Gateway Takeaway

Gateway, Finally!
For the last few years, I’ve been quietly honing my graphic design skills while creating the flyers for the Gateway Magic Convention. Steve B & Steve Z have invited us out more than once but it just wasn’t in the cards. Until it was.
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This year, we made the trip from Maryland to Collinsville, Illinois / St. Louis, Missouri. We drove. (Questionable decision.) Over 2,200 miles, we saw tailgating, big rigs swerving, and one deer who zig-zagged directly into our path, made eye contact with us through the windshield from what felt like inches away… and somehow leapt off to safety at the last possible second. All things considered? Could’ve been worse. I could’ve also done without the steady diet of burgers, although Steak & Shake, and Scooters coffee - we need you in Maryland! 

Fast forward to the convention.

First day in, oh my Gosh! Bill Maaaa - LONE is here! Allan Ackerman! Whispers of "Gary Plants is here!"... Nathan Kranzo, Harrison Kaplan, Kevin Kelly, Jimmy Cards Molinari, Randy Wakeman, Jason Baney & Steffi Kay, the diabolical Karl Hein, Danny Cheng, the Tennessee Magic Emporium, Jimmy Ichihana, Luke Dancy - all things Magic, Mark Tams and dare I forget to mention.... ALL THE STEVE'S!

There’s a specific energy at magic conventions that’s hard to explain if you haven’t experienced it. And no two are the same. This one? Exceptional. As dealers, we felt comfortable. Valued. Taken care of.

As a lecturer, Steve felt very appreciated, almost spoiled.

Everything was set up to make the experience easy. The space was open, thoughtfully setup, and actually inviting. Plenty of room for conversations either small, quiet ones (or larger) in between lectures and dealing. Snacks, drinks, bathrooms...all where you needed them. Also a competent bar and restaurant right off the lobby. 

The dealer room was separate from the lectures and shows, which made a huge difference. Less chaos, less pressure & more room to actually connect with people. It felt relaxed in a way that’s rare for dealers rooms. If something wasn’t there? Someone made sure it was.
Steve lectured, and soon after an impromptu egg bag session formed. No stage, no spotlight...just a small group asking questions getting the info they needed, and laughter! Which i LOVE. That’s the part you can’t schedule. That’s the part that matters.

The real highlight for us, though, was finally meeting customers we’ve come to think of as friends. Being able to show someone, in person, how something is meant to work... it's a connection that an email or text can't compare to. Connecting face to face with people who’ve guided us along the way. Without the input of Gary Plants and Bill Malone, we’re not sure what our final fruit, perfect purses, or small loads (like cherries) would have become. Their generosity has shaped more than they probably realize.
There’s something humbling about standing in a room with people you’ve admired. But what stays with us isn’t any one moment...it’s the constant thread running through all of it. People who care about the craft. People who respect the work.
People willing to share a piece of themselves to keep it all alive. That’s camaraderie.
And that might be the best trick of all.

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