Richmond magician John Kaplan is used to making things disappear, but there’s one item that’s sure to make a regular appearance on his fireplace.
Kaplan was the proud first recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the "It Factor Live" conference in West Palm Beach, Florida recently.
The industry event - now in its ninth year and dedicated to helping performers market and grow their businesses - attracted around 60 professional entertainers and magicians from across North America.
“I feel pretty honoured. I’ve always felt proud of my accomplishments, but it is nice to be recognized,” Kaplan told the Richmond News.
Kaplan said he thinks the market for live, magician-style entertainers is still strong, despite the age of technology and instant gratification.
“Magic continues to be popular; you can see from the talent shows on TV and the likes of Penn and Teller,” added Kaplan, who is still doing magic camps in the spring and summer, but is now focusing more on teaching magic.
Kaplan is also the author of "Selling The Impossible" and has been providing marketing information and licensed programs to entertainers for approximately 20 years.
His specific area of expertise is in creating, developing, promoting and providing live magic and illusion shows as fundraising events for schools and community organizations since 1980.
