ISHOF to host International Aquatics History Symposium and Collectors Show

As part of the activities surrounding its annual induction weekend, the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, will be holding its inaugural International Aquatics History Symposium and Film Festival (IAHSFF) from May 9 to 12, 2012.

Complementing that event at the ISHOF will be an Olympic and Aquatic Sports Collectors Show which is being organized by Craig Perlow, a long-time friend and supporter of the ISHOF and its unofficial Olympic Collections Consultant.

The ISHOF show will be held on Thursday and Friday, May 10th and 11th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and on Saturday, May 12th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables will be FREE and limited to one per person, and SELLING WILL BE ALLOWED. It is expected that several Olympic Medalists will be signing autographs and posing for photographs at the show, and an excellent turnout is expected.

SPI members interested in being a tableholder at the ISHOF show may contact Craig via e-mail at craigatl@mindspring.com or call him at 404.388.0854 (cell) BEFORE April 15th or 770.416.9802 (home) AFTER April 15th. He is requiring a $50 refundable deposit in order to discourage frivolous reservations and last-minute "no shows". To qualify for a refund, table holders must simply honor their reservations by attending the show or cancel their reservations no later than April 30th.

The official ISHOF hotel for this weekend will be the Marriott Courtyard which is located just across and down the street from the Hall of Fame Complex -- only minutes away by foot -- and a special "Hall of Fame" discounted room rate will be available to all show table holders.

A highlight of the week will be the AT&T/USA Diving Grand Prix which will be held at the Hall of Fame Diving Pool from Wednesday, May 9th, thru Saturday, May 12th. Teams from all of the major diving nations that will contend for medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London will be represented and best of all, admission will be FREE!

Finally, the week will culminate with the ISHOF 2012 Induction Ceremony on Saturday night, May 12th. Reservations will be required for the banquet and show table holders will be able to receive a 40% discount on the price of a ticket.

For those SPI members not going to the 18th IOC World Collectors Fair in Athens, Greece, from May 18th thru 20th, your attendance and participation at the inaugural IAHSFF and ISHOF Olympic and Aquatic Sports Collectors Show would be welcomed and it is hoped that these will be annual events going forward.

Craig hopes to see you in Ft. Lauderdale in May and looks forward to hearing from you.