May 14th, 2006
Neil King and KingShots: Going
Hard to the Hoop!
by Brian
Speers
 |
Former CCS Customer of the Year
Neil King, whose Indianapolis office is within a vapor
whiff of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, grabbed the
gold ring last month as he rode the NCAA Final Four
merry-go-round as official photographer for several
major events that took place in his hometown in conjunction
with the NCAA
Men’s Division I Basketball Championship.
Taking full advantage of his local business connections,
referrals and former corporate clients, Neil was able
to keep him and his staff busy shooting more than 30
events that were directly related to the Final Four
celebration.
Operating out of Indianapolis for more than 20 years
Neil owns and operates an extremely diversified business—KingShots—that
includes many photo markets including sports, graduations,
portraits, greeks, dance competitions, proms, corporate
events and a very well-developed niche market: beauty
pageants. Though based in Indy, Neil also operates successful
campus businesses at the University of Florida and Florida
Sate University, as well as other universities in the
Sunshine State.
University of Florida basketball
coach, Billy Donovan, meets the press the day
after leading the 'Gators to the NCAA Division
I
Men's Basketball Championship. |
By soliciting the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors
Association,
Neil was selected as the official photographer for the
National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)
which traditionally holds their annual convention during
the Final Four week. One of the highlights of their
convention this year was the launch of a new tradition
of presenting blue blazers to any head coach who had
brought their team to the Final Four.
Since this was the first year for this new tradition
the list of coaches receiving the blue blazers reads
like a Who’s Who of the NCAA coaching elite. Jim
Calhoun, John Thompson, Jerry Tarkanian, Jim Boeheim,
Roy Williams, Lute Olson, Rollie Massimino, Bobby Crimmins,
Tubby Smith, and Rick Pettino were just a few of the
famous names that had the honor of working with Neil.
Neil impressed them with his professionalism and great
photos so much, that they have already retained him
for next year’s Final Four in Atlanta.
Click |
Utilizing a client referral from the Omni
Hotel in Indy, Neil also managed to shoot 20 events
for the main NCAA sponsor, Pontiac. One Pontiac assignment
included a high profile, high security event of just
60 people who were flown in from around the country
just for the unveiling of four new Pontiac
G6 models. KIngShots was the only photography company
present for this event.
Finally, KingShots was also the official photographer
for Microsoft,
the other major sponsor for this event. But to acquire
this plum assignment, Neil had to compete with other
local Indy photographers by making a presentation to
Microsoft’s PR team. So why did Neil win this
account and leave other photographers in his pixel dust?
According to Microsoft, his presentation was more far-reaching
and inclusive of product options and services he could
offer. And, he clinched the competition by being able
to offer customized templates for logos on their prints.
No matter where you live in the U.S. there are always
corporate events happening. Granted, events of this
stature don’t happen every week, but you need
to be resourceful and to “ask for the business”.
Nothing comes easy, just ask Neil!
Image Gallery, click to enlarge
2006 Summer Workshop
by Dana
Hill
With the Grad season in full swing and the school year
coming to an end, it can only mean that the Candid Color
Systems' Summer Workshop is right around the corner.
Just like last year, the setting for the 2006 Summer
Workshop is Oklahoma City. Meetings and optional
training sessions will take place either on the CCS
campus or at the nearby Hilton Gardens Hotel.
Hosting the workshop on CCS’ home turf allows
for utilization of staff and resources required to truly
offer hands-on sessions.
As you will see as you look over the agenda,
the Workshop format is intended to be training intensive
and collaborative in nature. “Roundtable”
discussions are planned for most major market specialties.
These roundtables discussions are opportunities to share
and receive information on what is working in that market
system-wide with other CCS customers. In addition
to the market roundtables and presentations, more than
16 hours of training are being offered in seven different
areas/software systems.
Whether you are a new or long-time CCS customer, the
2006 CCS Summer Workshop offers not only valuable networking
opportunities with other CCS customers, but reviews
of existing—and introduction of—new systems
and methods to grow your business. Can you afford
not to attend?
If you are new to the CCS family it’s important
to note that these meetings are FREE to attend; you
need just take care of your lodging and airfare (if
needed).
Put these dates on your calendar today and make plans
to attend. Be sure to complete the registration
form if you are planning to attend. If you have
any questions or suggestions, please contact Dana Hill
at 800-336-4550 ext. 876.
CCS Lab Service Times
by Bo
Lewis
Developments Newsletter
