I'm one of those that have never missed a convention. In case it works for you, here's my method. When Jim Steffner announces the date for the following year's convention, I immediately take out a cold chisel and a stone tablet. I then "etch it in stone." I give the dates to my wife, my kids, my business partner, my friends, and my part-time employer. Simple instructions - DO NOT schedule your weddings, grandchildren's births, funerals, bar mitzvahs, christenings, retirement parties, or any other comparably unimportant event during Convention Week. Not that I'm bragging, but for the last twelve years, it's worked!