Throwback Thursday, WPPI and Backstage With Blues Traveler

The year is 2009 and the biggest convention in the history of WPPI. Not only did we utilize virtually every available square foot of the MGM Convention Center and adjoining Marquee Ballroom, but we also took over the Garden Arena one evening. Thanks to Nikon's support we celebrated imaging in style with John Popper and Blues Traveler.

That's part of the WPPI team on the far right with George, Shauna, Abby and me after the concert. This image takes me back to so many different aspects of the convention, which is exactly what Throwback Thursday is supposed to do.

• Most of you have no idea of the work that goes into a good convention and the support it takes behind the scenes to pull it all together. Besides the tiny staff of twenty full time employees in the company, there were over a hundred volunteers each year who were simply passionate about photography and became the heart and soul of each conference.
  
• Planning a convention is a full year job, starting with the planning for the next year immediately after the convention is over.
  
• Nothing would happen at any convention in our industry if it wasn't for the sponsors, but it's not only with speakers and special events.  Without the support of the various exhibitors your cost to attend a convention would be astronomical.
  
• While a great convention is about education it's also about networking, friendships and memories. Nothing beats the pure joy of catching up to friends each year at the various conferences.

 
I didn't know it at the time, but this would be my last WPPI as president of the association and Rangefinder Publishing. A month after the convention I decided it was time to move on and start my own company. As I look at this image and think about all the stories and work that went into WPPI each year I can't help but wonder...

"How the hell did we do it?"