It was supposed to be a wake but it turned into a celebration. The press and broadcasters did not come much but there were more delegates than ever before and a whole host of new members.
In the conference hall you could hardly get a seat and for the speeches of Nick Clegg and Tim Farron it was standing room only.
I readily admit to being biased about the Bournemouth conference of the Liberal Democrats but even the most sceptical of observers from the least liberal of newspapers acknowledged a remarkable and upbeat atmosphere.
Let’s not get carried away though. To go from more than 50 MPs down to eight leaves a mountain to climb.
But people climb Everest daily so long as they are well prepared, fully committed and professional in their approach.
So must be the Liberal Democrats and the energetic and campaigning new leader Tim Farron. He has begun well.
But once you get home and have left the warm embrace of the conference you have to ask yourself what impact these events have and how long they can survive in their present form.
One week at the seaside in September used to be the only occasion when it was possible to communicate direct to large numbers of party members, larger numbers of sympathisers, and the even greater numbers of the general public.
And yet all parties continue to have these gatherings. The traditional political showcase lingers on when political communication is less and less by newsprint and broadcasting and more and more by electronic means.
Tradition
The traditional conference venues remain: Brighton, Bournemouth, Eastbourne, and (sadly rarely) Blackpool.
They say that you can still see the blood stains on the floor of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool where some of the bitterest battles in the history of the Labour Party were fought!
But fashions change and parties now want buildings specially designed for political events.
And towns and cities such as Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester with custom-built facilities and existing broadcasting links have become regular venues for political conferences.
So why do these places want to encourage party conferences? Simple answer: money.
The Tory and Labour conferences may bring up to 10,000 delegates, partners and sweethearts, broadcasters, exhibitors and lobbying companies to town.
A political conference of such numbers brings a huge benefit to the local economy. In fact it is believed but never confirmed that some local authorities and resorts may offer attractive financial terms to any party which is willing to come, including often the doubtful carrot of a civic reception!
Increasingly, party political conferences are arranged affairs. Conference motions are carefully selected and speakers specially chosen.
The object is to ensure that the leadership is neither defeated nor embarrassed.
Parties in government announce important policy changes in order to sweeten public opinion.
And those outside government are equally active in proposing new policy initiatives that will change the world if only they become the government of the United Kingdom.
Commitment
But there is a reason why party conferences still go on. Delegates love them. They meet other similarly enthusiastic and committed party members. The bars stay open not just late into the night but often into the morning.
Ordinary delegates can buttonhole their political favourites, express their opinions and enjoy the opportunity to do so. These days no politician can refuse permission for a selfie.
There are receptions to be attended often with quite lavish food and drink. And some of the meetings on the fringe of the conference are more stimulating than the proceedings in the auditorium, always with the chance that some party dissident will cause trouble with an indiscreet comment directed at the leadership.
The broadcasters and journalists have to have strong constitutions and strong stomachs.
Some spend a whole month on the road beginning with the TUC and attending three conferences, or in some cases four, with only weekends in between to go home, change and placate their families.
Don’t tell anyone, but the conferences of parties either in government or likely to be so make substantial profits.
Not through the subscriptions of delegates but because of the large sums of money being paid by those who take part in the exhibitions which run parallel to the conference.
You will find stands from business organisations, pressure groups and charities all seeking to influence political thought and particularly the opinion of those who may become ministers. So long as these profits continue there will be party political conferences.
But if the money ever stops the future of these conference will be at risk. The delegates who enjoy them should make the most of the opportunity because it may not last forever.