HELLO TO ALL YOU SUPER-MODELS, FASHIONISTAS AND TRENDSETTERS!

Welcome to the official site for BARBIE™ ON THE RUNWAY, the 2008 National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention.  We hope you'll join us in Kansas City, Missouri, next June for a fabulous, fashionable time!

Breaking News!!!

The Runway Report has been published and is just bursting with very fashionable news!  If you are a registered conventioneer, you should have received your printed copy in the mail by now.  If not, you can read all of the news right here.  To download a printable version, click here!

Wanna Know a Secret?

The biggest Convention secret is always what the Mattel-made Souvenir Doll will look like. We’re going to break precedent here and give you a hint. We’re tickled pink to reveal that the Convention has gotten permission from a major motion picture studio to have Mattel replicate one of the gorgeous outfits worn by a legendary star in a classic movie about models, photographers and fashion designers.

The Convention Souvenir Doll will be dressed in one of these outfits. And, to help you make an educated guess on what the doll will be wearing, this mystery movie will be screened at Convention on Thursday, June 19 at 8pm.

To take a real-size outfit and miniaturize it for a Barbie doll is no small task. Mari Dewitt of Marirose Designs was given the honor of being the official Convention Souvenir Doll Designer and she's done a masterful job of turning "real-size" into "Barbie® -size". To supervise turning a one-of-a-kind "Barbie® -size" outfit into something that can be produced in multiples, Mattel assigned its Senior Designer Robert Best, always a collector favorite. We know you’ll be delighted with the results!

Wanna Know Another Secret?

At the three sit-down meals, there will be a fabulous centerpiece on each table which someone at that table will win. And we can let you in on one more little secret!  At two of the meal events, The Photo Studio Luncheon and The On Location Dinner, the glamorous dresses for the centerpiece dolls were especially designed and donated by Steven Fraser of Dressmaker Details Couture!

Okay, We'll Tell You One More!

We are delighted to announce the artists who have generously agreed to participate in this year’s Live Auction!  They will be creating one-of-a kind dolls that are true masterpieces!

• Angie Gill - Gilly Gals
• Artist Creations
• Bruce Nygren & Peter Nickel
• Camilli De Bellis - Cover Girls
• Carol Spencer
• Jeff Bouchard - Joshard Designs
• Magia 2000
• Matt Sutton
• Ninimomo
• Steven Fraser - Dressmaker Details

We're thrilled that Mattel’s contribution to the Live Auction will be designed by Sharon Zuckerman!

Please visit the Live Auction page for all of the details, plus a sneak preview of Carol Spencer's beautiful doll!

Airport Shuttle Service Change

KCI Shuttle was recently purchased by Super Shuttle.  The new Super Shuttle hotel/airport online reservation URL is:

http://www.supershuttle.com:80/default.aspx?GC=K4QD5

If you prefer speaking with a person you may call 1-800-258-3826 and use the code K4QD5.

Our apologies for the inconvenience and if anyone has any problems using either system, please let us know.

Calling All Fashionistas!

All fashion icons know that the most important part of style is the look!  How do you get it?  Why by flashing your Fashionista Pass, of course!  We are offering a limited number of Convention Fashionista passes to hang on your lanyard, flash to the paparazzi and add to your overall icon status.  

Fashionistas will get reserved seating at the Fashion Show, early access to the Competition Room, special SuperModel Cafe access and 5 free raffle tickets.  The cost is $25 and only 150 Fashionista passes will be available.  Passes will be sold on a first-come, first served  basis. 

Send in the Fashionista Pass form, along with your payment, postmarked on May 1^st or later for conventioneers outside the U.S. and May 5^th or later for U.S. conventioneers.  You’ll receive your Fashionista pass when you are welcomed at our Registration Center.  Relax, you’re always in style with a Convention Fashionista Pass!

Book A Room!  Please!

The Convention room block at our fabulous hotel, the Hyatt Crown Center, is getting very near full. If you haven’t made your reservations yet, NOW is the perfect time to do so.

Rooms may be reserved at $145 per night (for one to four people) from June 11 to June 25, 2008. If you’ve already made your reservations but want to come in earlier (or stay later), now is a good time to revise them!

Reservations can be made online at hyatt.com using our group code G-BBIE. If you prefer to make your reservations by telephone you may call either 816-421-1234 (the hotel’s direct number) or 1-888-591-1234 (Hyatt’s toll free number). Just tell them you are with the Barbie® Convention and you should be able to make reservations at our rate of $145. It’s that easy!

Catwalk Competition Room

Important Update: After receiving a number of inquiries, comments and suggestions about foreign fashions, we have added an overall vintage category entitled "FOREIGN." There are two category numbers:

FO1 Doll dressed in outfit sold only in Europe
FO2 Doll dressed in outfit sold only in Asia

This should help eliminate any concerns about domestic fashions being judged up against foreign fashions. For additional information, or questions about this category, please contact Ann Swindell at Ann.Swindell@yahoo.com .

Don't forget to send in your Competition Entry Form as soon as you have decided upon your entries. This will help us in determining appropriate space allotment for each category. Also, check the online Yahoo! Convention group frequently for our monthly competition tips. It's a great way to learn more
about entering competition and what to look for from the judges. A lot of people have chimed in with great suggestions of their own. Lastly, we
are still accepting volunteers for apprentice judges, master judges and help in the competition room. It's a great way to get involved behind the scenes at the convention!

Looking forward to seeing all the great entries!

Thanks to Our Sponsors! We are very fortunate to have generous sponsors underwriting our Convention events.  Please join us in thanking them for making the Convention extra special! MATTEL The Photo Studio Luncheon DRESSMAKER DETAILS COUTURE Strike A Pose Fashion Show DREAM HOUSE DOLLS/Home of The Fashion Mannequin The Go See Welcome Reception THE MAN BEHIND THE DOLL Ready-to-Wear Raffle Room RUTH CRONK and ANN SWINDELL Catwalk Competition Room HALLMARK CARDS, INC. The On Location Dinner JEWELED DESIGNS by LISA KOPPELMAN-ELLIOT The Designer’s Ball JUDENE HANSEN/DREAM DOLLS GALLERY SuperModel Cafe

Bling Boutique News!

Don’t forget that you can still pre-order any of our wonderful souvenirs by May 1st. By pre-ordering you save the MO sales tax of 7.85%, you are guaranteed to get the items you want and you’re saved from waiting in that long Souvenir Shop line. Click here for a printable souvenir order form and place your order today!

More news.......
Due to the ever increasing price of gold, we are no longer taking orders for the gold mini-Barbie® pendant. For those of you who have already pre-ordered the gold pendant, we will, of course, honor those orders.

Shipping to the Hotel?

Planning on sending items to the hotel prior to your arrival? Here’s all you need to know:

• Packages should not arrive more than 3 days prior to your arrival;
• A $3.00 charge per box will be added to your room for boxes weighing up to 20lbs;
• A $5.00 charge per box will be added to your room for boxes weighing 20 to 50 lbs;
• Packages should be addressed:

Your Name
Date of Arrival
2008 Barbie® Convention
Hyatt Regency Crown Center
2345 McGee Street
Kansas City, MO 64108

Do You Have A Nickname?

How would you like your nametag to read? Do you have a nickname you want used? Do we have your city, state and country correct? Please take a look at the mailing label on your convention packet or newsletter— unless we hear from you, this is how your nametag will read. If there are any changes you’d like to see, please fill out this form (please print legibly) and send it to:

2008 National Barbie Doll Convention
421A Dedham Street
Newton Centre, MA 02459-3300

Or e-mail the information, with “Convention Nametag” in the subject line to:

2008Convention@comcast.net

Be Part of the Barbie® Doll Salesroom!

The Salesroom is filling up, so if you are planning on getting a table, this would be a good time to send in that contract. For $125, you get a 6’ x 30”, cloth-covered table, two chairs and 1,000 eager buyers with plenty of paper and plastic to spend!

The salesroom is open for three hours on Thursday, the 19th and for two hours on Friday, the 20th for registered conventioneers only. On Saturday, the salesroom will also be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We are
expecting hundreds of local collectors to show up for public day.

You don’t have to be a professional doll dealer or doll artist to sell in the
salesroom. Lots of collectors subsidize the cost of coming to convention - - even the cost of keeping up with your own Barbie® collecting habits - - by selling in the Convention salesroom. Sell duplicates, unwanted items, or even your own customized Barbie® dolls or outfits. And to save on the cost, you can share a table with a fellow collector who wants to make doll money the same way.

You can find the salesroom contract in your registration book, or click here!

If you have any questions, you can email Norita Bergmann at:

norita2008nbdcc@aol.com

We’re Still Platinum!

We’re delighted to announce that the two versions of the Convention Souvenir Doll being made by Mattel – Caucasian and African American – will both be PLATINUM LABEL™ DOLLS!!  We are thrilled that Mattel is continuing with this popular tradition.

Calling All Volunteers!

No Runway Show is complete without a staff of stylists, dressers, make-up artists, not to mention someone to do the all important non-fat latte run! Barbie™ on the Runway is no exception. This is your chance to work behind the scenes at convention and see how it’s all done. You’ll find the Volunteer Form on page 41 of your registration book or click here for a printable copy of the form.

Please consider donating some of your time to make your Runway Show the hit of the season!

IT’S SWELL! Thanks to Mattel, one of our favorite traditions will continue at the Photo Studio Luncheon, sponsored by Mattel, on Thursday. One lucky conventioneer will become the winner of a complete set of dolls from the 2008 Barbie® Collector line! Of course, you must be present to win, so don’t slip out early to hang out at the rooftop pool!

SuperModel Cafe Programs Added!!

Barbie® Doll’s Historical Commercials! - Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

Join Carol Spencer as she shows Barbie® TV commercials from the 1950's & 60's with a few of her favorite 80's & 90's commercials. To make it very special, Carol plans to tell you about the designers from the early years who created the fashions you first fell in love with. The historical reel begins in black and white and then goes into color as TV technology progressed.

Life in 1/6 Scale - Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Do you love Barbie® doll's tiny accessories almost more than her clothes? Is the diorama competition your favorite part of convention? Did you ever make a table for Barbie® out of that little plastic piece that keeps the pizza box cover off the pizza? If so, you are living in 1/6 scale and either are, or have the potential to become, a miniatures addict! Please join Priscilla Wardlow for an information-filled hour of miniature fun.

Ken® Doll in 1992 & 1993 - Thursday, June 19, 2008 6:00 – 7:00 pm

With Alan™ doll stealing Ken® doll’s thunder in the 1991, Ken® instantly becomes a boyfriend of a by-gone era. This discussion focuses on Ken® doll’s history from 1992-1993, starting with the discontinuation of the 1988 Ken® head mold and the aspirations for an entirely new look. But was it the image of Ken® that needed the most work? Had the character of Ken® run its course? Join Jef Beck, our very own "man behind the doll" as he showcases the myriad of different looks created for Ken® doll in the
1992 and 1993 lines. These years prove to be an integral and fascinating part of Ken® doll's history, as production levels reach their highest and Barbie® sales reach one billion dollars worldwide.

Barbie™ on the Runway Trivia Quiz - Thursday, June 19, 2008 7:00 – 8:00 pm

So you think you're a Fashionista?!?! Let's see how much you really know! Join us for the Barbie™ On The Runway Trivia Quiz in the Super Model Cafe for a FUN hour of Fashionista Facts!

Be sure to check your schedule when you arrive in Kansas City for more programs!

Raffle Room Donations Still Needed!

Get out those craft items, get the Club together and clean out those closets! We want this year’s Raffle Room to be the very best ever!! Contact
Jef Beck with your donation/questions at jef@manbehindthedoll.com
All donations valued at $50 or more will receive a complimentary business card ad in the Souvenir Ad Book. Deadline is May 1, 2008, for shipping and you can always bring your donation with you to convention!

Sponsoring Opportunities with Photo Spots

It seems everyone brings a camera to Convention. And we plan on giving you a dozen glamorous stand-up photo ops with which you and your friends can pose. Sponsorship of each Photo Spot is $250. This is a perfect "op" for doll dealers, clubs and Convention-minded individuals. If interested in being a Photo Spot sponsor, please contact Lisa Franco at:

2008convention@comcast.net

Tours Glorious Tours!

By popular demand, tours are back!  Click here for all of the details on the following tours:

The Gangsters of KC Tour - 1.5 hours, $20/person
Wild, Wild West -6 hours, $60/person
Harley Davidson Plant Tour - 3 hours, $23/person
JAZZIN Up the Town - 6-11pm, $60/person

Special Gift!!

Celebrate Barbie® doll's 50th anniversary with a special Barbie® surprise in 2009.

Attending the 2008 Barbie® doll convention gives you exclusive access to a surprise doll in 2009*. Attend the 2008 National Barbie® doll Collectors Convention in Kansas City, Missouri and receive a certificate entitling you to this special gift.

There are still registrations available for the 2008 convention--Please join us and enjoy this wonderful gift from Mattel!

*Doll offer limited to the first 1,000 paid registrations to the 2008 National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention. Dolls will be mailed to the address listed on the 2008 National Barbie® doll Collectors Convention registration form before July 31, 2009. Offer subject to acceptance.

BARBIE™ ON THE RUNWAY is a celebration of Barbie® as the high fashion model; from her beginnings sporting a wardrobe of haute couture-inspired ensembles, to today with some of the world’s most famous and talented designers – such as Givenchy, Dior, Carolina Herrera and Badgley-Mischka – creating fashions just for her! (Haute Couture, by the way, is French for high fashion; haute rhymes with boat and couture is pronounced coo-tour)

There'll be lots to do, day and night. You can shop 'til you drop in The Garment Center Salesroom, snap pix or walk the runway in the Strike The Pose Fashion Show, hang out, attend programs or kick up your heels in The Super Model Cafe, try your luck with raffle tickets for the dazzling treasures in the Ready-To-Wear Raffle Room, stock up on unique, ultra-limited souvenirs in The Bling Boutique, sign-up for one of the "fashion" oriented workshops or display the best from your own personal collections (or your own best designs) in the Catwalk Competition Room. You'll also be able to bid on Silent or Live Auction one-of-a-kind artists' dolls.

We've planned fabulous Convention gifts, a movie screening, Mattel surprises and the biggest surprise of them all - the Convention doll given out at the end of Saturday evening's banquet.

Our jewel of a hotel, the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, is a deluxe 42-story skyscraper in the heart of Kansas City, which itself is a jewel of a city in the heart of the Midwest. If you haven't been to Kansas City before, prepare to have your designer socks knocked off! There's great dining, shopping, entertainment, architecture and special interest museums, too. You may want to come a few days early (at the same low $145 per night hotel rate) to fully enjoy Kansas City.

Whether this is your first convention or your twenty-eighth, we promise you a week filled with non-stop doll fun, shopping and socializing with old friends and brand new ones, too.

We look forward to seeing you at BARBIE™ ON THE RUNWAY.

Lisa Franco
Chairman
2008 National Barbie® Doll Collectors Convention