News
Jay Groob, presents WIC organizers and PI Museum with CII 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coins
September 28, 2005
PI Magazine's World Investigators' Conference (WIC)
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 26-28, 2005.
In his role as newly-appointed CII President, Mr. Groob awarded CII coins to Jimmie and Rose Mesis, in special appreciation for their work in producing the largest gathering of investigators in over 100 years. He also presented Ben Harroll with two coins for his PI Museum that will be displayed with a full description of what they represent to CII.
Mr. Groob's update on the Conference
Subject: CII Team Vegas Update!
September 25, 2005
Dear CII Members and Friends:
Having just returned from Las Vegas on the red eye and looking the part to the fullest extent, (In another words I don't even know if I'm coming or going), team Vegas thanks you for your kind words. What a successful trip!
I would like to personally express my gratitude to all that attended WIC. Everyone should be aware of what an extraordinary conference this was. The share numbers would boggle your mind! Imagine over 1100 investigators from all over the world congregated in one place? I was told that the last such event occurred in St. Louis over 100 years ago!
Jimmie and Roe Mesis of PI Magazine fame and our hosts, should be congratulated for their dedication to our industry and deserve all of the accolades that they will undoubtedly receive. Jimmie's vision was realized and he and Roe were the consummate professionals. Pulling off such a conference was a remarkable achievement. Imaging dealing with the numbers involved? Even when the going got rough (registration issues), he solved the problem with dignity and poise. He is truly my new found hero!
As a token of CII's appreciation and after our own Robert Dudash suggested this, on behalf of the Council I awarded the Mesis's with a set of our 50th Anniversary Commemorative coins at the gala banquet held last evening.
I also presented Ben Harroll with two coins for his PI Museum. Ben advises that he will display them and we will provide him with a full description of what they represent to CII for all to see.
You all should be aware that CII was represented extremely well. The list includes Don Johnson who was a key player with WIC, Jimmie's right hand man, and master of ceremony, Pawan Ahluwalia and his son Jaz, Steven Bibler, John Hoda, Ponno, Dora and Sheila Kalastree, Hermann Kaminski, Brian King, John Lajoie, Brian McGuinness, Brett Mikkelson, Stuart Price, Charles Rahn, Igor A Tymofeyev, (who was also recognized on stage at the banquet as our member in the Ukraine), Linda Montgomery, Robert Fence-many of whom contributed their own time to man our booth. As a result I was able to meet with members I had never met previously. If I left out anyone please accept my apologies.
The speakers included our own Reggie Montgomery, John Lajoie and at the last minute due to a speaker cancellation, Larry Ross who pulled off a great presentation. Way to go Larry!
I really need to mention again the great contribution made by Nancy Barber. Her organizational efforts were unbelievable pulling us all together with scheduling everyone. To Bert Falbaum for his diplomacy and chatting up potential new members, Brett Mikkelson, Ponno, Dora and Sheila Kalastree, also worked tirelessly.Lois Colley for getting us those needed brochures, Antoinette Montgomery for getting us the flower arrangement for our booth.
As a direct result we received substantial interest and I strongly believe some very qualified applicants!
WIC letter from PI Museum's Mr. Ben Harroll
Subject: C.I.I. 50th Year Coin Donation
September 28, 2005
Fellow C.I.I. Members:
A set of C.I.I.'s 50th Anniversary Coins was presented to the P.I. Museum during the recent 2005 World Investigator's Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. This honor is one that the P.I. Museum will treasure and hold in trust for all of us who belong to C.I.I.; we all realize the many values of being associated with this truely elite worldwide organization.
As a further seeding for the *C.I.I. Section* of the physical P.I. Museum in San Diego, California the tireless C.I.I. booth volunteers saw fit to donate several of the beautiful graphics that made the C.I.I. booth a truely outstanding presentation.
On behalf of the P.I. Museum and as a proud longstanding member of C.I.I. I also want to acknowledge the absolutely incredible job that Jimmie and Roe Mesis did in Las Vegas. The use of the word "Historic" is very appropriate when we are attempting to describe what we all witnessed happening each day. It was historic that between 1,000-1,500 P.I.'s came together at the MGM Grand as one body of private investigator professionals from the world's many countries.
P.I. Museum invites all C.I.I. Members from around the globe to help in supporting the continuing work of the P.I. Museum through becoming a supporting individual member. Those who are in a position to do more are invited to do so.
We can all now look forward to soon having the kind and quality of museum representing our profession that we want, need and deserve. With Gloria at my side and with C.I.I.'s support we will begin taking the museum on the road to all private investigator's around the U.S.A. and beyond in 2006.
Fraternally, Ben Harroll & Gloria Poore
