By the time you read this, I will already be in Erlanger, KY.

Sounds like I hit the big time, huh?

Actually, Erlanger, Kentucky is the epicenter of ventriloquism this week.

That is because Erlanger Kentucky is the home of the Cincinnati Airport Holiday Inn, which is the site of the 2019 Vent Haven International Ventriloquist ConVENTion.

I arrived on Sunday with Ken Groves and Mark Wade to begin the preparations that lead up to our opening on Wednesday, July 17th.

There is a lot to coordinate with the hotel management, staff and local businesses that supply the conVENTion.

Ruby & Marilyn at registration! – Photo by Philip Jones

We need to meet with the other department heads including the hospitality, dealers rooms and museum.

The showroom needs to be set up for sound, lights, seating arrangement and curtains.

And of course, the registration packets need assembling and alphabetized so that guests have an easy check in. (Which is admirably handled by Jody Wade and Ruby Groves.)

This year over 500 ventriloquists will be in attendance. We have people coming in from South America, Europe, Japan and other countries.

Photo by David Crone

Our shows and lectures will be filled with some of the top working ventriloquists in the business. And our attendees will be names you read about in newsgroups, on FaceBook and in the IVS Spotlights.

Attendees will get to see some of tomorrow’s stars of the art in the Jr. Open Mics.

The top puppet and figure makers will be there showing and selling their latest, greatest creations.

Puppets By Jet – Photo By Philip Jones

We will have a very different type of lecture from none other than Jeff Dunham. Anyone who has seen Jeff’s lectures in the past will be in for a big surprise. (I can say no more!)

Not attending? It isn’t too late! You can still register at the conVENTion.

Unable to get to Erlanger, KY? You can keep tabs on Facebook and other social media to see what is happening.

And you should be there. If you are reading this, you know that.

But here is the good news.

We’ve signed the hotel for 2020 and will be holding another conVENTion then.

So start saving your pennies now. The conVENTion is one of the best deals around – and if you really want to – there is no reason you can’t be with us in 2020!