PS: The Gala, Clapping Tunnel, Huey & Chocolate Fondue

It's such a strange feeling when it's over. Strange because the weeks leading up to eBay Live! are so busy, and so many preparations have to be made, and then it whips right by like it never even happened. But also strange because eBay Live! has this effect on you as an employee - it actually makes you want to get back and work (most people would definitely call that strange) because of all the great people you've met and cool/heartwarming/inspiring stories you've heard over the last three days. Even though everything on eBay isn't always perfect, it's a pretty powerful reminder of just how much of a positive impact it's had on so many people.

Now that I've had a few days to clear my head, to actually get a little sleep, and to let my clapping callouses heal, I've decided that this eBay Live! was the best one yet. Yes, I never even came close to setting foot outside the hotel once the event started, but I didn't need to. The event was an absolute blast, and the Gala was a great way to end it.

Between keeping up this blog and putting out the physical newsletter given out on Thursday, our team had been holed up in a room upstairs for three days. We were cutting it to the wire - our last blog post went up at 4:46 on Thursday (that's the one with our team picture that Ninad says makes him look fat), which gave us about 30 minutes to clean up our computers and our life-saving stash of trail mix and Hershey's miniatures, jam back to our hotel rooms to drop off our computers, and get back for the Gala. And I really didn't want to be late - the last few years the employees have gotten together for the clapping tunnel, where we clap and cheer while all the attendees walk into the Gala. It's easily my favorite part of the event, and I may have been slightly high-strung about getting back on time (I think it's the first time my Director Rachel Makool has ever told me to "chill out.")

After trekking back past all the slot machines, we started heading up the escalator to the entrance. And what should come wafting down? The sound of applause. "Uh oh!" I thought. "We're late." We started walking as fast as we could, turned the corner, and then got the surprise of the week. We weren't late - the attendees had turned the tables on us! We had to walk past a bunch of the members who were waiting for the Gala to start, and most of the folks there were sitting there clapping for us. That was really touching, especially after working so hard for three days. Trust me, I know a few employees who got a little emotional about it (but won't name names so I don't have to constantly look over my shoulder as I walk between buildings).

Then it was our turn. As the doors to the Sparkle Lounge (our name for the Gala site) flew open, the members started pouring in. I stationed myself as close to the procession as I could so I could high- five everyone. Nothing is better than watching people come down that aisle. Some are stunned and don't really know what to do. Some milk it for all it's worth, traversing from side to side slapping hands with employees and filming everything on their cameras. Some are embarrassed by the attention and just want to get done with it as fast as possible. And some just walk through, smiling and saying simple thank you's to employees they pass. And let me tell you...some members give hearty high-five's! I almost had my hands knocked off a couple times, although that's still better than the woman in our PR department ahead of me who went to high-five a member, both missed, and she got smacked in the face. I wish I had a video of that. Anyway, by the time the last member got through an hour and a half had passed, my hands were throbbing, and it was all easily worth it. You can see some of it the pics...that's Bill Cobb (right) and Jeff Jordan (left) in the pic to the right.

When we got inside, people were already well into eating from the huge buffets that had been laid out beside tables surrounded by jugglers, spin-to-win wheels, and other entertainment. Then it was time to give out the last pin of the event - a big one revealing the location of next year's eBay Live!: Boston, MA. I met quite a few members excited that we were finally coming to New England next year, and I'm already looking forward to it myself, since the last time I was back there was about 5 years ago.

Finally, it was time for the main event - Huey Lewis & The News. The area in front of the stage was PACKED, so I didn't even dare to venture in there. Besides, I was perfectly content hanging out in the back munching on pineapple chunks and pound cake being dipped under one of those chocolate fountains. I actually have to thank Huey...because people were so into the performance, I had a fountain all to myself for a few minutes. And maybe I should send him a dry cleaning bill too, since about 4 drops from one cake morsel ended up on my pants instead of in my mouth, probably while I was humming along to "I want a new drug" ("Power of Love" definitely seemed to be the biggest crowd-pleaser though).

Finally it was 9 o' clock, and everyone headed off to wherever their night would take them. The majority of us flew back out on Friday, on what had to be one of the quietest flights Southwest Airlines has ever had. So thank you to everyone who attended eBay Live! this year for making it another special event, thank you to the organizers and staff for putting on another great celebration, and thank you to the slot machines and craps tables in Vegas for not tempting me enough to lose my money.

See everyone in Boston next year!