Pma 2007

[SmartWombat]

Photo Marketing Association International Convention and Trade Show (or PMA* 2007)
March 8-11 in Las Vegas, NV

To me it's an excuse to make a trip "over there" for a 4-day show of things that won't be at the Focus on Imaging show in Birmingham (UK, not AL) in February. That UK show, little by comparison, isn't the place anyone is going to make a significant product launch.

To my wife it's an opportunity to chase more race drivers, since there's NASCAR racing at the las Vegas speedway that weekend. She already has a fair collection of F1 and DTM driver autographs, plus a few GT drivers. So for her birthday I thought I'd offer to take her along ... nice of me, eh?

Plus attractions like the Hoover Dam, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and I suppose the strip itself might be interesting enough for a few photos. There are 5 Cirque du Soleil shows in town (we're both fans) so we may have to see them all.

Meanwhile there's this photo trade show going on that rather interests me


* No, PMA is not the Paul Maskens Appreciation society

[drg]

Photo Marketing Association International Convention and Trade Show (or PMA* 2007)
March 8-11 in Las Vegas, NV

...

Plus attractions like the Hoover Dam, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and I suppose the strip itself might be interesting enough for a few photos. There are 5 Cirque du Soleil shows in town (we're both fans) so we may have to see them all.

I think you may be in for a surprise about Vegas. It can be a bit overwhelming the first time. This is our Adult Disneyland. I know people who never get far from their hotel the first trip and they don't gamble. Have a blast and perhaps someone from over here can 'catch up' with you on your whirlwind trip (I hope you are spending more than three or four days in the US).

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip and of course, you must take photos!!

[SmartWombat]

Angie's been there before, her first husband was USAF stationed in New Mexico.
So she's been there, done that and is ready to go see other things besides the strip.
But she likes the pretty lights and the shopping ... she can get that our of her system while I'm at the conference

[mjs1973]

I'm hoping Canon anounces a 40D at PMA this year. I've been waiting for a REAL upgrade from the 20D. The 30D, just didn't seem like enough of an upgrade for me to make a switch, even though I'm still shooting with the original DRebel.

The wife and I saw Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil while we were in Vegas a couple years ago. We both loved it!

[SmartWombat]

We hope to make it to Zumanity, O, KA, Mystique, and Love. We're not going to make it to the touring show, Delirium, because it's in Oklahoma City which is rather too far away.
But since we're not likely to go again (it's 20 years since Angie was last there) we will try to do as much as we can this trip.

[drg]

The imploded most all the hotels other than Caesar's in the past twenty years. It is all new for the most part. A bigger, and brighter and MORREEE. Yikes!

Reserve your rental car early, Vegas has become notorious again for periodically running out!

[freygr]

It's to bad you will not time to visit Virgina City, and Reno. But Vegas shouldn't be too bad as far as temperature in March. Most of the time in Vegas, Air Conditioning's is not a luxury is a requirement to stay healthy.

[masdog]

Vegas...that might be a better option than Cleveland. I'm supposed to go to a college basketball tournament that weekend, but if I get a new job in the next couple of weeks, a trade show is a better reason to get off than sports.

[SmartWombat]

Reserve your rental car early, Vegas has become notorious again for periodically running out!

Already booked, the internet is great for that (and Spam too ) got flights, hotel, car all done from home at less than the travel agent would charge for a package.

[MJS]

Where are you flying through, or are you going direct?

[masdog]

Besides for SW, who is all going to PMA? I've priced it out, and I think I can afford to get there for 2-3 days. If there are more people going, perhaps we can make a PR event out of it.

[walterick]

Looks like I will be there. Only 5 hours from Phoenix. I can take charge of organizing a mini photo-gathering if there's enough interest...

Rick

[mjs1973]

That would be a good place to meet, but I thought PMA was only open to people from the photo industry. Is PMA open to the general public?

[masdog]

You can get a 4-day pass for $99.

Anyway, I just rechecked the finances, and I forgot about my car insurance bill. It looks like I won't be able to go.

[SmartWombat]

That would be a good place to meet, but I thought PMA was only open to people from the photo industry. Is PMA open to the general public?

Yes, it's not just trade, you just have to pay to attend.
As a photographer you're not general public, I think (ducks behind flame-proof barrier)
There are several PMA associated conferences, like Sports Photographers Association of America to pick one that interests me.

[megan]

I really liked Delerium, but it's not worth travelling to Oklahoma City for. Now Corteo - that one I'd travel far to see. I'm jealous....

[poker]

I can take charge of organizing a mini photo-gathering if there's enough interest...

My wife said 'yes' for Vegas that weekend but when I checked hotel rates....they are more than double the average weekend. Hard to spend $200 a night on the same hotel you've been going to for $80 a night.

Hmmmmmm.....

Here is the PMA regsite btw: http://www.pmai.org/pma07/content/as...gistration.asp

[ken1953]

I think PJ should get all of us passes to PMA and we could all report back on different areas of the show...hehe...Although I live in Texas now, I own some property in Kingman, AZ only an hour away...hehehe...might have to consider it!!!!
Ken

[Asylum Steve]

I checked hotel rates....they are more than double the average weekend...

Yeah, I'm thinking of going, but this may be a deal breaker. I guessed maybe $300 for the weekend, but rates I've checked so far are more than double that.

I really gotta figure if it will be worth the expense just for a couple of days... :idea:

[SmartWombat]

Yeah, I'm thinking of going, but this may be a deal breaker.
I really gotta figure if it will be worth the expense just for a couple of days... :idea:

We got better than that I'm sure.
I think the most expensive was $168 per day.
I'll ask SWMBO tonight and see what we're paying at the Sahara.

[masdog]

Check hotels.com. There are some hotels that are within a mile of the convention center that run about $32.00 for Wednesday and Thursday and $132.00 per night for Friday through Sunday.

[Asylum Steve]

We got better than that I'm sure.
I think the most expensive was $168 per day...

What I meant was $300 total for the weekend, including air fare. Time was, it was absolutely dirt cheap to fly to and stay in Vegas for a weekend, as they wanted to get you there so you would gamble.

I can only assume those days are gone forever... :cryin:

Now of course, $600 for two nights with air fare is not exactly unreasonable, but it is a lot for me to blow if I'm not going to get a lot out of the weekend...

[masdog]

What I meant was $300 total for the weekend, including air fare. Time was, it was absolutely dirt cheap to fly to and stay in Vegas for a weekend, as they wanted to get you there so you would gamble.

I can only assume those days are gone forever... :cryin:

Now of course, $600 for two nights with air fare is not exactly unreasonable, but it is a lot for me to blow if I'm not going to get a lot out of the weekend...

If you check Travelocity or Expedia, you can find a Wednesday to Saturday package for about $380. You're not staying in one of the nicer hotels, but if you're on a budget, thats the way to go.

[Asylum Steve]

If you check Travelocity or Expedia, you can find a Wednesday to Saturday package for about $380. You're not staying in one of the nicer hotels, but if you're on a budget, thats the way to go.

Unfortunately, PMA runs through Sunday, and (I assume) any pr.com dinner will be Saturday night. The trick is to find a good rate for the days I'd like to be in town...

BTW, I did find a rate for the weekend for about $480, but it's at a hotel away from the strip. Might end up being the best I can do...

[masdog]

Unfortunately, PMA runs through Sunday, and (I assume) any pr.com dinner will be Saturday night. The trick is to find a good rate for the days I'd like to be in town...

Hmm...that's a good point. And I did a quick search for a Thursday through Sunday trip, and it jumped almost into the $700 range.