Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments 25th Anniversary Celebration

The 1998 Keepsake Ornament Collectors Club Event.

Event Dates: Thurs., Fri. and Sat., August 20-22, 1998

Location: Kansas City, MO

Attendance: About 3,400 Club members from all 50 states and Canada attended the event. A total of 200 Local Clubs were represented.

Registration

Pre-Registration:  The special nature of this celebration requires a determination of event attendance and hotel rooms needed far in advance, therefore, it is necessary for pre-registration by phone (sorry, no mail-ins).  No payment is required during the pre-registration process.  Only those who call to pre-register will be eligible to attend.

To pre-register, you must be a 1997 member of the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Collector’s Club or renew prior to August 15, 1997.

To pre-register call 1-888-796-1810 beginning at 8 a.m. (CDT) August 25, 1997.

Opened:  Pre-registration packets will be mailed first class no later than October 15, 1997.  You must mail in your event registration form, hotel registration form, and payment in full (including $100 hotel deposit) postmarked no later than November 15, 1997.

Event Fees:  $365.00

Agenda

Thursday, August 20, 1998

Welcome Reception

• Introduction of Keepsake Ornament Artists
  (Lynn Wyle, Keepsake Ornament Collectors Club Manager)
• Clara Johnson-Scroggins Welcome
• Mixer Game – Each attendee was given a scratch card. On cue individuals were asked to scratch off the paint on their their ticket to reveal an artist name and then attempt to locate the other individuals with the same artist name.
• Dance

Friday, August 21, 1998

• General Secession and Parade
• Welcoming to Kansas City, MO (Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, Mayor Kansas City, MO)
• Opening remarks (Don Hall, Chairman Hallmark Cards, Inc.)
• Parade featuring dancers, a marching band, costumed characters, floats and Keepsake Ornament artists.
  • Floats:
  • 1973 – Hello, Keepsake Ornaments!
  • 1975 – Handcrafted designs debut
  • 1976 – Baby’s First is born
  • 1977 – Disney designs debut
  • 1979 – Enduring series rolls in
  • 1983 – Clara pens first Hallmark Guide
  • 1984
  • 1986 – New series features Clauses
  • 1987 – KOCC BEGINS
  • 1988 – Miniature Ornaments make big debut
  • 1990 – KOCC recognizes local clubs
  • 1991 – KOCC hosts first convention
  • 1991 – Easter Ornaments add choices
  • 1991 – Non-Christmas ornament flies in
  • 1993 – Personalized Ornaments say it your way
  • 1993 – Showcase Ornaments add style
  • 1993 – Artist create first signature piece
  • 1993 – BARBIE™ ARRIVES
  • 1994 Properties
  • 1995 – ornaments gain popularity
  • 1996 – Series gets special send off
  • 1997 – Clara picks first Collector’s Choice
  • 1997 – DISNEY DESIGNS ARE BACK
  • 1998 – HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KEEPSAKE ORNAMENTS

Overview of Activities

Artist Signings

Artist/Informational Seminars

Product Shop
Purchase ornaments and other product created exclusively for the event.

Photo Contest

Talent Contest
508 members from 72 clubs participated in the Local Club Talent Contest.

25th Anniversary Celebration
Featured a laser show, parade with a marching band and floats representing Keepsakes history. The festivities ended with an indoor fireworks show.

Winter Wonderland Dinner (Saturday Night)
Semi-formal event with orchestra.

Links (Documents / Videos)

• 25th Anniversary Celebration Video
• August 20, 1998 Letter from Don Hall to all Convention attendees (PDF)
• Convention Map: Bartle Hall (PDF)