This year’s ConVENTion will go down in the history books as the biggest gathering of Ventriloquists to date. Last year we were overwhelmed at The Drawbridge with 538 people in attendance. I was personally hoping that we could at least hold the numbers at least just above 500. Boy oh boy were we all surprised. Our first year at the Cincinnati Airport Marriott (in Kentucky) we had 611 people.
The facility was wonderful. The staff at the Marriott were the most courteous, helpful across the board of any hotel staff we have ever seen. Everything you asked for was responded to with “its my pleasure” and they were sincere. I did not hear anyone wishing that we were back at The Drawbridge (although the word is that it is back in Bankruptcy AGAIN.
Everyone had working Air Conditioning in their rooms. Wow. That hasn’t happened for several years. We are just now beginning to rest up, but are already looking forward to next year.
Personally, I had too many “favorite” performers to even hazard a guess as to which was the best. We always enjoy Uncle Bill DeMar and his old school approach. Bob Isaacson was there and completely entertained us with his style. Nina Conti brought the house down on Saturday night at “The Big Show”. Our friend Alpar Fendo from Germany was great at the International show with his act imitating an Italian. Our friend from Italy, Andreas Fratellini also turned in a memorable performance at The International Show. As always, Dr. Stevo Schuling (Germany) broke us up with his style as MC at the International Show.
In the coming weeks, we will go much more in depth on more aspects of the ConVENTion, but for now we are happy to be back at The Dummy Shoppe, re-inspired with lots of new orders and even more new ideas.
Those of you who did not go this year, you MUST put it in your schedule for next year. It was the event of the year (as usual) and you must plan on attending next year.
That is all for now. Until next week. . .
Steve and JET