My first CC&GTCC convention fulfilled every expectation and more. As a new chipper, you can't imagine the feeling of entering a room that is half the size of a football field and finding it packed wall-to-wall with chippers, chips, and every other form of gaming memorabilia you can imagine. It's like chip heaven. Hundreds of thousands of chips if not millions of chips. Chips from all over the world that you can pick up and touch (and some you can't ).

There were dozens and dozens of "junk" boxes overflowing with chips at bargain prices. And whoever came up with the name "junk box" must've been on drugs - I think they should be renamed "treasure chests". Just ask Paul Sax, Bill O'Day, Jim Episale, and Norm Clem how much time I spent sorting through every chip in their 4 boxes alone!

And the people! I've never met a warmer, happier, and more welcoming group of people in my life. The thing that I can liken it to is a family reunion. I had the pleasure of meeting dozens of people I "see" every day here on the ChipBoard - and what a pleasure it was! It really says a lot about a group of people when a total stranger can wander into their midst and feel completely at home. As wonderful as everyone is here online, it's nothing to what you all are like in person.

In addition to the hundreds (yes, I said "hundreds") of new chips I have to organize, I have now caved under the peer pressure to collect slot cards too (I'll get you for that one, Wayne and Katie! ). I've got to get busy getting all my traders on my site so we can do some trading!

Thanks to everyone who made my first convention unforgettable. And I'm already looking forward to next year to spending more time with you all.

Will