To sum up this year's convention, I must say that overall I really liked it.
The hotel:
What everyone said is pretty much true. Great location and high-end hotel/resort. It was so big we barely found the entrance lol It was overall clean but I do agree with everyone in that it was very expensive, everything they did they pretty much charged you for and the front desk really SCREWED us over on our first night there... don't want to bring it up
The food was expensive but I didn't eat inside, mostly outside.
The pool:
The main highlight of the entire weekend. 24 hr pool? What a great idea. Like Ashour said it was the main reason why no bull sh-t happened this year. Instead of being in room or the lobby everyone congregated here. The routine was pool all day/afternoon...party/club... then back at the pool in the AM hours. I swear there were more people at the pool at 3am than 3pm! lol The weather was nice for it so why not? Not to mention the eye-candy
The parties:
Singers did a good job despite no real headliner. I disagree with Hookah, I like the mix up versions of songs and GLAD they did NOT play any Arabic!!
Kudos to Ramsen Sheeno and Charles Tooma. Only thing too was it was the same 3 khigga's over and over again due to simplicity and being at convention its surprising to realize how many people CANNOT dance! I swear every time I was in khigga the guy/girl next to me was horrible. I had to move numerous times in order to shake it like I mean it. :shades: I also did not like the fact that they played the movie during the party Sunday night. There's a time and place for everything and that was not the time or place for it. I lost some respect for the film and did not like their shallow attempt at marketing/promotion.
The people:
Overall decent crowd. Young crowd but no wannabe gang-bangers or too-fobbish people representing whatever they try to represent and fight over. A lot of good looking people, especially at the pool and at party as well. The picnic had more of a local/older crowd which was expected. I met some new faces but didn't find a future ex-wife lol Mostly cali and of course local arizona people. Chicago had a good turnout but not so much Detroit or Canada which was probably expected.
The picnic:
It was indoor due to the 105 degree (F) temperature. I was there for about 20 minutes and left. I was all partied out at this point. Saw a lot of family but then just hung out with friends.
Sports:
Didn't attend the games but sad how Chicago lost at the end in basketball but I heard it was a good game. Congrats to the young AZ team who came through. I still can't believe the soccer players played in that HEAT for that long! Crazy! But congrats to Detroit for showing up and dominating. No shuttle to the games but I know how hard it can be to arrange that sort of thing.
Registration:
Actually not bad this year...better than prior years. Smooth flow and no complaints from what I heard. No pictures on badges which was weird and some people did sneak into the parties from what I heard/saw. But then again, come Sunday they weren't checking IDs to being with lol
Lectures/Seminars:
Non-existent. I couldn't believe this but again not surprised. I doubt people would have showed up with the pool but at least have SOMETHING to show!!
Organization:
Horrible. The AANF website didn't offer enough details and people were often lost at the grounds. No program or anything and signs that didn't mean much. They have to do a better job of communicating events and the hotel grounds. Then again, not surprised.
Other:
Heard of some fights but nothing major. Vandalism I barely saw as everyone was spread apart. There were some medical cases like a kid who had a seizure at the pool and a lady got bit by a scorpion on the way to the party but nothing else from what I heard. Everyone was pretty much laid back, I guess the sun does that to you right?
See ya'll next year in Detroit 2011!