Member Exclusive Offer: KOC Flash Sale
Hallmark made too many 2018 Songs of the Season sets! So for 3 days only, they’re offering these 6-piece ornament sets exclusively to KOC members at a special price $39.99 USA (regularly $99.99 USA) –that’s 60% off! This sale is online only and ends at 11:59 p.mp CT on Tuesday, August 6. But don’t wait long – supplies are limited.
Songs of the Season
ORDER NOW
Available on Hallmark.com
2019 KOC Convention: Experience the Magic (UPDATE)
This “1 Week Countdown! Important Updates and Reminders” email was just sent to all KOC Convention Attendees.
Dear KOC Member,
This time next week, we’ll be experiencing the magic of the 2019 Keepsake Ornament Club Convention in Kansas City! We have been waiting all year to see you and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
As we get closer, we want to share a few additional updates and reminders to help you plan. This email is long, but it’s packed with lots of helpful information designed to create a truly meaningful and memorable experience, so please read it all the way through. You’ll also find the latest information posted on the event app and website.
First, let’s get you checked in!
If you’re planning to arrive on Thursday at the start of the convention, feel free to check in at either convention hotel no matter where you’ve booked your stay. Convention checkin and registration bag pickup is available at both the Westin and Sheraton Crown Center hotels on Thursday, August 8. At the Westin, look for the Washington Park Place room on the Lobby level (left of main entrance). At the Sheraton, look for the Empire room on the Mezzanine level (3rd floor near connection to The Link walkway). If you’re planning to arrive after Thursday, you’ll find registration in the Sheraton lobby only at the Santa’s Helper Help Desk.
Remember to have your ID ready.
Wherever you choose to check in, you’ll be asked to confirm your information so please remember to bring a photo ID and be sure that the information on your ID matches the information on your registration. As always, we can only release one badge and bag per person and each registrant, including children, must be present and checked in to receive them. While children are required to be there to pick up their name badge and registration bag, they are not required to show ID.
Get excited for more time with Keepsake Artists!
The Artists are more involved in this year’s event than ever so we have made big changes to this year’s Artist Signing experience. The changes give you more time with your favorite Artists by allowing them to join you for Activity Sessions on Friday and Saturday. You will also see many of them in volunteer roles during this time and during the evening dinners. What does this mean for you?
- More time to chat and interact with the Artists! If you see them at Activity Sessions or throughout the event, say hello! As long as they are not taking a break, they would love to meet you!
- Your assigned Artist Signing sessions are still your one place to receive Artist signatures. Please do not request Artist signatures outside of these times as they are only allowed to sign during scheduled signing sessions.
- Artist Signing lines will move quickly! Our schedule is a bit more compact this year so we will need to move quickly to get everyone through the line and remain on schedule, with Artist Signings occurring every 20 minutes in North Pole Village. We hope you understand and appreciate your cooperation in advance.
What else can you expect for this year’s Artist Signings?
There are five Artist Signing locations throughout North Pole Village. You’ll be able to identify them on the map inside the Event Pocket Guide that you pick up at registration or on the event app.
There will be a limited number of tables and chairs outside the stanchion lines at each signing location. You may arrive up to 20 minutes before your assigned signing time so please find a seat, relax, prepare your ornaments and chat with family and friends. If all seats are taken, feel free to gather around the table area to prepare for your signing.
Ten minutes prior to your Artist Signing start time, we will use table icons and a random draw to determine the lineup order for the session. This means you don’t have to arrive more than 20 minutes early for your timeslot as the order will be determined for you.
Five minutes prior to your start time, line managers will scan each badge to verify registration and will send each table grouping to a specific line. Each line will be released one after the other for signatures.
This year, we’ve assigned volunteer assistants to help you through the line. They will meet you at the front of the line and be there to help if you need support holding anything as you move through the line.
REMEMBER: We can only allow two signatures per Artist. This rule applies regardless of what is being signed. For instance, one ornament and one box signing counts as two signatures. Two ornaments in one box also counts as two signatures. Please plan ahead and be mindful of this rule to help ensure that everyone is able to get the signatures they’re hoping for.
Don’t worry if you have back-to-back signings or arrive a few minutes late from another activity. As long as you arrive within your assigned 20-minute session, we will work you into the back of that session’s line. Just be sure to let the line manager know when you have arrived. Unfortunately, we cannot bump you to another session, so arriving during your assigned time slot is critical.
Making your way between hotels
We have structured the agenda to limit the amount of travel required between hotels but you will have plenty of options when necessary.
- Shuttle service. We are pleased to provide regular shuttle service between the Westin and Sheraton Crown Center hotels throughout the convention. There are two available stops at the Sheraton – the first drops you at the lobby and the second drops you at an entrance closer to North Pole Village. Be sure to tell your shuttle driver which door you prefer. Additionally, for those who need help transporting scooters or wheelchairs, ADA compliant mini-vans are available. All transportation vehicles will operate on a continuous first come, first served basis.
- Indoor walk through The Link. Many people consider The Link (an elevated pedestrian walkway) to be the fastest connection between the Westin and Sheraton Crown Center hotels. Once onsite, you’ll find ample signage and our team, as well as hotel staff, will happily guide you there.
- Outdoor walk through Crown Center Complex. If you prefer to walk outdoors, the hotels are separated by a short 3-block walk within the beautiful Crown Center Complex.
As a reminder, airport transportation to and from the hotels, and to and from Club Dinners, is on your own but we’re happy to help with suggestions once onsite.
View dinner menus and make changes to your agenda
To help prepare your tastebuds, we’ve added a sneak peak of this year’s dinner menus. Click here to view them. And if you’d still like to view or make changes to your personal agenda (perhaps, you’d like to add an activity session), you can so on the registration website or on the event app.
Getting help onsite
No matter the situation, we’re here to help. If you have convention related questions, comments or concerns while onsite, you’ll have several ways to find help. In addition to our volunteers . . .
- Santa’s Helpers Help Desk will be a stationary resource Thursday – Saturday in both hotels. Check the event app for daily times and locations.
- Mobile Help Elves will travel by “sleigh” between hotels to answer your questions on the go.
- KOC Convention Team Members, dressed in white volunteer t-shirts, will be happy to assist.
- Use the app! Stay plugged in to the event app for realtime updates, reminders and notifications.
In case of emergency
If you experience a medical or safety emergency while onsite, pick up the nearest land line phone at either hotel and dial 3. State your emergency and hotel operators will immediately contact 911 and dispatch appropriate help. Land line phones are available throughout both hotels and inside every guest room. The hotels also have onsite First Life Safety teams certified in CPR.
That’s all for now. We hope you feel our excitement because we can’t wait for you to experience the memories, magic and moments of the 2019 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Convention! Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help before next week. We’ll see you soon!
Sincerely,
KOC Convention Team
For questions, call 1-800-Hallmark. Specially trained KOC Care Agents are available 7 days a week to help.
We can’t wait to see you!
2019 KOC Convention: Condolences for Hallmark Keepsake Family
This email went out earlier to all those that are registered for the Convention.
Dear KOC Member,
As excited as we are for next week’s convention, our hearts are heavy for the family of beloved Hallmark Artist, Steve Goslin, who passed away last week. This, of course, includes his wife and fellow Keepsake Artist, Deb Nielsen.
Despite her tremendous loss, Deb is determined to join us for next week’s artist signings and interview segments. As you can imagine, we expect this to be both a difficult and therapeutic process for her so we are thrilled that you will be there to help show how much we all care.
That said, in an effort to respect Deb’s privacy and help lift spirits, we ask that you refrain from sharing deep condolences during the artist signing. This will also help ensure that everyone who wants to has a chance to connect with Deb.
She will need our thoughts and prayers for the long road ahead, so there will be a card sending collection box located inside North Pole Village, at the Cards and Crafts station, where you’ll be encouraged to drop sympathy cards for Deb and her family.
Thank you for your understanding and for your expressions of care and concern. Keep an eye out for additional updates and reminders via email in preparation for next week.
Sincerely,
KOC Convention Team
For questions, call 1-800-Hallmark. Specially trained KOC Care Agents are available 7 days a week to help.
2019 KOC Convention: Experience the Magic (UPDATE)
This email was just sent to all KOC Convention Attendees.
Dear KOC Member,
We are less than two weeks away from the 2019 Keepsake Ornament Convention and we can’t wait for you to Experience the Magic! We’re excited to share a few updates that we hope will help as you begin to finalize your plans. Most of this information is also on the website and event app so remember to log in for updates as we draw even closer to convention.
Registration, Reservations and Sign Ups
- Conference registration deadline: More is definitely merrier but the conference registration window is closing soon — July 31. Remind friends and family members that it’s their last chance to join you!
- Mobility rentals: As a reminder, scooter and wheelchair rentals are available through Chuck’s Mobility on a first come, first served basis and must be reserved before the convention. Click here to complete the rental reservation form and insert “KOC” to indicate the venue.
- Activity Session sign-ups: You’ll be excited to know that we have additional spots available in some of the activity sessions and that restrictions of signing up for each session just once have been lifted! If you like, you can modify your registration online or on the app to add activity sessions until the sessions reach capacity. As a reminder, artist signings sessions are still limited to one per artist grouping per attendee.
Preparation
To create your own personal agenda, we recommend using the documents below to fill in the sessions and times you’ve registered for. You can also print your personal agenda by logging into the event website.
- Click here to download and print the convention agenda at a glance.
- Click here to download and print a blank activity session schedule.
- Click here to download a blank artist signing schedule.
Event Experience Updates
- Meet and Greets: We’re excited to announce that Ken Wingard will co-host the Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” Trim Your Home activity session with Maria Provenzano. He will also join Maria for a Meet & Greet in North Pole Village Thursday, August 8 from 6 – 7 p.m. Join us and get your picture taken with the stars of the Daytime Emmy Award nominated “Home & Family.” Check the event app and website for additional Meet and Greet opportunities throughout the day on Thursday.
- Ken’s Graduation: You’ll also have a chance to say “goodbye” to Master Artist Ken Crow and help give him a proper retirement send off by sending him a Hallmark card at the Cards and Crafts station inside North Pole Village. While your time with Ken during your Artist Signing will be short, you will see more of Ken throughout the entire event – at Friday morning’s Experience the Magic Special Presentation, at both evening events and in the Saturday’s Keepsake Artist Interview sessions.
- Magic of Christmas Evening Event: We look forward to seeing you at the Magic of Christmas Saturday evening event where, together, we will help give the gift of Christmas to children who need it most. Silent and live auction proceeds will benefit the Kansas City area Boys & Girls Clubs of America, giving each child a $100 Christmas gift card! Click here for a preview of available auction items and prepare your bids!
Product and Product Shop Updates
- Online order deadline: Hurry! The option to purchase product online and receive a $15 Hallmark Gold Crown gift card when you pick your product up will close at 11:59 p.m. CST July 31. Can’t purchase that soon? No worries. You will still have an opportunity to purchase onsite in Santa’s Workshop Product Shop starting August 8 at 9:00 a.m.
- The Artist Studio Piece: This year’s studio piece, “The Magic of Christmas North Pole Village,” has been pre-signed by all your favorite artists who contributed to the design, and it’s available for pre-purchase or onsite at Santa’s Workshop Product Shop. Check out this video to see the artists signing this one-of-a-kind ornament.
- This year Santa has reorganized his workshop and you can expect: Lots of volunteers helping you get to the right place inside the product shop.
- An easy pick up line for pre-purchased orders including pre-purchased Mystery Bags and t-shirts.
- All product for sale will be on display in the center of the room for you to check out. Make sure to take a look at all of the new convention products and souvenirs we’ve added this year!
- If you decide to purchase product you love, you will pick up an order form, check the items you’d like to purchase and hop into our product shop purchase line, where your badge will be scanned and your order will be fulfilled.
- Shipping and Returns can also be found in this space.
- The Mickey’s Dognapper ornament is back in short supply: If you are among the attendees who were not able to purchase this ornament during your registration, you may have an opportunity to do so onsite on a first come, first served basis. Starting Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. in the product shop, we will offer one Dognapper ornament per registrant for purchase while supplies last. There will be a separate line for this purchase, and we will be scanning badges to ensure only attendees who have not yet purchased the item will have the opportunity to buy.
- Exclusive ornament restrictions lifted Saturday morning: We know when it comes to Hallmark Keepsake ornaments, one is never enough, so we will lift the one ornament per person restriction Saturday at 8:00 a.m. in Santa’s Workshop Product Shop. Saturday only you’ll be able to purchase up to five of each exclusive ornaments each time you get in line as while supplies last.
We hope this email helps you plan your convention experience. Look for more information heading your way soon.
Sincerely,
KOC Convention Team
For questions, call 1-800-Hallmark. Specially trained KOC Care Agents are available 7 days a week to help.
We can’t wait to see you!
2019 KOC Convention: Experience the Magic Convention App is Here!
This email was recently sent to all KOC Convention Attendees.
Dear KOC Member,
We are so excited to share the new KOC Convention app with you!
Now available for download on both iOS and Android smart phones, the KOC Convention app delivers a unique digital experience, helping you keep track of event information and placing the latest updates in the palm of your hand.
KOC Convention app
With the KOC Convention app, you can:
- Access the general event agenda and view your personal schedule. If you wish to update your personal schedule, please visit the website prior to the convention or Santa’s Helpers Help Desk onsite.
- Locate events and activity sessions with interactive maps.
- Learn about general convention information, the North Pole Village, Product Shop, Evening Events and more.
- Receive event announcements and news.
- Play a photo scavenger hunt game beginning Thursday, August 8, at 8:00 a.m. and receive a prize for completing.
- Connect and share with fellow attendees.
Step 1: Download the App
The first thing you’ll need to do is download the app on the device you’re bringing to the event.
Don’t have iOS or Android? Skip Step 1. You can access the same content on the desktop version.
Step 2: Log Into the App!
Once downloaded, open the KOC Convention app and click open next to “2019 KOC Convention”. To log into the app, enter your first and last name. A verification code will be sent to the email address that you used to register for the convention. Enter the code to complete your login and begin using the app!
You do not have to log in to use the app. However, logging in is the only way to see your personal schedule, play the game, post in the activity feed or share messages with fellow attendees. Click here for a how-to PDF. And if you have trouble with the app onsite, our elves at Santa’s Helpers Help Desk will be there to help.
We can’t wait for you to give it a try!
Sincerely,
KOC Convention Team