The theory used to run that the SDLP was the only party around that was working to ensure, not its survival, but its own demise. By achieving some sort of equitable settlement, the idea ran, the party faithful would go their own ways and split into left and right, nationalist old-timers and trendy types. That, allied with the electoral threat from Sinn FΘin, would see them off.
If that is indeed so, then nobody told this gathering at the weekend. It used to be that the most expensive vehicles outside SDLP conference venues belonged to visiting dignitaries from Dublin or the RUC. This time, the big cars belong to the SDLP Ministers, delegates and supporters inside. Gone are the days when spirited Dublin hacks went North for the weekend to see politics in the wilderness.
Delegates were united on the celebratory nature of the proceedings and the farewell to the departing leadership.
There was also unanimous support for the new leader. All agreed he was the right man for the job, although some thought other candidates should have gone forward, leading to an election.
Few held doubts that the job of reinventing the SDLP under a new leadership would be substantial and that the time Mark Durkan had to reconstruct a new-look party in his own image was limited.
Paddy O'Hanlon, a founder member of the party, stressed the need for the party to move on with the new generation led by Mark Durkan and lamented the tendency of the departing leadership "to eat their young", as he put it.
While praising 20 years of political leadership from Mr Hume and Mr Mallon, he felt the SDLP had become "a series of mini fiefdoms, not unlike the old Nationalist Party".
Better organisation and clearer distinctions between the SDLP and Sinn FΘin were essential.
"Inclusiveness, true republicanism, social democracy, employment and fighting sectarianism are the ways forward."
Ben Caraher from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh thought the events were "more of ceremony than a conference" although he conceded this was appropriate.
He said Mr Durkan had to initiate change "and face up to the problems of the SDLP".
"He has one year in which to do it," Mr Caraher said. "And he must motivate others in the party to organise."
Admitting that Mr Hume had been "poor on organisation", he said the new leader had to reinvent the SDLP and give it a new sense of direction.
"The big task is to differentiate between us and Sinn FΘin," he said. "Sinn FΘin is seeking an outright victory, politically and culturally, over unionism. What we must do is work for an Ireland in which everyone feels at home. Everyone must have ownership of and partnership in the new political structures." He concluded that Mr Durkan "certainly has the intellectual capacity to do it."
Patsy McGlone, a member of Cookstown council in Co Tyrone, said the next 18 months would be vital for the party and its new leader. The party should concentrate on issues "related to people's lives, such as the economy, social and health problems". He said the SDLP could prove itself to be more "realistic" than Sinn FΘin.
Jim Lennon, who was defeated in the election for chairman at last year's conference, singled out the speech by the Secretary of State, Dr John Reid, as "brilliant", adding that Mr Hume's speech had again been "strong on the vision thing". He was encouraged by what he called "the raft of young ones here" and he said younger members could now see there were opportunities in politics and they would take them.
He reckoned Mr Durkan would have a straightforward run at the leadership until the next election - probably in 18 months. "But it has to be done right".
He saw in his new leader "an organisation man" who could prepare them for the next electoral battle. "We need a neatly packaged product," he said. He applauded Mr Hume and Mr Mallon for going at the same time saying it "sends out the right signals to the next generation", adding: "They are starting to see that politics pays."
Carmel Hanna, a South Belfast Assembly member, said the conference celebrations were "a fitting tribute" to the retiring leadership. She drew confidence from the fact that the party was looking "for a change from the civil-rights movement generation".
The sense of energy at the conference was "indisputable".