Mashery launched today under the guise of the Web 2.0 conference at the Palace Hotel....but no, Mashery isn't part of the conference. Mashery has executed an amazingly audacious conference hack.
1. Get VC's assistant to call hotel and secure an unused meeting room on the conference floor.
(Cost: 2 x $800/day.)
2. Hang signs on room doors that are visible from conference mingling area. (Cost: $180 printing.)
3. Go to Ikea and get stylish furniture delivered, then resell to staff for personal use at 1/2 cost. (Cost: $400 net.)
4. Hang sign in bar window across the street from the hotel entrance. (Cost: 4 x $200/day + $200 printing.)
5. Rent margarita machine and serve up snacks. (Cost: 2 x $1000/day.)
6. Arrange for miscellaneous supplies and labor. (Cost: $800.)
Total cost of stylish side pavilion serving margaritas: $5,980. Compare to $150,000 cost for Web 2.0 platinum sponsorship, which does include a room, furniture, and staff.
This loophole probably never existed before, and undoubtedly will never exist again, so it's worth celebrating on behalf of scrappy entrepreneurs everywhere.
