Five auctions under one roof

Morning folks!!

 

Just wanted to give you some important mid summer updates.

 

T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is #1 because we set the pace and are not afraid to try new things. The first silent domain auction, the first live domain auction and now, with that in mind, T.R.A.F.F.I.C. is proud to present another ground breaking first in the industry. 

For the first time at any domain show we are going to have multiple live auctions presented by multiple auction houses. This is going to be a game changer! Howard and I have nothing to sell. Our job is to promote the industry as best we can and also be as inclusive as we can. In tough times like this there will actually be an increase in domain acquisitions. Domains that would have never been sold will now be on the auction block. Plus, with multiple companies promoting the live TRAFFIC auctions in New York City, the bidding action and excitement will be better than ever. Multiple companies trying to include end users. Multiple companies competing for the best domains. Multiple companies offering different type inventories at competitive prices. Multiple auctions with multiple auctioneers and different styles of auction.

 

As is stands now we believe there will be up to 5 different auction companies holding live domain auctions in New York City in September. Moniker will continue to be the "Premiere" auction at T.R.A.F.F.I.C. as they have been. As you might imagine, this was not an easy decision. Monte and his crew have done a great service to us all over the years. Just sometimes what is good for one company may not be in the best interest of an entire industry. So kudos to Moniker for doing what others would not do when none of us knew the outcome. 

Last year the New York TRAFFIC show produced a record breaking $12M in auction sales. I believe that is more than all other live domain auctions at other shows combined for both 2007 and 2008!! We have the right location at the right time with the best domain audience. Including other auction houses will be effective, good for the growth of the industry, make things very exciting and open things up that will create lots of energy. Like I said, this is a game changer and we are all big winners. More info will be released soon.

 

We will also be announcing a T.R.A.F.F.I.C. REWARD PROGRAM later this summer. This program will give perks/discounts to future TRAFFIC shows starting at our San Francisco/Silicon Valley show next April. Those spending $10,000 or more at the auction will be eligible for those rewards. The reward program will be in effect during the New York City show in September. The more you spend, the more perks you get.

 

That's about it. We are working hard to make sure that TRAFFIC keeps way ahead of the pack. Since 2004 we have set the tone and agenda for the industry by always providing cutting edge and trailblazing ideas and agendas. Howard and I take great risks in an effort to bring the industry to the forefront of marketing. Mix that with the biggest and the best and you get TRAFFIC. We don't know the result of multiple auctions but it is going be a fun thing to watch unfold. I expect we will announce the participants as early as this week. I will update this blog with the companies as those companies commit. Not only will this transform the domain aftermarket, it will transform the auction houses that participate. Just look at the growth of our biggest partners over the years. From DomainSponsor, to Moniker, to TrafficZ and others, TRAFFIC has facilitated the growth of these companies. We are the "King makers" and that has been the bi-product of what we do and we can do it for many more.

Now just a few quick reminders.   

1. The group fees go up tomorrow (Tuesday)
The 5 pack goes up $1000. The 10 pack goes up $2000.

2. The $1795 Preferred admission ends on July 31st. So sign up now and save.   

http://targetedtraffic.com/ny_register.html   

3. The hotel rates will be going up on August 20th. Book your rooms now as we are already 65% booked and the rates will go up by $200/night.   

http://targetedtraffic.com/ny_hotel.html 

 

Now back to your regularly scheduled summer!

Have a GREAT day!

Rick Schwartz

Update: We can now announce 4 of the auction companies that will be holding live auctions at T.R.A.F.F.I.C.

Moniker.com
Thought Convergence
RickLatona.com
Bido.com

Comments

[RV of GenericWebNames.com]

Initial reports say that the Traffic NY 2008 will have 3 Live Auctions. Bringing it to 5 that will showcase the very best available generic domains for sale will be fun especially if there is a lot of buzz by each live auction company to attract end-user buyers.

[WeBuyThe.com]

Thanks for the updare, Rick. Looks like another coney island roller coaster in the making. Are commissions going to be flat across all auction providers? The deadline for unlimited submissions is quickly approaching so when will potential sellers see options from other providers? Will submitting early to moniker result in locking up names resulting in the inability to submit to other auction partners?

Thanks!

[Rick Schwartz]

All auctions at TRAFFIC will be charging the same 15% fee.

More importantly, the domains each action will be presenting will be prime domains with very aggressive reserves.

Folks should concentrate on sending just a few great domains and not bulk unless they want to sell an entire portfolio.

[Michael Castello]

Since there are 5 auctions, why not name them after each borrough?

Manhattan
Bronx
Queens
Staten Island
Brooklyn

[Rick Schwartz]

Michael,

Excellent idea. Just hope I find someone that wants the Bronx. ;-)

[Rob]

Great move. Having been to numerous domain conferences over the last few years, the time for a "shakeup" was overdue. The same auctioneer faces and their same tired format was getting stale. Kudos to you for your creativity (and courage) to break the status quo.

-rm

[Anunt Patel]

Rick, are we going to be able to bid on all live auctions thru snapnames or do we have to be there in person at the auction?

[don]

Rick,

It would be nice if there were some additional standards with the new format, such as all auction lists must be finanlized and made public a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the show starting and that the companies should be required to do some relevant pr work to help draw in some more interest. I like the idea of more auctions, also think it could have been broken up into a few auction themes...thanks