The 2017 Convention is over. Such a GREAT time!

[dysonman1]

After three days of festivities, the 2017 vacuum cleaner collectors convention is over. I want to thank everyone for attending. It went off without a hitch. I want to say a huge thank you to Robert Clow, Donald Pedrola, Miss Mercy and Jody Mayeaux. You guys were awesome. Thanks for all your help with the Barbecue. This convention went off exactly like in the "old" days, before all the drama. Just a bunch of friends, who enjoy a mutual hobby, and actually enjoy being around each other. Absolutely no "cliques". Thanks again to the many, many people who took the time to attend. And it was great to see a number of first timers, like Todd and Steffan and Randy and Allen.

 

[dysonman1]

Some pictures from the Saturday extravaganza. We even got Miss Mercy to act a fool with the Hoover hairdryer.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Looks like a good time was had by all!

 

[toddk13]

This event really sucked

Hahahaha. Thanks Tom for your hospitality. I had a fabulous time. I couldn't believe how much accumulated knowledge was at that event. Tom set me up with a Hoover 543 that I had been looking for. Excellent project. Others popped out of the back room. My Coffee Can Hoover collection doubled. Absolutely amazing. The best part was lugging home an assortment of brushes and odds n ends to rehab those Hoovers. Priceless. My trunk was full. My back seat was full. I was trying to figure out what I would say to a cop if I were pulled over. Heh. "I robbed a Vacuum museum". Errrrr. No. "I'm taking my friends for a ride - Hoover, Eureka, Royal, GeeE". That would work.

My favorite Kirby is now the very special 562. What a cool color set.

I felt a part of the group though the past three days. I never felt that I had to shut up and hide in the corner because I am a newbie. I heard a lot of interesting stories. Tom is an encyclopedia. I met a lot of great people. I hope to have the opportunity to come back down again.

 

[dysonman1]

Todd:
It was awesome meeting you. I feel like I've met you before somewhere, we must have been friends in a previous life.. I want to thank you so much for taking the time to attend our event and become part of the group, laugh with us, and have a great time. I can't wait to see you again next year. Second weekend in June. I hope you share the pictures of your Hoover's, after your loving restoration, with all of us.

 

[kenkart]

I hate

My trip fell apart at the last minute, I really wanted to come,Donald and I WILL be there next year,If anyone here does not know Tom Gasko or Clay Floyd, you are really missing out on a wealth of knowledge and 2 wonderful friends, I would dare say between them there is more vacuum cleaner knowledge than any five other people, they can spot a incorrect hose, etc at 500 yards!

 

[n0oxy]

convention was great

I wish I could take pictures of my new treasures, but, I don't think they would turn out very well and I would probably not get the camera lined up. Too bad you can't upload recordings to the forum. I had a great time and came away with 4 wonderful vacuums. Those of you who know me know I'm a huge canister lover, don't really like uprights. I got an air-way model 55 from Luke that still runs great, Tom gave me an awesome compact C6, I absolutely love the motor sound on that vacuum, actually that motor was used on lots of vacuums from that time period. Tom also sold me a fairfax fx500 and a Simplicity Gusto at great prices. My goal was to come back with some good canister vacuums, and I definitely accomplished that. Todd, it was nice meeting you, welcome to the group. I'm glad you were able to find the coffee can hoover you were looking for. It sounds like you wanted that as much as I wanted a canister vacuum that used this particular Ametek motor. The only bad thing about the convention is that it's over, the time went by so fast, I could have easily spent another couple of days playing with all of the vacuums. Let's definitely do it again next year!
Mike

 

[lux14]

I read so many posts on your convention.....You ALL are a great group! I will hopefully be there next year! Sounds like so much fun and a very excepting group of great individuals........ Best! Richard.

 

[dysonman1]

Richard

You are always welcome to come to the Vacuum Collectors Convention, second weekend in June every year. NO Convention Fee, No membership fee, no Banquet fee, just good friends enjoying vacuums.

As always, I encourage you to consider visiting the Vacuum Cleaner Museum, #3 Industrial Drive, St. James, MO at any time during the year. We are open 9 - 5, Monday through Saturday. I have approximately 400 vacuums on display with approximately 400 more in the storage area above the Factory Floor as well as the store room in the Museum. We are at the Manufacturing factory of Tacony Corporation, who make Maytag, Simplicity, and Riccar vacuum cleaners. Factory tours can also be arranged in advance.

Hope to see you.