The FUN show is Jan 9-12. I would sure appreciate any Florida CCA members coming by the table and saying 'hi'. Too late to join me behind the table as an official helper (although I'm sure I could swap places with someone so I can walk around a bit), so I'll be there for all 4 days. I arrive late on the 8th (this Wednesday) and return on the following Wednesday (1/15). The point of having a presence is to make coin collectors aware of casino collectibles and the CCA's role in maintaining the history and database of items. Asking people to join the club will be paramount, of course, and even if they're not interested in joining right now, I'm going to try to get their contact info to add to the club's constant contact database so we can keep reaching out in hopes they join at a future date.

I am taking:

- a sample of casino collectibles from my own collection (chips, dice, swizzle sticks, silver strikes, tokens, etc)
- a bunch of club magazines
- a large stack of 1/4 page flyers with a QR code and link to the club website, along with some basic info about the club and the upcoming June convention
- a stack of flyers promoting my Reno show (May 2-4)

I will not have shirts, pins, or other CCA merch as it's unlikely to sell and is bulky to transport. If anyone wants these items, I'll tell them how to order them online.

I plan to act like an old fashioned carnival barker and lure people to the table with my charming voice (ie, I'm gonna yell "hey, have you joined the CCA yet?").

I will take some pictures of our table as well as the venue so people can stop yelling at John Benedict for using an old/unauthorized pic, haha.

If any CCA members show up and want to renew their membership, I'll do that as well (I have info from Jay from the Fall Show which will be current enough).

I will also be offering to pitch in $5 to anyone who joins the club right at the table. If anyone wants to help cover that or double it or whatever, let me know.

Will this yield a whole bunch of new members? Or just bring awareness with no new memberships to speak of? I guess we'll find out.

As mentioned before, if you're in Florida and want to check out the FUN show or go golfing with me (I'm bringing my clubs) or play poker (I'm bringing my bluffing hat), reach out to me and we'll get together. It's going to be a lonely, solo trip otherwise. My cell# is 530-570-2222 and email barry@sunset.net.

It's at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

For anyone who may be curious, the CCA isn't covering a single penny of this trip. It's all on my own dime, so don't panic that the club is spending money without members' approval, LOL. This is costing me about $800 in airfare, $700 for a hotel (yeah, it's not the nicest, but it's a 30min walk to the venue so no convention parking charges), a rental car (only $85 for the week!) and other miscellaneous expenses (food, gas, flyer printing, etc). If you feel compelled to help share the financial burden, I won't object but it's not expected. My venmo is @Barry-Sherwood and my PayPal address is barry@sunset.net.

Cross your fingers for a positive outcome.

-- barry