most business tradeshows wrap up at 5 or 6pm, not 2am. This needs to be mainstream, not some weird thing...

Worth thinking about whether it should be a conference with a wider remit encompassing the whole of the domain industry, including resale, parking etc., like T.R.A.F.F.I.C. and the Domain Roundtable, but with a strong secondary focus on IDN. Might be easier to get interest flowing that way.

Originally Posted by donwebcorleone

i guess u wouldnt mind if i say some japanese girls would also be welcome...japanese business style : )

Actually, yes, I find that stereotypical and offensive, if I understand you correctly.

If not, I apologise.

[donwebcorleone]

Originally Posted by Edwin

Except that Tokyo shows really don't seem to work like that. People really DO go home to their apartments or houses afterwards. Why wouldn't they, at the kind of rates decent hotels charge and with the subway running until past midnight anyway? In fact, most business tradeshows wrap up at 5 or 6pm, not 2am. This needs to be mainstream, not some weird thing...

Worth thinking about whether it should be a conference with a wider remit encompassing the whole of the domain industry, including resale, parking etc., like T.R.A.F.F.I.C. and the Domain Roundtable, but with a strong secondary focus on IDN. Might be easier to get interest flowing that way.

Actually, yes, I find that stereotypical and offensive, if I understand you correctly.
If not, I apologise.

Why offensive? thats the way it is. But second, so many of us have domains in the japanese porn industry, why wouldnt you invite the managers and companies that deal with porn in Japan as well? big money. business, not ethics.

but man, im talking about people that have money. Why do u wanna meet people to do business when they cant even afford a hotel room? If you are investing big, it is because you believe on it. Anyway our way to see it.

anyway see this article, and think if japapane young or old people dont have money to pay hotels. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/bu...ney/19day.html

Regarding the train hour, again i saw i said stay in the hotel and, cmon you cant pay a taxi? it seems to me Edwin, we are talking on different levels. Me and my friends have cars and im sure most japanese guys im thinking to invite are way too far from taking trains in daily life. second where s Grand Hyatt Hotel? In Roppogi. Why do u need to take a train if you are too poor at 2am when you are already in a clubs area?

[Rubber Duck]

Originally Posted by Edwin

Except that Tokyo shows really don't seem to work like that. People really DO go home to their apartments or houses afterwards. Why wouldn't they, at the kind of rates decent hotels charge and with the subway running until past midnight anyway? In fact, most business tradeshows wrap up at 5 or 6pm, not 2am. This needs to be mainstream, not some weird thing...

Worth thinking about whether it should be a conference with a wider remit encompassing the whole of the domain industry, including resale, parking etc., like T.R.A.F.F.I.C. and the Domain Roundtable, but with a strong secondary focus on IDN. Might be easier to get interest flowing that way.



Actually, yes, I find that stereotypical and offensive, if I understand you correctly.

If not, I apologise.

If it was coming from a Westerner I would have to agree with you. Difficult, however, to see how you or I could take issue with an indigenous Japanese Characaturing his own culture.

It is also interesting to see how two people on the scene can have such disperate views on the way Japanese Businessmen behave. It just goes to show that you need to sample a pool of opinion to have any chance of getting an objective view.

[donwebcorleone]

Because in Japan, prostitution is okay. period. We dont have anything like protestants, catholics, etc.

anyway read about japanese porn industry, who supports it, etc. if u can, try to reach the news when the chinese pissed off of after conference party of a japanese company employees in China, that one made headline last year. Any big business usually pays high employees diversion. I myself dont see anything wrong with prostitution. I know foreigners see it as a sin. but anyway thats not the point of this thread.

[Rubber Duck]

Originally Posted by donwebcorleone

Because in Japan, prostitution is okay. period. We dont have anything like protestants, catholics, etc.

anyway read about japanese porn industry, who supports it, etc. if u can, try to reach the news when the chinese pissed off of after conference party of a japanese company employees in China, that one made headline last year. Any big business usually pays high employees diversion. I myself dont see anything wrong with prostitution. I know foreigners see it as a sin. but anyway thats not the point of this thread.

Yes, and at this point I would have to ask you to respect the culture of Western Guests as some of them may not wish to indulge in every aspect of the Japanese entertainment scene. A certain level of discretion would be a must!

[donwebcorleone]

Originally Posted by Dwrixon

Yes, and at this point I would have to ask you to respect the culture of Western Guests as some of them may not wish to indulge in every aspect of the Japanese entertainment scene. A certain level of discretion would be a must!

okay. okay. i express my apologies. A movie "Lost in Translation" might be helpful today. even when there is only 2 or 3 parts related to high level business in Japan. By the way, that hotel is a Grand Hyatt but the old one in Shinjuku.

anyway, again my deepest apologies and lets come back to talk about the conference.

but really Edwin, we are not talking about inviting daily japanese that use trains and buy in 100 yen stores. Even a small walk into the parking lot of Keio University can give you an idea of friends and guys who would join. Not to mention, how many big guys we can bring in. Edwin, we wanna do it very good to do business for us and for the participants, we have nothing to gain inviting people that worry about those little things as hotel fees or trains. We cant gain much with them. Sorry to be so direct, but i think you have a different idea about middle class to higher japanese people.

[Rubber Duck]

Originally Posted by donwebcorleone

okay. okay. i express my apologies. A movie "Lost in Translation" might be helpful today. even when there is only 2 or 3 parts related to high level business in Japan. By the way, that hotel is a Grand Hyatt but the old one in Shinjuku.

anyway, again my deepest apologies and lets come back to talk about the conference.

but really Edwin, we are not talking about inviting daily japanese that use trains and buy in 100 yen stores. Even a small walk into the parking lot of Keio University can give you an idea of friends and guys who would join. Not to mention, how many big guys we can bring in. Edwin, we wanna do it very good to do business for us and for the participants, we have nothing to gain inviting people that worry about those little things as hotel fees or trains. We cant gain much with them. Sorry to be so direct, but i think you have a different idea about middle class to higher japanese people.

I tend to agree with those sentiments, but I think some of that now famous market research of yours is now called for.

On the apology front, there is no need to. You are very unlikely to offend me, but some important players especially in the US may turn out to be very conservative in their moral views.

[Edwin]

I thought the whole point was to bring in foreigners i.e. folks from outside of Japan and/or working here in VC and investment companies, advertising etc. If so, then why not go for a "normal" business context, one they'd feel comfortable with?

If you're only talking about locals, that's - perhaps - a whole different story. Have to say that all the Japanese business people I've met in work and other contexts haven't fit the picture you're painting. Even the ones with budget responsibilities in the $millions and above don't themselves live the mythic life of luxury you seem to ascribe to them.

Personally, I wouldn't attend a conference organised along the lines you're describing, but I wish you well with it.

[donwebcorleone]

Originally Posted by Dwrixon

I tend to agree with those sentiments, but I think some of that now famous market research of yours is now called for.

Dave, can you explain a bit more what u mean there? i didnt get it.

The main point is, that guys like me we are interested in using the speculation about the potential of IDNs to begin to cash or at least to begin to make a good important network; later we believe November or even Janurary 2007 can be a good moment to bring up a conference to try to bring even a tiny boom in the IDNs secondary market prices and well to have time to prepare the conference to get as much publicity and credibility as possible. One event where a fish -like Yahoo Japan is in- can help a lot to bring attention in Japan.

But any way, as i said this is our plan as we are just starting to see if we get the green light from a famous ebusiness company. I know i will bring another friend in, as he is the XXXX in what i think is the most famous website in English in Tokyo. So we can reach foreigners in Japan through some ads there. i mean Japan Today and Metropolis as i guess Olney also knows this website.
http://metropolis.japantoday.com/ "Metropolis ...Japan has the wealthiest international community in the world...Metropolis readers are 79% business professionals in Tokyo with an average income of ¥437,375/month...Metropolis has 250 clients in each issue, the largest of any English magazine. Most Metropolis advertisers are long-term clients that started with small sizes, received good results and have upgraded their ad sizes."

Anyway, Dave or guys, if you were doing this, where would you focus? My senior friends got more experience than me, not doubt, though i and some of my others friends have more time than many of them to build the conference. Feedback is welcome at least to help me in my part.

[rhys]

Originally Posted by donwebcorleone

okay. okay. i express my apologies. A movie "Lost in Translation" might be helpful today. even when there is only 2 or 3 parts related to high level business in Japan. By the way, that hotel is a Grand Hyatt but the old one in Shinjuku.
.

I think the idea of a conference if done well is a great idea especially to get the attention of the larger speculators who at that point should have everything they need to begin a re-analysis of IDN. I'd plug it on my websites. I would be interested in attending.

Small unimportant factual correction which I feel compelled to make - the hotel in Lost in Translation is the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku not the Grand. I love that hotel. There is also a Century Hyatt in Shinjuku which is crap.

[Rubber Duck]

Originally Posted by donwebcorleone

Dave, can you explain a bit more what u mean there? i didnt get it.

Essentially, I am with you. Go Up Market, if that is a viable option.

I don't know, however, whether it is or not and there appears to dissenting opinion, which may or may not be valid.

Don't rely purely on your own instincts or be put off by a few detractors, get out there and tests the temperature of the water by asking the views and opinions of samples of your target groups.

Real wealth is usually achieved by think out of the box and taking risks other consider imprudent, but this not a guaranteed recipe for success.

[donwebcorleone]

Originally Posted by Edwin

I thought the whole point was to bring in foreigners i.e. folks from outside of Japan and/or working here in VC and investment companies, advertising etc. If so, then why not go for a "normal" business context, one they'd feel comfortable with?

If you're only talking about locals, that's - perhaps - a whole different story. Have to say that all the Japanese business people I've met in work and other contexts haven't fit the picture you're painting. Even the ones with budget responsibilities in the $millions and above don't themselves live the mythic life of luxury you seem to ascribe to them.

Personally, I wouldn't attend a conference organised along the lines you're describing, but I wish you well with it.

I understand Edwin. but it is amazing u have such a poor idea of Tokyo as all people taking trains and buying in 100yen store. Why to live in "poor" Tokyo then? Thanks for your good wishes.

[donwebcorleone]

Originally Posted by rhys

I think the idea of a conference if done well is a great idea especially to get the attention of the larger speculators who at that point should have everything they need to begin a re-analysis of IDN. I'd plug it on my websites. I would be interested in attending.

Small unimportant factual correction which I feel compelled to make - the hotel in Lost in Translation is the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku not the Grand. I love that hotel. There is also a Century Hyatt in Shinjuku which is crap.

Yeah i meant for that movie that one the Hyatt in Shinjuku, but i thought is also Grand Hyatt. Thanks i didnt know there are different names for Hyatt. Im talking for the conference in the Grand Hyatt in Roppongi Hills as we did the HPAIR conference last year there.

[huronargentino]

Don, i think you idea is great.
I am now writing a book realted to the domain industry and there is a whole chapter focused on IDNs.
This book (hope so) will be released in spanish for Argentina and Latin America. Hope to help this spread the domaining industry in this places.

On the other hand, you idea its very important.
I wish had the chance to be there, but 5k$ will be much for me, right now i cant afford that unluckly.
One important thing will be to have presence of big domainers or expertised IDNers such as Olney and other guys from here. Maybe some of them can be there and that will help a lot.

If you need some help reaching some sponsors and other stuff, i will gladly help you!

Hope you have the best of luck in this new project!