In 2007, 3 enterprising people took on a risky venture and launched the first open-invitation nationwide VoiceOver conference that anyone can remember.

By most accounts it was a huge success (my first and only meeting with Don LaFontaine).  Since it was in Las Vegas, I had access to the entire conference, in fact, I was its Emcee.

A year later, James Alburger and Penny Abshire – now on their own – launched the second VOICE (Voice Over International Creative Experience) in Los Angeles, and again I was lucky enough to be asked to be the host.

Which brings us to VOICE 2010.

The event has a sterling reputation, but there seems to be some lingering misconceptions, and I’d like to chime in on why they are, indeed, MYTHS.

VOICE  MYTH #1

VOICE is just for newbies.

Huh-uh…it’s for everybody, and you’ll see everybody there.  Everybody will have something to offer, and everybody will have something to gain.

It’s true that newbies may have the most to gain by attending, but then again, newbies in VO will see a steep learning curve in everything they do in this business when starting out.

Since networking is one of the three legs supporting the essence of VOICE, you will have a change to rub shoulders with people at all levels of expertise in voiceovers.  Certainly the instructors and presenters are among the more experienced, and really, you’ll find every other level of accomplishment represented…especially if YOU attend.

Forget sleep.  Go to all the mixers and all the scheduled presentations.  Mingle with people you only knew heretofore online.  It’s all about relationship.

VOICE  MYTH #2

VOICE is just a money-making venture.

Look, I haven’t seen James’ and Penny’s balance sheet, but my guess is their margin of profit is pretty thin.  No one would begrudge them returning SOMETHING on their investment… and when you think about it, THEY are the ones sticking their neck out.

In true American style, they take the risk, they reap the benefits.  They have no assurance that hundreds will register and come the many miles, and pay their dues (especially in THIS economy).  Yet there they are, spending the better part of their waking moments for at least one year, investing their own money, spending untold hours, wooing speakers, creating websites, promoting, promoting, scheduling, coaxing, arranging, calling, meeting, planning, and crossing their fingers.

Which brings us to….

VOICE  MYTH #3

VOICE costs too much.

You’ve got to be kidding!  I’m not going to force you to follow the bouncing ball here, but grab a calculator and do some elementary addition.  Sure, go ahead…add up the basic registration cost, the cost of the Hotel room (gorgeous and at a sizeable discount), travel costs, and meals/entertainment. Depending on how far you come, you may be pushing $1000.

Have you looked at how much it costs to spend an hour with the likes of Nancy Wolfson, Pat Fraley, Richard Horvitz, Peter Rofe, Deb Munro, MJ Lallo and others?  Well, they’re all there, they’re all presenting, and it’s all part of your cost of admission…all under one roof.

But here’s the big pay-off.  All those smart, experienced, talented, and approachable people just…usually….hang around.  And any enterprising passionate Voiceover talent would be crazy not to take advantage of the opportunity.  Again, networking is (to me) the biggest advantage of a hoe-down like this.  A chance to meet face-to-face the movers and shakers…the people with the pull, the aces with the answers, the jokers with the juice (OK, maybe I was trying too hard for alliteration).

HONORABLE MENTION MYTH:  Los Angeles is too far. Of course, that depends on where you are, but logically, and as a matter of practicality, it almost HAS to be in LA or NYC to get the caliber of presenters and talent close-at-hand, to be there.  Yes it’s easy on them, and perhaps hard on YOUR pocketbook, but that’s the business side of things that effects the bottom line of risk for a venture like this.  So, why LA, not NYC?  ‘Cause James and Penny are based in SoCal, have the most connections, and the best arrangements there.

(P.S. for the best answer to this question, ask Andy Boyns, who is determined to travel from Istanbul, Turkey for VOICE).
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I’ve tried to present these arguments even-handedly…but disclaimer:  I am again helping to host this event, and I’m even a presenter this time….so I have a vested interest in all this.  But really, I just bristle when I hear mention of the above 3 myths.

Myths tend to have their root in loose tongues and fast facts…but honestly, there’s not a shred of truth to any of these.

Click on the above logo today, and reserve your spot.  I swear, you will never regret it!

CourVO