Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Photo by Ethan Long Suffolk freshman Matt Coughlin poses for a photo with the Playboy energy drink girls.

Media Credit: Photo by Ethan Long InternshipRatings.com, a website started by BU juniors Stephanie Gurtman and Lauren Grunstein, had a raffle at CollegeFest.

Streams of college students flowed up Boylston Street towards the Hynes Convention Center. Smaller groups could be seen leaving, all carrying various plastic bags with "CollegeFest" adorning them.
CollegeFest, a convention held yearly since 1985, took place Sept. 27 and 28.
Upon entering, attendees were greeted by security guards and ladies in tank tops handing out free condoms and pamphlets. Students were crowded in every direction as they make their way to another kiosk.
Attempted karaoke was drowned out by the live bands playing.
The atmosphere was brimming with the excitement of free handouts, energy drinks, and live music.
Divided into two rooms, the convention was essentially a rowed grid of kiosks and tables.Lines of students formed by the tables giving away free t-shirts and other souvenirs.
The longest line, stretching the length of the venue, was for the Playboy lounge, where autographed pictures could be taken with the Playmates.
MCs and hosts of the event wandered around with microphones enthusiastically announcing new promotions.
"It's been a great and amazing opportunity to come in with so many different people," said Alex Miller of UStream.tv, a site where students can broadcast their own recordings and watch thousands of others.
Andrew Brown, a freshman at Suffolk, attended the Convention, saying it had a "fun-loving" atmosphere.
"A lot of kids showed up," Brown said, commenting that the main drive was for free giveaways.
Many were waiting until the evenings, when on both days the convention was to be transformed from an interactive commercial to a concert.
The headliners of the lives shows were Chamillionaire and Soulja Boy.
Not every group there was a company advertising a hip product or service. Some were in a more serious vein, such as religion.
Miranda Miller, representing the Christian Science Church, said, "We're here to let [college students] know that they're welcome to come and hang out."
She added, "[CollegeFest] is very open and lighthearted."
A representative of Length Marketing, a service providing the DJs and other entertainment, said, "The environment is great. Everyone seems very enthusiastic."

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