SMB Nation Day 0: SBSers and Free Alcohol

SMB Nation East  pre-conference kicked off today with much fanfare and even more alcohol. We're all currently in the Hyatt directly opposite Computer Associates in New York (Islandia). I was lucky enough to catch a ride with Levent Onen today from JFK to Islandia. I've totally lost my respect for the GPS systems. We got in and saw Mobitech's Mobilize SMB presentation that has been talked about in the community and the SBS Show. Very good stuff, if you liked what they brought to the SBS Show you need to see this roadshow. 

From there we got to lunch. Myself, Jeff Middleton, Andy Goodman, Scott Cayouette, Steve Luby, Chad Gross, Ken Edwards and Harlan got together and couldn't get any service for quite some time. Eventually the rest of SBSers followed in with Levent Onen and Amy Luby. I had to jet to do a CA focus group.

Thats I guess the cool part if you're a party animal. CA and ASCII Group sponsored the SMB Nation pre-meeting with snacks and free alcohol. Below are some of the pictures of what happens when SBSers have a good time. I won't get into details: 

Karl Palachuk reenacting Harry Brelsfords comedy routine. On the left are Andy Goodman and Harry Brelsford. 

Same as the above. Really good time. 

One more pic of Beatrice for the sobriety wall. Scott Cayouette, Ken Edwards, Andy Goodman, Nancy Williams. 

Chad Gross from behind, Karl Palachuk, Steve Luby and extra #1.

So far so good, having a very nice time with fellow SBSers. Tomorrow the event kicks off, as promised, there will be blogging and vlogging and pics and more.  

Update: Well the party time is over, the conference just started about an hour ago. Sitting in the conference room watching a presentation on SBS R2. Everyone seems accounted for and I've got to admit I like how things went off. If you're going to the big SMB Nation West you need to get there a day early and bug Harry to throw a party before the event, its a great way to meet your peers in a comfortable environment and have some fun before business stuff starts.  

Update 2: That was Beatrice's only beer of the evening but she always has a red nose so its such an easy shot to take. She has so much stuff she can blackmail me with that I have to take every pot shot I can.