The 2004 conference opened today with a Welcome to eBay Live! Orientation session held in the La Louisiane Ballroom. The conference theme "Leap into Learning" runs parallel to what many first time participants expect. The orientation session was a draw for many of them as they waited in queue for general conference registration.
"This is my first time at eBay Live! and I hope the orientation session helps make my three days here productive and beneficial," said William Harden (RWSH on eBay). "I don’t have any high expectations in particular. I just want to get the most out of the orientation as possible."
Another seller attending the conference for the first time this year is Mike Harper (ritzauctions on eBay). "I’ve been a seller for four years and I’m intrigued by what eBay offers us. That’s what I’m here to learn more about."
Debbie O’Connor (docsmile) from Ft. Augustine, Florida came here to find out what she doesn’t know but wants to learn. "I need to learn how to open an eBay Store," she explains. “I also hope to learn how to prepare good auction photos.” She attended the orientation session to get a general feel for the conference.
A couple in their early 50’s, both facing displacement on their long-term career jobs, enter the ballroom in hopes of learning how to start a new venture on eBay.
The ballroom was packed to capacity, with folks seated on the floor along the sides and standing in the back. Abby Green, eBay Live! Show Manager, greeted the attendees, announcing that buyers and sellers from all over the world were in attendance. "I can’t express how thrilled we are with the turnout," she exclaimed, and then asked for a show of hands belonging to folks who were at eBay Live last year. About half the room raised their hands. She explained that based on the results of a survey taken at the end of eBay Live! 2003, the staff made many changes to this year’s conference:
The orientation session itself
Day-by-day schedule included in the conference bag, with classes color-coded by expertise level
Scheduled time for Fun Stuff: Available pool tables and games called eBay Live Bingo, eBay Mania, and The Sniper
Maps of the convention center provided
Pals Matching program so that buyers and sellers at the same level can elect to attend events with peers
Abby also announced the Treasure Quest challenge, in which participants can have a special map stamped at certain checkpoints. A completed map can be exchanged for a full set of trading cards. This year’s conference offers training right in the computer labs, and the Gala will be different. Also new this year: color coded ribbons to affix to attendee badges denoting experience level. Those visiting the eBay Store will also find a larger selection of products. An added bonus: an eBay wedding, uniting a couple who met on the eBay discussion boards.
Abby urged folks not to miss Deuce McAllister, running back for the New Orleans Saints, and the Baskin Robbins ice cream samples on Saturday. Also, some top eBay sellers will be on hand to answer questions and share their expertise. Like last year, folks can collect trading cards and have certain ones signed by eBay celebrities Meg Whitman, Jeff Jordan, Pierre Omidyar, and Maynard Webb.
To close the session and kick off the conference, the crowd repeated in unison, with right hand raised and left hand solemnly on the conference badge, the eBay Live! Pledge:
I promise to learn as much as possible, network with other community members and have fun!
As folks filed out of the ballroom to head for the day’s events, first-time attendee Kenneth Coffey (eBay ID kcretired) from Oregon remarked, "The orientation was interesting. There are things going on that I didn’t know until I just heard about them!"
eBay Live attendees listen intently during the orientation session
