The Rocky Mountain Steiners are to be congratulated for planning and conducting a most enjoyable convention. The city of Denver was an excellent site, the weather was great for those of us who toured on the way there or on the way back - or both. The Hyatt Regency hotel had all the space and facilities that we could have asked for. The pre-convention activities enticed many convention attendees to arrive early, providing the opportunity to catch up with old friends, or to shop for bargains, either on Antique Row or in members’ rooms! Take a look at this guy digging for steins!

Here are some of the memories (click on the links to view photos, then click the browser back button to return to this page):

Tuesday registration, so many friends already here, the 1999 SCI Convention Stein - what a great souvenir of the Rockies! 

Wednesday, get ready to hit the trail for a visit to the Air Force Academy. The chapel is the highlight, with its dramatic, soaring exterior, echoed in the interior where the stained glass windows create a stirring and inspirational effect. Lunch in the Officers Club before a visit to the Garden of the Gods, then on to the Olympic Training Center where select athletes are in training for the next Olympics. Dinner along the 16th Street Mall with friends. 

Thursday’s feature, the Andre Ammelounx auction with many exceptional pieces for sale. Happy collectors lugging their purchases back to their rooms. (Click here to view some of the most serious moments of the convention.)

Friday is the first official day of the convention, starting with the full membership meeting and the first lectures. Clarence Riley elected as President, Walt Vogdes as 2nd VP, Membership, Kris Kuntz as Treasurer (2nd term) and Rich Cress as Editor of Prosit (continuing). Ron Fox awarded the Jack Lowenstein Editor’s Award for his article on the August Saeltzer factory. Ron Heiligenstein awarded the Jack Heimann Service Award. Steve Steigerwald named Master Steinologist in recognition of his numerous contributions. Phil Masenheimer gave an excellent presentation on Occupational steins, showing many unusual pieces from his personal collection. Elegant Simplicity, another fine presentation on glass steins by John Stuart. Quick stop for lunch before heading to the stein sales tables to see what treasures await. Later, back to the bus for a trip to the Coors Brewery in Golden. Lots to learn about this beer-making process, and the best way to understand it is to sample the product thoroughly. Maybe our bus driver went on the tour, because he got lost taking us to dinner. But he kept us in stitches with his repartee while we were wandering. German night at Chassens in Heritage Square, including Carol Rooney as Miss Beer Stein, wearing the traditional crown made by Claire Hill. 

Saturday morning one more speaker, Terry Hill on Ludwig Hohlwein, followed by another quick trip to the stein sales room. Several optional excursions available in the afternoon, preceding Western Night at the Hyatt. 

Sunday morning an excellent series of round table discussions, including a very popular one about buying and selling on the Internet. The Members’ Auction in the afternoon, followed by the 4th of July dinner featuring "big band" music. 

Monday morning and the end of the convention came all too soon, as members met for breakfast or in the lobby to wish safe travel to friends, and exchanged promises to meet next year in Houston.

Kudos to all Rocky Mountain Steiners for hosting a superior convention and providing such an enjoyable time!

Special thanks to SCI's unofficial photographer, John P. Mertz, for providing photographs from this convention.