Downsizing eBay Conventions on a Local Level

October 01, 2011 · by Danna Crawford

Many of you may remember when eBay held large conventions around the country each year calling them “eBay Live.” These events were huge and exhausting not only for the staff but for those of us attending. I can remember the recovery would be days mainly because of all the walking across the large auditoriums and around the winding paths along the long hallways from one area to the next. Each event also included a huge exposition area loaded with venders that were capturing emails, eBay user ID’s and trying to get you to sign on the dotted line as a paid subscriber to their products. Those were the days back then! I am grateful for the past events because I was able to “hook-up” with Kerry Murdock Publisher, Editor at Practical eCommerce by sitting at the right table at the right time to enjoy my lunch over great conversation and a simple exchange of business cards which later led to a blogging position for me here on the site.

Networking is what its all about and that is what took place at the eBay Live events on the sidelines in round tables, powerseller lounges and just as simple as hanging out in the hallways. The eBay community loves to mingle, chat and learn from each other. Because of this fact, it may very well be one of the reasons eBay has downsized these events calling them “eBay On Location” with a smaller venue and a smaller amount of tickets being sold.

The most recent eBay On Location was held in my home town area of Orlando Florida, September 7th and 8th, 2011 and I was lucky enough to have been chosen to be a guest speaker.

This was the first one of the eBay On Locations to “Sell Out” before the tickets went off sale. Meaning the ticket prices were $59.00 and on the last day to get them at that price before they went to $79.00. Then in another week they would be $99.00. But they sold out before the end of the day at $59.00. The limit was one thousand tickets and there were no exceptions and no refunds.

I must say it was fun for me to speak to a standing room only type of crowd! I had the honor to present three sessions at an hour and half each:

• • eBay Selling 101
• • How to Optimize and Market your eBay Store
• • Introduction to Pricing, Payments and Shipping

Each session included a question and answer time. It was an intimate type of setting allowing the attendees to absorb the topics and engage with other members of the eBay community.

I highly recommend everyone attend an eBay On Location event when it is announced to be in a town close by. I promise you will not walk away without a better understanding of eBay and feel the motivation of becoming a better eBay seller!

Category: eBay and eCommerce | Tags: ebay, on location, orlando, Events and Tradeshows, live