2008 Palm Beach Open Photos - the cool (literally) setting!

[SpearMax]

The first ever 2008 Palm Beach Blue Storm Open was really cool. Thank goodness for that air-conditioned facility! :cool: :cool: :cool:

So without further delay, here are some cool photos taken by none other than Len Pepe (aka Gradyman). Thank you Len!

[SpearMax]

We had the $250,000 Bahama 31 boat raffle prize there.

For more information on that incredible prize plus how to enter the raffle, please go to this link:

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=66816

Behind the boat prize, the Spear Wars production trailer and registration tent was the large weigh-in tent. We placed the weigh-in area right next to the air conditioned Newcomb Hall so people could go in and out of the hall to cool off during the 2+ hour weigh-in time from 9:30 AM to approximately 12 noon.

[SpearMax]

Let's look at the prizes on the stage. I made sure everyone who registered was able to get good prizes. That always seems to make people happy.

For the sponsors, lots of extra time and effort was put into displaying their wonderful prize donations in the best way with the display grid wall I invested in last year.

The stage was very useful to control access and let attendees check out all the cool products and services in the prize area.

[SpearMax]

The booty was rich and deep! Just the right amount of prizes for the number of attendees. Here are some examples.

[SpearMax]

There were wonderful exhibitors on site that day.

Here are some of them.

[SpearMax]

More exhibitors who all had plenty of face-to-face time with the attendees to show their products and services.

[SpearMax]

With the festivities and entertainment of the exotic birds and steel drum musicians, we made sure that exhibitors and attendees were comfortable (the AC was key!). The positive climate made for some good times.

[SpearMax]

And most importantly, exhibitor Mike from Florida Freedivers held the ring toss benefiting the Fishing Rights Alliance. Thank you Mike!

[SpearMax]

Here are some interesting people shots before we get to the weigh-in photos.

[SpearMax]

More people having fun.

[SpearMax]

Good food, good people, and good exhibitors make for good family times!

[SpearMax]

Here is the last set of photos for this thread. I wish to express a special thanks to Chef Quinn shown in the last photo. His assistance with the show management, set-up and break-down was simply amazing!

I will start weigh-in and prize photo threads later as I have to get to work now. Enjoy these for the time being.

[Rinaldo]

Great pics !

There was a great ambiance about the entire event and the participants. Every sponsor and exhibitor was more than willing to answer questions and swap stories. It was a great first experience for Michelle and I.
Nothing however compared to the Fish Chad shot, I was expecting to see a 20 pound snapper win it not that MONSTER fish.

She looks like she's trying to kill the Rib.

[Gradyman]

Thanks Tony, guys were starting to PM me about the images already...had a great time...see you all in September!

[spear'nfool]

thanxs for the great tournament tony, it was loads of fun

[SpearMax]

thanxs for the great tournament tony, it was loads of fun

Glad you could make it! :)