WPPI Prep

Tomorrow is the big day! Lisa Ronco and I will be on our way to Las Vegas to attend WPPI 2011!!! We have waited months for this... eager to attend platform classes by greats like Jasmine Star, Jared Platt, Joe Buissink, Tamara Lackey and Bobbi + Mike. All year long, we follow their tours and their blogs, we are hungry to learn more and more! WPPI is just the place to do it and we couldn't be more excited!

This is actually my second time going to WPPI. Last year, I was clueless as to what to expect and it was a last minute decision to go. I realized that I needed to make a lot of changes this year! So here are my goals for the conference this time around:

1. Be prepared. Last year, I didn't choose my speaker schedule until I had a hard copy of the program in my hands. Heck, I didn't even know there was a program! But I've already printed out my preboard tickets, and I've chosen other prospective classes and placed them on a calendar so I know where I need to be and when! I even went through the vendor list and made a point to highlight each vendor I must see, accompanied with shopping list. Hey, it's better to be OVER prepared right?

2. Sleep. Last year, I brought a non-photographer friend and when I told her we were going to Vegas, she was excited for Vegas things. This year, I'm accompanied by another photog friend who will be just as focused as I am on photography related things. Not that I didn't have a blast last year, it just wore me out and I couldn't take full advantage of the conference like I should have.

3. Network. Last year, I think I talked to one person. ONE! So this year, I have a brand new box of business cards and I'm not afraid to use them! See above picture, aren't they cute?

4. Have fun. Lisa and I have tickets to the Pictage Party at Studio 54. Now, don't get us wrong, we're not party animals in the least, but we do want to meet other photographers and make new friends. There is also another mixer we are excited to check out through Photographer's Unite which is a group of Christian photographers. So so stoked.

5. Relax. This year, we are staying at the beautiful Cancun Resort located right off of the strip. Our suite has a full kitchen so we can cook food and save money. There is also a huge pool with waterslides! Yah, I know, it's going to be about 50 degrees out, but I have to go down at least once! weeeee!!!

So those are the biggies, I'm just about done packing and then I'll TRY to sleep even though I can never sleep before a big trip... wish me luck!