The opening of the annual IBA Congress was with a clear atmosphere of jubilee among all the members from all over the world and the board with the President, Mr. Umberto Caselli, gave a very astounding report of all his activities around the world. Then the Congress reviewed the Agenda to all the points to approve and to vote for the Country that will host the 2007 WCC site, it was decide on Taiwan. The other contingencies where Brazil, Cuba and The Czech Republic.

On the second day, we visited the Hoover Dam which is consider one of the great Engineering Master Pieces of the World followed by a lunch at the famous Bonnie Bell Western Ranch where we had a western barbecue, performance of a gunfight between cowboys and bank robbers that was very funny, plus a hanging of a bank robber.

The same night we have a special show with an ELVIS PRESLEY impersonator and all the present ladies had a great time. On Tuesday we had our  Flairing Cocktail Competition was a tremendous success with a production that you only see in Hollywood. Then in the night we where at the Riviera Hotel witnessed one of the most famous shows in Las Vegas, SPLASH.

On Wednesday one of the best Classic Cocktail Competition that I ever had the pleasure to attend, it was like a big a Broadway Premier with music lights and two big television screens on the sides and spot light on the competitors. On the same night we had the closing ceremonies at the Bellagio Hotel which in my estimation is the most beautiful Hotel in the World at this time, (my personal opinion). We were welcomed with Moet Chandon Champagne and hors d' oeuvres and then followed with a fantastic dinner and entertainment by a big band for dancing.

Jose F. Ancona
IBA Vice President, North America

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