On July 3, 2008, KB24.com (the official web site of Kobe Bryant) held it’s first-ever Meet & Greet with Kobe at Zune LA in West Hollywood, CA.  50 KB24.com Members were invited to attend this private event through a members only contest.  Members who had previously signed up for KB24.com Membership were randomly selected as winners on June 25, 2008, and were notified via email the very same day. 

Members were invited to come to Zune LA at 12PM on July 3rd (Kobe would be there from 1-2PM).  A short line formed in front of the building as members eagerly awaited to enter.

At approx. 11:45AM, doors opened where members where checked-in and greeted by Eric M. of KB24.com.  Once inside, members were able to check-out the entire venue.  There were two rooms downstairs - a lounge area where light refreshments were provided and a larger room where there was a stage and large projection screen showing Kobe’s career highlights. 

I thought I’d take a photo of the colorful and decorative restroom.  Notice the small LCD panel to the left of the toilet…pretty cool.  What’s not cool is what one member forgot to do before finishing his business.  So please excuse the milk-filled-looking toilet…I super-imposed a white oval to cover up the mess. 

By this point, more and more members had been checked-in and have entered the building.  Most members gathered in the larger room mingling with other members and watching Kobe career highlights from high school up to a few years ago.  Eric M. got on stage to greet everyone and gave us some background on the Chinese basketball reality show involving Kobe we were about to watch.  This show is titled “Kobe Mentu” and is currently showing in China. 

After watching the entire show, members began to surround the stage area where Kobe addressed his dedicated fans.  Kobe entered the room to “MVP!” chants.

Watch the entire video of Kobe addressing his KB24.com fans here. 

After addressing members, Kobe headed up stairs to prepare to meet with each and every person in attendance.  Members immediately began lining up for their time with Kobe. 

Everyone received about a minute with Kobe where they said hello, got their item(s) autographed, and got a photo with Kobe.  Members brought items of all sorts - basketballs, shoes, posters, tickets, figurines, etc.  But the coolest item signed but Kobe was not an item but a body part.  That’s right, KB24.com Member “KobesChica<3″ got her lower back signed by Kobe!  She previously had the Kobe Sheath logo tattoo’d on her lower back and asked Kobe to sign over it.  Within the hour, she had Kobe’s signature tattoo’d on her lower back as well. 

After meeting with all his fans, Kobe threw some MVP T-shirts from the balcony down to everyone and said goodbye.

Overall, KB24.com’s first-ever Meet & Greet with Kobe Bryant was extremely successful and enjoyable.  Everyone walked away with an experience they will never forget.  A big thank you to Kobe, Eric M., and the rest of the KB24.com staff for putting on a most memorable event. 

Click here to view more exclusive photos from the Meet & Greet.

This is just the first of many exclusive KB24.com events where fans will have the opportunity to meet Kobe Bryant.  To be notified of these events and to be included in future member contests, be sure to sign up for KB24.com Membership today!

And after signing up, register for a TKC Forums account to discuss all things Kobe collectibles and memorabilia.  Paid KB24.com Members can request to be included in the “KB24 Members” group where they will have access to a special Members Only section of the forums.