Conference 2000 Report
The 2nd annual National S.M.I.L.E. Conference was a
tremendous success! Fifty-seven people were in attendance at the APS
building in Phoenix on November 17-19, 2000.
The hotel for event was the Holiday Inn Express -
across the street (I couldn't let Mark Lee down by not mentioning this!) from
the APS building.
The conference began with a hospitality suite and early
on-site registration for out of town guests on Thursday night at the Holiday Inn
Express. On Friday morning we started at ASU Downtown with a welcome,
followed by watching Goober and Sgt Pepper perform for Kindergarten through 3rd
grade at the Thomas J. Pappas Elementary
School in downtown Phoenix. The show was great and we all laughed!
After there was a lot of positive comments and suggestions in our post-show
critique.
Following lunch at the APS building, Mark Ruffennach
and Chris Vassall from Scottsdale (Arizona) Police Department presented an
interactive class on team building. Then the instruction began! Two
classes by our top notch instructors followed.
We had the annual meeting of the SMILE Organization.
During that meeting, the Board for 2001-2002 was elected (see NEWS for more
details). It was also reported that the Organization is in good fiscal
shape this year, and we are working towards our 501(c)3 non profit status with
the IRS. Members made some great comments and suggestions.
In the evening on Friday, we presented FOUR CORNERS
featuring instruction in face painting, caricatures, balloon twisting, and
juggling. This was followed by the grand opening of the dealer's room with
a special "$15 every 15 minute" raffle from the dealer's tables!
Saturday morning was more incredible instruction from
our Lead Instructors and SMILE Instructors. In the afternoon, SMILE
President Ruffennach held a surprise meeting and presented the 2000 SMILE
Presidential Award for outstanding service to the SMILE Organization to Vice
President Bruce Wall. The SMILE Organization gave Bruce a new costume for
his new character "Bucky".
S.M.I.L.E.
President Mark Ruffennach (left) presents the "President's Award"
for
outstanding service to the S.M.I.L.E. Organization to Bruce Wall
(right).
(Photo
by Rolland E. Grothe)
After, we watched an instructor make-up
demonstration and then everyone clowned up for pictures. Professional
photographer Howard Matt took pictures of the group, in front of an
authentically restored, ' 48 Plymouth Police Car or a Mini-Fire ladder truck.
Finally, people went up to the photography studio and took some pictures with
back drops for trading cards and 8x10's! Phoenix's ABC 15 stopped by and
did a short story on the conference that aired that night at 10:00 pm.
The
attendees at the 2000 National Clown Conference "Clown Up" for fun!
(Photo
by Rolland E. Grothe)
That evening, we watched the Lead Instructor Show
presented by Jeff McMullen, Terry Ricketts, and Steve Taylor. Jeff did a
very funny mouth coil routine, Terry and Steve had their characters interacting
for a couple of routines, and then Steve Taylor presented his "Fantastic
Friends Show" which taught us how to teach gang prevention to elementary
school aged children.
The
S.M.I.L.E. Conference 2000 Lead Instructors with Scooter and Willey
(Left
to Right) Scooter, Jeff McMullen, Steve Taylor, Terry Ricketts, and Willey.
(Photo
by Rolland E. Grothe)
Sunday morning featured more instruction on such topics
as "Prop Building," "Discover Your Inner Clown," "Using
Props," and "Gags and Giggles to increase leaning." The
classes were very well received.
Following lunch was our graduation ceremony and last
chance at the dealer's tables. Attendees completed evaluations for each
class as well as the Conference. These evaluations proved what we already
knew - that the 2000 SMILE Conference was an incredible learning experience for
the clowns, magicians, and puppeteers from the Police, Fire, and professional
ranks!
Thanks to our lead instructors, SMILE instructors,
participants, and especially APS for all the help and support! We're
looking forward to next year!
To see the reports from other Conferences, check out:
