Editorial cartoonists to gather at Caesars

On Wednesday, more than 200 cartoonists, representatives from syndicates, and executives from the publishing industry will come together for the 41st annual Association of American Editorial Cartoonists convention at Caesars Palace.

Founded in 1957, AAEC is the world's largest organization of editorial cartoonists. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting and stimulating public interest in the editorial cartooning profession. The Las Vegas Sun is hosting the convention.

"At the convention we will discuss trends, changes within the industry, where it's going, and syndication," said Mike Smith, the Sun's nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist.

Editors and editorial cartoonists will discuss the future of the editorial page and the role editorial cartoonists play. Among those participating in the panel will be Brian Greenspun, president and editor of the Las Vegas Sun.

Also contributing will be Shimon Peres, former prime minister of Israel, Rahm Emanuel, a White House advisor, and Steve Forbes, a Republican candidate in the 1996 presidential primary.

A panel consisting of two former Pulitzer-prize winning editorial cartoonists and two recent Pulitzer-prize winners will discuss their perceptions of how editorial cartooning has changed. Among those included are: Paul Conrad, former editorial cartoonist for Los Angeles Times, and Mike Luckovich, editorial cartoonist for Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Local Las Vegas businessmen will share their insights on what the effects are of gambling on a state locality. Among those included are: Alan Feldman, a Mirage vice president and spokesman for the resort, and state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, a gubernatorial candidate.

"This is a place for cartoonists to meet and discuss their craft with their peers," Smith said. "I expect this will be the best convention we've ever had."

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