Originally Posted by SteveLightspeed

Since it was my event that was cancelled, let me add my comments.

First, let me be clear that I DO NOT officially speak for CCBill or The Phoenix Forum, but we have worked together on the Forum for years and I always try to help them whenever I can.

The cancellation of the Dodgeball War was MY DECISION ALONE. The Forum organizers and the Mission Palms hotel felt they could handle the expected extra media attention that Girl's Gone Wild sponsorship would bring. Security was tighter than ever, and GGW disclosed their promotion and marketing plans before the show started. However, local news crews dropped below anyone's expections of professionalism by attempting to sneak into the hotel, circling the hotel with news helicopters, and staking out the mountain behind the hotel with long range cameras. The tennis courts where the dodgeball war is always played is clearly visible from there.

Pictures from previous year's dodgeball events were located online, and the hotel was warned by the AZ liquor control board about violating their rules regarding alcohol and public nudity. I was notified immediately by concerned hotel managers and show organizers. So out of respect for the Cadwell Family, the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, and the attendees of the forum, I decided we should send back a loud and clear message that we are not here to cause trouble or break any laws. Cancelling my event seemed the best way to communicate that.

We shared our concerns with the people from GGW, who were very cooperative and apologetic, but also felt they were simply "doing what they do". This was their first time at the Forum, and their only possible mistake was bringing their consumer marketing machine to what is traditionally a very low key business-to-business only event.

I believe I owe GGW an apology. I was asked to make an announcement to the show attendees about the cancellation of the dodgeball war before I had all the facts. I should not have implied that they caused the cancellation of my event.

Now you know all the facts, let's move on to the next drama.

Steve Lightspeed