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2008 NATIONAL  BARBIE CONVENTION
KANSAS CITY, MO
UPDATED 06/19/08
 
Convention Room Shoppers!
 
 
LEFT: Annual Pam & Sandi pic!
RIGHT: Pat stopping by to say "Hello!"
 
 
LEFT: Duane, Sandi & Jef - my favorite buddies!
RIGHT: Dorinda & Sandi!
 
 
LEFT: Nancy, Sandi & my best bud, Lisa!
RIGHT: Robin & Sandi prior to my Barbie Presentation Program.
 
 
LEFT: Jef & Sandi - Reception time!
RIGHT: Leaving for first welcome greet and meet!
 
 
LEFT: Robert Best & Sandi cheesin' for the camera!
RIGHT: Bill Greening & Sandi!
 
 
Bravo Channel was there filming/interviewing for "Iconic" show which will include Barbie.
 
 
Competition Room Contenders!!
 
 
 
 
 
Competition Room - Spectacular entries!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incredible table gift from Jack & Bob!
 
 
 
LEFT: Jef, Sandi, Nancy & Lisa w/ a gold Barbie statuette!
RIGHT: Table 10. Missing Lou & Shannon.
 
 
LEFT: Table centerpiece doll.
RIGHT: Liz, Kimberly & Janelle from Mattel!
 
 
LEFT: Fabulous lunch entertainment!
RIGHT: Top Models w/ Ken!
 
 
Bob Mackie Gold!
 
 
Jef Beck did an incredible job in the raffle room!  Hallmark donated a one of a kind ornament (the box was stuffed with tickets)
 
 
LEFT: Silent Auction Doll
RIGHT: Matt Sutton's amazing auction doll!
 
 
 LEFT: Silent Auction Dolls
RIGHT: Great energy and a shopping frenzy Thursdayat my table!
 
 
Happy Shoppers Friday!
 
 
 
BC Club Event - King and Queen of the Prom were chosen. Liz and crew did an amazing job!
 
Backdrop for photo op's & BC Shannon looking so cute as ever!
 
 
The throne awaits the King and Queen
 
 
LEFT: Tom, who really does smile :)
RIGHT: Cute Judy Rae and I at the event
 
 
They were all winners!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Friday Night Dinner - Fred, Sandi, Jef, Duane - Lisa Franco who did am amazing job as chair and I having a great time!
 
Joe Blitman and his tablemates and Table 10 (BC Lou, BC Shannon, Duane and I)
 
 
 
 
BC Table and Designers Table for signing
 
 
Duane, Jef and I Saturday Dinner - Lisa and Nancy looked amazing!
 
 
Table 10 going to the formal event and photo of our table doll - Jack did an amazing job
 
Bob, Jack and I -- BC Shannon who looked so beautiful and handsome BC Lou
 
 
Mattel Designers Linda, Bill and Robert looking like they are having a blast!
 

 

 
2007 NATIONAL BARBIE CONVENTION, GRAPEVINE, TX
UPDATED 6-29-07
 
Welcome to convention coverage!  I must say this is one of the most beautiful hotels ever!  The resort and staff are wonderful.  Keep checking back for updates.
 
 
 
We can be so creative transforming a hotel room into a sales room!
 
 
 
Let the fun begin!!!!
 
 
 
(Top Right Photo) L to R:  Jeff Best - Jef, Norita, Dwane, Patty & Fred
L to R:  April stopping by for her annual hug - Pam (who is a doll) is such a sweetheart!
 
Look at these handsome cowboys!
 

L to R:  Bill Greening did a great job with his live action dolls which went for $27,000 (for the convention charity)!  Love the Italian Guys!  They are so creative.

L to R:  Lisa Franco, Table 85 - The Margarita Girls - Lisa and I cheesing for the camera

L to R:  The Mattel Team stopping by for a quick pose - Doll Attic cut-out

Michelle, Dream House Dolls -- she is a doll

Angie - she did an amazing job as Chair

L to R:  Hat Decorating Contest - Group Hug!

Let the fun begin - Salesroom opens

Media Coverage of the event (cameraman had no idea what to expect), neither did this reporter!

The very handsome Bill Greening

Lisa loved the boas, courtesy of Mattel
 
 
Mattel Presentation & Competition Room


 

Brunch - sponsored by Barbie Collector Magazine
 Joe, Kevin and Angie at our La Familia Brunch

Past and current winners of Barbie's Best Friend Award
 
Scott Gram having a great time!
 
BC Lou was such a great sport about having to wear his red Gaylord shirt and being asked for directions (many thought he worked at the hotel) as his
 luggage was lost and his luggage was redirected back to Los Angeles!
 
What a handsome group of cowboys! 
 
L to R:  Joe and I hamming it up for the camera - My tablemates were a crazy group of cowboys and we had endless laughter coming from our table!
 
L to R:  Jef Beck (Man Behind the Doll) posing at his cutout & Dwane, Nicole and Joe
 
L to R:  BC Lou (who had to break down and buy a shirt), the incredibly talented Robert Best and I taking time to cheese for the camera  at the Doll Attic cut out
 
L to R:  Judy Rae and Michelle enjoying the salesroom fun!
 
Our formal event!  L to R:  Our crazy table and BC Lou, Shannon (Mattel) & Dwane looking absolutely stunning!
 
L to R:  BC Lou, Shannon and I - Jef taking a balcony break
 
L to R:  Table fun!  Kat, Deb (who came to surprise all her pals), next year's chair the beautiful Lisa Franco and I
 
L to R  - Dwane, Shannon,  Lou and I - Greetings from Table #51 -- see ya'all next year!  We had the best time ever!!!!
 
 

 
2006 NATIONAL BARBIE CONVENTION, HOLLYWOOD, CA
 
Updated 8-22-06
 

Have you ever wondered how we transform a hotel room to a sales room?  Magic...

Happy Shoppers and friends enjoying shopping and visiting

 

Visitors to Sandi's room

Left to right:  Let's see how many people can fit in one hotel room.....Next photo is the most incredible doll I have ever seen.  Robert Best created this amazing doll for the Live Auction.  Igena, who is as sweet as her smile poses with Sandi.  Next row:  Liz Grampp (a life size Barbie) from Mattel, the very talented Dorinda and Sandi.  The next shot is a view of the evening reception and afterwards, the pajama girls came up for a slumber party armed with margaritas!


The best part of convention, catching up with friends!


Dwayne and Norita - our table rocks!
 



 

BC Moderator Frankie (she is a doll!) and Sandi


Competition Room Treasures!

Many know I am heavy into boxing...this was my all time favorite! 


Welcome to Mattel's Vault Exhibit - what a treat!










Top Row:  Zac Posen Giftset (ONLY available at FAO, sorry to say).  Next is a photo of shoppers at my table and a view of a part of the salesroom, which was huge!  Matt Sutton stopping by and saying hello.  Julie and George in the salesroom having too much fun!  Next row is Danny and Norita taking a well deserved break in the salesroom.  The next two shots are of the BC.com table.  BC Mod Frankie was manning the table, and BC Mod Lou was giving online help.


barbiecollector.com luncheon (club members only)


Our hosts did an incredible job!  Members received a cool nostalgic tin lunchbox, a computer mouse (which had floating Barbie shoes) and a large pink Barbie shoe.  We were served hamburgers, fries, a pink drink and root beer float.  On display was the new Friday Night Dream Date Giftset, Reproduction Career Girl (Reproduction Career Girl will only be available via BC.com, and Made for Each Other (which we are taking preorders as well as the Friday Night Dream giftset). 

More pics from the luncheon.  The room was packed and everyone was enjoying themselves.


"The Premiere" Dinner held Friday Night


Top Row"  Deb and Joanne cheesing for the camera.  Next is a photo of one of the many stunning centerpiece dolls.  Cheryl Nelson and I having a great time and this table certainly was in the Hollywood spirit.  Next are some dear friends stopping by for photo ops.  Oh that paparazzi!!  Last two rows are some of the many incredible dolls that were in the Live Auction, which raised over $40,000 for Sojourn which was the charity selected by the convention.  Sojourn provided battered women and children a safe place to regroup.  Robert Best created the doll in the last row, and it was said that this doll was his absolute favorite doll, and he was sad parting with it.  I can see why, she was incredible! 
I was lucky to win Dorinda's doll (first one pictured in the fitted pink gown and seen in the last row, last photo), which will be a part of my museum.


Saturday Night "On the Red Carpet Dinner"



 

Sand and Kazue (Japan).  Kazue is an absolute doll and a dear friend.  Next is Dwane Adle who was a super table host!   George and I on the red carpet, Franklin Lim Liao had an amazing costume, Nancy, Sandi and Lisa having a group hug moment. 
Next row are "my guys" at the Ken table who truly made each and every event so memorable for me.  Beautiful Liz Grampp and Lisa looking absolutely stunning.  Last row is Joey, Sandi, Ron and Marl enjoying our dinner and I had to take a photo of the beautiful desert,
which was too pretty to eat, but somehow we all managed!


Barbie's Best Friend Award for 2006....goes to Sandi Holder

Each year at convention, Carol Spencer selects an individual to receive this very coveted award.  The award is given to an individual in the Barbie community who is recognized as having made a significant contribution to the hobby.  It is a secret to all, and it is always exciting to see who is selected.  Imagine my surprise
when I was honored with this very special award.  

Those who know me well, know it is hard for me to be speechless, and trust me I was speechless as I approached the podium to receive the award.  I feel blessed having a job that I enjoy and that brings so much happiness to so many.  I also feel very blessed to have met so many Barbie collectors worldwide who have become friends and "family".  All I could say was "thank you for allowing me to do what I love and for the support of so many".

Sadly the convention ended (no one wanted it to end, we were all having such an amazing time).  I have been to almost all the Barbie conventions,
and I have to say, this was truly the best convention ever.  Kudos and a standing
ovation to Joe Blitman, Kevin Mulligan, Priscilla Wardlow, Brenda Blanchard and Robin Gee for doing an amazing job.