Hey Lee & Carolyn,

It was unfortunate that you guys were not able to make the convention this year. I always enjoy talking with both of you, as well as seeing what Colorado Chips that you brought with you that I JUST HAVE TO HAVE IN MY COLLECTION!!!

As far as the convention goes, (I've been fortunate enough to be able to attend the last seven - only missing the first convention...) - and I thought that Wayne and Belinda did a FANTASTIC job!!! Both as well as the volunteers should be thanked for the great job that they did!!!

More people that I have seen at any previous convention attended the Reception/Trade session.

The convention floor was well organized, and my record still is intact - that of not being able to go to all the dealers tables. I even said that I would go to a table of Mr. Chamberlain’s and got side tracked and never made it... For that I am very sorry, as most people know that when I say something, I follow through with it to the best of my ability.
Also I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it, yet it was my understanding that this past convention unlike previous ones - no dealer lost a notebook of chips/tokens... Unfortunately one dealer did loose a chip - yet other than that no major problems!!!

The Seminars were also well attended (I must admit that I only made it to one seminar, yet I understand from many others that the other two were well attended...) - better than in the past years.

I didn't make it to the last chance trade session - My wife and I went to dinner with a few friends... So I can't comment on it.

As for the accommodations - some people were complaining about how far it was from the front of the casino. True. Yet it should be noted that if one parks in the east parking lot, it is a VERY short walk onto the convention floor. Also the rooms were in the same tower as the convention room! So all one had to do was to get on the elevator (another story...) and then walk a short distance to the convention floor. Unlike at the Orleans, the rooms were at the north end of the complex, there was a long walk (well at least from my room at the north forty) to the elevator, then by the gift shop through the casino all the way to the south end, where an escalator ride up to the convention level, and walk even further back to the middle of the complex to the convention room. Clearly the Trop wins on the distance front.
Don't take my comments in the improper light, as I also enjoyed the conventions at the Orleans - as I did at the Aladdin. In fact I would attend anywhere the convention is held!!!

Also as in the past, it was great talking with people that we exchange e-mail and BB posts with. This year was no exception! Everyone was great!!! The only thing that would have been better is to have more time to talk with everyone!!! May be a week of convention!?! (Just kidding...)

Anyway to summarize a very long post - this year was great! I did miss seeing and talking with some people that either couldn't make it to the convention, as well as the ones that passed away. All were missed.

Regards,

Dick