2009 WPPI .. worth going?

[tsw910]

Hi Guys ..

i was wondering if the 2009 WPPI convention in vegas is worth the trip? i've look through some of the speakers and most of all i want to attend is all booked. so, i guess it will be more roaming the convention floor and sitting down on those free sessions / speakers type of deals for me ..

if you have gone and what are your thoughts? it is worth going there without attending any paid seminars ..

thanks in advance

[cory1848]

I was hoping to go but my wife got laid off so out the window that trip went. I have heard even just the convention itself is worth it.

[tsw910]

thanks Cory .. but, sorry to hear about your wife getting laid off .. that really sucks

[CrateMaker]

I hope it's worth it. I'll let you know when I get back, if it was or not. ;)

[bjoslko]

My wife and I are full time wedding photographers. The WPPI is the best. You will learn alot in four days. Photographer are willing to share ideas, help you understand camera, software, tips, and give you ideas to make you the best photographer in your area. We have gone to the WPPI about 7 times, and will be there this year.

[rememory]

I have two tickets to WPPI. Will let 'em go cheap...schedule conflict doesn't allow me to go :(

[tsw910]

cheap ? its free !

[geo1976]

Is there a link to this conference?

[cory1848]

Is there a link to this conference?

http://www.wppionline.com

[alyson]

It will be my 3rd WPPI. Some exhibitors send trade show pass, which makes access to the trade show free! I usually roam around and listen to free sessions.

[babuszka]

That would be an interesting thing to go to!
What exactly happens at these? Is it like a huge seminar where people talk about how they do certain things, or business practices?

[alyson]

Everything about the wedding and portrait photography business - from "technical" things to business practices. There are lots of seminars, free sessions and a trade show.

[babuszka]

Everything about the wedding and portrait photography business - from "technical" things to business practices. There are lots of seminars, free sessions and a trade show.

Thanks!
I'd love to go that in the future, sounds great.

[tsw910]

and plus .. its in VEGAS, its like a double plus .. do you need more reasons to go ? LOL

but unfortunately i can't go this year, but i will definitely be going next year for sure !

[alyson]

and plus .. its in VEGAS, its like a double plus .. do you need more reasons to go ? LOL

LOL! I consider it a minus, being in Vegas. Haha!
The city is like a huge temptation.

Seriously, consider it as a double plus.

[cory1848]

cheap ? its free !

Its free for the trade show but I think he was referring to the additional classes and seminars which is $250 a pop if you are a member of WPPI.

[Tommy]

Its free for the trade show but I think he was referring to the additional classes and seminars which is $250 a pop if you are a member of WPPI.

Trade show only is $15... unless you manage a free pass from someone.

The $249 registration fee is more than worth it (especially since you get a free guest). Samantha and I are going, but there's only two "platform sessions" that I want to go to. But the gift this year with registration includes a Blues Traveler show/party, free passes for Studio 54 or Tabu, and 2 for one deals for meals and drinks. So the reg fee will pay for itself pretty quickly... So this will be mostly a vacation for me... :D

[cory1848]

Trade show only is $15... unless you manage a free pass from someone.

The $249 registration fee is more than worth it (especially since you get a free guest). Samantha and I are going, but there's only two "platform sessions" that I want to go to. But the gift this year with registration includes a Blues Traveler show/party, free passes for Studio 54 or Tabu, and 2 for one deals for meals and drinks. So the reg fee will pay for itself pretty quickly... So this will be mostly a vacation for me... :D

There are plenty of free $15 passes around. Just check with some of the vendors that will be there and most are downloadable from their websites...

[tsw910]

B&H is one of them .. WHCC is another .. pretty much all the vendors in the photo industry has a code for a free convention pass

[KJImages]

Alycia and I cannot wait to meet a lot of you!!! Thanks for all of the emails and PM's!!

Here is our schedule....(Our Plus class is sold out, but we would love to meet everyone at our Platform class on Monday evening at 6:15pm!) We also have some GREAT prizes and surprises planned!

2/12 - Plus Class
2/13 - Plus Class
2/14 - Print Judging
2/15- Print Judging
2/16 - Rings to Rattles Platform Class - 6:15pm rm #319/320!
2/17 - WHCC Tradeshow Booth - 12:30pm-1:45pm
2/17 - WPPI TownHall Meeting
2/18 - WHCC Tradeshow Booth - 12:30pm-1:45pm
2/18 - Meet the Speaker 3pm-5pm

Please come by and say hi as we would love to see some old friends and make new ones!

Kevin

[sevans16]

The show is really awesome!! I was very surprised at the turnout and venders there!!

[alyson]

Yeah. It was very hard to talk to vendors on the first day, lots of people. Hallways are packed. Didn't like the long walkways though.

[KJImages]

We had a GREAT time and it was fun meeting some folks from here! I did a whole writeup on my blog as well..

http://www.thekjblog.com

Kevin

[RichR]

We had a GREAT time and it was fun meeting some folks from here! I did a whole writeup on my blog as well..

http://www.thekjblog.com

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the blog update... You guys had a really great time and now I really wished I hadn't cancelled last minute. I was so looking forward to meeting you and Alycia and taking in your plus class... Hope you two are there next year, cause I'm definately not going to miss it again.

By the way, do you know who won the 16x20 Glamour category.... did my entries get any votes? :) And congrats on your winning entries!

[KJImages]

Hey thanks Rich! Sorry we missed you!

I'm not sure what won Glamour, but, I'll let you know when I find out. I judged the wedding category.

Thanks!

Kevin

[phsv]

So then this event is free and every workshop you attend is $250 and the trade show is $15 or free depending you get a free pass?

I am asking because my wife and I are interested in attending but we would like to know the cost. Its hard to find that information on their site.

[cory1848]

So then this event is free and every workshop you attend is $250 and the trade show is $15 or free depending you get a free pass?

I am asking because my wife and I are interested in attending but we would like to know the cost. Its hard to find that information on their site.

I wasnt able to go this year, hopefully next, but the pricing is a little confusing. Basically anyone off the street can pay $15 to attend the tradeshow. However, most vendor sites were offering a free pass downloadable from their site. Saves you $15.

The tradeshow I believe was 4 days or 3 days, cant remember. If you are a paid member of WPPIonline.com ($99) then the tradeshow is free with the membership AND the additional seminars are $250 for all, not each one. Not sure how many seminars there are, but its quite a few and from what I saw, they filled up quickly. These seminars are only available if you paid the $250 and they overlap so I dont think you can attend all of them.

In addition to the tradeshow and seminars, their are master classes that are available for additional cost on top of the $250. Prices can add up quickly and this is one of the main reasons I was not able to attend, plus travel and lodging costs.

One good thing is that with the $250 you get a guest pass free, so if you go with a friend, you can split that cost.

I think this info is correct, if anyone knows otherwise, feel free to correct. Hope this helps.

[phsv]

I wasnt able to go this year, hopefully next, but the pricing is a little confusing. Basically anyone off the street can pay $15 to attend the tradeshow. However, most vendor sites were offering a free pass downloadable from their site. Saves you $15.

The tradeshow I believe was 4 days or 3 days, cant remember. If you are a paid member of WPPIonline.com ($99) then the tradeshow is free with the membership AND the additional seminars are $250 for all, not each one. Not sure how many seminars there are, but its quite a few and from what I saw, they filled up quickly. These seminars are only available if you paid the $250 and they overlap so I dont think you can attend all of them.

In addition to the tradeshow and seminars, their are master classes that are available for additional cost on top of the $250. Prices can add up quickly and this is one of the main reasons I was not able to attend, plus travel and lodging costs.

One good thing is that with the $250 you get a guest pass free, so if you go with a friend, you can split that cost.

I think this info is correct, if anyone knows otherwise, feel free to correct. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, it does seem a little confusing. I wasn't able to attend this year because of the dates but just saw the new dates and they seem like they will work better around my schedule (teacher).

But yes I do agree with you. The pricing is a little confusing. I read all these cool things about it in Rangefinder but the prices aren't there. Hopefully they post the prices for one in 2010 and be able to plan accordingly.