News
DEMA 2008: DPG & Wetpixel Cocktail Party
By Jason Heller, October 28, 2008 @ 02:00 AM (EST)
Thursday Oct 23rd, DivePhotoGuide & Wetpixel hosted a not-to-be-missed cocktail party for the underwater photography and video industry at the Las Vegas Hilton. We thank everyone who came out to celebrate the underwater photography & video industry. We also send a sincere thanks to the sponsors who helped make this evening possible - Amphibico, Aquatica, Backscatter, INON America, Reef Photo & Video, Marine Camera Distributors, and Worldwide Dive & Sail.

Warning - drunken images to follow…
(Note: best to not drink and shoot)
(Note: best to not drink and shoot)

After almost getting kicked out of the Hilton three times, we managed to convince security that the world would be a better place if our party continued, and the libations flowed until about 2am. Several of us (including Eric & myself) had to run out to make emergency booze runs throughout the night. The first round of alcohol was running low within an hour - it's been a while since I've seen that much drinking! We also had over three times as many people as we expected. So much so that at some point the suite was so packed, hot and loud, that the air conditioning or music couldn't keep up. Hence the run-ins with hotel security. Most of the images that follow were taken later in the night once the crowd thinned out a bit and the emergency alcohol runs were past us. Additional party coverage can be found on Wetpixel as well.

The hosts with the most – Eric Cheng & Jason Heller

Walt Stearns, Jim Decker, Andy Sallmon

Jean (Aquatica), Alex Mustard’s Clone

Jason, Natasha & Capt. Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd)

Ryan Canon (Reef Photo), Mike Luzansky (H2o Photo Pros)

A happy Stuart Westmorland sandwich

Stephen Frink, Harald (Seacam), Henrik (Wakatobi) in the background

Keri, Chris & Les Wilk (Reefnet)

The Underwater Photo Society Gals – Wendy (NYUPS), Kelly (LAUPS), Kathy (NCUPS)

Sean Heinrichs sports a longline hook from a shark he pulled off a line at Cocos Island

Eric & Eli

Stephen Whelan (DeeperBlue) and Abigail Smigel

Adam Lau and I take shots of each other (what dorks)

Miguel and Carolina (Aquatica)

Matt Segal, Keri Wilk, Wendy Heller, Matt Weiss

Our bartenders – Natasha & Ali

Partying with the New York crew – Jason, Scott D., Wendy, Michael Feld, Polina Reznikov, Larry Cohen, Mark Snyder

The guys from Deeper Blue, Mike Luzansky & Jason

Jean, John Bantin, Frank & Mike (Worldwide Dive & Sail)

Dan Baldocchi & Bonnie Pelnar

The crowd thins out a bit towards the end of the evening

The guys from Worldwide Dive & Sail look pretty happy

Henrik looks even happier

Jason, Bonnie Pelnar & Lee Peterson (Marine Camera)

Dermott Keane, and Sam (Sam’s Tours) & Todd Essick (middle)

Miguel, Wendy, Jason

This was on top of our cab on the way back from the Hilton. Wanted to try out the AK47, maybe next time when I didn't drink too much…
Matt wraps up the night on our way to grab a few late night cheeseburgers...hangovers to follow...
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