Photoshop World Q&A Time!

Hi Gang — we’re only 76 days away from the Photoshop World Conference (May 31-June 2, 2018) in Orlando, Florida at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center (whoo hoo!), and I thought I’d give a quick update on what’s up, via a Q&A style post. Here we go:

Q. This is the only Photoshop World Conference this year, right?
A. That’s right, it the only one, so you should definitely come.  

Q. I see you’re at the Hyatt this time instead of the Orange County Convention Center.
A. You bet! The Hyatt was our host hotel last year and we absolutely loved it. What we didn’t love was having to walk all the way through the Hyatt Convention Center, just to walk to another convention center. Now, you just come downstairs and you’re right in the middle of everything. The Hyatt’s convention center is much newer, and we can have a bigger keynote, a bigger partner pavilion, and we’re all together in just one convenient place. We’re pretty psyched! 

Q. Is that where all the staff and instructors are staying?
A. 
Yup, we’re all staying at the beautiful Hyatt Regency. You can stay there, too but it’s filling up very fast (they have a special discount for our attendees) details here.

Q. Is that where Joe McNally is staying?
A. 
No. Actually, Joe insists on staying at Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World. He takes a limo over each morning. 

Q. Really?
A. 
Of course not. He takes a carriage. It’s why we have to end all conference events by 11:45 PM.

Q. Scott, I’m more of a visual person, and I need to see it to really understand it. Is there any way you could create some sort of short slideshow, set to some upbeat royalty-free music, with lots of photos? Also, could you make it around 90-seconds? —  I have a short attention span. 
A. 
Well, when you make it that specific, I feel like I have to. Here it is (below) to your exact specs.

Q. What kind of conference is this really?
A. 
It’s ‘clothing optional’

Q. Are you serious?
A. 
Well, it’s really up to you. That’s why we call it “optional.”

Q. It’s called Photoshop World?— is it all just Photoshop classes?
A. 
It’s grown to be much more than just Photoshop. We have full conference tracks on Lightroom and photography, and lighting/flash, and graphic design, and Business/Career, and more. Of course lots of Photoshop classes, too.

Q. Do I have to pick my classes in advance?
A. Nope. You can go to any class you want, any time you want, and move between classes as you like. No pre-registration necessary unless you’re coming a day early for the pre-conference workshops.

Q. Are the workshops the day before still available?
A. 
There are ten pre-conference workshops, but a few of them are almost sold out, so if you’re thinking of coming a day early to get into one of these in-depth workshops, I’d get your ticket for the one you want now, so it’s not sold out.

Q. If I’m a beginner will I be lost?
A. 
Only if you don’t follow the directional signs in the Hyatt.

Q. I meant in the sessions?
A. 
We have a lot of beginners that come to Photoshop World each year, and they’re able to follow along no problem with most of the sessions. Of course, if a session is named “Advanced” then you should probably sit that one out, but there are nearly 100 sessions so there will be plenty of other classes to choose from. Also, while you might arrive as a beginner, you won’t leave as one.

Q. Last year you guys had Stacy Pearsall for your special evening presentation, and she was awesome. Who will it be this year?
A. We are truly excited this year to bring you “An evening with Jeremy Cowart.” He is one of the most engaging, passionate, driven photographers and champions for social good in our industry, and it will truly be a very special evening for everyone.

Q. Will Roberto Valenzuela be there?
A. Absolutely! He’ll be rocking it.

Q. Peter Hurley? Joe McNally?
A. You bet!

Q. What about Stella Kramer? Please tell me Stella’s gonna be there!
A. She is. Everybody loves Stella!

Q. What about Lindsay Adler? Terry White, Matt Kloskowski? Dave Black? Julieanne Kost? Scarlett Johansson? Kristina Sherk? Dave Cross, Corey Barker, What about them?
A. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, no, yes, yes, yes.

Q. Any international instructors?
A. Oui! (see what I did there?). We’re talkin: Glyn Dewis, Serge Ramelli, Frank Doorhof, Dave Clayton, and Tim Wallace (aw, yeah)

Q. Moose?
A. Moose! :)

Q. Kaylee Greer and her doggos?
A. Si, con mucho mas doggos y puppers!

Q. Any new instructors?
A. Always! We’re welcoming Family/newborn photographer Tracy Sweeney (link), and Photoshop design sharks Mark Heaps and Jesus Ramirez. 

Q. Alright, I’ll go register right now. Just checking — Joel Grimes, he will be will be there too, right?
A. You bet. 

Q. Isn’t there a competition for people who attend the conference?
A. There is — they’re called “The Guru Awards”  and winning a prestigious “Guru” award has launched many a career. Here are the details on entering.

Q. So the Guru Awards are only open to be people who attend the conference?
A. That’s right.

Q. That doesn’t seem fair.
A. It does to me.

Q. Will the Partner Pavilion vendor area be open to the public?
A. 
It will not, but if you want to bring a spouse or someone traveling with you, we can arrange a special free pass for them.

Q. OK, this sounds like a go. Do I get a discount if I sign up early?
A. 
You can save $100 bucks off the full conference pass if you register before April 28, 2018. 

Q. Do I get a discount if I’m a KelbyOne Pro member?
A. You bet! You save $100 off a conference pass.

Q. It says the conference is produced by KelbyOne. Is it only for members?
A. 
Anyone may attend (well, anyone who’s cool), and if you’re not a member yet, you will be – a one-year KelbyOne Plus membership is included in your conference price for all attendees who buy a full conference pass at $699 or more.

Q. So I can keep learning from the Photoshop World Conference instructors even after the conference?
A.
You so “get this!” Yes, yes you can keep learning from them after the conference in their awesome online courses. Thank you for asking such a non-set-up, spontaneous, impromptu, unplanned, yet marketing savvy question. I so dig you.

Q. So, if I’m a KelbyOne member and I register before April 28th, 2018 –  I can get $200 off, right?
A. You are right. It’s a steal at full price, but you can still get $200 off if you’re quick about it.

Q. What if I have a question that’s not answered here?
A.
Well, that’s hard to imagine, but if somehow one slipped by, check our official FAQ or you can chat with our team directly from the site unless you do it late at night when they’re all busy on match.com

Q. Well Scott, this has been incredibly informative.
A.
 That’s really more of a statement, but since it’s so on the money, I’ll let it stand.

Q. I’ve always wanted to go — this is the year. I’m going!
A. 
Now yer talkin’!

Well, I hope you found this at least 22.4% helpful. Have a great week everybody!

Best,

Scott

P.S.
Q. Scott, is there any way you might embed a short video below that might just push me over the edge about going?
A. I’m reluctant to do that, but OK — it’s below, but only because you asked. ;-) Here are some highlights from last year’s conference, but just know — this year will be even awesomer! 

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6 comments
  1. “…but if you want to bring a spouse or someone traveling with you, we can arrange a special free pass for them.”

    So who do I contact to see about getting a special free pass for my Significant Other to visit the Partner Pavilion?

  2. Who else will be at Photoshop World?! Many of the KelbyOne Community Leaders! The very special Suzanne_D, the one and only Alan, the amazing Doc Chevalier, and last and maybe least, Chicky Nando (yep, that’s me!). Eventually with virtual appearances to be confirmed by other Community Leaders. But more important than that, many of our great Community Members will be there too!!! We will arrange a way to have the first Community get together. Are you going to lose that?!? I knew you wouldn’t! :)

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