I hope you have already registered for the "all-new" I.B.M. Convention in Dallas June 28-July 2, and have started making your plans. It's less than six (6) weeks away, you know! Many of you will just show up, attend most of the sessions and events, and will take home terrific memories of a fantastic experience. BUT, others of you want to get as much out of the convention as possible, which is smart. Since you might be starting a checklist of what to take to the convention, add to your list my list of things and stuff to maximize your magic and convention experience:
(1) CARRYING CASE. Let's start off with some sort of briefcase or bag to carry all your things and stuff in. A formal office-type briefcase would be O.K., but something lighter and more flexible would be better. A soft (cloth, canvas) bag fits the need. It can be either a briefcase-type bag, or one of those tote bags with longer handles. Wider bottoms are best, to hold more of your stuff (like what you buy in the vendor room). If it has one or more pockets, so much the better. I like the idea of having a bag with a distinctive color and design, so you can recognize it instantly. I also like those recycling grocery bags so popular now. Oh yes, be sure to tape, pin, staple, etc. one of your business cards to the bag in case you misplace it.
(2) SPIRAL NOTEBOOK. You can't remember everything, so write things down you see and hear. Buy a standard size spiral notebook. They have stiff covers to write on in your lap. Also, you can have all your convention notes in one place for future reference. You can capture major points from lectures, make sketches, write down memos to yourself, etc. Don't kid yourself into thinking you will "remember it later," when you know you won't. Write it down!
(3) POCKET NOTEBOOK: Related to the bigger notebook, but for more convenience and portability, buy one of those 3x5 notebooks to carry in your shirt or pants pocket, or purse. Again, you can't remember everything, so WRITE IT DOWN! You are going to have literally hundreds of ideas coming at you for five straight days. Jot them down as they appear, to remember later. Write sentences and words and phrases -- anything to jog your memory later. Make a list of "things to do" as you think about them.
(4) PENS: You need something to write with, and you already have a bunch of pens at home. Use pens, not pencils; pencils break. Check pens out and make sure they work. Drop at least three in your carrying bag; five or six are better; buying a pen at the hotel gift store is expensive. Of course there may be one on the nightstand in your hotel room, but don't count on it.
(5) CAMERA: Digital cameras are so common, you should already have a small, inexpensive one. Take it. You'll want to take photos of friends, of vendor booths, of celebrities, etc. But be aware that most shows (and some other occasions, like the contests) prohibit photos. Read the notice in the program, and listen for announcements. Sometimes photos are permitted, but flashes are not.
(6) NEW BATTERIES: Do not assume that the batteries in your camera are good. Buy a NEW set of batteries (and a backup set, too), at home. Again, batteries in the gift store will be more expensive. Besides, the store may not have your size or type.
(7) VIDEO CAMERA: You might want to bring your small digital video camera, to record some of the memories, and to show back home at your ring meeting. But again, there will be restrictions where you can record, so don;t be surprised. Be alert and respectful. Which brings up another point: if possible, ask permission of whoever you are recording.
(8) BINOCULARS: Since everyone can't sit in the first row -- or even in the first several rows -- you might enjoy the shows and lectures more if you can see better. A pair of binoculars would help get you up close and personal. You can take away more from a close-up lecture or demonstration, for instance, if you can see that subtle move more clearly.
(9) COMFORTABLE SHOES (AND CLOTHES): You will be spending a lot of time on your feet, as well as walking, so wear comfortable shoes. In fact, comfortable clothes are also recommended. Most people will dress up more for the evening shows, and sit-down meals, but casual dress is recommended elsewhere. After all, it IS summer.
(10) DRESS IN LAYERS: Since we don't know what the temperatures will be in each of the rooms at the hotel, I strongly recommend that you plan to dress is layers. That means wear items you can take off or put on as the temperature changes. When you first enter many large rooms, they are a bit chilly -- on purpose. When the room fills up, the body heat and people talking raise the temperature. Bring a light sweater, shawl, etc., to put on or take off. You might even want to throw in a long-sleeved shirt or two. You'll be glad you did.
I'll stop here, since I'm at an even number. (Why do people think they have to stop at an even number? If I had one more thing to add, I would!) My purpose of this column has been to try to help you make your convention experience more beneficial,. more enjoyable, more worthwhile. The convention is being billed as the "Best magic convention ever." So do your part to help make it so.
