This was my first time attending a show, so I have nothing else with which to compare it. All I can say is that I had a terrific time! The Palace Station is a perfect location for this event. It's unabashedly old Las Vegas without the pretentiousness of the strip. The show had over 100 tables, which were loaded with enough variety to satisfy the pipe aficionados' interests.
Everyone was extremely cordial. Upon arrival I was invited up to Gary Schrier's to join the Guss brothers for a smoke and visit.
Gary is a nice guy with a fine sense of humor and a real passion for pipes and their history. I got to see a preview of his next release, a book about pipes and tobacco of the Civil War, otherwise know as the War Between the States, or the War of the Northern Aggression.
Got to meet and chat with Mike Butera
Here's Marty Pulvers explaining his rule of thumb
There were wondrous pieces to see, like this Sasieni 8 dot seven day set, a real one, not an assembly
When I saw this assortment of vintage tobacco I immediately thought of MLC and snapped these pics for him
I got to chat with my favorite American carver, Lee Von Erck
I picked up this barely smoked Rad Davis for a buck and a quarter,
And I also had a Barling throw down with graydawn
After the show closed, I met Brian Levine, Jon, Richard, and several other celebrants for a smoke out at the Paris, and watched the world pass by
It was altogether a super blast!