Man, you guys are the best! Thanks so much for the offers to contribute!

Unfortunately, I've been pulled away from the office for a couple weeks. Shawn and Luke are picking up most of my duties while I'm away and are slammed! That's one reason why there haven't been more posts to our SB Report this week. Those guys are busting *** to make sure our company continues to function.

Plus, as everyone is aware, the current economic climate is forcing many companies (us included) to re-evaluate their business and focus on projects that generate revenue and hopefully find additional revenue, as difficult as it may be.

You guys may not realize this, but we've never really monetized Spring Break. We have limited sales resources and Spring Break isn't something that we focus on for sales. On the flip side, without sponsorship money and clients to control things, we've been able to do whatever we want during Spring Break. So you guys got reallly cool stuff like daily updates, useful party maps, live broadcasts, etc. that you've seen us produce in the last several years.

But the situation is different this year and I can't help but feel like we're letting our forum members down a little. Especially since we won't be broadcasting from the TS Parties as planned... and especially since I won't even be there. Seriously, watching you guys put together that party last year and meeting everyone was one of the coolest highlights in my career at TS. I just can't explain how damn cool that was. It's what we've been trying to accomplish for many years with Tripsmarter - full-circle social media - and it's a great story for anyone involved or anyone that cares to listen. Hopefully you guys will be reliving it all again this year at the 2 TS parties... I just wish I could join you.

But, if everything works out, I believe Shawn and Luke will be able to show up and spend a little time with you guys. We have some t-shirts and planned to have more giveaways, but circumstances have changed.

Anyway, you guys drink one for me at the parties and hopefully next year will be a different story.

AND, we always appreciate it when our members post trip reports like Craig (lakeland_fl) is currently doing. If you guys find a way to broadcast yourself, I will tune in. And you know how to upload photos... you can also upload videos to Tripsmarter's Video Vault. If you run into any problems or have questions about how you can contribute, pls ask one of us and we'll do everytihng we can to help.

Thanks again to all our forum members and especially those who have contributed in the past.. and those who will contribute this year. You guys make us proud!

Have a an EPIC and safe Spring Break 2009!!!!!!