It was late February 2020 when I was surrounded by photography experts, colleagues, a bartender and some of the best people I’ve had the honor of getting to know over the past six years at WPPI. There I was, walking around the show floor in Vegas with the biggest smile on my face—there was just so much to celebrate! We had an amazing event, along with a killer Eighties party, a karaoke night guaranteed to break your eardrums and, of course, the WPPI Annual Print, Album & Filmmaking Competition awards ceremony.  When it all ended, I boarded my flight home and my head was spinning with all sorts of ideas for what  we could do with WPPI in 2021.  

Over the past year, we’ve continued to be there for one another online—through our Reset series of monthly educational videos and written content, as well as the occasional Zoom Happy Hour drinks here and there—but nothing beats being in person.  Whether it’s going to Madison Square Garden for a show, spending the day at Six Flags to ride a new rollercoaster or attending WPPI in Las Vegas to see your people and get the education you need, nothing can beat that feeling of belonging and kinship that you find through community and experience.  That’s what I love about WPPI!  And, each day since WPPI 2020 ended, that’s what our team has aimed to do—create meaningful activations and experiences with which our community can engage.   

[Read: Photo Education at its Best: WPPI 2021 Speaker & Class Lineup Announced]

Fortunately, our partners embrace this same mindset. It’s the main reason Canon is participating in WPPI 2021, says Kara Anne Griggs, Sr. Manager, Event & Program Management at Canon: “We want to reconnect with our photographers and get that hands-on, face-to-face experience again. We want to see them! We want to get back to that connection.”   

WPPI 2020 was my first event as Show Director and for the last 16 months, 13 days, 10 hours and 30 minutes, I’ve been waiting to write this piece for Rangefinder. Sitting at my desk, back in our office in New York City, I’ve been bouncing up and down in my chair, adjusting my standing desk up and down too many times (to the point that my office neighbor is starting to eyeball me a bit) BUT, HEY, I’M EXCITED!    

[Read: WPPI Photo Competitions Inspire Photographers’ Growth and Creativity]

The team at RF + WPPI are ecstatic to announce our exhibitor and sponsor lineup for WPPI 2021 this August 15-19 at The Mirage in sunny Las Vegas! Canon, B&H, Bay Photo, CG Pro Prints, Sigma and Tamron are just a handful in our community leading the charge to create engaging experiences across the WPPI show floor. Canon laid out early framework on their 2021 experience for me and, if you’re as amazed with Canon’s Explorers of Light as I am and want the opportunity to work with them in custom set designs, you’re going to want to book that flight, register for an Expo hall pass (at bare minimum) and make sure you don’t miss out! Remember, this is just one of the exhibitor curated experiences you’re going to find at WPPI, as everyone has their own plans in the works. 

 In addition to brand experiences, the WPPI team has been working to get creative with sponsors like F.J. Westcott,  Light & Motion,  Flashpoint and The Portrait Masters Conference to curate dedicated studios, education and photo walks for the WPPI conference. And I haven’t even yet begun to describe the programming that RF+WPPI are facilitating through free portfolio reviews and at the RF Lounge.  So, when you have those few precious hours between classes, you’ll be able to keep the good times rolling and get some hands-on learning done on the show floor.  

While I’d love to keep writing about all of the amazing experiences, evening events (oh yeah, we’re still having parties, people!) and a new awesome hotel venue, there is only so much I am going to be able to convey through the written word. Like I said, nothing beats being in person. Whether you’ve been 15 times, 3 times or are taking the WPPI plunge for the first time this year, we can’t wait for you to join us!  

It’s time to move your business forward. It’s time to learn again and get inspired. It’s time to get out there and see your friends. It’s time for WPPI!  
 
Joe Kowalsky is the Show Director of WPPI, The Portrait Masters Conference, and PHOTOPLUS.