Day 5 IBM/SAM Convention closes on a high note
Category: Posted by: C. DENNIS SCHICK
So what happened on Day Five -- the last day -- of the 2017 I.B.M/S.A.M. Combined Convention at the Galt House in downtown Louisville, Kentucky?
New I.B.M. International President Bob Patterson held his first Board Meeting with the new I.B.M. Board, which included Immediate Past President Oscar Munoz.
The Dealers Room was open most of the day, from 10 am to 6 pm. This was one last time to buy that coveted effect, replenish needed supplies, and to pick up earlier orders which were being held. Some dealers even had end-of-show specials so they wouldn’t have to take so much stuff back home. It was also one last time to say goodbye to old friends, until the next convention, since many dealers packed up and left.
This was “Close-up Gala Day,” which meant four invited close-up specialists performed for two back-to-back audiences, to keep the audiences smaller, to see better. The four specialists were Jeki, Jay Sankey, Luis Carreon, and Alba.
There were four more lectures today, by Martin Lewis, in the morning and in the afternoon, to two different groups; and Kenji Minemura, and Ted Outerbridge in the afternoon.
To kick off the evening entertainment, the Awards Presentation was held from 7 to 7:30 pm, at which the winners of the several competitions were announced.
Then the last evening stage show of the convention began at 8 pm -- the Stars of Magic Finale. The emcee was Derek Hughes, who also performed. He was a finalist on last year’s America’s Got Talent television show. Other performers were David & Dania, with their Quick Change Act; Maestro Voronin, by himself; Maestro Voronin and Apprentice; and Murray Hatfield and Theresa.
Too many conventions end this way, with a big Saturday night show. But a deep bow of appreciation to whoever thought up the idea many years ago of having a Farewell Party and Presidents Reception, at which friends old and new could say goodbye, rather than people scurrying every which way Sunday morning to check out, load luggage into cars, and rush off to the airport. This was a special time to shake hands, give hugs, and bid farewell to people you may never see again.
What a perfect way to end an “almost perfect” (we’ve got to save a little room for improvement) convention. See you next year in Grand Rapids, Michigan.