What is the bect convention/competition have you ever been to?

I'm not a convention hopper in any sense of the word...but I've been to several...

A lot of convention competitions have acts that are just painful to watch at times...Magi-Fest has consistently had some strong acts and stiff competition...granted, I've only been to conventions here on the east coast...

anyway, that's my 2 cents...

The International Brotherhood of Magicians has one of the best contest for stage and close-up.

The are friendly, supportive, and planned very well.
They have the best judging system score sheets.

The amount of exposure for all of the contestants is rewarding alone.

This year the convention will be in Cleveland, OH.
Starts June 29 - July 3rd.

Here is the link for more information about the contest.

http://www.magician.org
Click on "Members Links" then "Annual Convention" then "Contest".

For some great advice from Shawn Farquhar, a first place winner, see the posted in this section titled, "IBM Convention."

Steve Hart
Cape Canaveral, FL USA

Shawn is AWESOME!! He hosted PCAM last year, it went off fairly well.... except the gifts that we were suppose to recieve.......

Hey Jeff,

Thanks for the semi compliment. Did you not get the haf pack of souvenir cards that were handed out to everyone on the final day? It had been our intention to put one a night under the registarnts doors but the hotl would not allow that...bizarree. Anywys we handed them all out at once and mentioned in a number of times on the final day. If you didn't get them...let me know...when I get home in Decemeber I'll mail you yours...unless you plan to be at PCAM in Seattle and I will have a set waiting for you there.

Shawn

As far as contests and conventions I feel IBM and SAM are excellent and believe that PCAM's Pro Challenge is also tops. I liked FISM although at IBM and SAM I got to meet and talk to the judges...way too cool!

Lol Its alright Shawn,
I'm just giving you a hard time. But seriously PCAM was pretty good.

Spending a week in the Netherlands at FISM 2003 was a brilliant experience for me, but for a 2/3 day convention, Blackpool Magicians' Club annual convention each February will take some beating.

You really haven't been to a magic convention if you haven't been to Blackpool.

Cheers,

Brian.

FISM 1988 - because it was my first FISM
SAM 2000 - great talent and David Ben
Tannen Jubillees in the late 70s and early 80s - fantastic close-up shows
Magic LIVE - really original, great talent, constant surprises, really classy