I have worked on a number of these events.  Five out of the last six in fact.  Up until this most recent one, LeatherFest XI, I was the guy in charge of the workshops.  At LeatherFest XI though, I changed duties to handle registration and let someone else take on the workshop job.

This is a really great event.  Done as a labor of love by a horde of volunteers working their butts off, it really does the job.  LFXI has gone down in the history books as an excellent event for all those who attended it.  The hotel was an awesome place to hold such a big soiree.  The only problem was that we didn't get enough people at the event.  We covered our operating costs but missed on the hotel room occupation rates.  That meant LeatherFest XI was liable for those empty rooms.  That hurt.  A lot.

Thanks to Richard Chatterton though, the hotel's original bill of almost $30,000 got negotiated down to about $7,000.  That was something we were able to pay and get LeatherFest out of debt to the hotel.  Club X has since paid off loans which made this possible.  At present, early '04, Club X has no plans to hold another LeatherFest any time soon.  We'd like to, and it certainly is on the agenda, but we've other things to do first.  But don't write off San Diego's premier fetish event just yet.  We'll be back.  So, keep an eye out and an ear perked for notice.
 

I managed to make it to IML 01 and had a good time while there.  I went back the next year and had an even better time at IML 02.  Returning for IML's 25th Anniversary in '03 I also had a good time but that was due mainly to the woman I roomed with, Julia.  Other than that the whole event seemed rather empty to me.  Too much barebacking and too deep a sense of desperation among the men there for me to make any solid connections.  I'm glad I went but I don't think I'll be back any time soon.  You can read more about my experiences at IML by reading my IML page.

Aside from the great pieces of art at this event, there are also some very fine leatherfolk attending it as well.  Throw in the Weekend's open house and banquet and you have an excellent event to spend a weekend enjoying.

Each year at the banquet the Foundation gives its awards to various artists and those individuals who have done an outstanding job of promoting erotic are and the freedom to enjoy erotic art.  At the 2001 event Larry Flynt received such an award.  It was very interesting for me to actually see this man in person.