Mike,
I am from IPMS Livonia Mi. Myself and about 11 club members made the trip to the convention. The venue was top notch, the rooms nice, the organization excellent. Models for days, vendors a plenty and at the end of a hard day looking and shopping there was ample food and beverages within walking then stumbling distances to the hotel. To be honest it was just an all around excellent show. As judging and awards started to roll around I told some of my clubmates, "Winning anything here is going to be an honor. Look at how many models are on the tables". Dont care how good you think you are there was somebodys model that was even better. Just great stuff. You and your crew did a bang up job and your show is now the yardstick for all future shows. I will also congratulate you on not having a banquet and allowing all entrants to see the award ceremony. I feel that, that is one of the biggest let downs when you spend all the time and money to participate and then no seating for the awards. Enjoy the accolades and praise you and your team deserve all of it.
Ian