Should I organize a real blackhat marketer convention?

[Black Hat Seo]

Closest relevant example would be affiliate summit which I generally attend in both vegas and boston each year. Round table networking setup, some speakers, some booths for approved marketers to sell their products/tools etc.

I figure we can pick a major city, get a nice setup going, charge a fee like $397 to gain access, pay for the speakers the setup costs etc and grow it into a nice little yearly, potentially bi yearly thing.

If there was enough interest from BHW members alone (and please don't say yes, you'd attend if you actually wouldn't) I'm sure some of the more valuable marketers here would be interested in speaking, creating new tools, etc.

Before I waste a bunch of time talking with Diamond Dave and a bunch of close friends of mine that would be interested in participating, I need to know what the interest in this environment would be.

As of now there is no place for serious people who want an edge in this industry to meet, display tools and methods, and more importantly network and brainstorm as there is for the whitehat couterpart of the industry, and done right I think it could be incredibly cool.

 

[gimme4free]

Id go if it was in the UK, I doubt I would like to spend $1000 in travel + entry costs + the time that I wouldnt be able to earn for. It would be more of a holiday if anything, may go once and then decide whether to go again or not.

 

[Black Hat Seo]

It would be NY, Vegas, or LA im sure. I tend to lean towards vegas for obvious reasons.

 

[DrJekyll]

some interest, would have to be DC, NYC area

and would depend on what is there.

not sure I am far along enough to benefit [too damn white hat]

 

[Jagged55]

I would seriously consider it.

Vegas is always a good choice...lots of appeal and it is very cheap to get package deals for flight and hotel.

 

[bizcredit]

Vegas would be great, but I'd say make sure we do not mix it up with other online convention dates.

 

[TommyDJr45]

Don't forget Chicago! A-MA-ZING city. I'd be in for LA or NY tho and Vegas isn't too far from my best friends place in LA

 

[TommyDJr45]

I'd be in for the DC area

 

[Essential Clix]

I suppose, as long as you have a way to screen out the account managers and keep them from showing up to spy. It would probably be wise to advise everyone who attends to use nicknames as well.

 

[greyhatdude]

Closest relevant example would be affiliate summit ...charge a fee like $397 to gain access...

FYI: I clicked on "no" after seeing the proposed price.

 

[Jagged55]

FYI: I clicked on "no" after seeing the proposed price.

Unfortunately, $400 is generally the cheapest price you will pay for a convention after promo codes etc.

 

[crazymoneyfool]

Price seems fine.

Publicity does not.

 

[GreenGoblin]

I would.... why not, as long as good info is shared to make more money, and i party a little at the sametime...nothing better then ..BLACKHAT + MONEY + kNOWLEDGE + PARTY = I LOVE MY LIFE

 

[sampo1time]

Price seems fine.

Publicity does not.

I agree

 

[aмillionaírе]

If you're having it in a first world nation then privacy should be no issue. If it's a private event then that's no concern.

 

[xvoidx]

FYI: I clicked on "no" after seeing the proposed price.

Paying 400 dollars for access is actually pretty cheap compared to some other business conventions that I've been to.

 

[Nick Flame]

As long as by blackhat techniques people mostly understand fraud - cpa bogus leads, adsense click exchangers, getting banned by companies,short term nonsustainable methods, warez etc... i do not think there is a market for serious people to meet and discuss ideas. I think we should create a new current of online marketing based on innovative, sneaky ideas of making money that do not involve defrauding companies and that do not involve the risk of getting banned by such companies . We could choose a different colour, redhat marketing.

Back on topic, i would be willing to come if it was announced in advance with several months, such that overseas marketer have time to put everything in order - plane, accomodation, visa, etc...

And of course, if there was something that we could discuss. Since there will be no affiliate company presented at a blackhat convention - unlike affiliate summit-, it means that the main attraction should be the speakers presented and the ideas discussed. Which is hard to find in this particular field.

 

[graphicnut]

just do paid confrence calls to start with, if all works go face to face.

 

[thaorius]

It sounds like a good idea. Personally, if I lived in the states, I'd go without question.

 

[greyhatdude]

Unfortunately, $400 is generally the cheapest price you will pay for a convention after promo codes etc.