For over 36 years G.I. Joe has captured the imaginations of children and adults. He has held the line against countless invasions millions of times in children's backyards, rec-rooms and bedrooms. He has proudly kept vigil over incalculable numbers of toy collections. He has always been there for us, through thick and thin. His allegiance has never wavered. G.I. Joe, the name invokes the concepts of honor, duty and respect. Whether leading a battle against backyard aggressors or leading an adventure to the South Pole, G.I. Joe has been there.
Now, it's your turn to be there and join him by “Leading the Charge!" in Kansas City, MO June 21-24 at the Hasbro International G.I. Joe Collectors' Convention. Join us at the Kansas City Crown Hyatt for this fun filled family weekend. Sponsored by Hasbro and the G.I. Joe Collectors' Club, this family-oriented event guarantees a great weekend of fun for beginning and experienced collectors alike. Be part of the event everyone will be talking about for years to come!
Convention Premiums
The convention figure set this year is "Operation Pegasus Bridge". This set is based on the first battle of D-Day, which occurred just a few minutes into the morning of June 6, 1944. On this morning, sixHorsa gliders containing over one hundred and eighty members from the British Airlanding Brigade landed in Normandy on the banks of the Caen Canal and the Orne River. Their mission: to take and hold the two bridges that were the key exits for the allied troops departing from the Normandy beaches. It was imperative that these bridges be captured and held until the main forces arrived. This "coup-de-main" achieved their first objective within 15 minutes of their rough landing. The signal went back over the wireless, "ham and jam, ham and jam". These were the code words that meant that the bridges had been captured intact. Now their job was to hold their position. This exciting figure set will contain an "Oxf. & Bucks." Air Landing Brigade Bren Gunner and a German Sentry. This set comes with more gear than we have ever offered before and is extremely well detailed.
The German figure comes equipped with: helmet, boots, shirt, pants, leather belt with ammo pouches, Kar 98, Leuchtpistole flare pistol with holster and shells, leggings, bayonet & sheath, flashlight, hat and four grenades. The British figure comes equipped with: helmet, shirt, pants, Dennison smock, Bren gun with stand and five clips, Piat (anti-tank weapon) with two rounds, webgear with two ammo pouches, haversack, gas mask case, canteen, entrenching tool and cover, two smoke grenades, two fragmentation grenades, leggings, toggle rope, and camouflage scarf. And for the first time in convention history, both bodies will be vintage reproductions. The German figure will have the vintage style foreign head from the 1960s with blonde hair and blue eyes. The British figure will have the standard G.I. Joe head from the 1960s with red hair and blue eyes. This is a fabulous set that no G.I. Joe or WWII collector should be without.
The set will come in the same style photo box as the last four years' convention sets, so it will make a great addition to your collection.
Convention Overview
Don't miss this opportunity to visit America's heartland. This will be the most family oriented, fun-filled, collecting event you have ever attended. If you have never brought your family to a G.I. Joe Convention, bring them this year! Visitors from all over the country and the world often comment on how green the city is. That's because wherever you go, you'll see tree-lined boulevards, parks, and gorgeous fountains. KC has more fountains than any city except Rome. KC is also well known for Jazz, barbecue, the KC Royals, Hallmark, and the Truman Library (just to mention a few attractions). Right next door to the Hyatt (connected via a skywalk) is the Hallmark Visitor's Center as well as a three story mall with over over 50 shops and a movie theatre. There are also over 20 different restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. World class shopping and dining is just a few miles down the road (public transportation available) at the Country Club Plaza. Because of its central location, KC is easy to get to with low cost airfares from all over the country.
The week will begin with two pre-convention tours. Both tours are great vacation opportunities that will be enjoyed by the whole family. On Wednesday, we will travel north to historic St. Joseph, Missouri. We will start our day at the Harley Davidson Plant. Next we will proceed to the National Military Heritage Museum, Jesse James Home Museum and the Pony Express Museum. We will conclude our day with a stop at Ft. Leavenworth with a visit to the Frontier Army Museum.
On Thursday we will start our day in Independence at the Truman Library/Museum. Next we will travel back to KC and visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum, Toy & Miniature Museum and conclude our day at the Hallmark Visitor's Center.
Registration will be on Thursday evening from 6:30-9:30 pm.
Friday morning will continue with late registration, dealer set-up, display set-up and seminars about building dioramas, making custom items, and G.I. Joe collecting.* Don't miss the special Hasbro Roundtable discussion! On Friday afternoon, we will open the sales floor for registered guests. On Friday evening, there will be a very special event. For the first time ever, we will host an official parachute drop from the top of the hotel, 40 stories up! We will also have some extreme sport activities outside while the parachute drop is going on. In addition, reenactors from the historic Oxf. & Bucks. Regiment (2nd Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Light Infantry 6th Airlanding Brigade, 6th Airborne Division, H.M.F. www.io.com/~tog/oxinfo.html) will be with us the entire weekend to answer questions.
On Saturday morning, the sales floor will open early for registered attendees with the general public being admitted at 10 am. Collecting seminars will run throughout the day. Hourly door prizes will be awarded and you must be present to win. There will also be a "play pit" full of G.I. Joes for your kids' enjoyment.
This year we will be returning to our traditional awards dinner, however we have added a new twist. This year we invite you to attend in either business casual or your favorite military uniform! This should add a lot of fun to the evening so hunt through those old trunks and see what you can find. We might even have some real G.I. Joe characters show up, who knows! In addition, Jim Wallwork (who was the pilot of the number one glider 50+ years ago during the Pegasus Bridge Operation) will be our guest speaker on Saturday night. He will tell his story through slides, providing you with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.*
Sunday will provide you with the opportunity to attend additional seminars, spend more time in the sales room, along with the chance to win more prizes. At 3:00 pm we will draw for two trips to the 2002 convention and you must be present to win. Don't leave early and miss out on all the great prizes!
Other special services available include in-room childcare, package shipping, and a central courtesy room. While there, be sure to ask where the room-to-room trading will be held. The hotel also has a great roof top pool!
Special events include Lee's Action Figure News Custom Figure Contest (all sizes), a Photography Contest, and a Diorama Contest. Prizes for the contests will be in show dollars which allow you to choose your own prize from dealers at the show. There will also be a special area for kids to display their G.I. Joe figures/scenes. Each child is limited to one display that will fit inside a 15" x 15" space. If you are planning to bring a display, please call by June 1, to ensure that we have space available.
Registered Attendee Packages
There are four different convention packages available:
The General's Package will consist of the convention figure set with certificate of authenticity, convention medal, name badge, and admittance to the sales room including a private sales room preview on Friday and Early Bird privileges on Saturday, admittance to the Friday night activities including the reenactment, parachute drop, and unlimited use of the extreme sport activities, and admission to all convention seminars. This package also includes a very special collector piece. With your package, you will receive the first ever edition of a Classic Collection G.I. Joe molded in clear plastic!molded in clear plastic! What a great conversation piece and addition to your collection. This special figure will only be available with the convention package. This year's figure set is the most detailed we have ever produced. We have spared no cost on this set and we know you will love it! Cost for registration is $340 for non-members, or $310 for club members. You will receive your convention items upon check-in at the convention. Pre-convention tours are available for an additional charge. *
The General's Aide Package includes: Saturday's awards dinner, name badge and admittance to all show events (tours additional). You will be able to watch the parachute drop (as well as participate in the sports activities) but you will not be allowed on top of the building Friday evening. This package can only be purchased in conjunction with a General's package and is offered so that accompanying family members can join in the fun. Cost is $75 for the first Aide, additional immediate family member Aides (children, 18 and under) are $50 each.
The Sergeant's package includes: convention medal, name badge, admittance to the sales room (including a private preview of the sales room on Friday and Early Bird privileges on Saturday), admittance to the Friday night activities including the reenactment, parachute drop, and unlimited use of the extreme sport activities, and admission to all convention seminars. Cost is $150 for non-members and $140 for club members.*
The Base Commander's package includes: everything in the above General's package including the clear G.I. Joe (except admittance to show events) with all items being shipped three to four weeks after the show to your home base of operations. This package is for those who cannot attend the show. Cost is $340 ppd for non-members, or $310 ppd for club members.
The first 300 General's registrations postmarked by May 4, will get a special edition Airborne at Normandy figure for the parachute drop.
Also, the first 100 General's or Base Commander registrations will receive a special G.I. Joe size jacket with the convention art on the back.
As an early registrant, the first 200 Generals or Base Commanders have the opportunity to purchase a second set of "Pegasus Bridge" figures (no box, certificate, etc., does not include the clear super articulated figure) for $150. Per your past comments, we have made this second set available so that you have a set that can remain in the box and a set for display. Please remember that our special convention figures will NEVER be sold at retail stores and are extremely limited.
Convention package confirmations will be mailed by the end of May.
Dealer Information
Dealer booths are $280 and consist of two 8' tables and one 6' table and are approximately 11' wide by 8' deep. Single tables are $150. Dealer booth contracts and payments postmarked by May 4 will receive a $20 discount (tables not discounted). Standard electrical hookups for all booths or tables are $65 per booth. Telephone service can be provided at a cost of $120. Booths and tables are limited. Placement in the ballroom will be assigned in the order that the registrations are received. The earlier your registration is received, the closer to the front your booth will be. The entire facility is air-conditioned and carpeted. You will be able to watch the parachute drop (as well as participate in the sports activities) but you will not be allowed on top of the building Friday evening. Dealer's product content must be at least 85% G.I. Joe related. Dealers must have a valid Missouri sales tax number and collect the 6.6% local sales tax (forms available at the show).
Promotions
This show will be heavily promoted. We will be running ads in all major toy publications as well as local newspapers. The convention will also be promoted on our web site, which receives over 1.2 million hits per month.
Shipping
The Hyatt can handle your in-bound shipments provided that they do not arrive more than 72 hours in advance of your arrival per the following schedule: boxes up to 20 lbs -$3 each, boxes 20-50 lbs $5 each, boxes over 50 lbs $10 each. If you need to ship packages to the show, you can send them to: Hyatt Regency Crown Center, G.I. Joe Show / (your name) 2345 McGee St, Kansas City, MO 64108. Mail Boxes Etc. will have a booth at the show to assist you in shipping your items home. They can also assist you with your in-bound packages for $5 per box. They will deliver all boxes Friday morning to the convention. Their address is Mail Boxes Etc/G.I. Joe Show, (your name), 4741 Central, Kansas City, MO, 64112. They will have all types of packing materials and boxes available at the show as well. Items will be shipped via UPS. Prices will vary according to distance and weight.
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Accommodations
Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center are at a special convention rate of $114 per night. This is more than 50% off their standard rates. Call and reserve your room now before the block is filled up. The deadline for hotel reservations is May 25. After this date, they will begin to release space in the block. You can reach them at 800-233-1234 and identify yourself as an attendee of the G.I. Joe Convention. Shuttles from the airport are available from KCI Shuttle Express from any terminal in the airport, (no reservation required) at a round trip cost of $21. The hotel is approximately 30 minutes from the airport. For those of you with vehicles, parking at the hotel is $9 a day on weekdays and $6 a day on weekends (this is approximately 20% off their published rates).
Contests
Contests include the Lee's Action Figure News Custom Figure contest (for all figure sizes), a diorama, and a photography contest. Over $1,700 worth of prizes will be awarded as show dollars that you can spend with any dealer at the show. Prizes are as follows: Diorama Contest 1st $500, 2nd $250, 3rd $125; Custom Figure Contest 1st $300, 2nd $150, 3rd $75; Photography 1st $200, 2nd $100, 3rd $50. Here are some of the rules: Diorama entries must fit on a table top and are limited to 4 feet wide by 30 inches deep. Team entries are allowed. The entry is limited to 4 feet by 30 inches deep per person on the team. All prizes must be split among team members. Custom figure entries can be 12" scale or 3 3/4" scale. Each entry should consist of only one figure. This is not a miniature diorama contest, so please limit the accessories that are not physically attached to your figure. Photography entries can be black & white or color. All entries must be 8"x10" in size and they must be mounted. In addition, the photography entries are not returnable. All winners will be announced at the dinner on Saturday night. Please let us know by June 1, if you intend to enter a contest so we can make sure we will have enough space available. If you need a copy of the judging criteria, please send a SASE. You are only allowed 2 entries per contest. All entries must be in place for judging by noon on Friday.
This year we are continuing the diorama contest between recognized regional club chapters. The theme for this year's local division diorama contest is "Pearl Harbor". Your local group's Pearl Harbor diorama must fit on two 8-foot tables (5 feet x 8 feet) and contain no more than 50 figures. If your division plans to enter this contest, please notify us by June 1 so that we can have the appropriate space available. The winning chapter will have $500 donated to a charity of its choice.
Seminars
Collecting and customizing seminars will be presented on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each seminar will last approximately 45 minutes. Signs will be posted in the hotel to direct you to this area. Each seminar will seat 200 people. Five different seminars will be presented each day on various collecting topics, including a special Hasbro Roundtable where you can speak directly with the Hasbro G.I. Joe team.
Courtesy Room
You can rest and relax with your friends in the Courtesy Room, which will always be open. There will be refreshments available for all registered attendees. Make sure you check the message board for the list of rooms that will offer room-to-room trading.
Night Activities
On Friday evening, there will be a very special event. For the first time ever, we will host an official parachute drop from the top of the hotel, 40 stories up. What G.I. Joe collector in the world wouldn't want to toss a paratrooper off a 40-story building? You must be at least 14 years old and your parent must be with you (for those under 21) to have access to the roof. In addition, all participants will be required to wear a safety harness and must have a signed waiver on file. This will allow many people to fulfill their childhood dream of throwing a G.I. Joe paratrooper off of a skyscraper. (If you don't want to drop your own figure, our staff can do it for you).
While the drop is taking place, we will have some fun "extreme sport" (ok, not that extreme) activities available for your amusement. You will want to dress in shorts for this evening of fun. The extreme sport activities include: Human Foosball, Rock-Climbing Wall, Jump-Up Express (trampoline), Joust/Big Glove Boxing and Splativity/ Velcro. You can view these games online at wackybanana.com.
Door Prizes
Hourly door prizes will be awarded at ten minutes to the hour each day while the sales room is open. Prizes will include all different types of G.I. Joe figures and memorabilia. At 3:00 pm on Sunday, we will draw for two free trips to the 2002 Convention (including domestic airfare) along with several other great prizes. Don't leave early because you must be present to win and we will hate to give your prizes to your best friend!
Pre-Convention Tours
The week will begin with two pre-convention tours. Both tours are great vacation opportunities that will be enjoyed by everyone, especially western and WWII history buffs!
Historic St. Joseph, Missouri
7:00 am-5:30 pm Wednesday, June 20, 2001
Our day will start early as we travel north to historic St. Joseph, Missouri (stjomo.com/). Our first stop will be the Harley Davidson Plant where we will view a film and watch them assemble these American icons. Next we will proceed to the National Military Heritage Museum which is housed in the Harvey Ellis-designed brick building that formerly served as the city's first police station. This museum is a tribute to all branches of the Armed Forces and their contributions to the United States ranging from the Civil War to today.
After lunch on your own, we will visit the Pony Express museum which features a 3-dimensional diorama 70 feet long, showing the different trail conditions endured by the Pony Express riders. Next we will visit the Jesse James Home which contains a number of items owned by Jesse James and his family, and the new exhibits on the 1995 exhumation of the infamous outlaw.
We will conclude our day by stopping at Ft. Leavenworth to visit the Frontier Army Museum. During our tour we will be entertained by their living history unit. The Frontier Army Museum's original collection began in 1939 and in 1960, the Museum was officially recognized as an Army Museum. It continues to preserve one of the finest collections of nineteenth century military artifacts in the country (leav-www.army.mil/museum/). Cost is $45 per person.
Kansas City Cruising
8:15 am-5:00 pm Thursday, June 21, 2001
| On Thursday we will start our day in Independence at the Truman Library/Museum (trumanlibrary.org) where we will learn about the life and presidency of our 33rd President. |  |
Next we will travel back to KC and visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum, where you will see 200 tons of treasure! The Arabia sank in 1856 fully loaded with cargo. The wreck was never salvaged and the river covered it over with sand and mud. In 1988 the wreck was discovered and excavated from a farmer's field, a full half mile from the river channel. This remarkable find contained everything needed for life in 1856. From dishware to jewelry to guns the entire collection is remarkably preserved (1856.com).
Next we will move on to the Toy & Miniature Museum located on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The museum contains twenty-four rooms filled with antique dolls, dolls' houses, cast iron toys, trains, and scale miniatures (umkc.edu/tmm).
Finally we will conclude our day by visiting the Hallmark Visitor's Center, next door to the hotel. There we will see 90 years of Hallmark history presented through interactive exhibits, displays and movies. Cost $50 per person.
Other Activities
| For those non-Joe enthusiasts (spouses, etc.), just next door to the Hyatt is the Crown Center, a three-story mall with over 50 shops and a movie theatre. There are also over 20 different restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. World class shopping and dining is just 3.5 miles down the road (public transportation available) at the Country Club Plaza which is modeled after Seville, Spain. They have over 180 shops including FAO Schwarz, Saks Fifth Ave, Laura Ashley, Ralph Lauren and more. In addition, there are over 50 different restaurants in the complex. They have everything from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse to Pizzeria UNO. |  |
Convention Dress
All events are casual except for the Saturday night awards dinner. Dress for the awards dinner is business casual or a favorite military uniform of your choice. Please bring shorts for the Friday evening activities, as it will be warm outside.
Special Convention Rates
If you need help with your airfare call Gulliver's Travel Service toll free and ask for special agent Darla Hackney at 800-796-7766. Special convention rental car rates are available from Avis Rent A Car. For reservations, call 800-331-1600. Our Avis group number is J947629.
Child Care
For in-room child care and off site daycare, the hotel recommends Quality Daycare/Babysitting (a state licensed facility) 816-861-5241.
The G.I. Joe Collectors' Club Wants You!
We have spent many long hours planning and researching this event. We want to take care of all your needs. This event is designed so that every member of your family will have a great time. If you have ever thought about bringing your family to a convention, this is the one! Kansas City is a great vacation destination. We want every member of the club to attend because this is your event! If you are interested in handing out flyers in your area, please contact us and we will be happy to send some to you.
225 Cattle Baron Parc Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76108 817-448-9863 Fax 817-448-9843
email: info@mastercollector.com Visit our web site at http://www.mastercollector.com
*Convention packages, guests, contents, activities and quantities are subject to change without notice.
Additional waiver must be completed and on file before you can participate in the parachute drop. Event is subject to weather permitting.