The 83rd Annual Convention of the International Brotherhood of Magicians will be like no other I.B.M. Convention you’ve ever attended. In addition to bringing in a stellar line-up of talent, we’re making many changes to the schedule format in order to allow attendees to better customize the experience to their own areas of magical interest. You’ll enjoy better sightlines, better production, more intimate venues, an incredible dealers’ room, four unbelievable stage shows, dinner and dancing, and so much more!

Dates

Tuesday afternoon, June 28, 2011 thru Saturday night, July 2, 2011.Tuesday afternoon, June 28, 2011 thru Saturday night, July 2, 2011.

LOCATION:

Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.: All convention activities, with the exception of the theater shows, will be held in the newly-renovated Dallas Sheraton Hotel, 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, TX 75201 – Phone (214) 922-8000.

The theater shows will be held at the historic Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75201

ITINERARY:

A tentative agenda of events is posted on the I.B.M. website at www.magician.org . Go to the Convention page and follow the links. Of course, the itinerary is always subject to change without notice.

PERFORMERS, LECTURE PRESENTERS & TALENT LINE-UP:

You’ll get to see some legends in magic, as well as some incredibly-talented fresh faces! So far, we’ve booked Jeff McBride, Ayala & Tanya, Max Maven, Ed Alonzo, Tom Mullica, Tomsoni & Company (Johnny Thompson), Gay Blackstone, Darren Romeo, Michael Finney, Joseph Gabriel, Katalin, Alain Choquette, Asi Wind, Dana Daniels, Michael Ammar, Frances Willard, Chipper Lowell, Rich Bloch, Ben Jackson, Brad Ross, Jason Andrews, Daniel Garcia, Jon Armstrong, T. Texas Terry, Oscar Munoz, Ma Yanyan, Rey Ben & Quique Marduk, and many more surprises to come! Of course, all talent is subject to change.

HOTEL INFORMATION:

The headquarters hotel is the newly-renovated Dallas Sheraton Hotel, 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, TX 75201. We have negotiated a very special room rate of $99 per night plus tax. This rate is good for the period 6/27/11 through 7/3/11. Reservations may be made by visiting the I.B.M. website at www.magician.org and clicking on the Annual Convention page… or by calling the hotel directly at (214) 922-8000. In order to get the special rate, you must mention that you are attending the I.B.M. Convention when you call.

REGISTRATION PRICING:

When you register for the I.B.M. Convention, you have access to all events and functions of the convention for one low all-inclusive price… with the exception of the Order of Merlin Breakfast (this is an optional item available only to Order of Merlin members). In order to attend the Annual Business Meeting of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (held on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 8:00am, you must be a member in good standing of the organization).

Please note, Jeff McBride will offer a very special late-night workshop on Saturday night at midnight at an additional charge. Although the I.B.M. fully supports Jeff and will be providing space in the hotel for this event, this session is not an official function of the I.B.M. convention and is not included in the registration fee.

I.B.M. Adult Member or I.B.M. Adult Member’s Spouse:

Registration received on or before March 31, 2011 – $300 per member

Registration received during the period April 1, 2011 thru June 20, 2011 – $350 per member

Registration received on or after June 21, 2011 – $395 per member

I.B.M. Youth Member (ages 7-17):

Registration received on or before March 31, 2011 – $150 per member

Registration received during the period April 1, 2011 thru June 20, 2011 – $200 per member

Registration received on or after June 21, 2011 – $295 per member

Non-Member Adult:

Registration received on or before March 31, 2011 – $365 per person*

Registration received during the period April 1, 2011 thru June 20, 2011 – $415 per person*

Registration received on or after June 21, 2011 – $460 per person*

*When you register to attend as a non-member adult, you are essentially paying an additional $65 which will cover your first year’s membership dues and initiation fees. Any non-member registering may become a member of the I.B.M. by simply completing a brief membership application at no additional cost.

Non-Member Youth (ages 7-17):

Registration received on or before March 31, 2011 – $200 per person*

Registration received during the period April 1, 2011 thru June 20, 2011 – $250 per person*

Registration received on or after June 21, 2011 – $345 per person*

*When you register to attend as a non-member youth, you are essentially paying an additional $50 which will cover your first year’s membership dues and initiation fees. Any non-member registering may become a member of the I.B.M. by simply completing a brief membership application at no additional cost.

Child Registration (age 6 and under):

Registration received on or before March 31, 2011 – $30 per child*

Registration received during the period April 1, 2011 thru June 20, 2011 – $50 per child*

Registration received on or after June 21, 2011 – $50 per child*

*A child registration must be accompanied by an adult paid registration.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Exactly when does the convention begin? When should I arrive in Dallas? —

The fun and excitement begins on Tuesday afternoon, June 28, 2011. The registration desk officially opens at 2:00pm. A special workshop for the youth, hosted by Jeff McBride, will begin at 3:00pm. You certainly won’t want to miss the exciting Kick-Off Event and opening show at 7:00pm on Tuesday, followed by the unveiling of the extravagant Dealers’ Exhibit Hall and some fun and entertaining performances/demos by our zaniest dealers on the main stage. We recommend that you arrive in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon, June 28 so you can get all settled in and not miss the opening evening activities.

When is the convention officially over? —

Well, it is officially over somewhere around midnight on Saturday night, July 2, 2011… however, the magic and fun will continue well into the wee hours of the night. Most convention attendees will plan their return home for Sunday, July 3, 2011.

If I am flying into Dallas, what are my airport options? —

Great news for those who plan to fly into Dallas for the convention. You have two great airport options… Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Dallas-Fort Worth Int’l Airport (DFW). DAL is 8 miles from the hotel and DFW is 20 miles from the hotel. Major airlines serve both airports. From a ground transportation standpoint, Dallas Love Field would be the most economical option. Remember, Southwest Airlines serves only Dallas Love Field.

If I am flying into Dallas, how can I get from the airport to the hotel? —

In addition to taking a taxi from the airport (taxi cost would be approximately $18-$20 from DAL plus tip, and approximately $42-$48 from DFW), Super Shuttle also offers one-way service for $17 per person from either airport. More information on Super Shuttle may be obtained at www.supershuttle.com .

What’s the weather typically like in Dallas during the time of the convention? —

Although weather certainly can’t be guaranteed, on average, we can expect the daytime high temperatures to reach the low 90s and the evening low temperatures to drop to the mid 70s.

If I am driving into Dallas, where can I park? —

The hotel has convenient parking attached to the meeting area. Self-parking for attendees of the I.B.M. convention is $15 per day (normally $19 per day). Valet parking is $26 per day. Other area parking lots and garages are available in the downtown area within only a couple of blocks from the hotel and next door to the Majestic Theatre for only $4 per day.

What are my food options during the convention? —

The Dallas Sheraton offers several food options within the hotel including Kitchen Table restaurant, the Draft Sports Bar, and in-room dining. In addition, there are several fast food options available at the food court in the Plaza Of The Americas connected via skywalk to the Sheraton hotel.

Will I have a chance to perform? —

Of course! Convention attendees are encouraged to bring some magic to share with you friends and peers. Close-up performers may perform spontaneously nearly everywhere… and if you desire, you can enter the Strolling Olympics that will take place Thursday night following the dinner show. There will be some “open mike” and informal opportunities to share your magic and/or favorite routines on a stage in our newly-redesigned dealers’ room.

I’d like to compete. How can I enter the I.B.M. Gold Cups Contest or the I.B.M. Gold Medal Contest? —

You’re invited to compete for one of the most prestigious awards in the entire world of magic! The I.B.M. Gold Cups and the I.B.M. Gold Medal contests are considered to be the best-run contests in the world. Interested contestants may find complete details, prize package information, rules and application procedures on the I.B.M. website at www.magician.org. Applications will be accepted beginning March 15, 2011. Simply go to the Convention page and click on the Contest link.

Are there events for young magicians? —

We’re including more exciting and fun opportunities for our young magicians than ever before!. With daily special MYI (Magical Youth International) workshops and sessions, a special Tuesday afternoon intimate workshop with Jeff McBride (just for the youth), and an incredible YMX (Young Magicians Experience) show as a part of our Fab Four events, our young magicians will have plenty to fun to experience.

Are there events for spouses? —

There certainly are! We’ve incorporate some fun spouse activities into the convention schedule so when your spouse has had their fill of magic for a bit, they’ll have something non-magical to do. Our spouse activities coordinator, Cinde Sanders, lives in Dallas and is putting together some exciting stuff!

What are the Special Interest Group sessions I’ve heard so much about? —

One the exciting new functions you’ll enjoy this year are our Special Interest Group sessions. You’ll get to choose up to four classes from an array of options, including Impromptu Magic, Newspaper Magic, Internet Marketing, Adding Comedy To Your Magic, Restaurant/Strolling Magic, Cruise Ship Magic, Balloon Twisting, Booking More Shows, and many, many others. This way, you’ll get to customize your convention experience and learn about the topics you’re specifically interested in from professionals in our field, including Shawn Farquhar, Brad Ross, Diamond Jim Tyler, Gene Anderson, Daniel Herron, Tom Vorjohan, Gerry Katzman, Scott Wells and many others.

Are you still looking for performers and/or lecturers? —

We’re very excited about the incredible line-up of talent we’ve announced so far… and we still have more names to release as soon as final commitments are received. At this point in time, we are no longer looking for additional performers or lecturers.

I’d like to help out. What can I do? —

We’re always looking for help! The entire convention is run by volunteers who love magic and the I.B.M. There’s so much to be done… and we welcome more volunteer assistance. If you’d like to be more involved in this incredible convention in any way, please contact Dal Sanders, our volunteer coordinator, at dal@stagemagic.com .

Is the seating reserved at the theater for the stage shows? —

Yes, all seats at the beautiful Majestic Theatre for our stage shows on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights are reserved and assigned in the order of registration received. If you’d like to sit next to someone, try to register at the same time and include a note with your registration indicating your preference. Although not guaranteed, our registration chairman will try to accommodate you if the registrations are received at the same time.

Is the Majestic Theatre close to the headquarters hotel? — The proximity of the Majestic Theatre to the Dallas Sheraton is nearly ideal! It’s just an easy two-block walk from the front door of the hotel. Plus, there are great restaurant options around the theater for those who’d like to have a nice dinner prior to the evening’s show.

Are there any events that are not included in my registration fee? —

Only a couple. The Order of Merlin Breakfast requires membership in the Order of Merlin and will require that you pay an additional $20 fee. (All members of the I.B.M. who have been a member for at least 25 consecutive years are automatically inducted in the the Order of Merlin.) In addition, although not an official event of the I.B.M. convention, Jeff McBride will conduct a very special Midnight Magic Secret Session workshop on Saturday night at midnight. This will be a rare opportunity for serious students of magic to learn from one of magic’s legendary masters in an intimate hands-on setting. The cost of Jeff’s workshop is $100 and payable directly to Jeff’s team at the door on Saturday night..

What if I register, and then need to cancel for some reason? —

We understand that sometimes plans change. In the event you register for Dallas 2011 then can’t make it, we offer a couple of cancellation options. Complete details may be found in the Convention section of the I.B.M. website www.magician.org.

Are there other fun family things we can enjoy either pre-convention or post convention that we can enjoy? —

Dallas offers an incredible amount of family fun that all I.B.M. convention registrants may enjoy. Here’s just a sampling of the options:

Dallas World Aquarium –

Discover a South American rainforest filled with unique plants and animals such as monkeys, colorful toucans, crocodiles, manatees and otters. The aquarium portion features 85,000-gallons of saltwater with marine life from around the world. Rare sea dragons, giant clams and endangered sea turtles are but a few of the intriguing animals on display. An outdoor lagoon-like exhibit features Black-footed penguins. See their website for information on special exhibits.

The Sixth Floor Museum –

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza examines the life, assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy with a permanent exhibition of documentary films, historic footage, hundreds of photographs, artifacts and two preserved areas. Special exhibits and events are presented on the seventh floor. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza features a permanent exhibition of historic footage, hundreds of photographs, documentary films, a range of artifacts, interpretive displays and two preserved areas to document the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The 9,000 square-foot museum recreates the social and political context of the early 1960s, chronicles the events of November 22, 1963, and analyzes Kennedy’s lasting impact on American culture.

Six Flags Over Texas –

Six Flags Over Texas is offering guests more flags and more fun all season long with new shows, attractions and top-tier entertainment. You’ll find everything you need to prepare you and your family for the best Six Flags Over Texas experience. Need to know how to get to Six Flags Over Texas? What about the best hotels near Six Flags? Want to pay kids price for everyone in your family? You’ll find everything you’re looking for here!

Mockingbird Station –

Shopping, restaurants, theatre. A DART ride away.

Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park –

Zero Gravity Dallas is the world’s only “Thrill Amusement Park” featuring 5 different extreme thrill rides. We offer the Bungee Jump, the Nothin’ But Net, Texas Blastoff, the Skycoaster and the Skyscraper. Zero Gravity is the perfect place to have parties and events. Most rides can be done with a friend, so everyone can achieve their adrenaline dreams together. We are open year round, so visit our website for ride descriptions, hours and directions.

Dallas Holocaust Museum

A wide variety of artifacts remind us of the tragedy which we must never forget. Among the graphic reminders on display is an actual boxcar that was used to transport victims to their death. Rotating exhibits from all over the world stop here on a regular basis. Call ahead to learn about the special current and upcoming displays. Tours led by a Holocaust survivor can be arranged by appointment. Admissions for adults, students (18 and under), seniors (55 and over), active military, and groups of 15 or more are separate.

Dallas Segway Tours –

Experience the most unique and fun guided sightseeing tours downtown Dallas has to offer. With several daily tours to choose from, discover the sights and history of Dallas in a whole new way, riding a Segway! Tours run 7 days a week at 10:00a.m. and 2:00p.m.

Dallas Museum of Art –

Museum featuring permanent collections and touring exhibits of all types, styles, and eras of art.

Dallas Cowboys Stadium –

There are now two exciting ways to tour the amazing new Cowboys Stadium. If you are interested in touring the entire stadium, and going home with a head full of facts and figures about the world’s largest domed structure, then the VIP Guided Tour is your best option. If you’d rather take your time and explore just the most popular highlights on the Event Level, then the Self-Guided Tour is for you.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament –

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is an exciting evening of quality, family entertainment based upon the majesty of the Middle Ages. Guests experience spectacular pageantry, dramatic horsemanship, breathtaking swordplay, falconry, sorcery and romance while feasting on a four course banquet served in true medieval, pre-silverware fashion. The experience culminates in an authentic jousting tournament between six brave knights of the realm.

I have more questions. Who do I contact? —

We want to make sure your questions are answered. So if additional questions exist, here are contact email address:

Questions about registration: Joe M. Turner, registration2011@magician.org

Questions about I.B.M. membership: Headquarters Office, office@magician.org

Questions about the I.B.M. Contests: Don Greenberg, d.greenberg@att.net

Questions about convention publicity: Lance Rich, lancethemagician@hotmail.com

Questions about dealers or becoming a dealer: Dan Herron, ibmdealerchairman@yahoo.com

Questions about volunteering to help: Dal Sanders, dal@stagemagic.com

Questions about anything else: David Sandy, david@magician.org