CONVENTION CONTESTS GENERAL INFORMATION

Thank you for your interest in participating in the I.B.M. Contests at the 83nd Annual I.B.M. Convention.  This year's contests will be held at The Sheraton Dallas Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

Contest applications will be accepted beginning March 15, 2011.  Online applications for the I.B.M. Stage Contest and the I.B.M. Close-up Contest must be received via e-mail no later than June 14, 2011.  Applications for the I.B.M. Stage Contest and the I.B.M. Close-up Contest submitted via postal mail must be postmarked no later than June 14, 2011, and received no later than June 21, 2011.

A confirmation letter with information and contest details (times and places) will be sent you near the beginning of June 2011. 

All Contest materials are available on this I.B.M. Web site, and are downloadable.

The I.B.M. Contests have been accepted worldwide as the benchmark for well-organized, quality, non-political convention contests.  Over the last 25 years, the I.B.M. Contests have continued to attract more Contestants, and the quality of the field has steadily climbed.  Our Friday Night Gold Medal Contest Show has consistently been one of the high points of the Convention.  The I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence in Stage Performance, and The I.B.M. Gold CupsInternational Award of Excellence in Close-up Performance are the most prestigious prizes in the magic world.

The I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest is a preliminary/finals event.  If you're selected following the preliminaries to be one of the finalists in the I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your talents on the Friday evening I.B.M. Gold Medal Show.

The I.B.M. Gold Cups Close-up Contest is also a preliminary/finals event.  This gives the top Close-up Contestants the opportunity to perform in the prestigious I.B.M. Gold Cups Finals before a larger, very appreciative audience. 

The facilities for this year's Contests are top-notch.  The I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest will take place on a large stage, with curtains, theater lighting, sound, and ease for set-up, move-on and strike.  The I.B.M. Gold Cups Close-up Contest will take place in spacious rooms with elevated seating.

The I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence in Stage Performance and a cash prize of $5,000 is the top prize for the I.B.M. Stage Contest.  The I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence in Close-up Performance and a cash prize of $5,000 is the top prize for the I.B.M. Close-up Contest. 

Here's a synopsis of the I.B.M. Convention Contest Awards and Prizes:

1.  The I.B.M. Stage Contest, Youth Category, Outstanding Performance by a member age 7 through 17, and a $500 (U.S. currency) cash prize, and Second Place Award of Merit for performance by a member age 7 through 17, and a $250 (U.S. currency) cash prize.

2.  The I.B.M. Stage Contest, Adult Category, Outstanding Performance by a member age 18 years or greater, and a $2,000 (U.S. currency) cash prize, and Second Place Award of Merit for performance by a member age 18 years or greater, and a $250 (U.S. currency) cash prize.

3.  The I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence in Stage Performance, and a $5,000 (U.S. currency) cash prize (winner must have entered the Stage Contest in either Category 1 or Category 2.)

4.  The I.B.M. Stage Contest People's Choice Award, and a $500 (U.S. currency) cash prize (winner selected during the I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest Finals.)

5.  The I.B.M. Close-up Contest, Youth Category, Outstanding Performance by a member age 7 through 17, and a $500 (U.S. currency) cash prize, and Second Place Award of Merit for performance by a member age 7 through 17, and a $250 (U.S. currency) cash prize.

6.  The I.B.M. Close-up Contest, Adult Category, Outstanding Performance by a member age 18 years or greater, and a $2,000 (U.S. currency) cash prize, and Second Place Award of Merit for performance by a member age 18 years or greater, and a $250 (U.S. currency) cash prize.

7.  The I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence in Close-up Performance, and a $5,000 (U.S. currency) cash prize (winner must have entered the Close-up Contest in either Category 5 or Category 6.)

8.  The I.B.M. Close-up Contest People's Choice Award, and a $500 (U.S. currency) cash prize(winner selected during the I.B.M. Gold Cups Close-up Contest Finals.)

9.  The Karrell Fox Comedy Award (winner must have entered the I.B.M. Stage Contest in either Category 1 or Category 2.)

The winners of the I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest and the I.B.M. Gold Cups Close-up Contest will be booked for a following I.B.M. Annual Convention.  Additionally, Ring 25, The British Ring, will invite the winner of the I.B.M. Stage Contest to perform at the British Ring Convention, with all expenses paid (airfare, room, etc.)

The Youth Category awards are supported and funded by the I.B.M. Endowment and Development Fund (EDF) to encourage our Youth in magic.  Additionally, the Youth Category first-place winners of the I.B.M. Stage Contest and the I.B.M. Close-up Contest will each receive the fabulous FANTASMA Youth Prize Package, which includes: 

♦ Round trip airfare for two to either Las Vegas or New York City

♦ Hotel accommodations for two nights

♦ All the FANTASMA Magic you can carry

♦ Lunch with a famous magician

♦ Magic show tickets

♦ An opportunity to perform on-stage or close-up in either city

♦ Special meetings with celebrity magicians to discuss your act

♦ And more surprises and memories that will last a lifetime

There are many, many reasons to enter the I.B.M. Contests.  Great experiences.  Great prizes.  Whatever your motivation may be...

                 You want it?    Come and TAKE it.     We don’t just give this away. 

________________________________________________________________