We’ve been so busy since returning from New York City at this years Elite Retreat, that I haven’t had a chance to do a recap of the event. The event was a great success, and I know all of the attendees agree. This ER was a little different that the past events, because we had it in New York City for the first time. New York is a great city, but it comes at a high cost. I think our expenses were double what they were in San Francisco. We also had two large sponsors for this event, our main sponsor was Epic Advertising.
I would like to personally thank them again for being such a big part of our event. And then our other big sponsor was Neverblue. Both of these companies allowed us to throw a great event, with limo pickups, great food and lots of drinks…
As you probably read in my posts before, the event took place at the incredible Hotel Gansevoort in the meat packing district of NYC. The hotel was insane; great location, great staff and the meeting room was one of the coolest I have ever seen. It was located on the top floor of the hotel, with floor to ceiling windows, looking out over the Hudson and NYC skyline. Attached to the meeting space was a full bar, which was open to us all day and night. It’s always nice to get a few drinks in, to give the networking a jumpstart. The meeting space was converted back to a nightclub when we were finished each day. Apparently the hotel is a pretty popular night spot for the area, and people were literally wrapped around the block waiting to get in.
The evening before the event began, we also have a meet and greet, just to let everybody get a chance to get to know eachother. Everybody arrived at the hotel in their own limos, and then had a chance to get unpacked before the party. With the hotel being a popular spot, we had to have security guarding all the entrances to our event, so no stragglers could get in. Overall it was a great evening, and a good start to the event.
Thursday, is the first day of the event, and we start bright and early at 7am – 8am with breakfast. Some of the attendees skip the breakfast and stroll in around 8, but the first day is usually the most scheduled and jam packed. We began with our new MC, Rebecca Kelley, doing intros for the speakers and then letting all of the attendees introduce themselves. She did a great job, and fit the mood of the conference very well. We gave her very little direction, and she handled it like a pro. Day one we ran through all of the speakers starting with Neil Patel, Chris Winfield, Brian Norgard, Aaron Wall and lastly was myself.
We were doing great on time, and finished exactly as planned, for our keynote, Seth Godin. Seth did a great talk, off the cuff, and had a lot of interaction with the crowd. Including giving away copies of his books. He spoke for a couple hours, and even hung around to meet some of the leaders and attendees.
After Seth was finished, that was a wrap for the formal part of the day, and we immediately headed next door for open bar and appetizers. With a great dinner that evening at a really nice steakhouse, called STK. Which was literally a half a block away. I think everyone had a great time at the restaurant, mixing and mingling. And the food was awesome.
Friday, the second and last day of the event started a tad later than anticipated. There were some rumors of some after hours going on the night before, so some of the attendees strolled in a little late. Day two, is very laid back, and is all about 1 on 1’s and networking. We also try to have some ad-hoc speakers, just to make sure people get more information than they’d ever know what to do with. This year we had Jon Kelly and Lauren Feldman speak. Both did an excellent job, and I think gave the attendees plenty of things to think about.
Overall, the event was a great success for us and all that attended. The leaders, Aaron Wall, Neil Patel, Chris Winfield, Brian Norgard, Jon Kelly, Lauren Feldman and Rebecca Kelley all did awesome. I want to thank our main sponsors again, Epic Advertising and Neverblue.
December 10, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Looks excellent I’ll definately be looking at attending next time you guys swing by my way.
Oh and definately busted on the waitress photo :p
October 31, 2009 at 8:04 am
Looks like the event was real success! Congratulations!
October 30, 2009 at 11:11 am
Congrats on the successful retreat, and thanks for the pictures & insight to what what transpired.
October 27, 2009 at 8:45 pm
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October 26, 2009 at 4:46 am
You seem to have an interesting bunch of people there – networking really is key to a successful business, particularly good for SEO people who sit in front of computers all day!
October 23, 2009 at 9:27 am
Hey Shoemoney . . . . I think its great that you help promote these kind of events.
Its always good to give back to the IM community.
October 23, 2009 at 12:33 am
In the second photo you were all trying to act so cool and disinterested in the presence of the hot waitress, and can I just say, FAILED.
October 25, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Only a woman can see that. Maybe because guys are looking elsewhere… Still, probably you’re right hehe
Seems you guys got more fun than ideas or info there
October 22, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Lol that could make sense Ron.
October 22, 2009 at 11:08 am
wow! That looks like it was a lot of fun. The food would have been just enough for me. It looks like there’s a lot of great people that were there to speak.
October 22, 2009 at 8:35 am
Lots of hard work and money went into this event no doubt about that. The location is chic and cool.
October 22, 2009 at 8:20 am
Looks like a fun event.
October 21, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I just hope that I’m able to join in future. Hopefully I’m able to earn enough online to fly myself there.
October 21, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Interesting and informative. But will you write about this one more?
October 21, 2009 at 8:30 pm
As a returning attendee, it was another great event. NYC is great in it’s own way but If there is ever another one, it should be back on the west coast so DK can come…and my travel time is shorter.
October 21, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Sweet, I made the second photo! lol, that’s me bending over to sip my drink (not sure why I didn’t just pick it up lol).
I wrote a review of my experience as well for those that are interested in checking it out:
http://www.chrisguthrie.net/elite-retreat-review/
Lots of fun at the event though that’s for sure.
October 21, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Chris, I’m not sure why you are bending over to sip your drink. Would it have something to do with the fact that the waitress is leaning over at that very moment? Notice how I am sitting upright and concentrating on my drink and not being lecherous.
October 21, 2009 at 5:57 pm
You were in the meat packing district? Did you pack meat ?
October 21, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Looks like it was fun!
October 21, 2009 at 5:20 pm
These conferences and retreats look like a lot of fun! I would love to attend one to soak up all of the useful information discussed. Great post!
October 21, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I would love to be able to attend one of these in the coming future!
Ever planning on SF again? It’d be a nice short drive for me haha.
Looking forward to the next one!
~JV
October 21, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Yeah, Jonathan, you need to come to the next one. They are truly amazing, amazing events. The concentration of high end guys is unbelievable.
October 22, 2009 at 8:40 am
Jonathan you do need to come out to the next one. Or to DK’s thinktank. Both are great. The personal networking is priceless.
October 21, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I don’t doubt that there is some great information given at the Elite Retreats. I think it would be awesome though if you really knocked down the overhead expense of a conference, maybe even have it Nebraska, I don’t care! Then allow a handful more attendees at less than half the price.
October 21, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Open Sky, Terrace Food serve by beautiful women and bunch of great brain. I do not think that a guy can ask more than that.
October 21, 2009 at 11:41 am
It looks like a lot of fun and great information. Greg Ellison