This is the first of five reports -- over five days -- of the 84th Annual Convention of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, July 3-7, 2012, in Norfolk, Virginia. Check back here late each evening (or the next morning) to read about some of the highlights of the day, as well as see a selection of some of the photos taken by the convention’s official photographer, Michael Messing. And be reminded that all photos are copyrighted by the I.B.M.
While the I.B.M. Annual Convention -- the oldest magic convention in the world -- officially began at noon Tuesday with the opening of the registration desk in the host hotel, the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, some I.B.M. members started earlier in the day. Hospital Shows Director Scott Hood (Ring 49, Ontario, Canada), and his team, performed two magic shows at the Naval Medical Centre at Portsmouth.
And as soon as the convention registration desk opened, convention souvenir lapel pins were sold to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia.
Tuesday was arrival day for most convention attendees, and they got settled into their rooms, became acquainted with the hotel and surroundings, and renewed old friendships and made new friends as magicians and their families from all over the world gathered in one place.
The all-important Dealers Room opened on schedule at 2 pm, and it was a popular gathering point for magicians to see other magicians, and the latest in magic products and services.
The highlight of the day was the Welcome Party and Show, the first of five straight evening shows. How do you kick off the opening event of the world’s best magic convention? How about with a rousing Fife and Drum Corps? The enthusiastic audience obviously approved this historic opening act, followed by the presentation of the colors.
A salute to Malta was in honor of I.B.M. 
International President Vanni Pule,’ who gave welcoming and opening remarks, with Mary Anne by his side.
Comedy magician Andrew Goldenhersh was the evening’s featured performer, starting the evening playing music on a guitar while people gathered, to ending with the production of two chickens from a straight jacket. What a fun and terrific way to welcome everyone and to start the convention.
The day ended with one of the convention’s famous late-night (10 pm) lectures, this one by Arthur Trace. Yes, magicians don’t get much sleep at an I.B.M. convention. But, as one convention veteran put it, “You can catch up on sleep when you get back home!”
Don’t forget that you can download a PDF of the convention program, either on this page by clicking the program cover, or by going to the convention page, and clicking it there.
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