"Heap big wampum exchanged between many warriors in the Hall of Tribes at Thunderbird Resort in Bloomington, Minnesota. 

Y2K Chieftains extremely happy with number of peacock feathers brought for admission to pow-pow. 

Big Chief How-R-U greeted everyone, but was told to be careful with tomahawk since warriors who have saddlebags filled with precious glass are very nervous. 

Big Chief How-R-U noticed that porcelain collecting warriors were not nervous. UGH! Mud no goot, bring only few beads in trade."

Ed and Connie Peters shared their secret to a successful show...the latest technology (Lucent, of course) in walkie-talkies helped them contact each other and stay on top of many requests. The participation from the North Western Insulator Club members as dealers and displayers was outstanding. The Peters were grateful for the assistance of Dave French, Terry Kornberg and Rick Soller.

The Thunderbird greeted the convention with their unique museum collection of Native American curios and relics. One collector remarked, "I hope this place doesn't become possessed while we are in attendance, for there are enough stuffed animals on the walls and in show cases glaring at us as though they wanted to join in the festivities." 

Only a short two block walk or ride by shuttle bus, the Mall of America with over 400 specialty shops, Camp Snoopy with 25 amusement rides and the largest indoor family theme park, and a wealth of restaurants kept "children of all ages" occupied if they weren't trading insulators or insulator stories. Dwayne Anthony braved the mall madness with H.G. "Bea" Hyve, Ev Bowman, Melanie Marks and me on Thursday afternoon. Ask Dwayne how he and Melanie made the likes of small children break into tears at the sight of their aerodynamic Lego race car. Then ask Melanie why Mike Guthrie issued a warrant at the NIA meeting on Friday night. (Seems the Lego car just happened to walk out of the mall!! Rest assured, it will probably make an appearance at an upcoming southwest show before too long.) 

The banquet and other meals eaten at the resort were all reasonable and made easily accessible for the dealers, displayers and attendees alike. It was great to have meals provided so you didn't need to leave the convention center.

The Hall of Tribes was one of the more interesting convention halls. It was long and narrow with three walls being entirely glass, which was an added benefit to those with outside wall table locations. Nearly 120 sales tables were occupied with some fantastic glass and porcelain for sale. Better than I have seen in recent show years. Maybe there were too many good things for sales, for many dealers indicated that they hadn't done very well sales-wise even though the had brought some of their best stock. Others were very pleased with the buying public. One table boasted over 100 Hemingray/ H.G.Co. signals, with loads of "not mint, but close" cobalt signals in the $475 price range. Prices on all color is commanding top dollar. Most realize that they can sell it to the non-established collecting public on Ebay or Yahoo auctions for a lot more than real collectors pay. And, there did seem to be a lot of good color pieces that did not sell to real collectors in attendance at the show. Paid attendance was right around 350 people for the three days.

Displays were set up in a separate room across the hall from the sales floor. To the credit of Terry Kornberg, a lot of displays were provided for by first-time displayers which included two Junior displays. 

The NIA General Meeting on Friday was very well attended. Kevin Lawless, outgoing President, concluded the work of his term of office and introduced Steve Marks who outlined his goals for the NIA during his administration as President for the next two years.

Something new was added this year prior to the Awards Banquet. Rick Soller organized an Insulator Trivia Game which entertained the banqueters as they gathered. Lots of fun for everyone. Lucky Clay Bledsoe won a $25 gift certificate and Carol Jones found a $100 bill taped to the bottom of her chair. Individual displayers were awarded a wooden bookend with a CD 151 H.G.Co. in aqua mounted, designed and crafted by Terry Kornberg.

In addition to the awards presented to the winning displays by the National Insulator Association, clubs and individuals (as noted with photographs of the display), other honors were bestowed. 

Jack Tod Memorial Award presented to the porcelain insulator display that embodies the high ideas of education, research and presentation. This year's recipient was Doug MacGillvary. 

Sterling Finch Memorial Award presents "Insulators-A History and Guide to North American Glass Pintype Insulators" to Oxboro Library in Bloomington, Minnesota in honor of the show hosts and NWIC club members.

Lon C. Holy Award (a set of No. 2 Columbia commemoratives donated by Larry and Mary Beth Veneziano) was presented to John Hovanec, president of the Great Lakes Insulator Club.

Leonard L. Linscott Pioneer Award was presented by Jacque and grandson Clay to Marilyn Albers who has pioneered the hobby of foreign insulator collecting. 

Crown Jewels of the Wire People's Choice Award ($200 cash prize) voted on by the readers was presented to Mike Guthrie for his article "Fake, Altered and Repaired Insulators", February 2000.

N.R. Woodward Literary Award presented by the Lone Star Insulator Club went to John A. Buchholz for "Lehigh Days", February and April 1999 issues of Crown Jewels of the Wire. Also nominated "A Day at the Smithsonian" by Kevin Lawless and Doug MacGillvary (CJ, February 1999) and "Porcelain Insulator News" dealing with classic porcelain styles by Elton Gish (CJ, September 1999)