And as for the final day/night of the conference...
It really was a very good conference overall. I didn't get that "third day fatigue" like I normally do. I think part of that had to with the fact that more people seem properly prepared this year - which makes my job a lot easier. A LOT! Additionally, I did not give my "Lunch With Jose" workshop like I have done in the past - I would literally have my lunch in a room while people asked me questions - and ate their lunch too. An actual break made a big difference. -However, I did invite the auditions to come up to me if they saw me in the hotel, and to feel free to ask me any questions they may have, and a couple of people took me up on my offer.
Last night's closing night receptions were good, easy-going affairs. And they kind of closed up shop early - the conference seemed to catch up with everybody around 10:30 last night, and most of the receptions were done by 11:30. -There have been times where I've been playing piano bar until 3:00AM! -But not last night. -And the prospect of losing an hour of sleep before a travel day was also keeping people on their better behavior. I was in bed by midnight, and a got a very good night's sleep.