In addition to what Andy has so eloquently posted ... the facts are that Mike Skelton HAS inquired into many strip properties for suitable convention facilities on behalf of the club.

Some properties simply didn't want our group. Some properties were too small for our needs ... and conversely, our needs are too small for other properties to give CC & GTCC favorable consideration. Some properties were simply too cost prohibitive. Some properties didn't have any open dates available during the summer months when most club members can attend.

Las Vegas is the convention capital of the world with lots of competition from organizations for convention and meeting space. There were at least four large separate conventions going on simultaneously during our convention at the Riviera this year. Ours was not the largest convention, and probably not the earliest convention booked. As a result we were moved down the long hall, away from the bathrooms and normal registration areas, and the banquet room at the top of the Riviera was not available to us this year as just one example.

By Las Vegas convention standards, CC & GTCC is a small fish in an extremely large pond. We don't spend lavish amounts of money on hotel facitilites and services as other conventions do. Collectors traditionally don't spend lots of money gambling... and casinos know that. Generally speaking (with exceptions) collectors would rather spend their money on their collections than risk losing it on gambling.

The club is forced to play the hand that has been dealt to us and hopefully we do the best we can with what we've been offered and what we've got to work with. My personal opinion is that I think the convention planners have been doing a pretty darn good job ... with the much appreciated help of a whole lot of club volunteers.

Something like 80 volunteers were involved in putting this year's Annual show together. This convention could not have taken place without their valuable help... no matter WHERE the convention was held.