Wow, am I exhausted! What an amazing World Cup!! I have attended every World Cup since 1993. Each year I think it can’t get better. But this year without a doubt was the best. Paintball is definitely moving forward, getting bigger and more popular! There were 361 teams from all around the world and the UWL and 10-Man woods ball were there.
My World Cup week started early Sunday morning, after my annual Halloween party. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays – I actually get into decorating my house! Every year my wife and I add more scary props to the “family.” Even though we get started at the end of September, we are always scrambling at the last minute to make things as scary and as perfect as possible.
My costume each year is always a super hero. This year I was Batman! The party lasted until well after midnight and I had an 8:00 a.m. flight to catch to Orlando, Florida for World Cup. To say I was tired, isn’t enough!
After arriving in Orlando and a couple shots of caffeine, I was in work and set up mode! I met everyone at our booth location at Fantasy of Flight. We didn’t stop working on putting the booth together until Wednesday (at least that’s what it felt like!) We put down a custom floor, set up a VIP booth, 5 televisions, a DJ table and set up tons of merchandise and cases of paintballs for display.
We even had a claw machine to grab prizes, air basketball and a popcorn and snow cone machine. And the final touch to our booth… G.I. Pug! (the unofficial mascot!!)
The G.I. Sportz booth looked incredible. I have never been so proud of our G.I. Sportz team. We all worked together and it really paid off. We heard time and time again that our booth “looked the best and was the most fun.”
We revealed new merchandise – limited edition tanks, jerseys, t-shirts, hats, pants, sweatshirts, goggles, harness packs, the Vapor paintball gun and more. The feedback on all of our new items was positive and so many customers were asking for more.
Houston Heat, Tampa Bay Damage and Chicago Aftershock held autograph signings.
I worked at the G.I. Sportz booth and was a commentator for the Paintball Access webcast. I was beyond a doubt, burning the candle at both ends. But, if you know me, you know I can’t sit still and wouldn’t have it any other way.
I am still in amazement on how great our teams did. It really proves how great our paintballs are! We swept the pro division for the 3rd year in a row – 1st Houston Heat, 2nd Tampa Bay Damage, 3rd XFactor and 4th Ironmen.
My flight was delayed due to the Frankenstorm – Sandy! I was in Florida for a couple of days longer than expected. I am definitely glad to be home. Well, sort of…now I have to take down all of our Halloween decorations and start on Christmas lights!
