Can you imagine the NBC network and FOX hosting an event together? How about Microsoft and Apple? McDonald’s and Burger King? These pairs of companies offer similar products, but they market their brands in different ways. It would take some real magic to put these combinations together. 

In the past nine years, two magic organizations have attempted to combine their talents and put on a mega convention, first in 2008 and then again by 2014. This year they will finish the trilogy with the 2017 I.B.M./S.A.M. combined convention in Louisville, Kentucky. 

It is no easy task to blend two different styles of conventions together. Much like a parent who has set ways of doing things and are resistant to change, a balance must be made. It is understood that certain protocols must be met (as addressed in their respective con-stitutions and bylaws), but ultimately the gathering should focus on the celebration of an appreciation and love of the art of magic. 

To protect both organizations, an LLC (Limited Liability Company) is formed; this LLC will run the event, ultimately making all the decisions, keeping both organizations protected and happy. Three members of the LLC are appointed from the S.A.M.: Bruce Kalver, Andy Dallas, and Steven Spence. Three are appointed from the I.B.M.: Bill Wells, Mike Stratman, and Bill Evans. Bruce Kalver (S.A.M.) and Bill Wells (I.B.M.) are the co-chairmen and head up the LLC.

With a fantastic gathering of committees comprised of selected experts from both organizations, it has been a whirlwind year of planning, booking, and negotiating. We are ready to give you a historic convention that you will be talking about for many years. Here is a rundown of some of the highlights we have in store for the attendees.

LOUISVILLESituated on the banks of the Ohio River, the luxurious Galt House

Hotel will be our convention site. Sightseeing, restaurants, Fourth Street celebrations, and concerts are all within walking distance. Be sure to visit the Muhammad Ali Center and the Louisville Slugger Museum just a few blocks away. Right next door is the Kentucky Center for the Arts where our elegant and star-studded stage shows and contest finals will be held. As with the first combined convention in Louisville, the Con-servatory (the ridge that connects the two towers) will be the place to be late night to meet with friends and share ideas.

PERFORMANCE AND LECTURE SCHEDULE(Subject to Change)

LECTURERS

Wednesday, July 12

11:00 a.m. – Noon Bruce Kalver Tech Tricks Live3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Fielding West10:00 – 10:45 p.m. Kent Cummins10:45 – 11:30p.m. Jeki

Thursday, July 13

10:00 – 11:30 a.m. David Deeble3:30 – 5:00 p.m. David Ginn10:00 – 11:30 p.m. Jay Sankey

Friday, July 14

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Max Maven3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Juliana Chen10:00 – 10:45 p.m. Murray Hatfield10:45 – 11:30 p.m. Luis Carreon

Saturday, July 15

10:00 – 11:30 a.m. (Group A) and 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Group B) Martin Lewis3:00 – 3:45 p.m. Kenji Minemura3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Ted Outerbridge

PERFORMERS – GALA SHOWS

Wednesday, July 12 – Stars of Magic Gala

Gene Anderson (emcee) Hiroki HaraTony ChapekDavid DeebleTed and Marion Outerbridge

Meeting of Magical KindsBy Bruce Kalver, PNP

36 JUNE 2017

Murray Hatfield & Teresa

Alba

IT’S AN HONORThe home of the Kentucky Derby, as well as celebrities including

Muhammad Ali, actress Jennifer Lawrence, and fried chicken ambas-sador Col. Harland Sanders, Louisville also nurtured two popular Las Vegas magicians, Lance Burton and Mac King. The combined conven-tion will be honoring both of these extraordinary performers in their hometown. Lance has arranged a night-before special event: the Lou-isville premiere of Lance’s film Billy Topit. This red-carpet event will be included in your convention registration.

PERFORMERSTalent booker Dale Salwak has combed the world to find a wonderful

blend of classic performers and bright new magicians whom many of you will discover for the first time. Many of the performers will also be doing interesting and revolutionary lectures with a wide variety of subjects and skill levels. Here is the schedule:

TRI-CONTESTThe contests at this convention are unique because contestants

have the opportunity to enter three different magic contests. Along with the I.B.M. and S.A.M. contests, the combined convention is the host to the FISM North American Championship of Magic. If you score enough points, you will be entered in the FISM Championship in South Korea.

Thursday, July 13 – World Stars of Magic

Max Maven (emcee)Po-cheng LaiMartin LewisKenji MinemuraPat Davison (plate-spinning) and Mabelle Gako Davison (hula hoops)Juliana Chen

Friday, July 14 – International Magic Competition

Fielding West (emcee)Michael Goudeau (guest act – juggler)

Saturday, July 15 – Stars of Magic Finale

Derek Hughes (emcee)David & DaniaMaestro VoroninMaestro Voronin and ApprenticeMurray Hatfield and Teresa CLOSE-UP PERFORMERS

Saturday, July 1510:00 – 11:30 a.m. (Group B) and 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Group A)

JekiJay SankeyLuis CarreonAlba

This is our current schedule. Everything is subject to change as we add even more exiting activities.

Stay tuned!

M-U-M Magazine 37

The Outerbridges

The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

Mac King

The trophies are something very special. Designed and made by Vic Trabucco, these are not off-the-shelf awards. The elegant works of crystal by Trabucco Studio bear testimony to the fact that Vic is one of the most outstanding and creative glass artists in the world today. His works occupy prominent places in the most distinguished collections of heads of state, profes-sional athletes, major corporations, and stars of stage and screen. Examples of his work are displayed in the Museum of American Glass, The Chicago Art Institute, The Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, The Royal Ontario Museum, and The Corning Museum of Glass.

This is one prize you will proudly display on your mantle.

 YOUTH ACTIVITIESOn the Monday and Tuesday before the convention

officially starts, Jann and David Goodsell  (longtime youth activity directors for the S.A.M. conventions) have a whole day and a half of special lectures and activities for beginners of the craft as well as teen performers. Their events kick off with a four hour welcome session. If you have any youth in your family interested in magic, plan to start the convention on Monday night.

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Lance Burton

Veronin

Po=Cheng Li

David & Dania

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!We’ve only scratched the surface on all you will witness. There will be a Magic Circle Reception, a

grand banquet, organization meetings, Thirty-six magic dealers from around the world, and don’t forget all your friends and new friends who will be here to celebrate your membership in these wonderful magic organizations. 

There are so many activities and surprises at the I.B.M./S.A.M. 2017 combined convention that rather than talk about it, we want you to experience it. Please join us in July and be a participant. Register now and view all the details at www.ibmsam.2017.com

M-U-M Magazine 39

Fielding West

David Ginn

Hara

Jeki

Gene Anderson

David Deeble

Kenji Minemura

Derek Hughes

Tony Chapek