Hi from Las Vegas

[BillyKay]

Hi. My name is Billy and I'm an alcho.... ooops, wrong forum

The first Affiliate Summit I ever went to was an eye opener. I found out there were many more business models then I ever dreamed of. I was told that everyone involved was a baddie that should be avoided at all costs. When I first met Shawn and Missy, I was afraid to shake their hands, as they were on the list of people I wasn't supposed to talk to.

Over the years I got to know all these people, and could never understand what made them "bad"

Every time I tried to ask or discuss it publically, I was silenced.

Recently, all these people I've met and grown to respect, started an industry association. I was told they were all "baddies" - to avoid them.

Again, I tried to discuss the issue, and was silenced again. The difference was that it's been years since my first Summit.... and no one can tell me Angel is a "baddie". If you were nominated (even without your knowledge) to their FAB, you became a baddie. If you accepted the nomination in an attempt to help the industry and have your voice heard... you were a super baddie.

Then, a lot of people contacted me privately and said they too would like to post opinions, but were afraid. I wondered what happened that made passionate peers afraid to state their opinions or ask questions.???

I looked around for a place to post for myself and others - without fear of repercussions, being banned, being censored, ridiculed and labeled, and... there wasn't any.

I asked everyone I knew if there was a place where every business model (other then true blackhat shiksters) could talk about industry issues... and there wasn't.

While you may not like CPA firms, like Hydra for example, I believe it's better to be in the same room talking, then not allowing them to enter.

I saw a need for a place where the whole industry could get together, in a casual yet professional setting.... and talk... and learn... and grow.

It was so cool when I asked others - from all aspects of the industry, and they said it was needed also, and volunteered to help.

The forum you're looking at was put together in 3 days(!!!!) - only because of the support of many people in many parts of the industry who also saw a need for it.

So, even though we all do different things, we're all part of the same industry.

I hope AffSpot will be an integral part of you business' success. Something you bookmark under "Useful Tools". And a great place to meet and network with peers, and meet the people who can change your business for the better.

FYI: We don't validate parking.... sorry

[samharrelson]

Wow, Billy. Great stuff.

Your post gets my vote for AffSpot's Mission Statement!

Thank you for putting my thoughts into words.

[BradC]

Brad, I moved your post to where you asked

Can I leave in the part where you said Billy Kay is way cool? lolol

[toddcrawford]

Billy Kay, what can I say? Except that it is good to see you here. Go easy on me.

[BillyKay]

We gotta get Todd an avatar - anyone know if he's a red wine or white wine kinda guy? Or does he just go by alcohol content? LOL

[Beachy]

Nice job Billy. Looks like you and your three other alcoh......er, ah......colleagues did a terrific job in putting this together. Right attitude and right time. I wish you the best of luck in seeing this grow and flourish.

- Bill

[writerguy]

Gosh. I'm overwhelmed. Well, not really OVERwhelmed. But certainly not UNDERwhelmed.

Guess I'm just sort of whelmed.

But whelmed in a GOOD way. Nice to hear your thoughts and hopes for this place. Sounds to me like we can ALWAYS do well if we're talking, listening, thinking, and learning. Communication is what it's all about, right?

Glad I found you guys and eager to come by once in awhile to see who's here and what's happening. Of course, you all understand, we Old Guys are chronic insomniacs and NEED lots of places to hang out and things to do to fill those long hours.

[BillyKay]

Gary,

One of the first posts Kellie made still stick in my mind...

it's not the admins that will make it a success, it's the members

THERE!!!!

It's all on your shoulders now

[Harrymond]

Nice to Meet you here BILLY ....LOL....

BTW : 2008 AFF summit in Vegas was my first aff summit i did attend and Billy you were the first guy whom i met in the Industry when i was in US.... You were just walking out of the bar...