Experience the Magic
Event Dates: Thursday through Saturday, August 8-10, 2019
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
End Time: 9:00 p.m.
Location: Kansas City, MO
Registration
Opens: February 28, 2019 — 5:00 p.m.
Event Fees:
- Adult Registration – $100
- Child Registration (limited to first 100 kids aged 6-12) – $75
- Late Registration (after July 1, 2019) – $125
Travel/Hotel
The 2019 KOC Convention (August 8-10, 2019) is expanding with events at both the Westin Crown Center Hotel and Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.
A limited number of rooms are available at a discounted rate ($175.00/night) for August 6-11 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel as well as ($171.00/night) at the Sheraton. Both hotels, are adjoined via an enclosed walkway. Reserve your room early and mention the 2019 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Convention to receive the discounted rate.
Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center (host hotel)
2345 McGee St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
Reservation line: 1 (866) 932-6214
Hotel: 1 (816) 841-1000
For online reservations: CLICK HERE
Westin Crown Center (host hotel)
1 E. Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
Reservation line: 1 (888) 627-8538
Hotel: (816) 474-4400
Schedule at a Glance
Thursday, August 8, 2019
- 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Sheraton and Westin) – Check In and Registration Bag Pick Up
Before you enjoy any of the magical convention experiences, be sure to check in and pick up your registration bag at either hotel. - 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Sheraton and Westin) — Santa’s Helpers Help Desk
Drop by for help with your questions about the convention, the app and anything else you need. - 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Santa’s Workshop Product Shop
Shop for convention exclusive ornaments, commemorative event product and more! - 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — North Pole Village
Experience the magic at the North Pole Village where you can get Keepsake artist’s signatures, connect with friends, take photos, personalize ornaments and discover more of the Hallmark magic you love.- 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. – Meet and Greet: Gregor Bendetti, the newest Keepsake Artist. Get an insider’s look at his creative process, his up and coming designs, and take away a sampling of his work.
- 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Meet and Greet: Liz Talley, USA TODAY bestselling author. Have your copy of “A Down Home Christmas” signed.
- Vote for the Next Keepsake Ornament – Five concept sketches–Crooning Cowboy by Tom Best, Style Superstar by Nina Aubé, Santa’s Treat Maker by Ken Crow, Christmas Bacon by Sharon Visker, and Snowball and Tux Yoga by Joanne Eschrich–were displayed on different candy dispensers. Attendees “could impact Keepsake history!” by just taking a piece of candy (a star mint) from their top pick and casting a vote for their favorite Keepsake Ornament concept. (Click here to view the results of Digital Dreambook’s own poll of its readers after the convention.)
- 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Artist Signings in North Pole Village
You’ll have the opportunity to get two ornaments signed per artist. View artist groups and signing times below. - Offsite Local Club Dinners
You have an open night to explore Kansas City and enjoy dinner with friends – new and old. Choose from our pre-selected local restaurants who we’ve teamed up with to provide a memorable dining experience. More information to come. - 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Hallmark Channel Movie Night
Join your fellow KOC Convention attendees for a red carpet screening of a Hallmark Channel movie.
Friday, August 9, 2019
- 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Sheraton and Westin) — Santa’s Helpers Help Desk
Drop by for help with your questions about the convention, the app and anything else you need. - 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Santa’s Workshop Product Shop
Shop for convention exclusive ornaments, commemorative event product and more! - 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Sheraton) —North Pole Village
Experience the magic at the North Pole Village where you can get Keepsake artist’s signatures, connect with friends, take photos, personalize ornaments and discover more of the Hallmark magic you love. - 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (Sheraton) — Artist Signings in North Pole Village
You’ll have the opportunity to get two ornaments signed per artist. View artist groups and signing times below. - 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. (Sheraton) — Experience the Magic Special Presentation
All attendees are invited to this special event presentation. Let us take you on an enchanting journey through the making of this year’s magical studio piece, “Experience the Magic North Pole Village”. All attendees will receive an exclusive convention ornament. - 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Artist Signings in North Pole Village
You’ll have the opportunity to get two ornaments signed per artist. View artist groups and signing times below. - 1:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (Westin) — Activity Sessions
Enjoy what interests you. Sign up for Fun and Games, Keepsake Artist Sessions, Crafts and How To’s. See full descriptions below. - 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Westin) — At Your Leisure Activities
Explore these experiences at your own pace.
World of Miniatures – Get inspired on how to go big with your little minis.
Paint Your Own Keepsake Ornament – Relax, unwind and paint your very own Gingerbread House ornament.
Keepsake Lounge – Sit back, get comfy and enjoy Keepsake videos old and new. - 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Winter Wonderland Dinner and Costume Contest
All attendees are invited to take part in this special evening event which will feature a costume contest and runway show with buffet dinner in a magical winter wonderland. - 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Hallmark Channel Movie Night
Join your fellow KOC Convention attendees for a screening of a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie. Feel free to wear your favorite Christmas jammies.
- 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Sheraton and Westin) — Santa’s Helpers Help Desk
Drop by for help with your questions about the convention, the app and anything else you need. - 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Santa’s Workshop Product Shop
Shop for convention exclusive ornaments, commemorative event product and more! - 8:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (Westin) — Activity Sessions
Enjoy what interests you. Sign up for Fun and Games, Keepsake Artist Sessions, Crafts and How To’s. See full descriptions below. - 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Westin) — At Your Leisure Activities
Explore these experiences at your own pace:- World of Miniatures – Get inspired on how to go big with your little minis.
- Paint Your Own Keepsake Ornament – Relax, unwind and paint your very own Gingerbread House ornament.
- Keepsake Lounge – Sit back, get comfy and enjoy Keepsake videos old and new.
- 11:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. — Break and Lunch on Your Own
Enjoy some downtime and grab lunch on your own. - 1:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (Westin) — Activity Sessions
Enjoy what interests you. Sign up for Fun and Games, Keepsake Artist Sessions, Crafts and How To’s. See full descriptions below. - The Magic of Christmas Evening Event
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Reception and Silent Auction (auction gallery)
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Sheraton) — Plated Dinner and Live Auction (auction gallery) - All attendees are invited to come together to celebrate the magic of Christmas and raise money for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. You will have the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind items. Your generous donations will give the gift of Christmas to children in need this holiday season. Feel free to dress in your Christmas best for this festive evening.
Agenda
Artist Signings
We heard you! Instead of long lines before or during the signing experience, you will be assigned a time within your registered session for artist signatures. There will be tables and seating near each signing area.
Artists have been grouped by theme. Sign up for the groups you’re most interested in or sign up for them all!
Signing sessions will take place in the North Pole Village approximately every 20 minutes Thursday, August 8 from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM and Friday, August 9 from 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Exact times will be available on a first come, first served basis during registration.
Artists were divided up into four signing groups:
- Favorite Keepsake Characters — Anita Marra Rogers, Edythe Kegrize, Joanne Eschrich, Nina Aubé, Tom Best
- Magic — Ken Crow, Robert Chad, Sharon Visker, Tracy Larsen
- Memory Making — Debra Nielsen, Matt Johnson, Tammy Haddix, Terri Steiger
- Pop Minded — Jake Angell, Kristina Gaughran, Orville Wilson, Nello Williams, Robert Hurlburt
- Retired Keepsake Artists — Jim Kemme, Katrina Bricker, Ruth Donikowski, Sue Tague
Keepsake Artist Interviews
For the first time ever, enjoy in-person interviews with Keepsake artists Edythe Kegrize, Robert Hurlburt, Joanne Eschrich and Debra Nielsen to hear more from the creators behind your favorite designs. What have you always wanted to know? You will have the ability to submit your questions during registration.
Innovation and Magic
Join the Keepsake Innovation team for a behind the scenes look at the latest technologies and a sneak peek of what’s coming next!
License to Create!
Hear all about what goes into the making of those beloved licensed characters on Keepsake ornaments.
Tom’s “Cigar” Hour
Keepsake artists Tom Best, Nello Williams and Rodney Gentry will be talking shop as they reveal the inspiration behind some of their best beer and hot-rod ornament designs.
These sessions are for kids and junior collectors 6-12 years old. Chaperones are welcome to attend.
Learn to Sculpt with Tammy Haddix
Get ready to try your hand at sculpting with Keepsake Artist Tammy Haddix.
Christmas Crafting
Get creative and make your own Christmas craft with Crayola and Keepsake.
Bingo
B.I.N.G.O. GO! Join the fun and play this fan favorite. New event exclusive Keepsake Ornaments will be given as prizes!
Keepsake Trivia
Come test your Keepsake knowledge. Prizes will include exclusive Keepsake Ornaments and previous year’s ornaments.
Spin It To Win It
Try your luck at spinning the wheel for your chance to win Keepsake Ornaments and gifts! Other surprise giveaways will happen in this session.
Trim Your Home
Maria Provenzano from Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family shares her holiday decorating expertise alongside Keepsake Artist Ken Crow.
Trim Your Tree and More
Get inspired and craft with us! Learn new and clever ways to decorate with and display your Keepsake Ornaments.
The Art of Sculpting
Have you ever wondered how Keepsake artists sculpt the ornaments? You might be surprised. Come experience all the ways to sculpt and show us your craft with Keepsake Artists Kristina Gaughran, Sharon Visker and Anita Marra Rogers.
Pack-It-Up
Expert advice and new ways to think outside-the-box to store your Keepsake Ornaments.
World of Miniatures
Get inspired on how to go big with your little minis.
Paint Your Own Keepsake Ornament
Relax, unwind and paint your very own Gingerbread House ornament.
Sit back, get comfy and enjoy Keepsake videos old and new.
Files
Event Product
Convention Souvenirs:
Hallmark Channel Products:
Event Notes
