It’s hard to cover an event like MagicMeets with so much going on. I enjoyed photographing the Main Ballroom events and some of the Breakout sessions with speakers like Deb Wills, our wonderful webmaster of AllEars.net, Shontell Crawford of DVC by Resale, Disney’s first CMO Justin Muchoney, Johnny Zotto training young animators and Steve Barrett, author of the Hidden Mickey’s Guidebooks. What I came away with was how much fun people were having at MagicMeets and wanted to share a little of it here with you.

During the first breakout session, Deb Wills did a talk entitled, “Let’s Go Cruisin!”, about the Disney Cruise Line. Deb answered questions and encouraged guests who had been on a cruise to share their experiences. Deb even got into character much to the delight of the 100 plus members of the audience.

Deb Wills of AllEars.net getting feedback from an audience member at her “Let’s Go Cruisin!” breakout session during MagicMeets.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5.3, 400 ISO, EV +0.3, 82mm Focal length

Next door, Johnny Zotto was running his “How to Draw Mickey” Breakout session for the kids attending MagicMeets. I stopped in as they were finishing up drawing Mickey Mouse and were preparing to draw Goofy. It amazes me how just by drawing circles, ovals and parts of them create our lovable Disney characters.

Samantha Hogan proudly shows off her Mickey Mouse drawing she made under the instruction of Johnny Zotto at MagicMeets.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5, 400 ISO, EV +0.3, 18mm Focal length

Lots of prizes were given away by the sponsors who attended MagicMeets. Fred Block, the founder of MagicMeets, would get the entire ballroom excited when announcing the next prize drawing. Photos, books, beautiful gift baskets and even a Mousefest 2009 cruise for two was given away to the amazement of the winners.

A happy Pamela Berkheiser poses with her Hidden Mickey prize package she won at MagicMeets.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5, 400 ISO, EV +0.3, 42mm Focal length

The real winners of the day was the Make-A-Wish Foundation as $20,000 was raised to help make wishes come true from the hearts of all who attended the 2008 MagicMeets.