Becker's WPPI Schedule + Tips & Info

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Feb. 9, 2009 - Misc

Hey all, I am so stoked for WPPI this year. Some of you are already out there, and most will be arriving in the next few days. I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about where I'll be and what I've got going on, and also some tips for getting the most out of the convention. Plus I'll share a few of my favorite dining spots in town.

Here's my tentative schedule. Did you notice the word tentative?:

Friday, February 13th

"Early Bird Special" GTG - For those of us who are in town early, we are trying to get some folks together for a little food and fun. Tentative plans are in this thread (sorry this link didn't work in the email blast. oops... my bad!). Exact time and location TBD... but I am leaning towards 7pm at the Pink Taco at the Hard Rock (only a 5 minute cab ride from the MGM) follow me on Twitter for updates.

10pm-ish- Poker at the Hard Rock Poker Lounge.

Saturday the 14th

I'm busy... don't bother me! ;-)

Sunday the 15th

Sleeping in after a long night of poker I'm sure!

2pm, Watching some of the print judging.

6pm, WPPI Welcome reception.

9pm. Photographers Poker tournament at the Rio, $80

Monday the 16th

10:30-2pm- Walking the convention floor with my video crew.

2pm- Visiting the Show it Sites suite.

An afternoon full of party prep!

9pm- the 9th Annual [ b ] Party (SOLD OUT)

Tuesday the 17th

12-1pm. I'll be hanging at the Shootsac booth to answer questions, and meet people. Checking out the new HIP SLIP.

2:30, Neon Boneyard shoot with [ b ] Schoolers - so excited! BBQ to follow.

I'm not sure what's going on later Tuesday night??

Wednesday the 18th

10:30- Headshot shoot. On the Strip near the corner of Tropicana Avenue, under the walkway to New York, New York. Look for a bunch of people with cameras standing around.

2:30-4:30 Jessica Claire's platform presentation. She's giving away lots of cool stuff. See the trailer below.

No plans as of yet after Jessica's talk. Lemme know what's up! Poker? OK!

Thursday the 19th

9am... bright and early... Joe Photo's closing program. Trailer below.

After Joe's presentation, there's talk of getting together for an informal lunch somewhere and also a possible shoot? Keep in touch via Twitter and/or the [ b ] School Vegas/WPPI Club.

Here's a sneak peak about what Jessica will be talking about:

Here's a little preview of what Joe Photo has in store:

Other things you might want to know about:

There are two spots left for a photo shoot on Friday, 2/13 (that's like tomorrow) 12-5pm
Nelson Ghost Town with four models (1 couple, 2 single females)
Transportation Provided. Leaving the MGM grand at noon, shooting from 1-4, back at the MGM by 5.
$50 per photographer covers transportation, model fees and entrance fees to Nelson.
Email Molly at molly at mthreestudio.com to be included. A paypal invoice will be sent for advance payment.

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[ b ] School member Jason Aten is hosting an intimate workshop on using Apple's Aperture. It's only $25 and limited to 16 people per session. It also includes 60 Aperture Album Design Templates. Check it out.

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Another [ b ] Schooler, Lawrence Kent has a service to help make custom fonts for your Show it Site. It's called Focused Color and everything is 50% off through the end of WPPI (2-19-09)

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Other important tips for WPPI:

Comfortable shoes!

Lots of water.

Don't be a lush!

Sore throat lozenges. I'm already losing my voice.

Never split 10's while playing blackjack.

Don't even think about check raising me!

If you see Skip... avoid eye contact at all costs. ;-)

If you see Mike Colon, say "Hi DJ!"

If you see DJ, say "aren't you Mike Colon?"

Here are a few of my favorite dining establishments in Las Vegas. Unfortunately I am not very familiar with the MGM. I haven't stayed there in years.

Fine Dining, super fancy or just a lot of $$$$$:

Mix. On top of THEhotel. In a word... magnificent!
Tao. At the Venetian. The Kobe sirloin is to die for
Aureole. Mandalay Bay. The largest wine selection in town.
Daniel Boulud. The Wynn. Uber fancy.
Le Circue: Bellagio.
Wazuzu: Encore. I had $28 fried rice there for lunch last month. So good.
Carnevino. Palazzo. Bring the Amex or a pile of cash.

Steak Houses:

Prime. Bellagio. Top of the line!
Charlie Palmer, Four Seasons (inside the Mandalay Bay)
N9NE: The Palms
Cut. Palazzo.
Gallagers. NY NY (Right across from the MGM)
Stripsteak. Mandalay Bay
Also the Rum Jungle at the Mandalay Bay is a Brazillain style meat on a stick place before it turns into a nightclub.
Stack. The Mirage. kind of a different kind of steak house. Not super expensive, but I liked it a lot.
Of course there's also Ruth Chris, Smith & Wolinski and Mortons, but you can go to those chains any time.

Sushi lovers should check out Sushi Roku at Caesars or Nobu at the hard Rock.

Casual dining/Good lunch spots:

BLT Burger. Mirage. So awesome. I got a PB&J shake there once and it was incredible.
Dos Caminos. Palazzo. Thee best guacamole. Eclectic Mexican.
Spago at the caesar's Forum Shops. best people watching in town.
Olives. Bellagio
Fix at the Bellagio is awesome for late night dining. The Kobe sliders are dee-lish!
The Pink Taco. Hard Rock

If you've got a favorite Vegas restaurant, please leave it in the comments below.

And lastly, if you see me and want to say hi, please do so. I say it every year, but so many people email me after WPPI saying that they saw me, but they were too shy to come introduce themselves. That's lame. Don't be shy! I'd love to meet you.

2010:
January February March April May June July

2009:
January February March April May June July August September October November December

2008:
January February March April May June July August September October November December

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