I don’t know why the ‘Opening Ceremonies’ got plural billing in the pocket programme; there was only the one. It was held at 8pm in the Grand Ballroom, or at least in one sixth of the Grand Ballroom. The Grand Ballroom was configurable into several smaller rooms and the hotel had only fitted out that proportion. I don’t think it mattered.

Waiting to go in, I found myself standing with Fred Pohl, famous author. I do not recall our conversation, if we had one. I might just have read his name badge.

Despite problems with the sound system, the Toastmaster, Marta Randall, introduced all the important people at the convention. First came the guests of honour, three of them, armed and powered as only a guest of honour can be armed and powered*: the main GoH A. Bertram Chandler, the artist GoH Frank Kelly Freas, and the fan GoH Lee Hoffman. Then were the co-chairmen: Ross Pavlac and Larry Propp. Third came the DUFF and TAFF delegates, Peter Toluzzi from Australia and some other guy. Oh yes, that would be me…

Finally, came mention of all the people who worked on the convention – thank goodness, not individually.

And that was it. Well, I acknowledge the possibility that there might have been more to it, but that’s all my notes record.

Not a lot was said about the individuals named. The Guests of Honour would be giving speeches later on, and people could read all about us in the glossy programme book. I was on page 27, a scurrilous piece written by Stu Shiffman, which unnecessarily revealed my secret identity as a chartered accountant.

* with apologies to Dave Langford, who I’m sure will remember using a similar phrase in ‘Sex Pirates of the Blood Asteroid’.