MANY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING forward to the 37th Annual International Jugglers' Association, Inc., Convention to be held this year in Las Vegas. People will be coming from all over the world. The accommodations are excellent this year, and although there are many places to stay in and around Las Vegas, the most convenient rooms are at the Showboat Hotel where most of the convention events are being held. Early registration is advised.

This will be a good convention for your friends and relatives to attend. Last year, women bowlers held their convention at the Showboat and had twice as many registrants as they've had at previous conventions. I've talked with some of their participants and they highly recommend the facilities.

Planning is in full swing on all aspects of the convention. There will be many opportunities for involvement in activities, so don't be shy about volunteering your services. Of course, there will be juggling. And there should be lots of discussion about direction and plans for the IJA.

We will be having meetings of various groups of people who are specializing in particular areas of juggling. We're planning to have times set aside for meetings of performers, prop makers, juggling teachers, recreational jugglers, organizers of jugglers' meetings, and affiliates. Each of these groups has needs to meet and services to offer particular to their fields of endeavor.

National recognition of juggling is increasing. To cite two specific examples: there was an extensive article about prop makers in the Monday, April 9, issue of the Wall Street Journal; and there was an excellent article on juggling and the 1983 convention in John Grossman's "On the Scene" section of Sports Illustrated on December 12, 1983. Quite a few companies are including juggling scenes in their national advertising on television.

The March issue of Juggler's World, in content and graphics, was a fine example of IJA coverage of juggling. Bill Giduz continues to deserve our commendation for the professional publication he produces. The high quality of advertisements by equipment makers is also noteworthy.

The two page section of "Jugglers' Meetings" is quite impressive. There are 72 meetings listed in 6 different countries. Thirty states and the District of Columbia are represented.

The championships are of special interest every year, and I think they will be particularly exciting this year. Greg Moss does an outstanding job in a demanding position. This year the IJA will be offering cash prizes for the first time - $600 to the first place finisher in the U. S. Nationals, $300 to second place, and $100 to third place.

Also this year for the first time we will be offering a Numbers Challenge, a kind of SuperNumbers event to encourage the juggling of six or more clubs, eight or more balls, and eight or more rings. We will continue the Team Championships, Juniors Championships, Numbers Juggling, and Joggling Races.

The Juniors Championships is especially important, because it gives jugglers under the age of 18 an opportunity to compete and sharpen their skills in front of a discerning, informed, and supportive audience.

Every year the workshops get better and better, and a greater number of people participate. Dave Finnigan continues to do an outstanding job as education director. Dave and his team have already spent a week in Las Vegas giving workshops in the local schools and to employees of the Showboat Hotel. A full schedule of workshops is planned for this year's convention.

A major part of the enjoyment of the convention is the camaraderie, whether you're juggling, performing, being part of the audience, leading or attending workshops, competing, or just talking with each other. It's the people that make IJA Conventions great. What a wonderful opportunity to get together with people from countries all over the world, and from all 50 of the United States, and have fun.