EVENT DETAILS
The HK House of Peers, in conjunction with Harmony Kingdom, was pleased to announce a special conflagration of PIRATES of the KINGDOM. The dates were April 11–13, 2008 - the place was Orlando, Florida - the land of sunshine and a never-ending list of things to do!
Take a look at the EVENTS SCHEDULE and see what was planned for our Buccaneers, Matey's, and Swabbies! You won't want to miss all the activities that were planned. Details were always being added, some you didn't know about until you attended the event.
WELCOME RECEPTION
You were able to join early-arriving mates on Wednesday, April 9, for a Welcome Reception hosted by the Harmony Florida Suncoast Collectors Club. The reception was on the patio, by the pool, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. HFS also had some special event pieces for sale during the event or they could have been ordered online. Visit our EVENT PIECES page for details.
HARMONY FLORIDA SUNCOAST COLLECTORS CLUB HOSPITALITY SUITE
A Hospitality Suite, Jolly Roger's Retreat, was set up for you to mingle with friends, enjoy some refreshments, find others for trading cards, and to sit a spell. The Hospitality Suite was open all weekend (except during opening ceremonies and meal events) with a large living room and full kitchen. Did you keep an eye out for special surprises from your hostess and coordinator Jessie "Aunt Foda" Pierce from Harmony Florida Suncoast Collectors Club?
OPTIONAL OUTINGS
Our collectors love to enjoy the local offerings with other HK collectors. So, HOP offered optional activities the day before the convention begins. Three activities were planned for Thursday, April 10, 2008. They were:
Guests, those who were not registered for the event, were welcome to go with you on any of the optional outings. Visit our OPTIONAL OUTINGS page for details.
ARTIST SIGNINGS
This was a great opportunity to have "Pegleg Pete" sign some of your personal pieces! Peter asked for quality time with collectors this year to talk about what you like, what you want, or any other subject that you would like. In order to accommodate all collectors, each buccaneer had a four-minute personal signing time with Peter Calvesbert where you could have up to six (6) pieces signed.
Due to the change requested by Peter, Buccaneers only have one opportunity to have their six pieces signed. Additional pieces could have been signed, for a specified charity donation, during the Raffle of a Lifetime drawings on Sunday morning. The cost was $2 per signature or 3 for $5. All money went to the event charities.
A special signing session has also been arranged during the afternoon session on Saturday. Andrea Calvesbert was be available for a two-hour signing session. There was a limit of six (6) pieces per person, per time through the line.
LUCKY DIP
One of our all-time favorite fundraising activities is the Lucky Dip. This helps to offset the costs of the event which also helps to keep the registration fees lower. This highly popular game was introduced to our collectors at Clair de Lune 2000. Hundreds of prizes were available for you to win with the draw of a ticket. Your chances of winning were approximately 1 in 3.
In order to assist us in obtaining the number of prizes needed, we were looking for donations from our attendees, as well as from our sponsors. We had the support of Harmony Ball Company as well as dealers and other sources, but your help was also needed. All donors were recognized in the Event Program. Donations must arrive no later than February 15, 2008.
LUCKY DIP EXCHANGE
This year we had added something new to the activities. People who have attended the previous events know that they can get many prizes throughout the weekend. Some of them may be duplicates or items that are not just what you like. So, we added an hour on Saturday afternoon for you to bring items that you would like to exchange. There were easels and tables set up for you to make these exchanges. This was limited to swaps only. No dollars should be exchanged.
SWAP 'N SELL
One of the major activities on Saturday was the Swap 'n Sell. This year we had made the Swap 'n Sell an all day event. Vendors are welcome to have their table open in the morning, in the afternoon, or all day. This was a great opportunity for collectors, retailers, secondary market dealers, and clubs to buy and sell items and services of interest to HK Collectors. The cost to vendors was still $20 for a 6-foot long, skirted and draped table with two chairs. All vendors were listed in the Event Program, provided registration was received no later than February 15, 2008.
"SLEUTHS MYSTERY DINNER SHOW"
 Our Saturday night entertainment was the traveling "Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show" with a cast of five actors. In order to enjoy the show, we began with a cash bar at 6:00 pm and seating precisely at 6:15 pm. The dinner was open seating.
Our dining experience offered you a choice of three entrées. Vegetarian meals were provided on request. A special dinner was provided for Swabbies. Your choices were:
- Seared Seasoned 8 oz. Center Cut Prime Beef Fillet
- Seared Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Finished with a Rich Marsala Wine and Mushroom Sauce
- Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon Finished with a Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce
Your dinner entrée selection MUST be made in advance.
LIVE CHARITY AUCTION & RAFFLE OF A LIFETIME
In addition to just having fun, HOP had two major objectives for our convention: provide opportunities for collectors to obtain rare pieces; and to give back to the communities through charitable fundraising. At the same time, we strive to provide these opportunities to one and all, regardless of the depth of your pockets. So, we had two opportunities to obtain rare pieces: the Live Charity Auction; and the Raffle of a Lifetime.
As an attendee of the convention, you had an opportunity to participate in the Live Charity Auction on Sunday benefiting NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). We usually have around 30 special items for the live auction.
The Raffle of a Lifetime is an astounding collection of prototype or higher valued items available for you to win at the Raffle. If you purchased a ticket, you had a one-in-three chance to win. What odds! And, when you do win, you got to pick the prize you wanted! How much better can it get? Each attendee can purchase only one ticket at a cost of $30. The tickets were available to attendees. The number of prizes available at the raffle usually exceeds 50 prototypes, samples, and actual items.
EVENT MERCHANDISE
Event merchandise was available to order until January 31, 2008. Since we were in sunny Florida, colors reminiscent of the beach were selected to coordinate with colorful beach totes. However, we are pirates and strong red, blue, and black are seen in shirts, as well as a sports bag and backpack.
We added shirts that are cut for females to the offerings this year. Check out the V-Neck T-Shirts and the women's polo designs. Of course, we still have the traditional sizing in polo's and T-Shirts. Dimensions for many of the sizes have been provided, from the samples we received.
Please remember that we do not order on speculation, but only request what has been pre-ordered before the event. The deadline for ordering was January 31, 2008.
Please visit our EVENT MERCHANDISE page for details.
SPONSORSHIP
Harmony Kingdom dealers or sponsors had an opportunity to participate in the event. By advertising in the program, making donations for door prizes and fund raisers, and/or contributing to the attendees' Goodie Bag, dealers or sponsors were part of a win-win situation for all. To learn more about support for the event, visit our SPONSORSHIP page for details. Sponsorship registration and donations were due by February 15, 2008.
SPONSORSHIP - WELL WISHER AD
Attendees' registration fees do not cover the total cost of the event, which has to be self-supporting. Part of the success of the weekend depended on the fund raisers we had to cover these costs. If you wanted to do a small part in making it a success, you could have offered your well wishes for the event, with your own personal ad space – for only $10 each. The ad size was 1 1/2"h by 2 1/4"w and you could have more than one, if you needed more room for your message. Go together with family or friends and have even more fun! Some ideas for what you might put in your Well Wisher ad could be to just say Hello!, or make a wish, or thank someone, or announce meeting arrangements. Please do not use this option for selling product(s).
All Well Wisher ads fell into a drawing for a special prototype of one of the event figurines. You got one chance for each $10 ad space. Well Wisher adds were due by February 15, 2008.
EVENT YEARBOOK
Last year we introduced an event yearbook that was a big hit with the attendees. People could put a name to the face, even the MSN board names. If you would like to be included in the Event Yearbook, send a digital photo (with the resolution set for printing) to HOP Registration along with any little bit of information that you would like shared about yourself. We will include your name, your state, your MSN board name, and other personal information that you wish to share. The deadline to be included in the Yearbook was March 1, 2008.
DRESS CODE
All events are casual dress. However, we hoped you dressed up as a pirate or appropriate character for the Friday night Pirate Conclave, as we had a Costume Contest for the best dressed buccaneers and lot. So, did you bring your eye patch and were ready to walk the plank (or the stage, if you wish)?
WHO ARE THE PIRATES?
This was your chance to get to know the artists and the people who made HK into a highly prized collectible. We hope you also had an exciting time with other HK collectors!
PIRATES of the KINGDOM
CHARITABLE DONATIONS
EVENT DETAILS
EVENT PIECES
EVENTS SCHEDULE
MERCHANDISE
OPTIONAL OUTINGS
SPONSORSHIP
PHOTO ALBUMS
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