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]

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]

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.

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]

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/business/yourmoney/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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!

[Edwin]

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.

Sorry, I don't have a poor opinion of Tokyo at all. I like living here a lot. Not sure where you get that impression.

[donwebcorleone]

Sorry, I don't have a poor opinion of Tokyo at all. I like living here a lot. Not sure where you get that impression.

Not hard feelings Edwin. I just found a bit surprising that you worried so much about a hotel charge. i think that if you and me keep buying japanese IDN domains is because we know there is money in Japan. Or that at least if the japanese get interested in IDNs, at least a tiny bit as the widespread trend of investing in the stock market is now, we know it wont become hard to sell one IDN in good money. Im too optimistic, and i feel there are few places like Tokyo to get money fast if you have good stuff.

Anyway im gonna share some photos of Tokyo to cheer up to visit Japan. Whether there is conference or not, Tokyo is a great city to travel. Many of these photos are mine, photography is my hobby! ; ) but kidding some are my pics, some arent mine at all. I just like to have good pics of Tokyo that i can use when i travel abroad and people asked me to show them Tokyo.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6581/1e310nu.jpg

here is japanese shoppers in Omotesando last spring, famous shopping district in Tokyo. This one is mine.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2413/2e573th.jpg

[donwebcorleone]

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9466/9115scd8st.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6756/aabl0015044ba.jpg

[donwebcorleone]

http://img306.imageshack.us/img306/7091/42153119669tk.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5611/b40d0go.jpg

[donwebcorleone]

final two. i think these two won a contest, my german friend sent me. they are good. Both are in Shibuya.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5779/6574scd5dn.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9033/93b0scd1ux.jpg

[sarcle]

Not hard feelings Edwin. I just found a bit surprising that you worried so much about a hotel charge.

I don't think that's it at all. You have to remember that most of us aren't in college anymore. I think it was more a concern that it was going to turn into some sort of weird "porno party."

[thegenius1]

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.

!

Me Too !! Huron thats interesting, would you like to share the Title, I have a Few in mind for my book :) , But on Another Note, DonWeb IM All in, Was just looking At Plane Ticket Rates, Good Prices for month in advance, about 600-700usd.... So count me in..... I agree the Meetings After the meetings are most inportant in business where i come from... That is where the best insight and Ideas come from... I also think that is awesome that you will be able to use Daves Name Tokyo to Promote, I think that Alone will Just Capture Peoples attention that we are on to something Very Serious...:)

[Rubber Duck]

Me Too !! Huron thats interesting, would you like to share the Title, I have a Few in mind for my book :) , But on Another Note, DonWeb IM All in, Was just looking At Plane Ticket Rates, Good Prices for month in advance, about 600-700usd.... So count me in..... I agree the Meetings After the meetings are most inportant in business where i come from... That is where the best insight and Ideas come from... I also think that is awesome that you will be able to use Daves Name Tokyo to Promote, I think that Alone will Just Capture Peoples attention that we are on to something Very Serious...:)


That is for nothing! I bet it cost 3 times that from Europe! Perhaps it would make sense to fly to the States and then on from there?

[thegenius1]

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.

This is very TRUE , Think about 1 person in most family's that are Extremly successful and Rich, Went outside the Box... Many Many Examples of this, And I am proud to be one of those people on that Course, Also " Many Great Ideas where once Challenged with Violence by people with Mediocre Minds" , I never forege that Quote

[gammascalper]

DWC: You definitely have the enthusiasm and energy to pull this off.

I would think lead times for conference space and bulk hotel rooms at nice venues would be long - 9 to 12 months - so 2007 may be more realistic.

You'd also have to get some interesting and relevant speakers. Maybe some of your mates are at Google, Yahoo etc?

Have a look at www.targetedtraffic.com and see how they set it out.

It's a good idea. Count me in.

[thegenius1]

That is for nothing! I bet it cost 3 times that from Europe! Perhaps it would make sense to fly to the States and then on from there?

Yeah that may be a good idea dave, you may have to look into that, I may go there before Nov. just because it is not that expensive and to get some Asian Insight and inspiration

[donwebcorleone]

im glad im hearing motivation, thats the point to come and meet japanese people that are in the area of what you have IDNs, to set up accounts with japanese affiliates, register some trademarks if needed, who knows what else this conference can help you if everything goes well and happens.

more Tokyo view to inspire you...

this is the view from the lookout point of the Roppongi hills building complex, complex where the grand hyatt hotel is, place as i said we did the other conference last year and we hope to do this one at the end of the year.
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9506/4678scd4vc.jpg

this one is the building complex where is the Hyatt hotel of Lost in Translation that the other member and I mentioned. nice one. Shinjuku.

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/3732/921escd2nr.jpg

i hope these pics give you interest to come to Tokyo to the conference or at least one day to visit Japan.

[Rubber Duck]

At the risk of somebody shouting foul, I will make the following offer to any of you wishing to set a conference in any of the following centres:

xn--80adxhks.net москва Moscow
xn--mgbag5a2flx.net القاهرة Cairo
xn--j2bya4ch0f.net दिल्ली Delhi
xn--i1bm1ig9g.net मुंबई Mumbai/Hindi
xn--o1b5efa8g5c.net मुम्बई Mumbai/Marathi
xn--12cgi8dk3avmg1fxd4cuf.net กรุงเทพมหานคร Bangkok/Thai

I will redirect the Url of any of the domains for a 12 month period Free of charge to any firm proposal with a designed Website for a conference on IDN in any of those centre, provided that those proposals are submitted to me by 1st September 2006. The site must also include a banner for this Forum on the front page.

[OldIDNer]

Tokyo looks awesome.

[touchring]

Yes, Tokyo is the largest metro city in the world.

Since Don put up photos of Tokyo, let me put up Shanghai's skyline. Shanghai real estate boom has peaked late last year. Prices at the high end has eased slightly.

The present city was developed over the past 15 years, before 1990, Shanghai was like a city stuck in the 1930s.

Shanghai (Towards Puxi shot):
http://static.flickr.com/23/32543036_3e547fe0e7_o.jpg

Shanghai (Towards Pudong shot):
http://files.photojerk.com/jingtian198/22175630_DdIRoUoCeLz2.jpg

[bwhhisc]

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

Just for the record, I am not sure who you catagorize as "foreigners", but I would say that prostitution is huge business world wide- in just about every city in just about every country. It may not always be legal but it is "the worlds oldest profession"...and very little is done to stop it in the US. It is totally legal just outside of Las Vegas, as well as Amsterdam and many other cities worldwide. Catholics and Protesants have plenty of their own skeletons in thier closets and wish there "past problems" were only as minor as getting some from a prostitute!

On the real "Conference" subject, our company manages meetings and conventions, and we can give you a lot of experience if you are serious about planning. Rule number 1 is to prepare a RFP (request for proposal) and shop it to all the hotels with your preferred dates, amount of function space required and proposed range of hotel room rates. They will come back to you with bids, and value dates based on thier "holes" and you can negotiate from there.

The hotel will also want to know how much banquet Food and Beverage you will spend...if not they will charge you meeting room rental to make up for this. If you take a block of rooms, someone will have to be responsible for "the majority" of these rooms to be paid for, whether they sell or not. There is not any hotel that will hold rooms and space in "hopes" people come. So you can see some of the challenges... we are happy to give you a hand in setting up an RFP if you wish.

Good luck with bringing your idea to fruition. Bill

[Giant]

A great idea Don. But I think the timing is a bit too early.

Vista will be out in December, together with IE7 formal version. People need some time to upgrade their browse, and many products need time to adjust and utilize IDN. We probably won't see a big increase in traffic until Summer 2007. For any conference, we certainly want to give out some good news after the meetings, but I don't think we will have any in November 2006.

If the conference is organized in 2007, count me in. :-)

[donwebcorleone]

Edwin, if you can watch the program now on 日本テレビ　about entertainment clubs, you can getter a picture of the japanese business "diversion" you still dont know at all. Check out the people, the numbers of clubs, and specially the final bill they pay. Those are mid-level employees. for those, u cant watch, it is about talk enterntainment clubs where 2 or 3 hours of diversion cost $10.000 or a lot more in roppongi or ginza depending on the girl that do the talk. anyway as i said those are mid-level japanese employees and how the company pays their diversion. It is not sex, just talk clubs where employees go to talk and girl will say everything u wanna hear to increase your manhood, laugh at everything thing u said -no matter how stupid-, anyway cheer up your mood and ego, not sex again. well in this program tonight.

there are more than 2.000 clubs like these, only in Ginza and Ropongi. Not low-level employees have access or like them, but anyway another world that people doesnt know because maybe it is fully in japanese and i guess prices and style of diversion, just to go there and you doing the talking and girls that will pretend to be interested in what u say, to pay a lot of thousands of dollars per hour doesnt make sense for many people.

[Edwin]

You presume an awful lot considering you know NOTHING about me. It's vulgar and very irritating.

I know about those kinds of clubs (hard to miss them unless you live under a rock), I just don't know of anyone in my circle of acquaintances, former work colleagues and friends who would consider VISITING them.

There is no way you can spin it to suggest they have a mainstream, wholesome image. The "wide shows" love covering that kind of thing, because they love anything even remotely suggestive.

[donwebcorleone]

You presume an awful lot considering you know NOTHING about me. It's vulgar and very irritating.

I know about those kinds of clubs (hard to miss them unless you live under a rock), I just don't know of anyone in my circle of acquaintances, former work colleagues and friends who would consider VISITING them.

There is no way you can spin it to suggest they have a mainstream, wholesome image. The "wide shows" love covering that kind of thing, because they love anything even remotely suggestive.

Edwin, u dont even know a thing about this, so dont contradict me when i talk about social or business in Japan; about IDNs, u can but nothing more; these kind of "vulgar and pervert" diversions of the japanese represents a higher percentage of Japan GDP than the budget for defense or health in Japan :rolleyes: opps..............and there are way more than 20.000 clubs related to sex-hostess-hosts industry only in Tokyo, i wonder if it is only me and my "vulgar" friends who goes every weekend, 20.000 clubs per night, and thats why they all keep in business and growing...

U can contradict me all u want about IDN, domains, etc., but about these kind of social and business aspects of japanese, i think u cant. i really cant guess where is that -all that great Japan social and business insight big picture knowledge you wanna make believe u have- comes from, maybe u work in the US Embassy? because being honest and "vulgar as u now call me" i find surprising the fact that someone who doesn't even speak japanese think he understands very well how millions of daily japanese -who doesn't speak even remotely a word of any foreign language or by far cant have an english conversation- behave or think. Unless now u wanna make us believe by miracle everyone you meet speaks english in Japan. I think your magic ball that sees everything about Japan must be awesome!

Some members here speak japanese, so they can judge with credibility other things. You better talk only about IDNs when it comes to Japan.

Edwin, you really pissed off...:mad: but it is not unethical to you or hypocritical to live out of the cheque of millions of vulgar japanese. and Dont call me vulgar again, or by extension, call vulgar the japanese because thousands of thousands of japanese like to visit or work in clubs, etc. Anyway today im tired of so much crap against me or Japan brought by "guests" in Tokyo, i have read here people saying japs, rabbit hutches, etc. now vulgar what thousands of japanese do as a work or for fun . Im not surprised why my japanese friends prefer only japanese forums. So i think im gonna move better to this japanese IDN forum where everyone is in the same, even when they are more limited in language skills for non japanese IDNs as members are only japanese.

Sayonara! and good luck to all! im tired. thanks to all who were nice!

[IDNCowboy]

Edwin, u dont even know a thing about this, so dont contradict me when i talk about social or business in Japan; about IDNs, u can but nothing more; these kind of "vulgar and pervert" diversions of the japanese represents a higher percentage of Japan GDP than the budget for defense or health in Japan :rolleyes: opps..............and there are way more than 20.000 clubs related to sex-hostess-hosts industry only in Tokyo, i wonder if it is only me and my "vulgar" friends who goes every weekend, 20.000 clubs per night, and thats why they all keep in business and growing...

U can contradict me all u want about IDN, domains, etc., but about these kind of social and business aspects of japanese, i think u cant. i really cant guess where is that -all that great Japan social and business insight big picture knowledge you wanna make believe u have- comes from, maybe u work in the US Embassy? because being honest and "vulgar as u now call me" i find surprising the fact that someone who doesn't even speak japanese think he understands very well how millions of daily japanese -who doesn't speak even remotely a word of any foreign language or by far cant have an english conversation- behave or think. Unless now u wanna make us believe by miracle everyone you meet speaks english in Japan. I think your magic ball that sees everything about Japan must be awesome!

Some members here speak japanese, so they can judge with credibility other things. You better talk only about IDNs when it comes to Japan.

Edwin, you really pissed off...:mad: but it is not unethical to you or hypocritical to live out of the cheque of millions of vulgar japanese. and Dont call me vulgar again, or by extension, call vulgar the japanese because thousands of thousands of japanese like to visit or work in clubs, etc. Anyway today im tired of so much crap against me or Japan brought by "guests" in Tokyo, i have read here people saying japs, rabbit hutches, etc. now vulgar what thousands of japanese do as a work or for fun . Im not surprised why my japanese friends prefer only japanese forums. So i think im gonna move better to this japanese IDN forum where everyone is in the same, even when they are more limited in language skills for non japanese IDNs as members are only japanese.

Sayonara! and good luck to all! im tired. thanks to all who were nice!
Edwin lives in Tokyo and knows the language

Regarding domains, I've seen Edwin on these domain forums probably since 2002-2003 lol :P

[touchring]

I think we should keep to the domain business and not question or comment on other's 風俗, whatever one's personal opinion.

[Rubber Duck]

Edwin, u dont even know a thing about this, so dont contradict me when i talk about social or business in Japan; about IDNs, u can but nothing more; these kind of "vulgar and pervert" diversions of the japanese represents a higher percentage of Japan GDP than the budget for defense or health in Japan :rolleyes: opps..............and there are way more than 20.000 clubs related to sex-hostess-hosts industry only in Tokyo, i wonder if it is only me and my "vulgar" friends who goes every weekend, 20.000 clubs per night, and thats why they all keep in business and growing...

U can contradict me all u want about IDN, domains, etc., but about these kind of social and business aspects of japanese, i think u cant. i really cant guess where is that -all that great Japan social and business insight big picture knowledge you wanna make believe u have- comes from, maybe u work in the US Embassy? because being honest and "vulgar as u now call me" i find surprising the fact that someone who doesn't even speak japanese think he understands very well how millions of daily japanese -who doesn't speak even remotely a word of any foreign language or by far cant have an english conversation- behave or think. Unless now u wanna make us believe by miracle everyone you meet speaks english in Japan. I think your magic ball that sees everything about Japan must be awesome!

Some members here speak japanese, so they can judge with credibility other things. You better talk only about IDNs when it comes to Japan.

Edwin, you really pissed off...:mad: but it is not unethical to you or hypocritical to live out of the cheque of millions of vulgar japanese. and Dont call me vulgar again, or by extension, call vulgar the japanese because thousands of thousands of japanese like to visit or work in clubs, etc. Anyway today im tired of so much crap against me or Japan brought by "guests" in Tokyo, i have read here people saying japs, rabbit hutches, etc. now vulgar what thousands of japanese do as a work or for fun . Im not surprised why my japanese friends prefer only japanese forums. So i think im gonna move better to this japanese IDN forum where everyone is in the same, even when they are more limited in language skills for non japanese IDNs as members are only japanese.

Sayonara! and good luck to all! im tired. thanks to all who were nice!

Hey Don,

Don' chuck in the towel! Life was just starting to get interesting. I know there are lots of guys on here love to read your postings. OK! some of its funny, perhaps some of it they don't believe or don't want to believe, but all of them read it.

It has become clear to me that living in a place doesn't ever give you a full picture of waht is going on. Perhaps Edwins views are valid, perhaps not. They certainly won't be the full picture, and neither will yours. Both of them though have a lot more real interest and credibility than mine. I can only apply my knowledge from a lot of other interesting places and try to extrapolate it. I use all your posting and many more besides to try to build a picture.

If you stay here and exchange you will learn more from us, and we from you. If you feel insulted by Edwin that is fine. It does not mean that any of the rest of think any more or less of you for that. There are certainly one or two people on this forum that get right up my nose at times, but it is best to try and act maturely and not loose control over it. I know public image is important in Eastern Culture, but just because you cannot get someone to agree to your point of view doesn't mean that you are necessarily wrong or have lost face. Far from it in Western Culture you individualism will bring esteem from your peers, whether they agree with you or not!

[bwhhisc]

I think we should keep to the domain business and not question or comment on other's 風俗, whatever one's personal opinion.

Agreed..I think you and Edwin can discuss your moral dilemas with this issue by private message. Obviously there are strong feelings on both sides, and it is clear they aren't going to change here. The culture and traditions of your country should be respected by all.

DWC, your comments about this adult recreational side of Japan are certainly welcome as presented, with your intent being the business opportunties on the web for IDN marketing, and advertising to this huge market. Obviously this theme hit a nerve with some...so let the subject drop and go back to the intent of the thread, that being a Conference for IDNers.

[Edwin]

I said:

You presume an awful lot considering you know NOTHING about me. It's vulgar and very irritating.

The "vulgar and very irritating" refers to your presumption that you somehow know all about me, what I know, think or do. That's why it was in the same paragraph as "you presume an awful lot"!

It does NOT refer to the clubs or to you.

Re-read my post.

Relevant aside: I've been in Tokyo nearly 11 years. I've worked in several Japanese companies. I've been in the domain industry since late 1995/early 1996 and I used to run the very first domain name resource site on the Web (igoldrush.com).

[Giant]

I travel to Asia quite often, so I am quite used to the entertainment that Don was talking about.

I think Don is a very bright young man, very good in doing business, and he also possesses some sort of leadership skills. If he can learn to take criticism, that would be excellent.

Besides, I think Don should not look at Edwin's opinion as something negative, in fact, it is a good lesson for Don to learn now better than learn it later when he is a general manager or a CEO (that would cost him dearly).

When we are discussing business, always be serious and keep it strictly business. "Entertainment" should be mentioned only after the business discussion, with the clear signal that it is not part of the business.