The first time I visited Las Vegas as a legal participant (aged 21+) was PubCon in 2004.  It also marked the first time I went to a search conference.  Safe to say - it was a blast, and help cement in my mind that playing on the internet for profits was going to be a career.

Ahead of PubCon 2009, there’s been a lot of chatter about parties and giveaways.  More than I’ve ever seen.  But I also wasn’t much of a Twitter-er in previous years.

We’re going to be personally assisted via our GrowthPartner.com venture this year and that should be fun.  No more going to cash out my chips like a savage, or waiting in various lines.

I’ve also been pleased to read some insights from a friend I first met at Pubcon ‘04, Jeff Coyle.  Although his intentions to toy with various search engines are always cloaked behind any word published on that blog :).

What’s This Really About?  Walking into a Bar?
No, this PubCon preview is primarily about Project VALOUR-IT.  Never heard of it?  Well, Project VALOUR-IT is a military charity that provides adaptive technology to wounded Vets.  Specifically, they purchase laptops, video games, and GPS systems that have been modified for use from disabled or injured military.

You may or may not know that I do a lot of work with military charities through my company VAMC.  We’ve worked with probably 20+ charities specific to the military in the past 6 years and oftentimes I’m doing a lot of the back and forth.  We also have raised money for VALOUR-IT and its parent Soldier’s Angels numerous times through the You Served blog and radio show I founded.

VALOUR-IT sticks out to me for 2 reasons.  First, Soldier’s Angels is running a specific fundraiser for it right now through November 11th.  Secondly, I’m a techy type of person and I love the concept of getting these men and women laptops they can use despite their injuries.  All good!

The Bar Part
A nice guy I’ve met through search marketing, dk and his PurposeInc empire, have many events going on at PubCon 2009.  Through his poker tournament, he’s asked participants to highlight a charity of their choosing and blog about it to help spread awareness.  Very cool.

Honestly, I’ve failed to discuss at length the importance of charity in a life of “success” (my blog’s theme).  Here’s an early taste.  There’s few who deserve our help more than those who have served our country.  While I’ve really enjoyed that unique part of my “job” in recent years, I can tell you that VALOUR-IT is one of the most unique causes you can give to . . . especially if you are an internet-loving, PubCon 2009 attendee.

See you in Vegas!