The Heartland Conference, Day 1, in pictures

So after a two-hour car ride (Portland, Maine, to Boston), a two and a half hour plane ride (from Boston to Chicago), a 45-minute plane ride (Chicago to Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and an hour car ride (from Cedar Rapids to Waterloo), Rick Rector, Jo-Ellen Reed and I finally arrived at The Heartland Conference at about 5 p.m. today. Tonight's activity: a hog roast. Despite overcast skies and a sprinkle or two, the crowd was thick (VGM officials say attendance at this year's conference is up 20 percent). Here are a few photos from the event:

1.) Food. Selections from the evening's menu.

2.) More food. There was a van on the premises making homemade mini-doughnuts.

3.) Key note speaker Bill Klein of TLC's "The Little Couple" fame signs autographs for attendees.

4.) Users First Alliance raised money with several carnival games.

5.) Numerous attendees donned "suicide bidding" hats.

6.) Our ride home (just kidding).

Liz Beaulieu