My mind is better today so I'll try to tell some of my experience for you. Sorry in advance, this may get longwinded.
DEMOS: I enjoyed every single one of my classes, even if I don't use what I learned. The tips I picked up and seeing how everyone does everything differently was worth it. Even seeing that Geraldine's stringwork breaks in high humidity or that Norm was getting air bubbles in his fondant - is great - they're human! LOL Kerry Vincent is exactly how I imagined her to be, I admire her straight forwardness and no-nonsense approach to things but I can see how some are rubbed the wrong way. Regardless, she was great at teaching and showed some of the techniques she did on the cake on the cover of ACD. I think my favorite classes were Nick Lodge's Exotic Gumpaste flowers where he made the hibiscus look so easy I will attempt it and definitely sweet Norman Davis' Henna Scrolls and painting on cakes. That was a hands on class, maybe 20 of us and he was so nice and came around to each of us to help and encourage. I was so frustrated with something and he kept encouraging, I just love him! I had two others with him and Zane and they were actually sitting next to our table at the banquet. I felt like I was stalking him for a bit. lol I did get a couple of pics with him and when I upload everything, I will share them. And Norm won the ICES Hall of Fame award - nobody was more deserving. They described him as the "yoda of the cake world" and that fits him to a T. He is the most sharing person.
VENDORS: I literally shopped til I dropped. Amazingly, I was still under budget but I got everything I wanted (except for Sharon's dvds - I had no idea she was there!! I can't believe I missed her.) and then some. I got some JEM cutters, First Impression molds (I think they were the busiest), gumpaste flowers @ $5 a box from CalJava, new dusts, PME sprays and cutters, some new impression mats from CK, all kinds of pearls and dragees (I found black ones from Creative Cutters), textured rolling pins, madagascar vanilla...my mind is running a blank now. Oh! My new mini cupcake pan from...
Fat Daddios! Let me tell you about Mr. Greg Skipper (I'm sure he'll read this lol). I saw his booth and go up to look around and ask him if he is the one signed up on Into the Oven and he says "yes!" I tell him I've seen his posts and it's good to meet him, he asks what my screenname is and is like "heeeey!! I've read your posts!" LOL It's so weird to say your screenname out loud. Anyway, he is the most generous, nicest man ever. He sold me the cupcake tin on the first day when most of his stuff was display only then. And gave me a few other things that I really appreciated. Greg, I am definitely interested in your cupcake liners when they come out! They have a lot of new things coming so be on the lookout!
I asked him if he saw MTBaker and YourBakingMistress yet and he said they would be there Saturday and Sunday but they weren't there yet. (This was Friday) I stopped by every time I walked by his booth over the next two days (at least 4 times) and each time he says I just missed them! I never got to see them! It got to be funny but I hate that I missed out on meeting them. The last day he even described what they were wearing and I literally went back through the vendor areas scoping out a woman in a turqouise colored shirt.
To no avail.
Maybe next year! INTO THE OVEN HAS TO HAVE A BOOTH NEXT TIME!
MEMBERS: For the most part, everyone was great. It was nice to be able to chat with the Food network "stars" and other great cakers. I met many new cake friends and I hope to see them next year. One said she is a member here but has yet to post, so HONEYBEESWEETS, you better show your face!
We had a lot of fun with her, she hung out with us at Pleasure Island and many dinners. The only things I did not like about convention were some of the pushy, rude people when the vendor area opened. Running of the bulls! It was ridiculous and they need a better system. A few vendors give things out to the first 100 or so guests so people line up two hours before the doors open. Never again. I did get my free molds from FI but it still wasn't worth it. The other thing I didn't like was people who took your seats in the demos. Everyone has an assigned seat based on when they registered. In every class I was seat #2 except for one where I was #1. A few minutes before each class, they'd let people "move up" to empty seats but not everyone was doing this at the same time. A few did it way too early and when those who have those seats come in, it caused issues. Like with me one time. It was Nick Lodge's class and I would've fought anyone who was in my seat. LOL
The resort and Disney were great! Everyone was so hospitable and friendly. It was my first time so I shocked myself by how child-like you act from seeing some of the characters. lol I just knew I was immune to that and there I was buying and wearing my Minnie Mouse ears.
I am so on board for next year, I love the Chicago area and I know it will be fun. 2010 is in San Diego and I am so there also! If you're not a member of ICES yet, it is definitely worth it because the registration fees are less. Overall, I had a fantastic time!
Oh yeah, aside from the convention, my absolute favorite part was Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba!! OMG it was FANTASTIC!! If you're ever in Orlando, see it!
OMG this is so long, I'm sorry!
Ices 08
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