What started as an ambitious goal of creating an innovative NFT project with access, gifts, utility, and a world-class NFT conference has turned into much more - a true community has been built. We have seen strangers across the globe connect and friends become family. We've learned so much and have all grown together along the way. It's been a special year with so much that has happened and we'd like to roundup the year, but before we do we want to thank you for your support and belief in VeeFriends - without you there is no us. We look forward to the years ahead.

Gary Vaynerchuk x Christie's Sold for $1.2M

There may not have been a more memorable moment than when 5 Original VeeFriends drawings were to be auctioned at Christie's on October 1st. This was truly a landmark moment for the VeeFriends collection to be associated with the traditional fine art world. It's worth noting the 5 characters included in the auction and their sell price listed below:

• "You're Gonna Die" Fly - $200,000 USD

• Gratitude Gorilla - $250,000 USD

• Tremendous Tiger - $237,500 USD

• "Diamond Hands" Hen - $162,500 USD

• Empathetic Elephant - $412,500 USD

Gift Goats: 18 Physical AND 18 NFTs! 🎁🐐

One of the most anticipated moments for the VeeFriends community was Gift Goat's receiving their first of 18 physical gifts. But as we know with the NFT world, changes can happen and with Gift Goat's there was one notable statement Gary made during a Gift Goat zoom call. Each Gift Goat physical gift, will also be accompanied with an NFT. It was then the value of a Gift Goat token has expanded to now 18 physical gifts and 18 NFTs for each holder.

However, before we could even get to Gift #1, Goat's receive an " amuse bouche" to feed their appetite. As an additional add-on gift, Gift Goat holders were surprised and airdropped a Future Art Access All Art PassNFT, just because why not? Shortly after, Gift #1 was finally announced and delivered - Gary Vaynerchuk & Danny Cole (Creature World) collaboration print & NFT titled "Goat's Arrival in Creature World" blending two notable figures in the space joining forces for a truly unique NFT and print. Gift #2 claim deadline has already passed so as we head into 2022 Goat's can expect to receive their next gift with more details to come. Buckle up Goats, this is truly a journey not to be missed.

Access Tokens: Facetimes, Podcast Panther, Hangout Hawk

When it comes to utility in the NFT space, VeeFriends has taken a unique approach by providing access tokens that enable holders to have unique experiences with Gary directly from having a Facetime with Gary once a year to sitting courtside at a Knicks game with him. This year we started seeing these experiences occur starting with some Podcast Panthers, Hangout Hawks, and Facetime token holders.

Podcast Panther

Podcast Panther holders Alec Hanson and Moby.eth were able to interview Gary as access token holders either virtually or in-person at the NYC HQ offices. Both holders provided such an incredible podcast experience that could have only happened by owning a Podcast Panther VeeFriends NFT.

Hangout Hawk

Hangout Hawks have also experienced 2 virtual zoom meetings with Gary this year. This access token grants up to 125 holders to have five 1-hour virtual meetings with Gary a year (for 3 years) in a group setting. With these sessions being very exclusive you just never know what type of Alpha Gary will drop and the impact that these sessions can have on everyone engaged.

Facetime Experiences

Facetime experiences access token allows each holder at least 5 minutes of facetime with Gary to discuss anything they'd like from a pitch, to business advice, or to just get to know each other! It's truly a unique 1 on 1 experience that is what you make of it. We have some fun clips of some Facetime holder's experiences below.

VeeCon 2022

When VeeFriends launched this May, it was announced that each VeeFriends token would also be a ticket VeeCon - a real-life demonstration of NFT smart contract technology in action, it is a super "un-conference" event jam-packed with education, content and entertainment for NFT enthusiasts. Since then, there have been announcements on dates, location, the first round lineup of speakers, and more!

VeeCon 2022 is taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 19 to 22, 2022. VeeCon 2022 is one of the world's first NFT-ticketed conferences, a first-of-its-kind, multi-day event explicitly with tickets issued to VeeFriends holders only. The first round lineup of speakers and entertainers have been announced as shown below. These speakers come from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds such as NFT Projects & Artists, OGs from the Internet Industry, Entrepreneurs & Executives, Public Figures, Artists & Entertainers, Athletes, and Influencers. #SeeYouAtVeeCon

BOOK GAMES

On Aug. 27th, 2021, GaryVee announced his new book Twelve and a Half with the community through a 3-hour livestream. On the livestream, Gary shared that anyone who purchased his books in multiples of 12 during a limited promotion period will receive a special gift, an NFT via claimed airdrop. Fast forward 93 days, with over 1 million copies sold and 125,000 NFTs in the making, a new era was born - BOOK GAMES.

We announced BOOK GAMES will be played on Immutable X. This will be the playing field to compete in the BOOK GAMES festivities come early Jan. In the meantime, we are encouraging our entire community to read our informative blog and for those who are expecting to receive NFTs from their book purchases to verify their information on our new BOOK GAMES NFT Book Checker site. If the information on the Book Checker site is incorrect please submit the troubleshoot form before the deadline of 12/31/2021. For more information on book checker please read our blog here. We are so excited for the games to begin.

PLP

In early August, we announced the launch of the Pre-Launch Program (PLP) into the VeeFriends ecosystem. This program offered creators to submit an application to have their upcoming/emerging NFT project to be supported by VeeFriends as an additional boost to their launch. In addition to partnering with VeeFriends, the selected project would have to commit to setting aside 555 NFTs for VeeFriends holders. This provided value for the applicant/project as well as our VeeFriends holders. We had many applications come our way and were fortunate enough to have 4 projects launched through PLP before the program was paused for updates. For more information check out the featured PLP projects below: Dapper Dinos NFT

Grillz Gang

The Drops

Blue Studios present: The Blockchain Adventures of Bella the Blue-Bot

VeeFriends Collaborations: Staple Pigeon, VeeFriends UNO, Anwar Carrots, Empathy Elephant

In just 8 months, VeeFriends has engaged in thoughtful collaborations expanding the character IP and brand recognition in a meaningful way.

May 2021: Staple x VeeFriends Perspective Pigeon Capsule

The first collaboration came with Jeff Staple's brand Staple Pigeon by creating Staple x VeeFriends Perspective Pigeons T-Shirts, Hats, and Hoodies. As part of the drop, Perspective Pigeon holders were able to claim a free capsule for a limited time as part of the featured VeeFriends in this collaboration.

November 2021: Empathy Elephant 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Heading into the holiday season, our second exciting collaboration came through Empathy Wines premium limited edition release of [Empathy Elephant 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon](https://blog.veefriends.com/announcing-the-2019-empathy-elephant-cabernet-sauvignon-67938350dd46) featuring Empathy Elephant on the wine label. This marked a delicious blend between the wine world and NFT space. As part of the collaboration, Empathy Elephant, Last Glass Standing, Sensible Sommelier, VeeFriends holders were able to claim free bottles of this delicious wine for a limited time.

December 2021: Self-Aware Hare Carrots Capsule

Then this winter, we teamed up with notable LA streetwear designer Anwar Carrots in: [Anwar Carrots 🥕 Self-Aware Hare — Winter '21 Collaboration.](https://blog.veefriends.com/anwar-carrots-self-aware-hare-winter-21-collaboration-3f2b848c539e) The Self-aware Hare Carrots - Winter '21 Collaboration Capsule is now sold out everywhere but is seeing good volume on secondary markets, such as eBay. Self-Aware Hare token holders were able to claim a free capsule for a limited time as a value-add for holding the featured VeeFriends character.

December 2021: VeeFriends UNO

The last, but certainly not least, collaboration to reflect on is VeeFriends x Mattel Creations presenting VeeFriends UNO - the same name and game we all love with a VeeFriends twist. Partnering with such an iconic brand featuring 17 VeeFriends characters was a highlight moment this year.

It is also humbling to say that all of these collaboration items have sold out and are only available to buy off secondary marketplaces such as eBay. We are so excited for the collaborations to come in the next 40 years but are pleased with the early partnerships and relationships we have built thus far.

NFT.NYC: GaryVee Secret Wine Party

During the first of its kind NFT Conference events - NFT.NYC, Gary put together a secret wine party for anyone in the NYC area to enjoy some Empathy Wines and good times. On Twitter, Gary announced the location to meet on a first come first serve basis. This undoubtedly led to long lines to get in with supporters waiting their turn. In true GaryVee fashion, Gary brought the party outside and took time to interact with people for hours. This event not only brought the VeeFriends community but truly the NFT community together for a special moment in 2021.

VeeFriends Yearly Statistics:

Total Unique Owners: 5,124

Total Secondary Sales (USD): $107,527,771.70

Total Secondary Sales (ETH): 33,732.0560

Avg. Sales (USD): $33,899.05

Avg. Sales (ETH): 10.6343

Largest Sale (USD): $326,787.41 - G.O.O. Diamond Alert Ape

*source: Cryptoslam.io and Opensea.io

Largest Sale (ETH): 105 - G.O.O. Diamond Alert Ape

Happy New Year! 🥳

We are excited to continue and service our community, especially our VeeFriends holders in the upcoming year and the next 40 to come. Hope you enjoyed this year as much as we did, Happy New Year to the VeeFriends Community!

(H/T @NonFungibleTom_)