Throwback Thursday - The Blow-out Party of 2009

 It was 2009, and it might well have been the biggest WPPI convention in history. I'm counting everything - from exhibitors to programming, parties, and obviously attendees!  We did an email blast a few weeks before the event:

"We told you something BIG is coming to WPPI! Something so BIG that we had to rent out the MGM Grand Arena. We promised—and we delivered. Please join us for a private WPPI performance by Blues Traveler! This is a free concert to all WPPI attendees. Just one shameless flash of your WPPI attendee badge gets you access to this one-of-a-kind event brought to you by Nikon, WPPI, WHCC and Mitsubishi Electric. Don’t miss out on your chance for a FREE performance by the Grammy Award-winning band, Blues Traveler. Doors open for the Blues Traveler performance at 9:30 p.m on Monday, Feb. 16." 

The image above was back stage after the concert. That's Blues Traveler in the back row with Rachel, Lindsay from Nikon and my daughter, Jaime in the front. Rachel is my buddy Gary Blair's daughter (Don Blair's granddaughter) and she and Jaime hung out that night at the concert. Lindsay Silverman is a product manager at Nikon. That's John Popper himself leaning in on Jaime. 

While there were other sponsors, the concert never would have happened without Nikon's support. That night we took over the entire MGM Garden Arena and the place rocked. Without question, it was the biggest party in WPPI history, and the excitement in the air throughout the convention was non-stop.

There's so much many of you take for granted when you attend a convention or a workshop series. Very few of these events could ever survive without the support of the manufacturers. Very rarely does the cost at the "gate" cover the expenses to bring you great programming. The next time you attend a sponsored convention, conference or workshop, remember to swing by the sponsors and let them know they're appreciated.

So, it's Throwback Thursday and the perfect excuse for you to share some old images on your blog. Remember to remind your readership about the importance of professional photography and your ability to help them capture those important memories, especially the ones of their family growing up!