The opening night’s event was the “Cover party” – a cocktail reception environment with ice cream being served, a DJ playing and a few other things happening in order to keep things flowing. Similar to previous years, registrants were given cards containing pictures of various magicians when they were younger and encouraged to mix with other people in order to swap duplicate cards in order to get a full set. Everyone depicted on the cards – from Mac King to David Blaine – is at the convention in some capacity, either performing or just hanging out.

The dealer hall was also open at this point. A lot of the dealers have made a real effort with their stands, with the overall look of the dealer hall being very slick rather than the car boot/yard sale look generally associated with magic conventions.

Spending on the first night was encouraged as anyone who spent more than $20 was given a raffle ticket to win various prizes, all of which turned out to be well worth winning. Up for grabs were 19 different cases – one to commemorate each of the years that MAGIC has been published in – all containing desirable prizes such as a Losander floating table, a lifetime’s subscription to MAGIC, David Blaine and Siegfried and Roy memorabilia, a hotel stay plus tickets for every magic show in Vegas, props from Mark Wilson’s TV show, an original Carter poster, a Jeff McBride mask and tickets to his masterclass, and even a lunch date with Bill Malone!

Rob James is a close up magician from the UK. He co-founded The Session convention and has performed all over the UK and Europe, Dubai and on two occasions at the Magic Castle.