Lake Outing 2008

There is less than six weeks before the September 2008 Surf Expo show and the pace around the office is reaching a pre-planning crescendo. Deadlines are tight, to-do lists are long, and everything is being done to make those three days in Orlando smooth, productive, and absolutely valuable for our exhibitors and buyers.

But it's always a good idea to lift your head up from the battle and assess. To take that deep breath before the plunge. And that is exactly what the staff of Surf Expo did this past weekend at our annual retreat at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee, Georgia. Hanging out by the pool, trying a few turns at wakeboarding on those glass-smooth inlets, or surviving the Shotski: it's all part of the experience.

So here are some photos from the weekend. I hope they reveal some of the personalities of the staff here at Surf Expo and how tightly knit the group really is. Enjoy.

Note: Click photos to supersize.

Erin Cianciolo, boutique and swim sales manager.

Erin and Chad Cianciolo.

Chris and Sloan Hornby talk to the one and only Doog Becker.

Marketing Assistant David Bienfait and Operations Assistant Joshua Carruth hug it out.

 Kim's first pull ever is a success!

Marketing Director Dan Darby follows the sun in his stylish chapeau.

Buyer Marketing Manager Jill Knowles.

David and Claudia.

Accounts Receivable Manager Anne Tate, Operations Manager Kimberly Bratcher, and Doog Becker share a moment commenting about the hairdo of Exhibitor Marketing Manager Vicki Vasil.

Wesley, Theresa, and Steven Fisher. "Fish" is our ace reporter and Surf Expo's Boardsport Buyer Relations Manager.

Show Director Roy Turner, Sloan Hornby, and dmg world media EVP Duncan Payne.

Mark, Kay Darby, and Surf Expo Office/Buyer Relations Manager June Griffeth.

Doog Becker tries (unsuccessfully) to sneak through the crowd unnoticed.

Surf Expo Operations Coordinator Jody Mosley with Bob Foster of the Orange County Convention Center.

Dan and Kacie Darby spot the stalker paparazzi.

Angela, Zachary, and Roy Turner.

Makin' S'Mores by the lake, what could be finer?

dmg world media VP Lori Kisner welcomes the group to the annual Lake Outing.

The one and the (thankfully) only Shotski. Think you're tough enough?

Travel Services Manager Kathy Wilkie, dmg world media Senior Human Resources Advisor Ashley Serge, and Beach and Fashion Buyer Relations Manager Alyson Levy.

Christy O'Brien.

Lori, Mike, Ashley, and Duncan tackle the Shotski.

Another fine example of superior dmg world media teamwork!

More Shotski suckers -- I mean participants.

Surf Expo Marketing Content Manager (and all around snazzy dresser) Sean O'Brien with his lovely wife Christy.

The limes are an important part of the Shotski experience.

Sales Coordinator Chrissie Cinquegrano survives the Shotski -- barely.

Butch and Sloane