Preconference Institute

The cost for the preconference workshops is $25.  There will be three concurrent sessions.

  • So you want to be a titleholder!
    The Chicago Leather Kennel Club ( www.leatherkennel.com ) members: Adrian Williams, CLKC President, Doug O'Keeffe, CLKC Seminar Team Leader, Chris Stueber, CLKC Team Member, Chuck Windemuth, CLKC Team Member
    We'll cover:
    • "You, the stage, the contest.....and how YOU can make it YOURS."  The do's and don'ts of a meet and greet.  "You are What you Wear"  How to dress for your meet and greet, interviews and contest.  "What goes on behind closed doors" The personal interviews with the judges, how to succeed in the interview.  "I'm on stage, now what do I do?"  How to conduct yourself on the stage and WOW the crowd.  "To say or not to say, that is the question"  How to say what you mean and mean what you say under pressure.  "The big weekend, how do I get through it?"  Suggestions, tips, and guidance those who've been through the rain and made it through.

  • Event Management
    Master Z of Chicago
    MasterZChicago learned, in his decades of Production Experience, the "ins" and "outs" of running successful Events and has combined that with his 30 years in the BDSM lifestyle to bring you a Presentation where he will share the secrets of his success. After 27 years of owning and operating one of the most successful Special Event Production Companies in the nation, Master Z fully retired at the age of 47. His company specialized in creating "WOW" at large Corporate Events and produced everything from small Business Meetings to Presidential Parties. This class will teach you how to make your Event the best Event possible by covering details from how to find a suitable venue, to getting freebies, comps, perks and the many little details you would probably never think of. This Presentation is KEY in learning to run a Spectacular Profitable Event.  We decided this was such a spectacular presentation last year that we asked MaserZ to bring it back for us again as part of our preconference institute, and expand it from 90 minutes to three hours!

  • The third topic will be split into two sessions: two hours for Master Fred and one hour for Midori.

    • "The Draw of Vending"
      Presented by Master Fred of Master's D/signs
      • What makes you think you have a saleable  product or service?
      • What makes you think that you have what it takes to  operate a business?
      • What kind of business is best for you – brick &  mortar, mail order, on-line internet?
      • Determining your target market – niche  marketing.
      • How do you get a sales tax ID?
      • Do you need a  business  license?
      • How do you get wholesale pricing for your  supplies?
      • Determining pricing
      • Building a  website
      • How to accept credit cards?
      • How to obtain packing supplies free
      • How to ship orders to customers?
      • How to become a face-to-face vendor
      • How to sustain your business
      • Setting realistic goals for your  business

    • Painted Into A Corner: Freaks Make Art.
      Midori
      In an increasingly conservative world is there a place for art by and about sexual minorities? What impact does capturing the visuals and emotions of kink have on the world around us? Midori brings her experience as an artist, art director, subject and judge for the Seattle Erotic Art Festival to discuss how where art and alternative sexuality intersects and what individuals can do. She'll also share images from her recent "BeefCake" series.
      • Midori: “Sex educator and writer. Authored The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage and Wild Side Sex: The Book of Kink. Midori travels the world presenting to universities, organizations and media. She's known for her humanistic and humorous classes that help people to spice up their sex lives, encourage self discovery and personal growth. Pantheon Women of the Year 2003.  www.PlanetMidori.com