Well, its convention time again. Jim Carpenter and his staff have worked hard for the last 18 months to bring you an awesome line up of diverse speakers. As you know the convention is once again in Roanoke before moving back to Richmond for 2014 and 2015. As I thought about what I wanted to say in my message, I kept coming back to the same theme. What has VPPA meant to me and my business? There is an old saying, “You get out of it, what you put into it.” You can’t sit on the sideline and expect things to just happen. You need to get involved! It never fails to amaze me. When I attend a district meeting, I always come away with a piece of knowledge that will help my business. This is my Thirteenth year in the VPPA; I have served in some way for nine of those years. I know you’re saying “good for you Kevin”. Well it is good for me, and my business. I have met lifelong friends! Not only in the state of Virginia, but across the Country. In 2005 I met Bob Boyd a wonderful photographer, who taught some lighting and posing that I still use today. In 2011 I met Cris Duncan, while I was looking for speakers for my convention. Cris and I talk on a regular basis, about photography, business and family. This September we spent 4 days in Yosemite National Park with a dozen other photographers, photographing and learning. My point to all this is, we need to get involved. The board works very hard to provide all these opportunities for you. Help us by promoting the VPPA, attending your district meetings, seminars and conventions. Remember you get out of it, what you put into it.

See you at the Safari

Kevin