Before I started this post I asked myself if I should keep this report short and sweet or if it should be little more in detail. Since so much has happened I have ultimately decided to do a longer version and here we go - hope you will like it...
It was a date so many people had been looking forward to for long time.
The 10th Anniversary for FinnPez Gathering in Helsinki.
On the 17th of March 2007 the first FinnPez Gathering took place with dozen participants (six collectors) at that time nobody suspected, that one day it would become the largest European PEZ event with 107 persons from 17 different countries!
With a lot of work, diligence and every time a super thoroughly organized event, Pirkka and Markku managed from year to year to attract more and more collectors from inland and abroad.
For me it was now the third time that I could participate, and it's been always fascinating to visit a great city, connected with people who share the same hobby, to see old and meet new friends, and of course to find one or other new PEZ dispenser for my collection.
My wife and I arrived on Wednesday around midnight with two full suitcases PEZ. Everyone who has attended the Finnpez Gathering once, knows how warmly you are welcomed and expected. From the first second you have arrived you get the feeling that you are a part of the FINNPez family. As it was very late and for Thursday full program was announced, we went to bed to get ready for the first official Finnpez day.
The first FinnPez day (Thursday)
started at 10am, a bus was waiting for us. We were able to choose in advance either a Helsinki shopping tour or a city sightseeing tour, and no matter which tour was chosen everyone was taken by bus into the town.
Marija, a Spanish-born woman, who grew up in England and due to the love moved to Finland was our tour guide. With joking and charm she gave us a lot of background info about the city, and the most beautiful sights.
It was a very nice and cozy city tour.
With Marija, Pirkka and Markku have booked for us a great and very professional tour guide. Against 14:00 the city tour was over, and everyone had enough time to explore the city on his own.
At this point I've to mention that also the return to the hotel was well thought-out, and we had three different pick-up times from the city center to the hotel.
After the dinner and although it was not announced as any official part of the gathering, some collectors opened their rooms for Room Hopping.
Many took advantage of the opportunity to stroll a little bit through the rooms and to take one or the other nice part.
I could buy a lot good stuff immediately in any room, but as I had only a certain budget I wanted rather to wait for Saturday.
On the second FINNPez day (Friday) we had again two organized tours.
The first tour was a visit of the famous finish sweets - company FAZER. We did not attend this tour as we went to the city to get a few gifts and to look for PEZ.
The second tour, I think all of us were very happy about, was about 3 pm to the toy museum at exhibition center in Espoo Suomen Lelumuseo Hevosenkenkä. The toy museum hosts many old children toys. Every collector likes to see such a PEZ exhibition. Everything moved in a good light, beautifully equipped with background information, and a lot of things inviting to make great photos. I saw many nice things I still miss in my collection. :)
After the return from the museum, we went to work. We had the opportunity to prepare our sales table for Saturday. Most of us could not resist, to turn round and to have a first look on other sales tables. The evening ended in a relaxed atmosphere in the FinnPez lounge, with good music, and nice PEZ talks.
THE 10th FINNPEZ CONVENTION (Saturday)
the big day, the hall was full around 11 am.
Everyone waited anxiously for the opening speech of Pirrka and Marrkku and of course for the presentation of the new gathering dispenser. There were already some rumors about the dispenser but nobody knew exactly what it would be.
As the moment of revelation has arrived and the Finn-boys made it very exciting, as in the years before, we all knew it is going to be something great and special.
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| The FINNPez dispenser "Black Pearl" |
At this point I want to say that I am very happy for the guys, and how important and cool it is, that PEZ International made an exception and supported the guys in celebrating the 10 year anniversary with this great dispenser.
After the presentation the sales were officially opened. There were really many sales tables and WOW a huge selection, from 50cent PEZ dispensers to a 2000 Euro PEZ owl, different other Gathering dispensers, mini PEZ dispensers, vintage PEZ, promotional products, candies. For sure everyone could find some new pieces for his collectionIt went speedy ahead.
After the lunch the games started and the guys had a few cool ideas. The winnings of the FINNPEZ Lotto were as unique as on no Gathering in Europe before.
I hoped of course (like everyone else probably) on the Ring Master or Knight but also all the other prices were just awesome. Nevertheless I managed to get a great NE Gathering dispenser.
We continued with two estimating games and with the possibility to win some great Finnpez Gathering dispenser from the past.
Now was the time to announce the winner of the PIMP MY PEZ dispenser competition. There were really great and unusual creations. Kelle from the UK has obtained the grand prize with her great candies-tree-dispenser. Not a big surprise for everyone who knows her and her creativity. At least for me was clear from the beginning. (congrats again Kelle)
After all these games, enough time was left over for sales, trades or simply nice talks.
As a conclusion we had all together a dinner. Great after-FinnPez party followed with Fun & Karaoke in the foreground.
And this is how my report ends as there is a special slogan regarding
the Finnpez after party
At the end I’d like to thank Pirkka and Markku and their family, friends and helpers for bringing so many PEZ people together from all around the world. You guys did an amazing job! Thank you so much for a wonderful PEZ Time in Helsinki. <3
Thank you Paul, Momo, Kelle, and Robert for the pictures :)
Creativity can be tough-you can't force it, it just has to develop on its own. I'm ALWAYS thinking about PEZ or the Visitor Center- trying to come up with a new activity, new product or new display.
I wish there was a blockbuster but unfortunately most anything that was good is long gone. It's my job to preserve what we have and establish an archive going forward. There are some files, paperwork, photos, etc. The discovery in April of this year of the vintage items in an old file cabinet was huge. Another file cabinet from the same office had a few files relating to 80s space guns & the Colonel Sanders promo with KFC that never happened. There are still many contracts from the 60s and 70s for some of the classics like Bullwinkle, Green Hornet and many others. One of these days I'd like to read through them and digitize things for preservation.
