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I've
just returned
from
the second annual DNCruise
conference - the only domain conference held
aboard a cruise ship - and this year's
event (which ran Sept. 5-10, 2011) succeeded in
topping last year's well received debut
cruise. I'm currently
putting together a wire to wire recap
that will give you an inside look at how the
conference/cruise unfolded. That will be out
before the end of the week, but in the meantime
I wanted to share a few quick photos and
highlights with those who have been waiting to
hear how the voyage that was so well organized
by Patrick
Ruddell and his wife Zezura
went. 
Our
home away from home - the Carnival
Inspiration - docked at Cozumel, Mexico
during DN Cruise 2 Friday, September 9,
2011. We
left Tampa on the Carnival Inspiration
last Monday (Sept. 5) and made our first stop
Wednesday at Grand Cayman where legendary
domain investor Frank
Schilling (who lives on the island)
met attendees and hosted an unforgettable day
in paradise. After we were ferried ashore
Wednesday morning, buses took us to a local
yacht club where attendees boarded two speedy
excursion boats for the next leg of the
adventure. First
stop was a sand bar where everyone entered the
crystal clear water under dazzling blue skies to
enjoy something that for me was not just a
conference highlight, but a lifetime
highlight - playing in the water with huge
stingrays that were as gentle as kittens.
The graceful sea creatures would rub against
your legs, massage your back, allow themselves
to be picked up and even offer kisses! It was an
amazing thing. 
DNCruise
attendees swimming with Grand Cayman's friendly
stingrays! We
then moved on to a second stop for snorkeling on
a wildlife laden reef - then it was on to Rum
Point for lunch and an informative and inspirational
talk from Frank Schilling that held everyone in
thrall. 
Above
and below: Frank Schilling talking to DNCruise
guests
during an outdoor luncheon at Rum Point on
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011. 
After
lunch we made the return trip to the Inspration
and by late afternoon were steaming off toward
our second destination, Cozumel, Mexico.
We arrived there Thursday morning (Sept. 8) and
attendees went off on a variety of different
adventures. Diana
and I started the day with a small group helmed
by PPX
Chairman Gregg
McNair (wherever Gregg goes a good
time follows and this was no exception). We
wound up in a cantina across the harbor from
where the Inspiration was docked where the
proprietor offered up a unique
"breakfast" composed primarily
of margaritas and tequila shooters. When I
inquired about healthier alternatives
something apparently got lost in translation as
the proprietor's idea of accommodating my
request was to bring me a glass filled with three
times more liquid than those of my companions.
My recollection of what happened over the next
few hours is a bit foggy but the takeaway for me
was to refrain from being too vocal on
any future visits to such establishments! 
"Breakfast"
in Cozumel (left to right) Chris Waters,
Jodi Chamberlain, Gregg McNair,
Ardean Christian, Brett Lewis, Michael
Gilliam (face obscured - he's obviously the
smart one
in the group!), Ron Jackson (holding the Big Gulp glass)
& Diana Jackson - Fri., Sept. 9, 2011 The
return to Tampa took all day Friday and the day
at sea was put to good use with a full slate of
sessions about development and an excellent
keynote address from former Oprah!
TV producer David Sams that closed
the business program (Tuesday was also a day at
sea that also offered a variety interesting
sessions). Add in time sunning on the deck, the
lively group dinners each evening, game nights,
parties (hosted by Mr. McNair of course) and,
best of all, networking with a great group of
people (more on them in our upcoming review
article), and the crowd pleasing cruise
was a winner on very level. 
The
diverse group of attendees included industry
veterans and newcomers alike.
Above lead gen whiz Braden Pollock of Legal
Brand Marketing gets some love
from
his fiancee, best
selling author and TV personality Lisa
Bloom (left) and Diana Jackson. Patrick
and Zezura put a ton of work into making it
all happen and, coupled with the generosity
of a large slate of sponsors, guests were
treated to one of the most remarkable
bargains in the conference business. 
Gregg
McNair (left) greeted by DNCruise
organizers Zezura and Patrick Ruddell
when he
arrived for the opening night cocktail party
Monday, Sept. 5 aboard the Carnival
Inspiration. I'll
have much more on DN Cruise 2 in our upcoming
review, in the meantime it's not too early to
start thinking about DNCruise 3 in 2012.
I know a lot of this year's attendees are
already planning to be onboard.
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