Seven years ago, at a trade show in Vegas, the photographer's discovery was first made.

She walked down long, crowded hallways leading to even more crowded ballrooms. Every corner and row filled with booths of vendors making their pitch and vying for a sale. The pressure of making this trip count was mounting by the minute.

Exasperated, the photographer stepped to the side to frantically make a game plan to maximize her time to get her profit margins way up for the next wedding season. Then she saw them.

The secret “C” word no one was talking about.

They were laughing and headed in the opposite direction as the rest of the crowd. Maybe they knew where the Starbucks was and she could at least get a decent cup of coffee before attacking this mob scene. The photographer followed them. But it wasn't coffee they were after. It was the other, equally necessary “c” word…community.

In a different section of the hotel, there was a conference room packed with people laughing and nodding their heads. It felt miles away from where she just was.

On the platform at the front of the room was photographer extraordinaire, Jasmine Star, sharing some of her trade secrets. And then more photographers followed, Zach and Jody, and did the same. Secrets not on the web or in any books she could find on Amazon. And now, spurred on by those photographers' generosity, she shares her secret.

The photographer's incredible secret formula to boost business and simultaneously light a creative fire under your business is Showit United! (Ta-Da!!!! Cue Jazz Hands and confetti!)

It started seven years ago at WPPI, but was completely removed from the chaos of the trade show floors. Now at a small resort in the Phoenix Valley, photographers from all across the globe gather with a common goal – to better themselves and their businesses.

Industry-leading photographers sharing their secrets and karaoke-stylings

At United, you will learn from your favorite industry leaders face to face, and make connections that will last a lifetime. The heart behind United is focused around growing one another because when we as a community are united, we all become better and stronger individuals. And busting a tail-feather while you jam to photographers like Katelyn James belting out her favorite karaoke tune will bond you for life.

Cassandra Campbell

Casandra is a born and bred East Coaster who finds herself braving the heat of the Valley of the Sun with her husband and three cute kids all for the love of Showit.