I recently went to the c.k. show in atlantic city to see the flame off, and to finally see slingers movie. Slinger's movie was truly amazing, and all the glass i got to check out was great as well. But i was pretty disturbed by the direction that this industry is going. The show was less about glass and more about research chemicals. I probably left the show with enough "chemicals" that were shoved at me to kill a horse, or two. It was hard to see such talented and amazing artists displaying their work along side the kind of scumbags that would pedal bathsalts across the country. It is amazing that we have worked so hard as a community to legitimize what we do, only to have it be seen in the same context as these dangerous chemicals that make their way into the hands of young kids. No wonder people have such a hard time seeing pipes as "art". I know trade shows are a great way to get orders and keep ourselves busy, but based on what i saw in atlantic city, im having a hard time legitimizing my own work. Obama even realizes that things have gotten way out of hand. If we don't make decisions that help ensure the longevity of our industry, we will all end up in jail or worse, having to get real jobs. I know i dont want either of those things to happen to me. I love glass and would like to keep blowing glass for the rest of my life. I want to know what you guys think about this. Anyone who was there in ac, what did you think? How can we keep our industry safe?