The 2016 RIMS conference closed with a special keynote from famed comedian and actor Martin Short. Accompanied by keyboardist Jeff Babko of Cleto and the Cletones, the house band on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Short entertained attendees with his one-man show, ending the conference on an upbeat note and with anticipation for next year's conference.

Mary Roth, executive director of RIMS, and Julie Pemberton, president of the society, preceded Short on stage to wrap up the conference with some closing words and society updates.

Roth and Pemberton were followed by a presentation from the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau showcasing the many attractions attendees can look forward to in the city during next year's convention. The presentation even included a live performance to the tune of Philadelphia native Will Smith's "Yo Home to Bel-Air" (commonly known as the theme song to the hit '90s TV show "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air").

After the RIMS 2017 preview, Short took the stage and thanked the audience for the "sitting ovation" he received. His set included jokes about his father and what it's like to work in show business.

Short recreated his most popular characters for the RIMS audience. At one point, Short brought RIMS members up on stage to join him as his "three Amigos." Later on, he dressed as his Jiminy Glick character and interviewed RIMS Secretary and Director Steven Pottle. At the end of his keynote, Short received a standing ovation from attendees.

See you next year in Philadelphia!

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