Not just another day around here…

World's Tallest Leprechaun

Grumpychaun

It’s been 6 weeks since my last post so I’m pretty sure everyone in cyberspace has been asking themselves, “Where did Brandon Schnitzer go?” Well the answer is simple…no traveling = no posts. Lucky for all of us, my traveling hiatus ended this week as I flew to Dallas to promote Just Plugs at the Nitro Jam event in Crandall, TX.

For those of you who don’t know and I was one of them until a few months ago, Nitro Jam is one of the many drag racing series in these United States.  I’d have to say the coolest thing about “The Jam” (That’s what I call Nitro Jam) is that anyone can enter their personal hotrod in the Sportsman Races.  I saw everything from an old school 1930’s Ford to a beat-up pimped-out Texas Ranger SWAT car.  I wish I would have taken a picture of it because it was CLASSIC!

In regards to the event on-site, it ran fairly smoothly, although the weather wasn’t too great.  Overall I’d rate the event a 9, especially since it was our first one with a branded tent.  a|i|m introduced Just Plugs to a wide array of corporate sponsors of The Jam and its B2B sales are looking extremely promising.

As usual I’d like to thank my awesome brand ambassadors “aka Just Plugs Girls” for their help throughout the weekend.  It was pretty cool to hear them on the PA announcements plugging the brand…MUCH APPRECIATED!

Just Plugs brand ambassadors

Overall there weren’t any real crazy stories like usual, although I’m happy to say I finally had my first experience at Whataburger.  While I do agree that it freaking rules, it definitely does not compare to In-N-Out!  Whoever says that the two are comparable is sadly mistaken.

Two weeks off before my next endeavor in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I’ll get my cowboy hat ready, because I hear the Rodeo is in town! HI-YO!

Peace out interweb,

Schnitz

Hello world – Rachel Fort here on the beat with a little update on our week at the Beach for the Daytona 500.

I have always heard that the Daytona 500 is the ultimate race of them all, but I definitely wasn’t prepared for what awaited us in Daytona. My partner in crime Lauren and I arrived in Daytona on Wednesday morning and I was amazed at the number of people that were already there – four days before the green flag for NASCAR’s Super Bowl!

Why isn't that guy interested in taking my picture? Doesn't he know who I am?

After my first NASCAR experience in November during Championship Weekend at Homestead I thought I was prepared.  But nothing compares to the “Great American Race” and Daytona International Speedway (DIS). DIS is like its own little town within Daytona Beach and unlike anything I have ever seen before.   The track property is so huge that it’s so hard to figure out how to get around.  The entire infield was flooded with motorhomes, campers and tents and by Friday they were so close to one another that you could practically reach over and grab a frosty beverage from your next door neighbor!   And although we were there to work – I was definitely jealous from seeing all of the tailgating going on…

Pretty nice view!

Although we spent most of our time with our guests in the Tower Suites, I did get to see some of the fanaticism that NASCAR is so well known for.  Among the many sights and sounds were:
•    Guy with a number “20” shaved into the back of his head
•    Millions of Dale Jr fans
•    At least 15 Richard Petty look-a-likes
•    One, Dale Earnhardt, Sr look-a-like (something is just wrong about that!)
•    Many, unmentionable yet provocative trade-request signs (Hey…it’s a family blog!?)

There is something very wrong about this...

Overall, I have to admit (don’t tell anyone) that I actually did enjoy my time at “The 500” (actually “The 380”).  I know many people were upset that the race was called with 48 laps to go, but those of us who were there to work rather than party were quite pleased with the shortened race.   After four days of racing, I was just happy the rain held out for as long as it did so that we could get to at least the halfway point of the race so it was official.

And yes…we were able to keep our original travel plans of returning to Atlanta on Monday as planned, rather than coming back to the track for another day of racing.  And better yet, there are only four months until we are back in Daytona for the Grand-Am Brumos 250 and the NASCAR Coke Zero 400. It will be here before we know it, so Lauren and I need to get back to the office for more planning!

Photo time!

See you at the track!

Rachel

PS – I don’t want to forget to mention one last piece of advice. Do not try to drive your motorhome through the old Turn 4 tunnel at Daytona…it won’t fit! If you need more proof, just ask the enlightened gentleman that got his coach stuck trying to leave the track on Monday morning…oops!

Hello and Happy New Year (4 days late!). We have all made it back to the office safely after a nice and enjoyable holiday break. For the most part, we stayed busy over the past two weeks, as we have a few large events coming up in the month of January and February, but luckily, we found the time to spread the holiday cheer. Below are a few pictures and short entry from our own Brandon Schnitzer regarding the volunteer effort:

“When we arrived at the center, I didn’t really know what to expect, but after I met the CEO of Compassion Atlanta, I, along with the rest of a|i|m, couldn’t wait to get started.  He told us story after story about families that started at minimum wage jobs, working just to scrape by, only to improve their well-being and ultimately their cash-flow after receiving food and supplies from Compassion.  While all we did was unpack donated materials and stuff care packages for the needy, stories like this made us feel great about our hard day’s work.

Needless to say, our work would not be possible if it weren’t for Compassion Atlanta and their heart of gold.  I recommend everyone reading this to donate a few hours of your time in the next month to a worthy cause like the one Compassion Atlanta constantly strives to reach.  I promise you won’t regret it.”

Sweep it, Mark!

The a|i|m team!