Over the next week I'll be covering the highs and lows of this FISM North America as it happens. With IBM SAM being the "it" convention this year - expectations are high for an event which has been 3 years in the making ... And a registration price to match. Will they deliver the goods ? Will the societies play nice ? Who will represent America in Rimini, Italy ? Time will reveal all.
I have only just arrived but already seen so many friends and familiar faces ... The Renaissance Grand Hotel is truly buzzing and everywhere you turn its another 'who's who' of magic.
First impressions do count and registration was thankfully (for me) a painless affair - individual mileage may have varied. The "goodie bag" though is a somewhat underwhelming start to proceedings. Besides the oversized magazine style program compiled by Richard and Dustin - and a copy of the SAM congressional citation declaring magic to be an art - there isn't even a notepad or pen included (!) What a strange oversight ...
Tonight is effectively a soft opening to the convention ... Dealers kicked off at seven pm with a welcome cocktail party and Magic Live style card exchange followed by the first lecture of the week - Henry Evans. I have yet to explore what's on offer in this dealer market of mysteries - but judging by the piles of purchases I have seen leaving the room already - sales will no doubt be brisk
The opening gala show starts things proper tomorrow at 10 am, the stage contests follow along with lectures and performances by David Stone, Richard Turner and the inimitable Fat Brothers. Plenty to look forward to ...
On a side note - For those looking for life outside the convention hotel post 5 pm - think again. Downtown St. Louis is a ghost town - food choices on site are severely limited, and your nearest takeaway is blocks away! This isn't going to be conducive to keeping hoards of hungry magicians happy. I am already missing the Genii food court
Let the fun and games begin!
