When a big event comes to town, there’s always lots to see and do. This time around for the JUNOS, we skipped all the hoopla on Granville Street, the VIP and media lounges at GM Place, the main event and all the afterparty drunkfests. Partially by choice, but alot has to be said about the media relations people for this year’s JUNOS – totally nonexistant. So, instead, we decided that the best place to get all the action was in the gifting lounges…

… and we were bang on. Imagine a place where you go, people fawn over you, give you free swag and all you have to do is check out the products, maybe pose for a couple shots. Heck, even get some complimentary spa services – a manicure, a pedicure, some eyelash extensions, maybe a backrub.

Well, if you’re a superstar (or even a rising star) – this type of treatment is normal. Loads of brands want to see you associated with their stuff. After the jump, we’ll compare the three major players at the JUNOS.

Tastemakers Gift Lounge – West Coast Style

The Tastemakers TOTALLY hooked it up – Cosabella Lingerie, Ed Hardy bling for your cellphone and laptop, shades, kickin’ apparel and even a mini-lash lounge provided by the lovelies at Noir in Yaletown made for a really memorable weekend.

There were dozens of appearances in the hotel suite – Crystal Shawanda, Zaki Ibrahim, Elise Estrada, City and Colour, Sarah Slean, Royal Wood, The Trews, Faber Drive, Kreesha Turner, Marianas Trench, Jessie Farrell, Matthew and Jill Barber, Ron Sexsmith, Lights, Jian Ghomeshi, Cancer Bats, Ivana Santilli, Ben Mulroney and more – we got to capture alot of them thanks to the nice people at Tastemakers. Catch all the photos on Flickr, HERE.

The official Sea to Sky Gift Lounge for the 2009 JUNOS

An expanded space on the sixth floor of the Shangri-La Hotel featured some free swag from Mavi Jeans and plenty of room for the artists to stretch out, whether it was with a cold bevvy or a turn jamming in front their peers.

In typical Vancouver style, media had little or no access to the lounge, except during a small window on the first day of activity, but we did manage to get a couple shots in – photographically and one at the bar. Other than that, meh.

The Artist Sanctuary

The cool cats at the Loden hosted a fantastic set of activities on the top two floors of their first-class hotel. Friendly staff, loads of great food from Voya and tons of swag to be had for the artists. Heck, it’s even reported that some media types got on-site pampering courtesy the kind folks from Absolute Spa.

The Loden was definitely a hit for those who visited – an Oxygen station to cure hangovers and jetlag, a Wii for those wanting to try out Rock Band, shoes, jeans, and clothing galore. Plus, there was always stuff to do and lots of people onsite – the Loden also gets an A.

Out of all the gifting lounges, the best access to be had was at the Tastemaker and Loden lounges. The attendees were cool with having their photo taken, mingling with mere mortals and in most cases, truly out to entertain the crowd.  Being a rockstar truly has its privileges.

PS – Check out the live video taken at the event on Qik.com, HERE.