By the time this issue arrives in your homes, the 2005 AERC convention will be over and I will have missed my first one since the 1980s. This got me remembering past conventions -- each one different and usually unique. [Note: Susan was able to attend the convention after all.]

One of the first ones I attended was at the Nugget where AERC returned this year. It was my first time in a casino and I kept getting hopelessly lost as it all looked the same with rows of slot machines. On one side there was a red sports car that was the jackpot prize of some machine. I soon learned how to get to that car -- then I would know which way to go depending on whether I wanted to attend a meeting, go to the trade show or head back to my room.

The next year we were at the Nugget again and I was ready to show off to everyone how I could find my way around, but they took the car out! I was back to wandering around like everyone else.

That first year I also sat in on my first board of directors meeting. Thank goodness I wasn't a director yet. I couldn't sit there long and left to have a drink. Made me rethink my plans to run for the board.

Finally the board was convinced that it would be good for AERC to move the convention out of Reno once in a while. I remember Maggy Price announcing that everyone was invited to Atlanta, Georgia, to enjoy the Georgia spring. Well, those who attended will remember that the snowstorm of the century hit with a vengeance. I remember looking out the restaurant window seeing Maggy in the "white out" trying to get her dog to do her business before they both froze to death. It turned out to be a great convention because no one could get away and so we all partied together. Thank goodness the power stayed on and there was enough food and drink to last for the duration.

After conventioning in several hotels in the Reno area, I was really looking forward to sitting in the bar at the Nugget that has a huge aquarium behind it. At least I hope it is still there.

Besides Atlanta and Reno, we next traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, deep in the heart of horse country; even the Kentucky Horse Park is there. The only drawback was that Louisville is the main airport rather than Lexington. The Western folks had to change planes once or twice. Those of us in the East have been doing that every year to get to Reno.

I have learned to drive to Nashville myself -- then I can catch a plane and only have to change once to get to Reno. Flying from Knoxville, Tennessee -- which is the closest airport from my house -- usually means changing at least twice and spending most of one day getting to Reno. Still, I've gone back out to Reno every year since Lexington until two years ago when we had it in Chattanooga. That was sure great but again it wasnÕt a "hub" airport so travel was not very easy for folks from far away.

Back to Reno until next year when the folks in Texas have put in a lot of time and effort to get us set up in San Antonio. Its hub airport and center-of-the-country location should make this a wonderful choice. See you there.