It was a terrific convention ... probably the best ever ... maybe not attendance-wise due to the down-turn in the U.S. economy which contributed to many convention-goers who could not attend because of financial considerations ... but the South Point Hotel & Casino was absolutely the best facility the club has ever held their convention in 17 years! Brenda and I were glad we got into Las Vegas on the Sunday before the convention started so that we could do and see some things around town before buckling down to business at the Registration Desk. Once the show started, beginning with the Palms social gathering on Tueday evening, pre-registration day on Wednesday and the superb Early Bird Banquet that night ... we never left the hotel for the rest of the week until the following Sunday morning when we checked out. In fact, our rental car never moved from the SP parking lot space from Wednesday through Sunday! With so much to do at South Point there was no need or desire to go anywhere else. Food was good and reasonably priced, the hotel rooms were spacious, and the superb convention activities kept everyone busy. All of the convention committees performed their tasks admirably. Most of the dealers I spoke to had good things to say about the show. Everyone in attendance I have spoken to are looking forward to next year where the 2010 convention will be held again at South Point during the same time-frame week as this year. Let the count-down begin! Think PIRATE ... the convention theme for next year!

The only downside to this year's show was when we returned home from Las Vegas late last night to learn that our beloved Shetland Sheepdog "Sparky" has experienced a severe setback reaction from his new medication that he was put on while we were away for seizures that has left him almost paralyzed. We're dealing with that situation as I type this email. The vet says this medication reaction (phenobarbitol, coupled with sodium bromide) can last up to three weeks. We're hopeful that Sparky's condition will improve much sooner than 3 weeks from now. It's sad to watch him feebly struggle to get up on all fours and when he does manage to get up he's very wobbly walking in circles and sometimes falls down ... although he does not seem to be in pain. We're hoping for the best...