2016 (35th) INCC Convention Report

The 35th Annual INCC Convention was a huge success. It was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary, North Carolina. Cary, located in the Raleigh-Durham Triangle Park area, is a lovely community. Several shopping malls and restaurants were within walking distance of the hotel.

Embassy Suites Hotels feature a large atrium in a central lobby.Every morning guest could feast on a complementary buffet breakfast bar. There was a plethora of choices to make everyone happy. In the evening the hotel provided a "happy hour" with a delicious array of snick-snacks and cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks and a wonderful venue where members were able to gather and chat and get acquainted. The club also held a hospitality suite luncheon buffet on Thursday that was hosted by board members Carol and Jerry Service. We feasted on pulled pork barbecue sandwiches and a fantastic array of finger foods and then finished it off with delicious huge cookies for dessert.

The convention programs were varied but al centered around the "Nippon Garden Theme." One program featured Werner's that members brought from their collections. Another featured oddities an rarities  in the Nippon garden theme. There was also a best of show program. Categories were assigned and the winner of each category competed for the "Best of Show" honor. Ribbons were give and fun was had by all. The winner of the "Best of Show" was a large cobalt and bold urn the featured orchids - stunning!

We had a program on Bonsai. Harold Johnson, a Bonsai master with the Triagnle Bonsai Club, shared a power point showing examples of Bonsai and brought some of his own creations to dazzle us with. He told us that the art of Bonsai lives between the mind and the heart. He was an engaging speaker and his creations were beautiful. Several club members got to visit the Japanese/Asian gardens at the Raulston Arboretum. Volunteers from the Arboretum gave a tour and explained various plantings.

The Triangle Taiko Drummers came to entertain on Thursday evening. This was a young ensemble composed of both men and women. They presented  their drums and then proceeded to demonstrate "drum magic." The program was loud, vigorous and amazing. The physical strength required to play these drums is considerable yet some of the drummers were small women, They gave us a grand show. This show was followed by our club buffet dinner and club fundraiser, the silent auction.

To add to the fun, there was the ever popular NIPPON BINGO. The cards feature Nippon themes. The bingo games give the winners a chance to get a gift certificate from the club to use for in room buying. No one wanted to miss the bingo!!

After every day's festivities, there was ample opportunity to do in room buying or just plain socializing.

Finally on the last day of the convention the Nippon auction happened. The auction featured over 450 items of Nippon and these were spread out on six foot tables that were filled two hotel conference rooms. It was literally a sea of Nippon. The scene was breathtaking. Items offered for sale ranged from the beautiful to the spectacular. There was something for everyone at that auction. The auctioneer was professional and moved quickly to get items sold. His staff maned phone and internet bites. Lunch was provided.

After the auction the members attended a banquet that featured salmon, chicken, or filet mignon, salad, vegetables, and cheesecake. Excellent food! Raffle tickets were given out and prizes were ample. The prizes ranged from books on Nippon, to kimonos, obis, and even free registration for next year's convention!! Florists had made arrangements in donated Nippon vases and one lucky person at each table got to keep the arrangement.

For three magical days convention attendees got to immerse themselves in Nippon, learn a little about Japanese gardens, play bingo, and share experiences with other ninon lovers. The convention was definitely worthy of attendance. You will not hunger for good food or good company. Please join us next year in Ohio.