The First Time is always Memorable
Mar 28 '06
The Bottom Line While we did surprise the Epinions folks by having a good showing, I do think the place was rather undersized. Otherwise, a good choice for a meet and greet.
I have not been in NYC in about 10 years. Last time I was there, the Twin Towers gleamed in the morning sunlight, there were peep shows on Times Square and the subway was about a dollar.
Things change. I jumped at the opportunity to do some wandering around on the excuse of going to the Epinions Meet and Greet with my husband. Travel into the City, wander around a bit and then attend the event.
We stayed at a place in Bucks County in PA. Cheaper hotel rates and more to do before we got up Saturday morning and got into the City. We opted to drive to Staten Island, take the ferry, visit Ground Zero, do some research for a book I'm writing at Gramercy Park and then hit Times Square.
We got that done in the morning, along with some stories, but the focus here is the Meet and Greet, so I'll not bore you with other fuzzy details.
We arrived in Times Square a little early, got some photos and wandered into a few stores before we hit the ESPN Zone.
The ESPN Zone was highly visible from the outside because of the HUGE advertisement above the entrance of a young man and lady in their scanty Calvin Klein underwear. And they said the peep shows were gone from Times Square.... Ha!
ESPN Zone is all about sports... if you like sports, are into eating dinner in front of huge screens showing "nothing but sports" then this is the place for you. I was disappointed as this was not a hockey day. Might have been more interesting, but I understand that basketball has to have a season to itself. We can not have "all hockey all the time", though I am not sure why.
What we did have was the "Skybox". This is akin to the pressbox at any arena where everyone sits in comfy chairs above the action and has huge windows, good food and plenty of space for the small, exclusive group that has possession of the box that night. While I do understand that of the number of people who usually sign in for these kinds of events is usual much higher than those who actually show up, the Epinions/Shopping.com staff under estimated the great showing we presented as reviewers and the space we had was a bit small and cramped vs. the number of people who attended. It got warm in there very quickly and seats were at a premium.
But that does not stop a good meet and greet. We packed into that Skybox like sardines in a can, occupying every available space to talk, meet, eat, drink and laugh and have a good time.
I did get to spend some time talking to Lorrie Norrington, President and CEO of Shopping.com. Very nice lady, nice to speak with, she had her question down pat - what is the most interesting review you've done lately. Good conversation starter, we did discuss that, and Epinions and a few other items. I did plant a bug in her ear for a Meet and Greet in Columbus, we will see what comes of that. Also spoke a bit with Garrett Gonzales - very nice guy.
Then spoke with a bunch of Epinions folks. Forgive me if I leave anyone out, but I do suffer from brain farts, and I even missed a few folks talking to others. Met libpunkchick, Bob Tomato, Dizzybint, Fuche Bu, Pearannoyed, Staceys1, Mike.Holmes, Popsrocks and so many more.
Conversation was good. Lots to talk about, lots of material to cover. Lots of laughing and having a good time.
There was an open bar. Drinks were good, not over done. Food was very good as well. I had the chicken and it was very tasty. Husband (yes, brought the husband with me, who for the most part watched the big screens) had the beef, said it was a little tough, loved the mashed potatoes, and both of us agreed the cheese cake was the winner for best in show/taste.
Ms. Norrington gave a wonderful little speech, gave out the big prize of the Ipod and we then returned to talking, getting some lovely and nice t-shirts and playing with the Epidolls that were scattered all about the place. Yes, those Epidolls did get into some trouble, but ya know, what Epidoll wouldn't if it had an opportunity to play in Times Square in NYC.
Overall, it was a lovely first event for myself. I got to put some faces to the names I see on so many reviews every day, got to meet some of the staff that run Epinions and offers me a place to note what's hot and what's not, and it was for me a very memorable return to NYC after so many years.
Many thanks to the staff and lovely folks at Epinions for putting on this affair. It does us good to mingle with each other, compare notes, chat up business and make better friends. It was a memorable first time for me. boudica
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
boudica_
|
|
Member: Boudica
Location: elsewhere
Reviews written: 205
Trusted by: 85 members
About Me:
Yes, I am a witch. And?
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.