Conventions 8/11/09

Other pages with convention information:

The Matchbox Collectors Community Hall 3/7/01
http://www.mboxcommunity.com/ and
Convention and Meeting Notices 3/7/01
http://www.mboxcommunity.com/cgi-local/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID12&conf=DCConfID6

on this page: convention information

Details added as available – if it is not on this page I do not have the answer, so contact the persons listed for each convention
I know, some information is out of date. I generally leave the out of date convention information posted until the next year's information is available as the new information is frequently similar and to document the most recent information.
Diecast Blast 9/24/08
Leipzip "Modell Hobby Spiel" 8/11/09
Matchbox Community Hall 4/6/09
Matchbox-USA 5/20/08
M.I.C.A. European 12/28/02
M.I.C.A. UK 4/10/09
Australian convention 2/16/04
Auckland diecast models, collectors fair, and swapmeet 7/1/07
Midwest Matchbox 8/6/02
Matchbox Toys/Mattel No Hershey Show in 2006. [From the MB Forum e-mail news] 2/26/06 The revitalized Hershey show in will be Labor Day week-end, August 31-September 2 , 2007. [MB USA newsletter, August 2007] 8/30/07
Mattel Hot Wheels 8/31/98 show discontinued
toy shows & others' lists 6/9/04

Diecast Blast 2009 New England toy show 9/24/08

A 3-day diecast collectors weekend featuring Matchbox and other die cast on August 21st, 22nd & 23rd 2009. [MB forum e-mail 9/24/08]

In-room trading Friday & Saturday, August 21 & 22, 2009
Buffet Dinner, Saturday night, August 22, 2009
Grand Toy Show on Sunday, August 23, 2009
Located at Marriott Hotel
Day Hill Road, Windsor, CT
Phone: 1-860-688-7500
call for special room rate.
Sponsor: Interstate Diecast Collectors Group (not affiliated with any other east coast toy show)
- P O Box 274 East Longmeadow
  MA 01028-0274
- For more information contact:
  - Bruce 8am-6pm EST (860) 573-7358
  - Tom 5pm-12pm EST (860) 349-0857
  - Email:<DieCastBlast2009@yahoo.com>
Events – Diecast Charity Auction * In Room Trading * Down Hill Racing * Meet & Greet * Vintage Fire Engine Display * Seminars * More Events are Being finalized Soon!

Leipzip "Modell Hobby Spiel" 8/11/09

Mattel Germany and the MCCD (Matchbox Collectors Club Germany) 8th Annual official Matchbox Party at the "MODELL HOBBY SPIEL" on the new fairground at Leipzig in Germany October 2-4, 2009. http://www.matchboxclub.de/pdf/leipzig_2009_englisch.pdf. The fairground is located close to the A14 motorway, and Leipzig International Airport is only one exit away. Please follow directions for "Messe (-gelände)". Closing date for the reservation of rooms in the hotel NH Messe Leipzig is 8/31/2009 and for the Matchbox Party and stands on the swapmeet is 13/09/2009! Please book your place a.s.a.p. as the number of participants is limited due to the size of the location. The price is €55,00 including the dinner on Saturday as well as a Code 1 Promotional Models of Yesteryear or DINKY or a 1-75 special.

7th Annual Route 66 MCCH International Gathering of Friends Convention 4/6/09

Come meet the Mattel Marketing and Design team. Room trading, racing, auction, dinner, and toy show. July 17, 18 & 19 July, 2009, Albuquerque, NM, Marriott, 2101 Louisiana Blvd. Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Show 7/22 10-3) (T85) (I-40 & Louisiana Blvd.). "Matchbox®, Hot Wheels®, Corgi®, Dinky®, Johnny Lightning®, and all other brands and scales of toy vehicles will be represented." Contact Jim Gallegos for more information, E-mail Matchb0x1@aol.com or call (505) 892-8848 (Jim). [Jim Gallegos, From the MB Forum e-mail news] 3/1/06 4/6/09 [most information below is from prior years]

Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico
When: July 17-19, 2007
Time:
Show 10am – 3pm, Grand Ballroom
Vendor Set up: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., 7/19/09
Early bird rights 9:00am $10 per person
Covered Table Rental: (6’ X 30”) $40
Show Information / Registration forms: available online
http://www.mboxcommunity.com
Admission: $3 over 10 yrs; Early Bird Admission: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. (US $10.00)
Hotel:
Albuquerque Marriott
2101 Louisiana Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Reservations 505-881-6800 or 800-228-9290
Show Model: TBA
Dinner model: The 1st 75 paid dinner reservations will receive a special Early Bird (1 of 75 piece run) Dinner Model. All others will receive a 1 of 125 piece run Dinner Model. Both are Code 1, 100% Factory Produced models.
Mattel again sponsors this event with 4 unique Code 1 miniature models in very limited quantaties. This event is nearly sold out on both dinner spaces as well as dealer spaces. [e-mail news 5/18/09]
Auction: 7:00-9:00 p.m. following dinner in Pecos Ballroom. Auction Preview: Noon-5:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00-7:00 p.m., Sandia Ball Room, Pre register only. Deadline for pre-paid dinner registration is July 14. Call 505-892-8848. limited reservations.
In-Room Trading: Friday 8:30am until ???; Saturday 10:00am until ???
Downhill Racing: Main Ballroom throughout the day Sunday
Registration form
Schedule
Mattel Presentation: TBD
Email Matchb0x1@aol.com or
call 505-892-8848 (Jim Gallegos)

Matchbox-USA 5/20/08

"The 27th Annual Matchbox USA Convention & Toy Show will be held in the same location as last year … Durham Fairgrounds, Rt. 17, Durham, CT. Convention Sat. Night June 7th, 2008. Toy Show Sunday June 8th 9AM-2PM with dealer setup on the 7th 12 noon to 5PM. More details to follow!!!" 3/3/08

Grant Chapman at Mattel announced the decision to deny support for an east coast toy show in 2007. [MB Forum e-mail] 3/3/07 "The brand wants to support as many conventions as humanly possible. Unfortunately, for 2007, there are no funds left in the budget to afford any support for any convention above and beyond the New Mexico convention. This decision is not meant as a slight, or abandoning of our East Coast supporters, or a personal decision. It is the most unfortunate of decisions, a business one. 2008 is an entirely different story. Our plan is to offer support to both an East and West Coast convention, and equally support them: financially/personnel attendance/collector cars/ etc." [MB Forum e-mail] 3/7/07

Charlie Mack & Matchbox USA on line at http://www.CharlieMackOnline.com/ 7/19/01

dealer info & regular updates: http://www.CharlieMackOnline.com/
date: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, June 6–7–8, 2008
place: Commercial Exhibits Building, Main Street, Durham, Connecticut
hotel: none in Durham, located about 6 to 10 miles away 2/16/06
- Fairfield Inn at the Marriott
  exit 15 off I-91, Rt. 68, Wallingford
  telephone (203) 284-0001
- Courtyard at the Marriott
  exit 15 off I-91, Rt. 68
  telephone (203) 284-0247
- Sheraton Inn
  off Research Parkway, Meriden
  telephone (203) 238-2380
rates: $TBA +12% tax
check-in after TBA; check out is TBA. make reservations by May 31, 2008
Museum open house Friday, June 6, noon-5:00pm. A specially designed Lexus will be given to those attending 5/20/08
Tom Wiczkowicz superfast collection will be available for viewing approximately 6 miles from the museum 5/20/08
show: Sunday, June 8, 2008, 9:00am to 2:00pm Gen adm $5; children under 12 free; 7am adm $__
Pre-show set-up Dealer set-up Noon to 5:00pm Saturday, June 7, 2008, and 7:00am Sunday, June 8, 2008; non-dealers/collectors $5 admission during dealer set-up.
dinner model: TBA
other models: TBA
dinner: Limited to 100 [2007]. 5:30pm Saturday, June 7, 2008, evening. $35/person, children $10. Includes door prizes and model.
show models: TBA
sales tax registration: Contact Charlie who has license registration forms. There is a one time $50 fee [information from prior years].
show table: 8 foot tables: $65 [2008], only 60 available [2006]; contact Charlie Mack for information (860) 349-1655, FAX (860) 349-3256
In-room trading TBA
Auction: TBA
return convention reservations by May 31, 2008 ,
- with the following information:
  names of member & guest
- to:
  Matchbox-USA
  62 Saw Mill Rd
  Durham, CT 06422
  mtchbox@aol.com
http://www.charliemackonline.com for dealer info & regular updates
road race: TBA
Directions 2/16/06
- to convention from: I-91 South – take exit 15 and turn left (for hotels turn right and then the motels are both right at the exit across from each other)
- to convention from: I-91 North – take exit 15 and turn right (for hotels turn left and then the motels are both right at the exit across from each other)
  - You are now at Rt. 68
  - follow Rt. 68 past all lights and approximately 1 mile to a STOP SIGN
  - turn LEFT and follow past the QUARRY and RAILROAD TRACKS
  - then continue on approximately 5-7 miles to the end of Rt. 17 where there is a LIGHT
  - turn RIGHT onto Main Street / Rt. 17 and follow approximately 1/2 mile to the FAIRGROUNDS on the right
  - follow signs and entry road to Commercial Exhibit Building
- Museum Directions: follow the same route to the STOP SIGN
  - take a LEFT and follow the road past the QUARRY and RAILROAD TRACKS
  - follow the road for approximately 2-3 miles
  - count 3 immediate right hand turns and take the THIRD RIGHT on OLD WALLINGTON RD.
  - follow Old Wallington 1/4 mile to a STOP SIGN
  - take a RIGHT and follow the road 1 mile to a 4-way intersection and stop sign
  - go STRAIGHT onto SAW MILL ROAD
  - follow 1/4 mile to #62 Saw Mill Road on the left, a brown house with detached garage

M.I.C.A. 25th UK Convention 4/10/09

"Last time we announced the date and location of the 25th and final Convention: Friday 26th & Saturday 27th March 2010 in Harrogate, Yorkshire. Our event follows a few days after the auctioning of The Horace Dunkley Models of Yesteryear Collection by the Vectis organisation in Stockton-on-Tees; so another good reason to make the trip in 2010. Full details and a booking form will be available with the next E-magazine that is due in early April." [2/4/09 E-mail from MICA] [2004 information remains below until updated]

MICA convention page http://www.matchboxclub.com/acatalog/kk.html 9/16/07
date: Saturday 4th April 2009
place: Newport, South Wales (near Cardiff)
guest of honor: [TBA]
double ticket £68; [£36 single] includes: Saturday day activities; talks; free models; dinner & evening's auction & programme, reaffles & the Sunday show
Hotel:
Hilton Hotel, Newport near Cardiff in South Wales
Tel: 00 44 (0) 1225 463 411
FAX: [tbd]
e-mail: Bethan.Hughes@hilton.com or Yan.Na@hilton.com
"This lovely hotel has all the modern amenities expected by conventioneers such as
swimming pool and leisure club, tea making facilities, hairdryer, satellite television
etc. The hotel has a safe car park for which there is a daily charge of £3.00."
rate: [MICA] agreed the following weekend rates – £41 per person based on two sharing a room (£82 per room). This rate includes a full breakfast. So once again great value (£6 per room less than the 2008 Convention) especially if you can make a long weekend of it! The normal rates would vary between £100 and £140 per room. For single occupancy the room rate is £72.
Please reserve your bedroom (s) by contacting GROUP RESERVATIONS on
00 44 (0) 1225 463 411 quoting “Matchbox Club 24” OR
e-mail: Bethan.Hughes@hilton.com or Yan.Na@hilton.com and quote “MATCHBOX CLUB 24”, by 15 March 2008
"please download the booking form and mail it or fax it back to The Matchbox Club. PO Box 120, Deeside, Chester CH5 3HE (fax 00 44 1244 539414)". The Convention booking form is available to members when they log into the members' section. Checks / credit cards will be charged on March 1, 2009.
Credit cards will be charged on [tbd]
cancellation policy: Cancellation 2 to 31 March – 75% refund; 1 April to 9 April – 30% refund. Thereafter there will be no refund.
If you require special facilities please ask. If you intend trading from your bedroom, then please ask the receptionist to allocate you a room on the same floor as other traders. Conventioneers will pay for their own rooms at the time of checking out. [prior press release information]
If you intend exhibiting your Matchbox collection or trading from your room, please denote this on your MICA Convention booking form & MICA will try to keep you on the same floor. [prior press release information]
Ring MICA if there is a problem or for details
01 244 346297, or
FAX 01 244 340437
local attractions: [tbd]
dinner: Saturday – a choice of main courses on the booking form, question on booking form if vegetarian meals or special dietary requirements. [prior press release information]
convention model: For those who book their places at the 24th Matchbox Convention by 1st October 2008 and who attend the dinner on 12 [sic] April 2009 will be entitled to a FREE dinner model.
golf tournament: there will be a game of golf on Friday for the annual MICA Golf trophy.
organizer [TBA]
stalls Potential stallholders are asked to ring [TBA]. Please quote 'MICA Convention' when booking your table(s). [prior press release information]
admission charge payable to [TBA], which is independent of MICA.
in room trading is anticipated starting late Friday afternoon. [prior press release information]
schedule: There will be an interesting programme on Matchbox on the Saturday afternoon and an evening auction. There will also be ‘leisure time’ slots so that you and your party can enjoy the city centre of Cardiff some 15 miles away. We will hire a private coach [£4.00 per person], if there is demand, leaving the hotel at 11 am and returning at 4.00 pm. Cardiff is now one of the great European cities and at the time of writing one of its most popular tours/exhibitions is Dr Who and Torchwood! The city centre has great shops and plenty of tourist attractions.
Full details from: MICA UK
13A Lower Bridge Street
Chester, CH1, IRS
M. Quayle <mo@matchboxclub.com>
- 01244 346297
- FAX 01244 340437

M.I.C.A. 11th European Convention

per Kevin McGimpsey e-mail dated 5/28/03 "as you will read in [MICA Newsletter] 19#1 the 11th Euro Convention has been cancelled" 5/29/03

7th Australian Convention 4/26/99 2/16/04

[information from vol. 5 No. 19, February/March 2004 MICA newsletter]

date: Saturday, March 27, 2004
venue: Novatel Brighton Beach, Sydney, Australia
convention ticket: $100/person
auction/dinner: [no information]
convention model: [no information]
convention gift set: [no information]
swapmeet/in room trading: [no information]
contact for convention kit: (hotel brochure:, booking form, details)
Elaine Winkworth
MICA Australia
P.O. Box 26
Winston Hills
NSW 2153
Australia
telephone: (02) 8824 8570 2/16/04
FAX: (02) 8824 8579 2/16/04

Auckland diecast models, collectors fair, & swapmeet 7/1/07
[MICA "new" web site classified ads]

date:Saturday 6th October 2007, 11.00 am till 3.00 pm
venue: Akoranga, Y.M.C.A. Hall, Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland, New Zealand
convention ticket: adults $5.00.
This will be New Zealand's biggest swapmeet-collectors fair for diecast models and old toys etc enq.
contact: Graeme A Humphrey (64) (9) 480 9117
email: graemeh@infogen.net.nz

Midwest Matchbox Convention 8/6/02

[information from Midwest Diecast Miniatures web site]

http://www.mdcmonline.com/ 7/5/00
http://www.mdcmonline.com/mrmc.html 7/5/00
for more information on the convention & hotel reservations, visit [Midwest Matchbox]
contact:
Tom Sarlitto
335 E. Geneva Rd., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188
(630) 681-2101
e-mail: jstmtchbx@aol.com
date: Fri., Sat., & Sun., October 4,5,6, 2002
place: Carol Stream, Illinois
hotel:
Carol Stream Holiday Inn
Gary Ave. and North Ave.
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188
- rates: $79.00 Standard Room/$99.00 2 Room Suite, per night
- Phone Reservations: 800-800-6509
- You Must Mention Midwest Regional Matchbox Convention
show: Sunday October 6, 2002, 8:00AM – 2:00PM
admission:
tables: $20.00 before $30.00 after 9/1/02 per 8 foot table
Sponsors: Illinois Matchbox Club, Midwest Diecast Miniatures & Matchbox USA. Other clubs invited to participate.
Convention Promoters: Mike & Tom Sarlitto, Midwest Die-Cast Miniatures
in room trading:
Dinner:
Convention Schedule of Events: [preliminary]
- Friday October 4th:
  - 3pm-9pm – Registration
  - 3pm-Whenever – In Room Trading
- Saturday October 5th:
  - 8am-11am – Registration
  - 8:00am-Whenever – In Room Trading
  - 9am-4pm – Silent Auction – winners announced between 5pm and 6pm. 100 plus auction lots will be displayed, hourly door prizes. All convention attendees will receive an auction number at registration.
  - 1pm – Day at the Races – Bring your best & fastest Modified & Stock Matchbox & compete for a trophy & prizes. (this event time is tentative)
  - 7pm – Matchbox Meeting Reception. guest speakers, question & answer session, Illinois Matchbox Club mini meeting, FREE Matchbox giveaways & door prizes, special desert treats, coffee,tea &cash bar.
- Sunday October 6th:
  - 8am-2pm – Sunday Toy Show – vendors setup with an array of diecast models & a special area for Matchbox Clubs
Convention Tickets $20.00 before & $25.00 after 9/1/02
Checks and Money Orders ONLY will be Accepted
Please include the name of each attendee, address & telephone number with your payment to:
Midwest Diecast Miniatures
335 E. Geneva Rd.
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188
convention registration: jstmtchbx@aol.com

Matchbox Toys/Mattel Annual Mattel International Matchbox Toy Show 2/26/06

The revitalized Hershey show will be Labor Day week-end, August 31-September 2 , 2007. [MB USA newsletter, August 2007] 8/30/07

The Hershey Toy Show for 2006 is a victim of the corporate-wide budget cuts … There will be No Hershey Show in 2006. [From the MB Forum e-mail news] 2/26/06
"With Hershey still up in the air on a decision, [the Matchbox USA convention] could be the only ease coast convention to attend [in 2006]." [information from Charlie's editorial page in the Matchbox USA Newsletter December, 2005] 1/18/06
"The date is looking at being sometime in September this year, although a location has not been secured." [MICA newsletter February-March 2006] 2/13/06
3/16/05 [John Yanouzas, Matchbox Forum e-mail]

date: Saturday July 9, 2005, 9:00am-5:00om, & Sunday July 10, 2005, 9:00am-12:00pm
place:
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center
West Chocolate Avenue & University Drive
Hershey PA 17033-0446
(717) 533-3311
hotel: none specified
dinner: none announced
show: Saturday July 9, 2005, 9:00am-5:00om, & Sunday July 10, 2005, 9:00am-12:00pm
admission: free
model: 2 special toy show models for sale dedicated to the 2005 Hershey Toy Show, the Plymouth Cuda in purple with white interior and chrome base and “MATCHBOX TOY SHOW/ July 9th & 10th, 2005/HERSHEY, PA” tampo, and to introduce the comeback of Super Kings a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 in lime green and yellow interior and gray base ”MATCHBOX TOY SHOW/ July 9th & 10th, 2005/HERSHEY, PA” tampo. The dinner model will be a Superfast model, a London Taxi in black, beige interior and chrome base with the Union Jack on the roof. The tampo reads: “MATCHBOX TOY SHOW/ July 9th & 10th, 2005/HERSHEY, PA”. The Jeep Hurricane will be just an additional vehicle for purchase (not a toy show model). [model description updated from MB Forum e-newsletter July-august 2005] 8/3/05
contact:
Pascale Gervais
Freeman Public Relations
973-470-0400 ext 20
pgervais@freemanpr.com

Toy Shows:

others' lists of shows:

Matchbox Forum news page [page down] 3/6/01
http://www.charliemackonline.com/ 12/23/01
Bay Area Matchbox Collectors' meeting & California toy show list 6/2/99
http://www.bamca.org/calendar.html
Mr. Bill's toy show list 3/13/98 9/10/98
http://www.collectible-info.com/shows/index.htm
Current Schedule of Toy Fairs and Swap Meets in the UK 3/7/01
http://www.diecast-collector.com/swapmeet.htm

shows:

Illinois Matchbox Club meeting & swap meet