2014 VCCC Convention

[singingrainbow]

All, we are working on the convention.  The hotel has been confirmed:  Crown Plaza Cleveland Airport for 12-15 June 2014.  The banquet menu is being worked as well as some special breakfast deals.  The Kirby company is coming through with some special events and prizes for the contests.  The convention cost is $75 registration.  Hotel is $99.  30 rooms have been reserved for our convention.  Details of how to register and make hotel registrations will be posted soon.  It is 100 years of Kirby so join the fun.  A special Kirby prize is being worked.....  See you there, Chad and Barb

 

[vacuumman206]

I have a question

If I were to pick one day of the convention to come to, the most important event filled day, because I'd like to just drive down for a day could someone recommend which day is best? Or has the schedule not been made yet?

 

[vacmom]

Schedule

Friday of the convention will be a tour of the Kirby factories and maybe the Kirby estate.  Saturday will be clinics and contests and the banquet.  Hope this helps.  Barb

 

[uksausage]

Enquiring about flights

I'm gonna enquire about flights before I commit Is Cleveland an international airport or should I try for another airport Don't really want to do many changes
David x

 

[streakers]

Can't Wait!

Hope to finally get a chance to meet you all there!

I'm moving over from Down Under in the first or second week of March - and will finally have the opportunity to attend a convention!!!

Hope there's some great fun to be had!

 

[caligula]

Hi Streakers.

You should have the time of your life! If memory serves, it will be the 29th gathering of the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's club, a far cry from the first which was held in Chesterton, Indiana the first weekend of May, 1985. Back then there were about 6 active members, and two staff members. The second year it was held at club headquarters in Naperville, Illinois, and continued to be until 94 when the club returned to it's roots, The Hoover Historical Center in North Canton, Ohio. In 95, the first officers were elected with Tom Gasko as President, and this was the first time the term 'convention' was used, prior to that they were meetings.


 


I've attended several and can tell you that it's an awesome experience! The V.C.C.C. takes over the hotel, a massive banquet room serves as the area where hundreds of vacuum cleaners are on display. There are cleaning contests, a business meeting, banquet dinner and awards. In addition, outside events like trips to vacuum stores, or places of interest are also common events. There is always time to meet other members, staff, and learn from collectors about given brands.


 


So I urge you to attend, as you will find yourself in a vacuum cleaner wonderland.


 


Alex Taber.

 

[alexb1186]

Ugh! I want to go so bad but that weekend is the GMC concert!

 

[kirbykid]

I hope to go!

 

[loganvac]

This, I'm very exited about! I finally can talk to people that share my same interest!

 

[sonnyndad]

I've been saving money FOREVER to go! I'm so looking forward to celebrating 100 years of Kirby! This will also be my first convention!

 

[loganvac]

Do I get to bring my own unique vacuum from my collection to compete with in the competitions? And are the contests even for vacuum competitions?

 

[pinkge]

Looking too...

the convention and the 100th celebration.Barb and Chad,have worked hard getting this together.It is going to be a fun filled time.Kirby tour,and so much more.I'll get to see everyone from last year, I hope; and everyone can start counting the martini's,chuckling...also guessing what vacccums will arrive for the contest's.Wonder if a Hoover,might out clean another,or a Kirby can sand or sharpen tools;or the Handy Bulter can bring me a martini on a highly polished silver tray.One will see.See ya there...Michael

 

[caligula]

Hi pinkge.

Being a former Kirby training manager, I'm very excited about this, and hope to see a number of the early models as well as the factory. In addition, I've done a lot of research on the history of Scott/Fetzer as well. The Kirby company has been very closed mouthed about Mr. Kirby, and his personal life, I'm hoping to get some answers.


 


Due to financial issues, I've not been to a convention since 2010, but Cleveland is in my back yard so to speak, and if I can hire somebody to drive from my house to the convention, I'll bring my non electrics that were not shown to the club since 05. At any rate I plan to register in about two weeks, and book my room.


 


Hope to see you there, and while I don't drink, will have a cup of coffee with you.


Alex Taber.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I'm hoping to come and I have a guest wanting to come with me who is very intrigued with the collecting, she finds it hard to believe there are other collectors. Plus she's fallen in love with Kirby since meeting me.

 

[vacmom]

Kirby Kraze convention

The convention is really going to be fun.  The tour is set for the Kirby factory Friday mid morning plus lunch at the cafeteria there!


Kirby is going out of their way to help us with whatever they can.  You will be surprised and pleased!  There will be a guest speaker from Kirby for our banquet!


The airport is the Cleveland Hopkins International airport.  The hotel is near there and has free shuttle to and from the airport. 


You may bring up to 12 vacuum cleaners to the convention.  They must be tagged when registration is open...Thursday around 4pm. 


Let me know if you have any other questions.  I hope to see everyone there!  Barb

 

[caligula]

Hi Barb.

I was a training manager for Oak Park Kirby, (which was just outside Chicago) for many years, so I'm chomping at the bit for this one. Please let me know when I can register, and get things in motion. Right now I'm trying to hire a driver to get my non electrics, especially the Whirlwind to the convention, if that fails, then it will be just me. I plan to get there Thursday morning to secure my room and get settled, but nothing is set in stone.


 


It will be great to see the factory again, the last time was 1977, I also want to soak up the history of James B. Kirby, and separate fact from fiction.


 


See you there,


 


Alex Taber.

 

[normvac]

Yes !

To answer the question to David, from the U K
YES, the Cleveland air port is an international
Port of destination !
Having flown over seas out of Cleveland a couple
of times, Usually with a stop in Toronto Canada, or
JFK, New York !
Look forward to meeting you David I will be there.
Norm Brown

 

[louvac]

While we're on the Convention 2014 topic....

...Since this is a Kirby event this year, I can't think of a better Kirby activity than polishing floors with the Miracle Head (buffer attachment). I had seriously toyed with this activity for last year's convention; however, having flown it wasn't going to be easy to bring the needed materials such as a sample section of hardwood flooring on the plane. That being said....


 


I am quite sure that many of  you who come to the convention yearly would like to see this activity come to fruition. I can think of several of you who would love to partake!


 


Now, all we need is a small group of us to gather the materials:  the sample flooring, and paste wax (Trewax is a good brand-similar to Butcher's Bowing Alley Wax which is what we used when I was a kid). And, let's not forget, the Kirby Miracle Heads! We can have several different model Kirby's outfitted for the task. We can even have a Hardwood Floor "Wax-off".  Other traditional floor polishers would be welcome to compete against the Kirby including those canisters with floor polisher attachments. 


 


So guys......who's interested?????                       Convention committee......can we make this a reality?  

 

[kirbykid]

I am interested. I have many of the floor waxing heads for every model kirby they made them for, and i also have a electrolux LX that can wax or polish floors. This seems like a fun idea.