My fellow cuppers,

I would like to share my ideas o how I envision my first cupscon.
First of all I envision it to be cups and balls heaven. I think it does not have to be in a fancy hotel or some posh place. The cups and balls always struck me as a working man's tool. Although there is glamour and class and elegance.... I feel it is a "down to earth" routine that is enjoyed everywhere and anywhere. I think the cupscon could be held in a modest inn. Perhaps even in a country style lodge where we can even have performances and story telling around a bonfire at night. We could have tents and have lectures here and there and of course we can have some dealer booths. The venue must allow us to session 24 hours. For food.... we can just do barbecue and even go pot luck. This would foster camaraderie and brotherhood. Wouldn't it be great to just be men and learn from each other this way? Oh the best thing is that...it may even lower our costs. This way we have more money to spend for those cups that would be teasing us from the dealer's booth. This could start a whole new tradition. We can look back later on and say..." this is how we were" ...."this is how we are now..." Only better and with more cups. We will never sum up to the number of cards and coinmen out there (which is good if you ask me). Lets make a difference. Sure we are all magicians but there is something about cuppers that sets us a tad apart from the rest.

Gentlemen....I know my idea may sound crazy and even crass for some. All I ask is you keep an open mind and an open heart about it. Perhaps we could start brainstorming as early as now.

Best from Manila,

Rannie

Rannie,

I enjoyed your posting. You're much more of a sentimental guy than I'll ever be.

Since Sean has hit some roadblocks, let's see if we can jump in here and help! I know how to run a convention. I'm not saying I do it well, by any stretch, but the second Golden Gate Gathering will be this coming Thursday the 12th through Sunday the 15th.

We had about seventy people last year and we project a much bigger crowd this year.

I know the hotels in my part of the world: The San Francisco Bay Area. Hey, That is a little closer for somebody coming from The Phillipines, now isn't it Rannie!

I'd gladly help, run or just make bad jokes if that's what is needed to get this thing going before 2010. 2010, C'mon we can move faster than that. Malini said to wait until they weren't looking, we can move sooner than two years from now. Even my misdirection is better than that.

Sean got this whole thing rolling and he's hit a little bump, that's all. We can and we should help him.

So:

Rannie, what about doing CupsCon in the PI? There are a lot of magicians who'd love to have a convention in Manila. I'd love to show up.

I know how to do this in San Francisco. I have a great hotel, already greased up and ready to slide a Cups Convention into.

Sean, Let me know if I can help. If you feel like I'm trying to hijack your GREAT idea, let me know, I'll back off. I could fly out to Texas and rough folks up for you?!?!?!?

2010, I don't wait that long for a divorce!!!

KG

Kent ,

Sentimental? The Boss? Sentimental??

I guess sometimes...LOL!

It would be great to have it in Manil and I would gladly host it. The only problem is that it would be more expensive for the lot. Perhaps in te years to come. San Fracisco sounds good to me too. Like I mentioned earlier...I wold fly anywhere to do the cupscon. If 2010 is too long a wait for as long as it is after the FISM, late 2009 is still fine with me. We just have to hear from the other guys. It would be a shame if only a few would show up.

Rannie,

I agree with you philosophy of cups.  That has a lot of appeal to me, though I suspect I'm in the minority here.  I hosted one of Gazzo's masterclasses a few years back and that was as close to what you're talking about as I've come.  We had guys camped out on our property, some camped out in my basement, and a few suckers that couldn't handle it and stayed in nearby hotels.  Granted, my wife almost left me because of our 24 hour sessioning and the lack of manners of some of the group.   Or, maybe it was the lack of showering, I don't know.  Still, I wouldn't change a thing.  I'd offer to host it in Virginia, but according to the wife I previously mentioned, it will be a cold day in hell before she let's that many magicians back in the house.     Perhaps I can send her on a vacation. . . 

Still, I'm patient.  I can wait for 2010.  It'll give me more time to save up some money for the 2 or 3 or 4. . . sets of cups I'm anticipating will catch my eye at CupsCon.  I do hope we can all stay focused on the end goal here though, and not get distracted in the coming year.

With all that said, Sean, et al, if there's anything I can do to help from the East Coast, let me know.  I'm off for the summer and will be around (except for the first two weeks of July).  Oh, and Kent, I don't really need a reason to drop what I'm doing and head to San Francisco (well, other than plane fares, that is).  It's one of my favorite places.

Mark

I'm in no hurry for another convention. But . . . I was discussing this topic with my lovely wife and editor. She asked me,

"Since you're already going to do The Golden Gate Gathering next year, why not see if that nice Sean you talk about wants to have his convention right before or right after your convention?"

I started to explain why it was a bad idea. How some of the lecturers I bring out do cups and balls too and that would be . . .

And then I started to tell her how the cups and balls guys have no interest in card and coin magic, but of course that was stupid too.

It's just an idea guys. I say no going forward with my whimsy until Sean chimes in. This was all Sean's idea. His football he get's to pick where we play.

Kent

As long as it won't hit the FISM....I'll go anywhere. Oh...Kent...I bet ya sthere are a lot of Cups and Balls guys who would be interested in cards and coins. I know I am. Heck I am even willing to do my coin magic lecture anywhere.

Sean....where are you man? Lets get this cupscon back on track Captain!

Hey guys,

I am glad to see you all have the sprint that will help make a get CupsCon. Some of  you think that 2010 it far away but in fact it is just around the corner.

I need help from everyone that is willing to give it. I need to know what conventions are happening and when they are happing in the summer of 2010. This way we can put our date out there as soon as we can.

We are going to need help getting the word out. So, help by putting it in your signature on the Forums like Magic Cafe, Genni, and more. The more the better.

We are now taking donations to help with the adverting of CupsCon. (please note CupsCon is a Sean Dale Magic production)

We want to put ads in Magazines like The Linking Ring & Genni. We are also going to be buying ad space on web sites like the Magic Cafe. All of this take money and that is something we don't have a lot of right now. So, any help with the would be great.

Next, when we have a date I need to get the word to all of your favorite dealers. Tell them about the convention and how you want to see them there. The more people the spread the word the better.

Lastly, we need more posting traffic. We will get more people to join the site. When we have more people that are going to post on the forums. A lot of you post subjects on the Cafe that would make for great topics here on CupsCon.  We need your help to help draw traffic. So, please post away.

You ask what you could do to help CupsCon I have given you a list of ways you can help us make CupsCon 2010 come to life. If you have any questions PM me of email me at sean@cupscon.com

Have a great day.
Sean

Sean et al,

I've already amended my Cafe signature.  The other forums I hang out on tend towards the bizarre, but I'll add a link to my sigs there also.  I'm not sure what kind of response that'll get, but I'll remind those folks that Doc Shiels was and excellent cups guy.

Monetarily, I'll be more able to help out in July and August once I get back from my vacation.  Needless to say, the more folks we get over here that can drop a bit of cash the better things will be.  With that in mind the more we can talk this up in other places and get folks over here, the better.  I'm more than willing to do that.  More later.

Mark

Thank you Mark