Having read the Geni Report , I have been looking
On line for some positive reports but have yet to find one

http://www.linkingpage.com/magicnewsfeed......ell.html

Was it that Bad ???

I know the cost was very high ,

I worked out I could attend the SAM convention in
Las Vegas for a lot less than the Blackpool Registration

I note that there were very few new effects at the dealers
But have yet to read any good reports about the
Gala Shows

Was it that Bad ?

There are a lot of reports, the vast majority of which tend toward the "bad" end of the spectrum. Most of the comments seem to revolve around the organizer of the Blackpool event, and not FISM directly.

I wasn't there, so I have no personal knowledge.

I am VERY disappointed by the FISM, I better don't even talk about it.

I wasnt there (intentionally) but it was held in blackpool. A very tired seaside town and a place not renowned for its opulence. Throw derek lever in the mix and I cant say I'm entirely surprised!

No, it wasn't as bad as some people say.

Also, take the reviews with a pinch of salt as some of the people who wrote them (especially those that seem to have invested a lot of effort) have a personal grudge against the organiser.

I've written up my thoughts in other threads on the Café so have a look at those for a more balanced view.

I opted out due to the over inflated price for the convention
How on earth can they justify it and offer gifts with high values that nobody really wants.I have experienced some of the Blackpool offers in the past.
Keep these not so wonderfull gifts and keep the convention prices down.
Having said that you would expect rave revues to justify the price not all the bad that we are reading.
Enjoy your Holiday Derek

The fism in Blackpool was a pure joke I think, I was there and I feel that I've been stolen 550 euros, the worst convention I've ever been and I ever heard of....

Does that mean we take your review with a grain of salt as well. I think you are making assumptions based on your own personal feelings rather than recognizing that some people who attended the convention were disappointed. Obviously not everyone was disappointed, but for the non disappointed to make assumptions the negative reviews are the results of those who have a personal grudge against the organizer is stretching it isn't it?. Even if that assumption had some truth to it, the question is, what has the organizer done, or not done that has many people apparently holding a grudge against them. People don't just hold grudges for nothing.

The main reviewer was mentioned in a negative manner in the convention programme. If that isn't a reason to hold a grudge I don't know what is. I'm not saying the convention was perfect, just to read between the lines of those with an agenda seeking to stir things up.

Just to state my opinion, but I don't see how someone giving their honest opinion about something automatically means the person has a grudge. I would have to think that you have some hidden agenda. You seem to be very upset that people are giving FISM a bad review, but more than one person has given a bad review. I don't see any of them coming on here and going after those who say FISM was great, but I see you attacking those who have given a negative review. I am reading between the lines, but I am afraid the only one who looks like they have a agenda to stir things up is you. Is that fair to say?

I was not at the convention so I obviously don't have an opinion of it, even though I have heard a lot of negative reviews about it. Why would so many people be holding a grudge unless there was a good reason for it?

I guess you had to be there to understand.

I would love to attend a FISM convention someday or blackpool. Either one would be great.

I admit, perhaps I would have had to of been there.

I hope to take in at least one FISM in my life time.

FISM 2012 was the Pits this Year

Badly Run by someone who has had his day, in case you are wondering why the dealers all think it's the
Best thing since sliced bread you only have to read this month’s Genii Magazine, as they are all scared to say Anything in case they get banned,

Also to run a close up in what was no better than a Garage is a disgrace

Ex FISM WINNER Shawn Farquhar summed up things as well

"FISM 2012 was the worst magic congress I have ever attended. Now that statement is going to get me banned from ever going back to Blackpool...oh wait I was already banned. It was poorly planned and executed. This is not a personal attack on any one individual. Many of the workers of the congress were delightful. It was the entire event that was lacking. I would never have uttered a word if it had not been for the disgusting display of the fat suited lady who ripped off the costume to display their breasts and hairy genitalia in front of my eleven year old daughter. The gala shows were less than stellar and below the level I have come to expect from FISM. I am unable to find a listing of the committee members but I will say that whomever was in charge of the talent choices was not in touch with the magic world. To use some acts on multiple nights was a poor choice and several of the acts that appeared on both the stage and close up would not have been booked by me for anything more than a children's birthday party"

I Guess I will be getting an Email from Hitler Sorry Derek banning me now ,

Never Mind if this is the Best you can do then I think I can live without
another Blackpool convention !

seems like many aspects of this business is like that, people say lies claiming effects etc are great because they are buddies with some guy or someone who sells it

props to shawn for speaking up, pretty sad that it takes a canadian to have the guts that americans use to have

Well said Shawn

Latest and Greatest is an area for discussing new and upcoming products. It keeps things nice and tidy and easy to find. Maybe the mods could move it and you could check the sticky at the top next time.

best,
Sean

I was not going to chime in, but six weeks after having returned from FISM 2012 in Blackpool, and with a cool head , I would like to add to the previous reports. The meeting was as bad as people have described already. Hugely overpriced for the value you got, held in a poor, dying town with very poor infrastructure, etc.. etc. Before this trip to Blackpool, I was thinking about going to February Magic Convention, but now I know I would never go back to Blackpool under any circumstances.

I have attended 8 FISMs in the past, the last 6 consecutively. No, I don't remember any other FISM meeting having had so many flaws. I think it all started after the Board of Directors starting with the President, heavily "armed-twisted" the membership into having FISM 2009 in China against all odds. They "burned the bridges" with the other clubs in Europe and in Beijing in 2009, the only bid for FISM 2012 was the Blackpool Magic Club.

I enjoyed the FISM 2009 in China for what it was; an opportunity for me to travel to this country for the first time and experience the culture and its people. I wasn't expecting too much of the magic as the European and American dealers stayed away in droves namely to protect their products from rampant copyright infringement. The contests in Stage and Close-up lacked the level of competition seen in European events as well as the magic dealers which were only about 65 when the average number at a FISM event is about 100 plus dealers.

But hey we're talking about FISM 2012. The first indication I got that we were in trouble was when I read the welcome message in the program book with personal attacks against Richard Kaufman. Also, at the bottom of the same page they were urging the "membership" to vote for a particular candidate for President (railroad job!). I do not blame Derek Lever only but the the Board of Directors of FISM for allowing Mr. Lever to run this as if it was his local convention. I think the president and all of the officers are also responsible for not having had a more direct input in running the affairs of this convention.

Having just said that I am glad the level of both Close-up, and Stage Magic improved in Blackpool over that of Beijing's. I still support FISM and I have already paid the VIP fees for the next meeting in Rimini 2015. I know the Italians will do a great job, if not, they have great food, great weather and fabulous sightseeing. Looking forward to a magical happening in 2015!

hbenod

Shawn had already been banned so of course he was going to say nasty stuff about Blackpool. Also, Russ Stevens has involvement in organising the Blackpool convention so I wonder if Shawn has an agenda here?

How do you get banned?