Oh my gosh...I am SO hooked.
Words cannot describe how awesome this past week has been. I have met HUNDREDS of cakers, talked with the "Stars" of cake decorating and learned SO much that I feel I am in over-load.

Except in the pocketbook...LOL!!!
The Gaylord Texan was unbelievable! I took so many pictures (I think last time I checked my camera, it was on 317. The next ICES is in Omaha and I already have the date blocked out in my calendar.

BTW--I met a few CC members there, wished I had met more.

I wanted to get into the ICES but I couldn't find anything in the NJ area. It seems that cake decorating is huge around Texas but there's not much going on here on the east coast....at least that I saw...maybe I just need to look a little harder.

Hey, Rosequeen

Where are you in NJ? Have you contacted the rep from NJ to see where their Days of Sharing are? If you are near PA you are welcome to come to our DoS. We will be holding one in Allentown on Sept 24. PM me if you would like more info on the Sept. event.

Theresa

OH I am soo happy to hear your excitment. I wasn't able to go to Texas this year but Omaha next year is on my calender! I am saving up for it already. It is only part of a days drive so I can't wait until next year.

Glad you had a great time!

Leily

I havent sold enough cake to pay for ICES this year... I'm thinking about next year though!

Mac,
I'm pea green with envy that you got to go.
I made a choice to stay in NY and take classes
with some greats instead of going. Did you buy
alot of stuff? Glad you had fun!

Didn't buy as much as I had my eye on...but did get some great deals on Satin Ice and Fondx, bought several impression mats, tools for making eyelet lace, choco-pan in white and chocolate...plus all the freebies that were included in some of the classes and your Wilton tote bag.

Lots of money but it was so worth it. Demos by Norm Davis, Kerry Vincent, Bronwen Weber, Earlene Moore and Penny McConnell.

I am new to the world of cake deco beyond my area, and yesterday I came across the ICES website. Can you tell me more about the whole organization? What does your membership include> I doesn't look like there is all that much going on around me with ICES (MA). How much is the conference, that sounds awesome! What goodies did you get? Sorry if this is question overload. lol.
Kelly

Sounds great Mac! Share those photos if you would when you have time

Since I live in Omaha I can't wait till next year If anyone needs info on the area I'd be glad to share.

Kelly--

I have just joined ICES this year in May because I wanted to go to the convention. They had over 100 demonstrators there that you could sign up for. It's a place where you can share and learn cake techniques. I think membership fee was $60.00 (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Registration for ICES convention was $280 (once again, correct me if the memory has gone). That was the deluxe registration and included choice of 8 demos, ICES membership breakfast, and Saturday nite banquet. Other freebies that we received were a mixing spoon from Betty Crocker--they manned the hospitality room, a sample container of Satin Ice, a sample package of ready-made gumpaste, pen for taking numerous notes, notepad...too many things to remember.

Just being able to talk to who I consider "Cake Gurus" was the added bonus-Nickolas Lodge, Roland and Marsha Winbeckler, Kerry Vincent, Charmagne, Earlene Moore, Norm Davis, Bronwen Weber....the list goes on and on. Learning all the new techniques to take your talent to the next level. An amazing experience.

I will post a few pics, I don't want to step on toes and post someone's cake before they have a chance to.

We need to start early and figure a way to meet other CC members. The CC t-shirt is a fantastic idea with maybe your on-line name on the back. Wear it on the 2nd day so everyone will have a chance to get to Omaha.

Oh, I guess I'm planning too far in advance but I sure would love to meet who I have been corresponding with.

full of envy. I am.

Mac I'm glad you had a great time.

I had fun as well, but now I feel like I need a few days of sleep just to keep up. I'm not use to going from 6:30 in the morning to 10 at night, non stop.

I have to say Norm Davis is a trip!!

I love Fran! Infact when I had free time I was helping her out in the Centry Club. She's alot of fun to be around and one of the nicest and sweetest people I have met through the conventions.

Which of Norm's Demo's did you do?

Us East Texans will have to plan a get together sometime. I ran into a few cakes friends from LadyCakes.com there, but it is really hard to actually get to spend time with anyone when you are running from place to place.

Oh, I met ladycakes, too.

I took Zane's class--Techniques in Chocolate. Norm was doing that b/c Zane's wife is close to "Birthin' a baby".

I actually signed up for manpower on 2 days. but by Saturday afternoon, I realized I didn't have much non-cake down time so then we went to the movies.

oooh....jealous. i really wanted to go to cake camp in las vegas in a few months but you're right....lots of money that i don't have right now.

mmmm....satin ice is yummy!

Did you have the urge to go out and buy a house painting spray gun? That was really cool though and I love the look of it. I helped out in that room, took the tickets at the door.

I took his demo yesterday afternoon, the No Piping Dreams one. He actually sat with his back to us, so we could see what he was doing on the camera. It was too funny! I love his personality and he seems like he would be someone that would be fun to be around.

I did manpower a little but when I showed up to her on the second day at the time I was suppose to and she told me she didn't need me at that time I decided I'd give my time to Fran. So I picked up some more demos (think I did something like 11 or 12 of them) and then after shopping went down to Fran to help hand out things.

I was one of the first ten through the door--did you start out taking tickets? Did you have a red/white/blue/vest on? I'm ashamed to say, I didn't pay that much attention--I think I was in overload by that time--6:30 in the evening.

I had about 9 classes. My non-caker room-mates kept trying to get me to go with them. They, of course, didn't understand. I did manpower in the Demo Display Thursday and Cake Corral on Friday.

We left Saturday nite after the Bar-B-Q. We drove to South Fork--followed a bus and I don't recommend that. The bus driver got lost so after 2 turn-arounds and 3 stops on the shoulder, I called the hotel and got directions. We were waaaaay on the other side of Dallas. But we got there about 7:15. Oh well, planning and stashing for next year.

Wow, it sounds like you girls had a blast! I've never been but all this talk makes me want to go!

I was all paid up to go and everything and then had a family emergency and couldn't go at the very last minute. I am SO sad. (

Rachel

I want to go!! I live in Council Bluffs. I'm not sure if Dh will let me fork over $320 to go to a conference though....

Here's some info I got on the 2007 convention in Omaha if anyone is interested

Sorry I forgot to attach ethe eamil:
Glenda,

Thank you for your interest in the Omaha 2007 ICES Convention. The convention will be held at the Qwest Center Omaha, 455 N 10th Street. We will be using the Hilton Omaha as our host hotel (rooms will be $136); it is located across the street from the center and connected by a covered skywalk. Registration fees are as follows:

By May 18, 2007 Standard Deluxe* After May 18, 2007 Standard Deluxe* On-Site
Members $190 $230 $225 $370 $315
Non-Members 330 265 365 405 455
* Deluxe Registration includes 8 demonstration tickets of your choice. More tickets may be purchased on-site for $5.

You will be able to register and get more information online in March 2007. Our plans include over 75 demonstrations between Thursday, July 26, through Sunday, July 29. There will be a vendors area with over 60 booths that you will be able to shop 'til you drop from Friday to Sunday, and our "Global Sugar Art Gallery" will be displaying cakes from around the world throughout the weekend; we encourage all of our attendees to bring pieces to share and have your name entered into a drawing for many wonderful door prizes.

For more information about ICES, visit www.ices.org.
If you have any other questions please contact us again.