| | |  News from Around Banderas Bay | August 2008 
Ujena Jam 2008 Underway in Puerto Vallarta
 PVNN
| More than 180 models and photographers from eight countries are in Puerto Vallarta this week for the world’s largest live swimwear model and photographer search, the 24th Annual Ujena Jam, and the BanderasNews team caught the opening ceremony on video.
Click HERE for the Ujena Jam Puerto Vallarta 2008 Recap | | |
Puerto Vallarta – 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.
Click HERE for the Ujena Jam Puerto Vallarta 2008 Recap
 Ujena Jam Golf Tournament at El Tigre
 Bob Cohen
BanderasNews Videographer Devon Allistone hit the links at the El Tigre Golf Course in Nuevo Vallarta on Sunday to catch the UjENA Jam 2008 models, photographers and sponsors in action at the 3rd Annual El Tigre UjENA golf tournament.
UjENA Jam Puerto Vallarta 2008 5K Wrap Up
 Bob Cohen
The Ujena Jam 5K was run Saturday morning as scheduled with a start time of 9:00 am, and with the huge crowd of runners, models, photographers, family members and general public, one would have never known that the evening prior dumped the most rain on Puerto Vallarta this year.
UjENA Photographers and Models in Action
 PVNN
BanderasNews Videographer Devon Allistone talks to some of the models and photographers who gathered together at Marina Vallarta on Friday for a photo shoot that will determine the UjENA Model and Photographer of the Year finalists.
50m Swim: Wet & Wild with UjENA Models
 PVNN
This is the first year that the 50 meter swim has been part of the Puerto Vallarta UjENA Jam, so BanderasNews Videographer Devon Allistone stopped by the Crown Paradise Hotel on Thursday to catch all of the wet and wild action.
UjENA Jam Expo: The Place to See and Be Seen
 PVNN
For models and photographers, the Jam Expo at the Crown Paradise Hotel was the place to see and be seen during the 2008 UjENA Jam Puerto Vallarta. Banderas News videographer Devon Allistone gives us an inside look at all the fun and excitement.
Work Up a Sweat at the UjENA 5k Run/Walk
 PVNN
If you've ever dreamed of working up a sweat with some of the hottest swim wear models in the world, don't miss the UjENA 5k run/walk, scheduled to begin at 9 am on Saturday, August 30 across from the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort in Puerto Vallarta.
Bisbee/UjENA Fish Tournament Underway
 PVNN
Following Wednesday night's Captains' meeting at Marina Vallarta, the Bisbee Offshore UjENA Jam Tournament offers two days of hot babes and heated competition in a conservation minded, all-release billfish tournament.
Actress Visits PV's Children of the Dump
 PVNN
While in Puerto Vallarta to host the 2008 Image Awards show, former UjENA pageant winner, Hollywood actress and entrepreneur, Kristina Hughes, took some time out of her busy schedule to visit the Children of the Dump's School of Champions.
UjENA Jam Expo and Talent Workshops
 PVNN
BanderasNews Videographer, Devon Allistone, catches Bob Anderson in action at the UjENA Talent Workshops at the Crown Paradise Hotel, then speaks with Chief Stylist, Catherine Cross about how these workshops can boost careers in the fashion industry.
Life on the Other Side of the Cameras
 PVNN
BanderasNews Videographer Devon Allistone goes behind the scenes with the professional photographers and some of the world's most beautiful models at the 'Olympics' of swimwear competitions, the 2008 UjENA Jam Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
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