Dan Kennedy - author of No B.S. series

If you didn’t attend the Amazing Outrageous Academy Workshop, then you have no idea what you missed!  Held in Orlando Marriott Hotel over the weekend of Friday 15th to Sunday 17th January, it was an eye opening experience for many of those  who attended.  Basically organised by Bill Glazer of the Glazer – Kennedy Insiders Circle, and starring many of the Insiders Circle leaders in the marketing field, the workshop was full of Amazing and Outrageous examples of marketing.  Not only that, it proved time and again that marketing can and should be fun.

I met some old friends, Diane and Gail of Smart Business Entrepreneur’s fame, Jackie Ewing of Ewing Enterprises, Nigel Worrall, Jim Ferrell and Richard Butler from Video Domination; and I talked to some new friends including a couple of folks who had flown over especially from the UK and Australia for this Academy.
Talk about a learning curve; my brain was fried by the end of the weekend, but my notebook was full, and the important factor is not just to attend but to put into action some of the ideas and thoughts that were flowing so freely.  It’s always good for any business person to get to workshops and  mastermind groups, simply because it helps to improve your knowledge.  Brainstorming with others is a great exercise for entrepreneurs whoare known to be the “loneliest people on the planet”.

There were, of course, loads pf photo opportunities and a couple of the photos are shown below.  Would you believe that my camera decided to take the day off after that and failed entirely to take any more?!

Anyway, besides the failure of the camera, the weekend was a busy one , with some great speakers, from Yanik Silver to Dean Hunt, interesting vendors and a real buzz throughout the 700 or so attendees.   The people that were sitting next to me were asked if they found the weekend useful to them and their businesses, and the answer was a resounding Yes.

Chatting with Bill Glazer

Jackie Ewing with Bill Glazer

After a most successful Goofy Challenge this year, when more than 55,000 runners set off over the two days, it’s now time to register for the 2011 event.

And they're off!

The Goofy Challenge is one of the premier events in the marathon runners calendar. Held each year by Disney, the event attracts runners from all walks of life, from the amateur athlete to top marathon runners.

This year’s event was held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th January, during one of the coldest spells in Central Florida‘s weather for the past decade.   Volunteer helpers, race marshalls and spectators lined the route to cheer on the brave competitors running in below freezing temperatures with sleet, snow and rain.  The weather did take its toll, although the half marathon had just over 17,000 runners complete the course.  The winner of the men’s half marathon finished in 1 hour 7 minutes 2 seconds, and the women’s leader completed the race in just about 1 hour 20 minutes.

A friend of ours, Toni,  who was staying in one of Premier Home Management‘s vacation homes finished her half marathon in just under 2 hours. After returning to her home and relaxing, her preparations began for the full marathon on the next day.

Her start time on Sunday was 5.50 a.m. in an air temperature of 26 degrees. She managed to complete the race in just about 4 hours – while the leaders finished in 2 hours 22 minutes 8 seconds for Adriano Bastos and 2 hours 51 minutes 20 seconds for Lisa Mizutani. Over 16,000 runners completed the course.

Well doing the Goofy Challenge is a challenge in its self, but looking for good accommodation can be more of a challenge! But that’s where Premier Homes are brilliant – as they took the stress out of this for me!

I stayed at Windsor Hills, which was only about a 15 min drive from Epcot, so I didn’t have to leave my resort hotel at 3am to get to the start….. The accommodation was spotless and extremely well kitted out with a wonderful power shower, a tv in all rooms, a full equipped kitchen – just in case you don’t want to travel the 2 mins to the vast array of restaurants. The apartment also had a washer and dryer – which came in very useful for dealing with smelly running kit!

All in all I can only sing the praises of Marilyn and her team, they provided me with a great base to complete this challenge and I would certainly go back to them again even if I wasn’t doing the Goofy!

Thanks, Toni

The final race of the weekend, completed the most magical 26.2 miles on Earth.  The course takes runners through all four Walt Disney World®

Running the Disney Marathon in Orlando, Florida

Theme Parks starting at Epcot®, continuing on to the Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ and then back to Epcot® for an exhilarating finish.  The post race celebrations were less well attended this year due to the inclement weather.

For those of you who are so inclined, the Application forms are now open for next year’s Goofy Challenge.

Next year’s Challenge dates are below, if you are a runner, you’ll need to know this.

Before you run off we wanted to tell you all about the 2011 WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA, Thursday, January 6 – Sunday, January 9, 2011.  You’ll want to be here for a weekend of races that are as magical as they are memorable; from Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo to the final mile of the marathon, complete with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy medals.  We know you love running, now imagine a run where every mile is filled with Disney fun.  You’d be, well, goofy to miss it!

Toni, who stayed in one of our vacation homes, was so pleased that she was able to bring her family with her for support – it made all the difference between staying in an hotel by herself and having friends and family living in the vacation home with her. Everyone was able to enjoy themselves in their own way and their own time.

If you’re coming next year for the Disney Goofy Challenge, do let us know. We’ll cheer you on!