International Brotherhood of Magicians is an organization for both professional and amateur close-up and stage magicians, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St. Charles, Missouri. There are over 300 local groups, called Rings, in more than 30 countries, largely concentrated in cities of the United States and Canada. The organization publishes a monthly periodical entitled The Linking Ring, which features tricks, coverage of shows and events in the magic community, and interviews with magicians.
History
The organization was founded February 10, 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by Len Vintus of Transcona, Manitoba, which would later amalgamate with Winnipeg. Gene Gordon of Buffalo, New York, and Don Rogers. Unlike earlier magic clubs, such as the Society of American Magicians in the USA and The Magic Circle in England, the I.B.M. was begun by magicians living outside the major cities, who were unable to attend magic club meetings, and who kept in contact by post. Gene Gordon established the first local group, Ring 1, in Rochester, New York. The original Ring 1 eventually disbanded, and St. Louis, Missouri later assumed the vacated title of Ring 1, which it continues to hold today. Since then, a new club, Ring 4, formed in Rochester. The IBM holds an annual convention, usually in June or July. Although the SAM and the Magic Circle held banquets as early as 1905, the I.B.M. was the first to hold a magic convention, in Kenton, Ohio on June 9–10, 1926. The 66th annual convention was held in Orlando, Florida.
Organization
Each international territory has a Territorial Vice President who coordinates with the Rings in that country and other Territorial Vice Presidents. The International Brotherhood of Magicians has a number of local clubs, located throughout the world, known as Rings. Each ring was originally numbered in sequence, based on when it received its charter from the I.B.M. Since then, some clubs have dissolved, and newer clubs have assumed some of the vacated ring numbers.
Membership
Membership is open to amateur and professional magicians, as well as those who collect magic apparatus and effects. Active members must be at least 18 years old, and youth members must be 7–17 years of age. Active members must have had an interest in magic for at least two years, or one year for youth members.
Leadership
Since 1937, a new International President is elected to the I.B.M. each year.
Past presidents include:
Conventions
The International Brotherhood of Magicians holds annual conventions, usually around the 4th of July weekend. Every three years, they hold a combined convention with the Society of American Magicians. In July 2008 the I.B.M. and the Society of American Magicians hosted a combined convention. More than 1,900+ amateur and professional magicians from around the world attended the gathering in Louisville, Kentucky.
85th annual IBM convention was held in Phoenix, Arizona
Contest Awards
The International Brotherhood of Magicians held the world’s first magic convention in 1926. Contests are held and awards are given in several categories. Below is a listing of the First Place winners as noted in the I.B.M. Official publication "". The Gold Cups and Gold Medal Awards are highly coveted and not awarded every year. Additional data for years not listed may be available.
