Alright, it wasn't a real jail, but we did lock up our Zappos Family Managers a couple weeks ago for an exercise to show that drinking and driving doesn't mix. Special thanks to our benefits team for setting this up and turning the blog bus into a jail cell for a day!

No one could have seen this coming. Leave it to the Dev team to think of something as awesome and intricately planned as this.

This quarter’s Tech All Hands meeting was a rousing success! In addition to covering all of the new and exciting work that’s gone on in the past several months like:

Zappos.com iPad and iPhone Apps went live!- Customers can now shop on their iPhones and iPads as well as their computers and our 1-800 number.

Public API! - We launched our public API (http://developer.zappos.com) that allows the developer community to build their own applications with Zappos data.Zappos uses the API inhouse to power our mobile apps as well as various functions throughout the actual website.

Sizing Project Completed! - Reinvented how product measurement data is stored and processed to make it easier than ever to find the perfect fit for nearly any type of product.

And celebrating the team’s successes with awards, acknowledgements, and drinks like:
Grey Goose shots
Tequila shots
More Grey Goose shots

Everyone’s favorite CTO, Arun (pictured above),announced that Zappos IP, Inc. will be opening an office in SF. Will Young will be heading up the new office and had this to say:

“We are very excited to be opening up a small San Francisco office.  We’re jazzed to go back to the Zappos Family's Bay Area roots and surround ourselves by the many amazing people and companies who make the world a happier place through technology, arts and culture. The San Francisco office in some ways will be a mini-start-up within the Zappos Family.  Our office is going to focus on experimentation, incubation and off roadmap projects.  We will want to try a lot of fun and new zany things that might become the future of how people shop online or may end up in the huge pile of unused ideas “that sounded good at the time”.  We’re eager to work and partner with great Bay Area companies to really put out some WOW.”

We were entertained along the way with videos and skits covering everything from hunting bears (don’t ask) to “Zappos Next Live Model” featuring men in drag (you may not want to watch it).  But by far, the favorite video of the night featured a rendition of a well-known and loved scene from “A Few Good Men.” Check out our version below.

Everyone is super excited about the great work the team has done in 2010 and looking forward to 2011.  We are looking for “A Few Good Developers” to join both our Las Vegas and SF teams. And by “a few” we mean a lot!!!!! Check out all of the tech openings HERE

There are many benefits to being a part of the Zappos Family (Paid Insurance, Free Food and Beverages, Being around highly motivated people, being in an environment that promotes personal and professional growth, etc.), and you can now add yet another benefit to that list! Last week we launched the W.i.s.h.e.z. tool for all Zappos.com family of companies employees. We now have the ability to create and grant wishes for one another!

Several years ago, Nicki and Tony Berti decided they wanted to do something for the underpriviledged children of Las Vegas that would provide as many kids as posible with a new pair of shoes. 8 years later, they have built an organization that comes together to provide over 2000 kids with not only a new pair of shoes, but a backpack, 5 pairs of socks, an event T-shirt, Lunch and more. Here's a video of this year's Annual Goodie two Shoes Giveaway event.

The Zappos Family is fortunate to have great vendors that we have exceptional relationships with. Our Vendors and Employees are like our family, and last week we had a very special visitor. Gene Washington with UPS came in for a tour of our office, but little did Gene know, there was a special surprise for him. For a few years, we have been lucky enough to call UPS for help, and have the opportunity to speak with Gene, who continuously delivers extraordinary customer service. We declared October 28th Gene Washington day at the Zappos.com HQ!

Melissa W announced that she was pregnant several months ago, as well as announcing that she would be moving out of state. We definitely knew a Baby shower and going away party would be in order, but we also wanted to incorporate a Huge sandwich eating contest as well. Mike A. dominated the field of 8 contestants by finishing his sandwich in less than 3 minutes.

Recently all of the Merchandising Assistants from the Zappos Mechandising, Inc. gathered at the park for a fun filled day. Everyone participated in several activities such as a scavenger hunt, relay race, BBQ, and ended the evening with bowling.