PGI: Congratulations on running one of the biggest and most successful Paintball events in the world. How long have you been doing this, and what major problems tend to rear their ugly heads every year?

Debra : I'm an antique in this industry. I actually started running events in 1983 for National Survival Games. I took two years off to have my daughter in 1988 and 1989, and then started designing the first ever national amateur event, held in 1991. At that time only Pro events were on the scene and I just felt that a huge market was being missed. My husband Ryan and I literally spent a full year getting the first one off the ground. Now I've got it down to about eight months with the crunch being the last three months. As far as unforeseen problems are concerned, we deal with new issues every year. We try to obviate all the problems we can on the front end so that we are freed up to deal with the unanticdipated events that will occur. And we know they will occur. Every year we know we'll face a problem that we have never dealt with before. It's the nature of the beast. When you have this many people on location ... as the bumper sticker says: "Shithappens!"

PGI: What is going to be different about this year's event?

Debra: It's been an extraordinary year for the industry and that will be apparent at the tournament. Sponsors want larger booths or more visibility at the event. We're noted for our great parties and this year should be wild. The players' party last year was as good as it gets, so I'm just hoping we can repeat it. You'd have to talk with someone who was there to know, but it was quite an experience. After all these years I can say unequivocally that it was a pinnacle for me personally and for the event. It just all came together; great food, great timing, excellent MC(a local comedienne named Lis Dapprich), and some fabulous Beauty and the Beast contestants! The tent was just rocking and people were given standing ovations amidst tons of laughter and applause. It was terrific. This year we have and Industry function that is going to be incredible. National Paintball Supply is having a one-day-only industry Megasale at the Sheraton. This will be for wholesalers only and will be the largest sale in Paintball history with unprecedented prices. At the same time Paintball Business will be running workshops for field and storeowners. At the end of the day we'll have the New Product Roll Out, which is always exciting. All this will be capped off with an industry poolside at the Sheraton in the evening. The plans are in the making and if you are in the business of Paintball you won't want to miss it.

PGI: Do you have any worries about the coming event?

Debra: I don't worry per se. I try to control what I can, delegate what I can, and say a prayer or two. At this point I have some extraordinary staff that have been with me for years so I can offload huge parts of the event into their capable hands. My assistant Laurie Rogg has been a godsend. As I get older I can't deal with the sleep deprivation so well, so now I have other folks that arrive at 6am to get things started. About three years ago it hit me full force when I was completely depleted by Sunday. Of course that was when major problems occurred and I wasn't sharp enough to make good decisions. Fortunately I recognised that and pulled in others who were thinking clearly. That's when I knew I had to make some changes. It's a real physical and mental marathon for me and I lose 5 lbs in five days every year (always a great plus). But that gives you an idea of the endurance test that it really is. So that leaves me with the uncontrollable things like the weather to sweat about. The other big worry is whether my dad and Laurie's dad will stay awake in the paint trailer. If you catch them napping it's a real good time to buy you're paint!

PGI: What are you looking forward to most about this year's Zap Am?

Debra: I look forward to all of it. It's so exciting and people are so happy to be here. This is a real pleasure to produce. I've got staff that started with me when they were 15 and now they've been off to college and have real jobs, but they stilll take that week off to come back and work the event. It's like a mini Woodstock. It takes on a life of its own for a week in August. I always look forward to the new teams in our Novice Division. Some of them are real puppy teams and they are just so thrilled to be here. This whole NPS Megasale and poolside is going to be top notch. I love th do things first class and that day should be a real high point for the industry. I know the party sure will be.

PGI: Is there anyone in particular that you would like to thank for their help over the years?

Debra: Naturally Zap is at the top of the list. We have had a good marriage for all these years and I'm sure it will go on for years to come. We both started off as small companies and together we have grown. At this point we have a lot of mutual respect and trust. I also have sponsors like Airgun Designs, Worr Game Products, Pro-team and NPS that have been major sponsors from day one. We also have many prize sponsors (too many to mention) that have hung in there with us through floods, dust, tornadoes etc. They'd tell you things are much better now than in those beginning years. The support has been tremendous and is certainly one of the reasons for our seccess.

PGI: You are heavily involved in Paintball on the industry side, but you must have some pet hates as far as the actual sport is concerned. What little (or big) things bug you the most about Paintball?

Debra: I really dislike entities within the industry that are self-serving to the detriment of the whole. We all make our living from Paintball in some form, but sometimes you have to look at the long-term success of the sport and not the short-term success for your wallet. On the player side I get very disappointed when I hear about the unsportsmanlike antics of the seasoned teams. Unless we want to go the way of the WWF we need to get these attitudes and actions in check. Sponsors, team captains and promoters need to draw a very hard line in the sand on unacceptable behaviour.

PGI: What are your aspirations for the coming year and for the future beyond this event? Is there anything else you would like to see happen in Paintball?

Debra: We have arrived. Paintball has finally hit critical mass and we are a household name. I hope we can enjoy this time and not do anything too stupid to screw up the future for the players or the industry. I'm very encouraged that we (promoters) are coming together on the ROF (rate of fire) issue and rulebook. Bill Cookson has done an extraordinary job building consensus and moving us all forward. He is to be commended. If we can just keep this sport safe for our kids, we can ride this wave for a long time. It's taken us 17 years to get here; we just need to walk slowly.

PGI: Finally, if you could be doing anything else right now, what would it be?

Debra: I really can't think of anything I'd rather be doing for work. I love producing this event. When you love something you don't focus on the hours or the problems, you just keep nurturing. This event challenges me every year and taps all my background in marketing, my years in the hospitality industry, public realtions, my organisational skills and my sense of humour. It really gives me a chance to tap into 20 years of experience and use every bit of it. How many people can say they absolutely love what they do? I guess when you create something that wasn't there before it holds a special place in your heart and your life.

PGI: Thanks for talking to us Debra, and good luck with everything for the future.

Paint site design and contents Copyright Mike Wallis