eBay[c] The Missing Manual

Just about every line of work has its annual convention, where professionals gather to talk shop, network, learn about recent developments, and have a good time. eBay calls its annual convention eBay Live! For three days in June, more than 10,000 eBayers from all over come together in one big, face-to-face celebration of all things eBay. The conference is in a different location each year, and the fees are relatively inexpensive: in 2005, they ranged from $30 to $70 (for all three days), depending on when you registered and how many events you wanted to attend .

Some of the highlights of previous eBay Live! get-togethers have included:

• Classes geared toward beginner, intermediate, and experienced eBayers to improve success on eBay.

• One-on-one meetings with eBay selling experts to boost your sales.

• Special classes and events just for PowerSellers.

• A keynote address by eBay CEO Meg Whitman.

• Networking breakfasts and dinners for informal conversation. If you want to meet others with a special interest, organizers can put together a group for you and make dinner reservations .

• An exhibition area where you can buy official eBay T-shirts, mugs, keychains , and other cool eBay gear, and look at vendors ' eBay- related products.

• A Buddy Matching program to help new eBayers make friends .

• A big party, the Saturday Night Gala, which includes dinner and entertainment.

• Email stations and WiFi hotspots (where you can use your wireless laptop to go online) so you can stay in touch with homeand with your eBay business while you're at the convention.

• Child care for kids and teens. (No one under 18 is allowed at the convention itself.)

To find out more about eBay Live!, type http://pages.ebay.com/ebaylive into your Web browser and visit its Web page, as shown in Figure 10-16.