I guess there are some of you who might find this morning’s blog a little lame, but yesterday was too much fun not to write about it this morning. 

With the exception of some problems with speakers in rooms that were too small, the convention has been pretty amazing.   In terms of excitement, new exhibitors and products, the trade show has been packed.    I was personally involved in the  launch of a whole series of new projects you’ll hear more about in the weeks ahead:

First, there’s a great virtual wedding show is coming in May from PDN, the same company that brings you  PhotoPlus Expo each year in New York.   Plus, Focus On Portraits is coming in June both in print and online – it’s a supplement to Photo District News and should be outstanding.  Focus on Weddings was my first project for them a few months ago and I couldn’t be more excited about working with the same team on a second publication.

Second, www.GhostRighters.comlaunched this week at the show and you’ll be hearing a lot about this in the weeks ahead.  The official launch is the end of this month, but we’d be crazy not to share the excitement with everyone, while here at WPPI.  Think about how many times you’ve needed help with your written communications, marketing plans and website.  GhostRighters is a resource for photographers to finally get help with their brochures, blogs, copy on their website and press releases and that’s only the beginning.  From helping to create a more powerful message in print to cleaning up the challenges of your website, GhostRighters tag line says it all, “Give your image a voice!”

And here’s the best part of the GhostRighters concept for me personally – the three people who have founded the company are Shauna Harris, Matt Gartz and yours truly.  Shauna and I worked together for years at WPPI, until we both left to pursue other ventures last year.  And Matt, is an outstanding web designer with incredible versitility in technology as well as graphic design.  Taking it all one step further, the three of us have an amazing network and resources to help you through those challenges that will make a difference in your presentation to the public.  Bookmark www.GhostRighters.com and keep your eye on the site as we countdown the days to the official launch!

Last but not least, stay focused on www.mei500.com and www.photofocus.com.  Within the next few weeks you’ll be hearing about an exciting project Scott Bourne and I are doing together in education, bringing a new level of support for the emerging professional.   We’re down to the 48 hour countdown for the site to go live, so stay tuned!

But with all the projects and announcements, nothing compares to the fun of finally meeting a photographer I’ve followed on Facebook for a while, Ryan Christiensen.    We need to get Dane Sanders or the Bui Brothers to come up with a name for this and maybe there is one already – but there’s no way to describe the fun of meeting somebody you’ve “spoken” with in Social Media when you finally get to shake hands and put a face with the name.  Ryan and I talked a lot last year when he started a WPPI ‘09 fan page.  So, somebody come up with what to call it when you meet somebody you’ve respected a lot from cyberspace and find yourself standing in the same spot on planet earth, shaking their hand!   (Ryan, thanks for stopping me in the hallway!)

Okay, it’s day two of WPPI and time to get moving!