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Read about the first-ever Collector’s Club convention held in 1991 and all the excitement that went into creating a truly memorable event.

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First-Ever Collector’s Club Convention Set for 1991

The first-ever Hallmark sponsored is only six months away, and Club members are busy planning for what is already being billed as the Keepsake Ornament collectors’ event of 1991.

The two and one half day Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Collector’s Club convention, open only to active Club members, will feature an ornament preview, artists’ signings, workshops and special guest speakers.

The event is set for June 20 to 22 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, near Hallmark’s headquarters in Kansas City.

“The Collector’s Club will be five years old next year,” says Rachel Perkal, manager of the Collector’s Club. “This seemed a good time to hold an event to bring a large number of our members together. We also thought the convention would be a way of letting our members know that we appreciate their loyalty.”

The agenda for the convention was put together after the Club surveyed a number of members about what they would like to see at a Club convention.

“Members from across the country played a big part in determining how this convention would be put together,” Perkal says.

The convention will give members a chance to meet representatives from the Collector’s Club and the Keepsakes department.

Artists and others who work behind the scenes to bring you Keepsake Ornaments will appear at the convention as well.  Many of the Keepsake artists will be on hand to sign the ornaments they designed.

Clara Johnson Scroggins, a leading authority on Keepsake Ornaments and American Christmas ornaments, and many other guest speakers will appear at the event.

“Since this is the Collector’s Club’s first convention,” Perkal says, “we thought it was only appropriate to bring together some of the most important names in collecting Keepsake Ornaments.”

Events being planned for the first full day of the convention include an appearance by a surprise “celebrity” collector. Members who attend will also be among the first to see next year’s Keepsake Ornaments as we unveil the entire 1991 collection.

Members will have an opportunity to browse through displays showing some of Hallmark’s newest products, including collectibles, Merry Miniatures, cookie cutters, lapel pins, and much, much more.

Topics such as how Keepsake Ornaments are made, how to protect your ornament collection, and decorating with Keepsake Ornaments will be discussed by experts and in workshops. Members will also have a chance to ask questions about ornament collecting and Keepsake Ornaments during a special forum discussion on “What Collectors Think.” The forum panel will include members of the Keepsakes staff and representatives from the Club.

In the afternoon, members will be able to get their favorite Keepsake Ornaments signed during an artist autograph session. In addition, Clara Johnson Scroggins will be signing copies of her Keepsake Ornament Collector’s Guide at the special session.

“We want Club members to enjoy themselves, but we also want to give them the opportunity to learn more about Keepsake Ornaments and collecting them. We want the panel groups and other sessions to be as informative and educational as possible,” Perkal says.

Arrangements have been made for members to go on scenic tours of Kansas City on the second day of the convention. There will also be specially guided tours of the Hallmark facilities where Keepsake Ornaments are produced and distributed.  Many of these tours are being arranged just for the convention. The day will end with an old-fashioned “Christmas at Home” banquet with prizes and other exciting surprises from the Collector’s Club.

One of the most important parts of the convention and one of the biggest reasons the Club decided to sponsor it won’t even be on the agenda, according to Perkal. And that’s to give members a chance to get together, meet each other and just get to know one another. The convention will also give members the chance to share stories about how they started collecting Keepsake Ornaments and about the size and contents of their collections.

“We’re really excited about bringing members from all across the country together and giving them the chance to share their interest in Keepsake Ornaments,” Perkal says.

Because of the large number of members who have already expressed an interest in attending the convention and the limited registration for the event, Perkal advises those wishing to attend to sign up as early as possible.

Every active member was mailed an information packet in late October with details on registration. If you did not receive your packet or if you have questions about the convention, contact the Club at 1-816-274-4000.

Reprint of: Collectors Agree: Goin’ To Kansas City
Collector’s Courier: Volume Four, Number Three 1990