I started collecting in the spring of 06. Since I wanted to jump-start my collection and my knowledge, I immediately:
- Joined CCGTCC
- Got books, visited websites, browsed ebay, etc.
- Learned about and then signed up for the CCGTCC mentorship program (coord by Terry Shaffer)- highly recommended
- Made plans to attend the Convention
- Set aside a chip budget for the time up to and including the convention.

At the Convention:
- I arrived, with my wife (who is a good sport on this odd hobby), on the Sunday before so I could participate in several of Doug Saito's Chip Chat auctions.
- I stayed at the Riviera, so I could be close to the action.
- Prevailed on some auction chips
- Attended many of the banquets/workshops -- they were a great source of info, and fun, too.
- Missed the BJ/Poker tourneys, but wound up playing poker with some attendees several times.
- Spent many hours on the floor (what a candy store...) poking around and getting to know others (and buying some nice chips)
- I had just a few to trade, but did make one trading session and scored a couple interesting chips.
- Yes, I had a few at the Splash Bar (Woooooo!)

I immediately put the convention on my calendar for 2007, and I hope to see many of my new faceless chipboard friends there.

The chip scan below is one of my favorites from the convention trip.

See you in Las Vegas! -- Mark