More on JavaOne 2003

This post is kinda late but I'm back from JavaOne 2003. It was pretty good but nothing like the first year I went in the middle of the dot com craze. The hype and endless piles of money for free giveaways was a sight to behold. After four years I've come to the conclusion that if you are a vendor trying to sell your worthless goods at JavaOne, there are two basic things you need to do.

The first is to have some decent eye-candy at your booth. Don't bother trying to get anybody who knows anything because most of the people coming up to the booths don't know anything anyway. Just get some gimmick with some hot chicks and you're on your way.

Second, don't bother with any giveaway except for a t-shirt. Although, a big giveaway through a drawing does attract a lot of attention too. Nonetheless, the t-shirt lasts forever because those who get free t-shirts wear them around if they think they are cool. Sink plenty of money and time into making the best t-shirt and just give it away at the booth. Have your girls handing them out for the guy's information. Just slide that card and get the info you need to solicit to your heart's content.

Now you have the two things you need: an audience to solicit and an audience that will promote your brand by wearing your cool t-shirt wherever they go. If you get good enough at this, there will be a loyal group that will start to form and will look forward to getting your t-shirts every year. This will further your network.