Thanks to everyone who joined us for Imaging USA in New Orleans. We'll see you next year in Atlanta on January 20 - 22, 2013 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Look for the new website coming shortly with all the details you'll need to prepare for Imaging USA in Atlanta.
Join us for this year's Award & Degree ceremony as we celebrate PPA members who’ve earned degrees and awards through their service, competition excellence and instruction. You’ll also hear special addresses from the PPA President and the Lifetime Achievement Award winner!
The awards begin at 7pm tonight in the convention center's auditorium.
Help us celebrate another successful Imaging USA tonight at the Peach Jam - It's a Party Y'all! The party begins at 8 in the convention center's La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom.
It’s the perfect way to sum up your Imaging USA experience. Dance, eat and laugh as you celebrate one last time with your fellow photographers (and experience the Southern charm coming your way in Atlanta for Imaging USA 2013)!
Here's some more footage from Imaging USA in New Orleans!
Eye Candy Collages (booth 539), a custom wedding album design service for photographers, is pleased to announce its new and updated online proofing system. The proofing system is a standard feature for anyone using Eye Candy Collages for their layout design services.
Eye Candy Collages is an affordable specialty design layout provider. Their service is great for photographers who don't want to design their own books. This helps the photographers with their workflow. The design services free up valuable time, which allows photographers to focus on sales and field work.
Eye Candy Collages offers multiple types of design layouts. They specialize in color correction and image enhancement, which can really set a studio's work apart from their competition. These features are included in the standard design fee. The desings also come with multiple rounds of revisions to ensure the bride is happy with her album layouts. "There is a story behind each wedding. A good wedding album should tell that story in a vivid and enthralling way, keeping in mind the specific tastes of the modern bride. Eye Candy Collages has created four different types of layouts to give our clients options best-suited to their needs. Our design staff is versatile, so you can specify exactly what you'd like tor they can tailor a design for you based on the existing layouts," said Design Manager Sudeep Kanwal.
Celebrate photography with Imaging USA's Grand Imaging Awards! The awards begin at 5:30 this evening in the convention center's La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom.
The 2011 Medalists, Diamond Photographers of the Year, and all the elite Loan Collection artists (from the most recent International Photographic Competition) will be honored tonight. Plus, new winners will be revealed in each of the competition’s image categories!
Stop by for an image show of these top photographers’ work and enjoy more inspiration, more refreshments…and a chance to see whose work earns the Grand Imaging Award.
Here's the view from the trade show floor on Sunday!
Unwind from your first full day of Imaging USA on us! The Big. Bayou. Bash. party sponsored by Canon begins tonight at 8 in the Hilton Hotel's Grand Ballroom.
With food, music and your fellow photographers and friends, Canon’s party is a great way to end the first night…and keep the excitement going.
Entertainment will be provided by Fifty Amp Fuse, a tribute band celebrating the greatest American and British pop and rock hits from the 1960's through today. Featuring a nine-piece band, Fifty Amp Fuse will take you on a musical journey through the soundtrack of your life. The show will feature unique arrangements, "mash-ups" and accurate versions of your favorite songs, making Fifty Amp Fuse a great tribute show and a great way to spend the first night of Imaging USA!
If you've got questions about the benefits of joining PPA, stop by the membership booth at the front of the expo hall for several presentations on our most popular benefits!
Sunday's schedule is below.
11:30am: PhotoCare Equipment Insurance
12:00pm: Benchmark Survey
12:30pm: See the Difference
1:00pm: Indemnification Trust
2:00pm: PhotoCare Equipment Insurance
2:30pm: Benchmark Survey
3:30pm: See the Difference
4:00pm: Indemnification Trust
Dear Imaging USA participants,
Let me be among the first to welcome you to New Orleans for this year's conference.
As you know, the Crescent City has a historic and well-deserved reputation for a unique and active restaurant scene that offers more than its fair share of transcendent dining experiences. During your stay here, you'll have your choice of a wide range of amazing meals—from the savory wonders of an overstuffed seafood poboy to updated, sophisticated takes on the food of rural Louisiana's Cajun country. Washed down, of course, with a near-infinite variety of classic cocktails and other adult beverages.
And though the scene is definitely hopping with fantastic food, it's also a harsh reality that many conventioneers often leave New Orleans without sampling the best the city has to offer -- having somehow gravitated to tourist joints that serve fare just one click above their local "New Orleans style" stall at a mall's food court.
So to make sure that you eat well, I'm offering a few recommendations from a local food writer. The selection assumes that you're going to be shuttling between the Convention Center and the French Quarter. (There are plenty of amazing places in the city's other neighborhoods, but let's go for the proverbial "low hanging fruit," shall we?)
In between sessions, check out these local gems and sample some of the best food that New Orleans has to offer. Meantime, have a great conference and make the most of every meal.
best,
Pableaux Johnson
www.pableaux.com
NEAR THE CONVENTION CENTER
Cochon
931 Tchoupitoulas St.
Tel: 504-588-2123
www.cochonresturant.com
Herbsaint's star chef Donald Link and fellow porkophile Steven Stryjewski teamed up to open up this whole hog homage to the food of Cajun southwest Louisiana in TK. Though you'll need to call ahead during the busy season and endure a packed dining room, the bold, rustic flavors are well worth the fight. Seafood specialties (wood-grilled Gulf fish) are exceptional, but the pig is king. Charcuterie fans should eat their way through the "boucherie" menu, which features spicy house made fried boudin (rice sausage), grilled ribs with watermelon pickle, pork cheeks, and other meaty specialties. For a slightly less formal take, head around the corner to BUTCHER (Links "swine bar") a less formal outpost with great cocktails, wines by the glass and casual menu.
Riomar
800 South Peters St. (at Julia)
504-525-3474
www.riomarseafood.com
In a town that's dominated by seafood interpretations, Riomar presents fresh Gulf fish with the culinary influences of Spain and lesser-known regions of Latin America. In dish after simple dish—Panamanian ceviche with just a hint of powerful habenero chile, perfectly grilled escolar topped with a flavorful mix of Kalamata olives, tender/crunchy peppers and salty caper berries—chef/owner Adolfo Garcia achieves the holy grail of the contemporary chef: letting exceptional ingredients speak for themselves. With its bright sea-themed décor, open kitchen and indoor/outdoor front bar, Riomar brings shoreside charm to the funky end of the Warehouse District.
FRENCH QUARTER
Johnny's Poboys,
511 St. Louis
504.524-8129, www.johnyspoboy.com
This one is a lowbrow treasure. One of the few dedicated poboy joints in the French Quarter, Johnny's does a brisk breakfast and lunch trade with hotel workers, tourists, and off-shift cops. Along with the classic fried seafood options, Johnny's makes sandwich from traditional breakfast foods (cheese omelet, scrambled eggs and bacon).
Galatoire’s
714 Bourbon St.
504.525.2021
A drawn out midday meal at this mirror-lined French Quarter Creole palace remains one of the city's defining culinary experiences. Feast on fresh-caught pompano amandine and the impossibly light souflée potatoes dipped in rich béarnaise. In keeping with the ways of the Old Line, arrive early—and properly dressed—and enjoy.
Sylvain
625 Chartres St.
504.265.8123
www.sylvainnola.com/
This new gem of the French Quarter cocktail/restaurant scene has plenty of atmosphere in a compact package—10-seat coppertop bar, a dozen tables back-entrance courtyard with a strong late-night gastropub kitchen (fancy burgers, braised beef cheeks, pulled pork) and matching range of artfully-made cocktails. On most evening nights, the joint packs early, so call to reserve or prepare to wait. The kitchen stays open late, though (until 11), a rarity for a city renowned for its night life.
Verti Marte
1201 Royal Street
504.525.4767
If you find yourself in the Quarter past midnight and in the mood for one last meal before the hangover, make a beeline for the VERTI MART, a local corner grocery with an in/famous late-night kitchen favored by local night owls. If you're in the mood for spice, grab a muffaletta sandwich (savory Italian cold cuts with tangy olive salad) or one of a million poboy combinations.
OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS (But worth the trip)
Brigtsen’s
723 Dante St.
504.861.7610
Local boy Frank Brigtsen passed up on the whole celebrity chef empire thing and chose instead to run one little restaurant in the Riverbend neighborhood of town exceedingly well. The unassuming side-gallery shotgun house feels like home to loyals who come from near and far. Brigtsen's wife Marna and her sisters run the dining rooms with a "darned near family" vibe while, from his tiny kitchen, Frank turns out fish and game classics like Louisiana shrimp remoulade with creamy devilled eggs and corn relish, pan-roasted venison, and a "seafood platter" for those who want a little bit of everything.
Upperline
4501 Upperline St.
504.894.9880
This funky uptown standard has a welcoming energy and is hung with local artwork, thanks to the effort (and considerable collection) of owner, local fixture and bon vivant JoAnn Clevenger. She works the front of the house like a charismatic dervish while the kitchen dishes up specialties like a definitive dark-roux duck gumbo and fried green tomatoes topped with spicy shrimp remoulade.
Parkway Tavern
538 Hagan Avenue
504.482.3047
www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com
Every visitor should experience the old-school poboys at this Midcity eatery. The Parkway is an family-friendly neighborhood barroom with plenty of outdoor seating for springtime lollygagging. And the poboys? They're more than a meal's worth—overstuffed with crispy fried oysters or shrimp, gravy-soaked roast beef, or savory griddle-crisped ham. A side of sweet potato fries, a cold beer and a cup of gumbo complete the luscious, coma-inducing lunch.
Commander’s Palace
1403 Washington Ave.
504.899.8221
Genteel Garden District ladies (and other lovers of the lost afternoon) gravitate to this fabled flagship of the Brennan's restaurant empire for an extended high-octane weekday luncheon. The bar pours a range of well martinis for 25 cents a pop, and several prix-fixe menus offer classics from the Creole canon (turtle soup, gumbo du jour, soufflé-style bread pudding) and the midday riffs of chef Tory McPhail. Follow this with a stroll through the picturesque Lafayette Cemetery #1 across the street.
WHERE TO DRINK
(French Quarter Edition)
New Orleans' neon-lit party zone—the in/famous Bourbon Street—quite literally needs no introduction. Historic tawdriness. Day-glo frozen cocktails powerful enough stun a moose. Appropriately diminished inhibitions.
First-timers are drawn there, but the city's legendary barroom and music culture takes place at other classic venues scattered about the city. Try these French Quarter standouts for a better feel of the city's cocktail culture:
Bar Tonique
820 North Rampart
www.bartonique.com
There are plenty of old bars in the city, but Bar Tonique gives cocktail fans the perfect mix of forward-looking mixology and liquid history. Somewhat hidden on the back side of the French Quarter, Tonique prides itself on well-crafted spiritual experiences. Try their anise-scented Sazerac (New Orleans' official cocktail) or a spicy citrus Fauxcheux, a blend of tequila, lemon and elderflower liqueur. The room’s ambiance splits the difference between modern speakeasy and classic New Orleans neighborhood bar. The perfect place for a quiet nightcap. Or three.
Tujague’s
823 Decatur St.
504.525.8676
Steps away from the tourist-filled Café Du Monde, this unassuming barroom houses the longest and oldest saloon bars in a city known for its historic drinkeries. En route from venue to venue, stop in for a relaxed afternoon Sazerac (spicy rye whiskey with Peychaud bitters and a rinse of anise and citrus). Consider it a liquid history lesson—sipping the newly-named official cocktail of New Orleans in one of its most revered barrooms.
Napoleon House Bar & Café
500 Chartres St.
504.524.9752
This 17th-century corner bar played host to old school French nationalists, who prepared a room for Mr. Bonaparte, just in case Elba didn't work out. The patina of the walls, funky/formal atmosphere and air of history make it the perfect place to spend an afternoon, sipping the definitive Pimm's Cup—a spicy gin-based cooler garnished with sliced cucumber.
Monteleone Carousel Bar
800 N. Rampart St.
504.523.3341
Elaborate merry-go-round bar spins at near-glacial pace—just fast enough to discombobulate heavier drinkers. But don’t worry; there are tables beneath a “starry-night” paint job for the motion-sensitive.
Cocktail Seminar (By the glass)
BarUncommon
Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel
A showman behind the bar and formidable cocktail scholar, Chris McMillian recently plied his trade at the Ritz-Carlton before moving to the lobby bar at the Renaissance Pere Marquette. Step up to the bar, ask for a classic cocktail (Pimm's Cup, Sazerac, Ramos Gin Fizz) and get ready for a history lesson worthy of its own cable series. McMillian's riff on the mint julep (a Kentucky concoction) is legendary among cocktail geeks. It's pricy, but considered borderline performance art—including a wooden hammer, linen bag, and lyric poetry recitation—and worth every penny.
Molly’s in the Market
1107 Decatur St.
504.525-5169
Aging, welcoming, open to the street. This old journalist's hangout wears recent history on its sleeve. A great place for a beer, highball or their specialty, a frozen Irish Coffee.
The Imaging EXPO will open today at 11! Come by for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and be the first to find all the products you want. The expo schedule is below.
Sunday, January 15: 11:00am - 4:30pm
Monday, January 16: 11:00am - 4:30pm
Tuesday, January 17: 9:30am - 1:30pm
We're looking forward to seeing you Sunday for the official opening of Imaging USA! Until then, check out the pre-convention events from Saturday below.
If you're already at Imaging USA attending pre-convention classes, be sure to come to the PPA Charities Celebration event. The celebration begins at 8 PM in the Hilton Hotel's Versailles Ballroom.
The focus of the evening will be PPA Charities and the good deeds that have been (and can be) done. For example, you won’t want to miss the ever-popular auction, where you can get great products and services while helping out PPA Charities. Of course, the check presentation to Operation Smile is the highlight of the celebration, and this time you’ll get to meet Dr. Bill Magee, co-founder of Operation Smile!
Don’t miss this chance to meet up with old friends and make new ones while enjoying the fun, food, and auction.
You can also pre-bid on some items up for auction. Read more here.
Don't forget that Canon will be hosting FREE equipment clean & checks, portfolio reviews and professional prints for Gold and Platinum members in the CPS lounge. Visit Canon booth #1017 for more details.
Check out all the events at Imaging USA from Friday, January 13th!