For one week, beginning August 23, 2008, Puerto Vallarta Mexico will play host to the world’s largest live swimwear model and photographer search, the 24th Annual Ujena Jam.
More than 180 models and photographers will be competing from eight countries for more than $200,000 in cash, awards, gifts, scholarships and prizes in this event that has been appropriately dubbed the “Olympics” of swimwear competitions. Not only will they compete for magazine covers and lucrative modeling contracts, the models, photographers and guests will also participate in events that range from a 5k run and 50 meter swim, to golf and deep-sea fishing tournaments.
Many of the events are open to locals and non-models, and each of the event’s five days culminates in theme-related parties around the town. This year will also feature a contest within-a-contest for Mexico-resident models and photographers only. The winners of the Ujena TV Special Model and Photographer Contest will be featured in a one-hour televised special aired on Televisa and receive coverage in Maxim en Espanol magazine.
“This year’s event is the biggest Jam ever in terms impact on the Mexican marketplace,” said Bob Anderson, founder of the Ujena Swimwear Company and creator of the Ujena Jam. “We have an unprecedented 30 events and contests during the week, including a $20,000 Bisbee’s Offshore Ujena JAM fishing tournament and the 3rd Annual El Tigre Ujena JAM golf tournament. There will be more than 100 hours of video footage shot that will air to millions of viewers worldwide.”
The event will also be used to launch a new energy drink to the Mexico market. Verve, a healthy energy drink and product of the Arizona-based Vemma company, will be distributed free during the event as the networking company officially launches business in Mexico.
Ujena Jam week has become a late summer tradition in Puerto Vallarta, attracting hundreds of local visitors, media and industry executives. Editorial crews from Women’s Fitness magazine, Maxim en Espanol, Lifestyles Family Fitness and Ujena Magazine and local media will be covering the action and looking for new talent. The Ujena Jam Expo at the NH Krystal hotel and spa allows media and business sponsors to network and find new talent for models, spokespersons and photographers.
In addition to Bisbee, El Tigre and Verve, some of this year’s sponsors are Nikon, Pepsi, Corona, Gatorade, Action Event Pros, Tinbu, C1RCA skateboard company, BetCris, the NH Krystal’s nightclub Christine’s, the Crown Paradise hotel, Tequilas premium, RMX radio and the city of Puerto Vallarta.
“Welcome Ujena to Puerto Vallarta. You are at the most beautiful tourist destination. We are happy and proud to welcome the Ujena JAM with opened arms, let us pamper you with the warmth of the people in our city that will make you feel at home. Our main objective is that you have the best unforgettable moments and that you always come back.” said mayor of Puerto Vallarta, Lic. Francisco Javier Bravo Carbajal.
The Ujena Jam’s 3rd annual Party by the Sea takes place during the day on the busy streets of downtown and offers a chance for everyone in town to watch the photo shoots and participate in the fun and outside of Hilo Sunday August 24th starting at 4 pm.
Already the world’s largest live model and photographer talent search, the Ujena Jam’s emphasis on fitness contests puts it in a class of its own. While most events and competitions are provided for fun and entertainment, all competing models and photographers must participate in the 5k run, even if they walk.
More than 400 runners are expected to participate in this year’s 5k, which now attracts quality runners as well as fun runners. Its inclusion as a mandatory event is not surprising, given Anderson’s background. Prior to Ujena, at age 17, Anderson started Runner’s World magazine and built it into a $30 million dollar company that launched America’s love affair with running in the 1970s. The Ujena 5K is set for Saturday August 30 at 9am across from the Sheraton. $1000 in cash prizes will be awarded.
“With the race, a swim, an extreme hike, soccer tournament and even an acrobatics competition there is always something going on during the Ujena Jam week,” says Alberto Estarrano, Director of Ujena en Espanol. “The events are why this event continues to grow each year.”
Most all events welcome spectators. Many of the fitness and sporting events are open to local and non-model participants. A full schedule of events and times can be viewed at ujenajam.com. All competing models and photographers will be featured at UjenaTalent.com and full coverage of the event and awards will be at UjenaJam.com and Ujena.tv.
Ujena Bikini Jam Schedule
Puerto Vallarta International August 2008
Friday 22
3:00 PM Press Conference (Golden Crown Paradise)
4:00 PM Official Ribbon Cutting (Golden Crown Paradise)
Saturday 23
*Arrivals for nine night package*
FREE NIGHT
Sunday 24
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
UjENA Talent Workshops
One hour each at the Crown Hotel
10:00 AM Getting the Most Out of the JAM (Keith McNulty and Martha Gonzales)
11:20 AM On Location Photography (Addison Fitzgerald and Catherine Cross)
1:00 PM Working With the Light (Keith McNulty)
4:00 PM Party by the Sea - Photo Shoots until Sunset (Hilo Downtown PV)
10:00 PM Media Martini Party (Ztai)
Monday 25
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
UjENA Talent Workshops
One hour each at the Crown Hotel
10:00 AM Editing and Selecting Images for Print (Bob Anderson)
11:30 AM On Location Makeup and Styling for Print (Catherine Cross)
1:00 PM Editorial Style Photography (Ed Alexander)
4:00 PM Photo Shoots until Sunset
9:00 PM Carlos O’Brian’s Party
Tuesday 26
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ujena Bikini Expo and Casting Day #1
UjENA Talent Workshops
One hour each at the Crown Hotel
10:30 AM Getting the Most Out of Your Camera (Addison Fitzgerald)
11:30 AM Artistic Photography (Alejandro Zenker) (in Spanish)
1:00 PM Bikini Model Posing (Trisha Tompkins)
4:00 PM Photo Shoots until Sunset
9:00 PM Rio Latino Party
Wednesday 27
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
*Arrivals for five night package*
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ujena Bikini Expo and Casting Day #2
7:45 PM - 8:45 PM Required Model and Photographer Orientation (Expo)
8:00 PM Bisbee’s Off Shore Ujena Jam Captain’s Meeting (Hotel)
8:45 - 10:00 PM JAM Networking Party #1 (Expo)
10:00 PM - Official Jam Welcome Party at Hilo
Thursday 28
7:00 AM Bisbee’s Off Shore Ujena Jam Fishing Day #1
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ujena Bikini Expo and Casting Day 3
11:00 AM 50m Swim Competition
UjENA Talent Workshops
One hour each at the Bikini Expo
2:00 PM “Lights! Camera! Tracking!” Workshop presented by Holdon Log
4:00 PM Photo Shoots until Sunset
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM JAM Networking Party #2
10:00 PM C1RCA 3rd Annual Ujena Foam Party (Collage)
Friday 29
7:00 AM Bisbee’s Off Shore Ujena Jam Fishing Day #2
7:30 AM Sunrise Photo Shoots
1:00 PM Photos are due for Models, Photographers and Makeup Artists
2:00 PM Judged Photo Shoot at the Marina (All models and photographers are required to attend)
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM JAM Networking Party #3
10:00 PM Maxim en español Ujena Clubkini Party at Mandala
Saturday 30
8:00 AM Leave for Ujena 5K from Hotel
9:00 AM Ujena 5K Run/Walk (Required event)
10:15 AM Ujena Jam Acrobatics
10:45 AM C1RCA Skateboard Exhibition
12:30 PM Announcement: Top 20 Ujena Models, Top 10 Ujena Photographers Top 3 Ujena Makeup Artists
4:00 PM Ujena Finalists Shootout
10:00 PM Ujena Costume Party at Christine Club
Sunday 31
8:00 AM Photo Tour at El Tigre (Shoot with the Tigers)
8:30 AM Interviews Model/Photographer
9:00 AM 3rd Annual El Tigre Ujena Jam Golf Tournament
3:00 PM Rehearsal for Ujena top 20 models and Partners
8:00 PM 3rd Annual Ujena Jam Image Awards (40 Image Awards will be presented)
10:00 PM Final Night Party at Christine Club
Monday Sept 1
Departures all day
[BanderasNews]
Related: Puerto Vallarta | Ujena Bikini Jam 2007
