to it’s Midwest tradition in grand fashion, and to rave reviews by artists and collectors alike! The event previously held in Kansas and promoted by DBFH Studios and more recently by ABC Unlimited Productions, missed its show in 2006. Now moved to Missouri, convenient to KCI International Airport, a brand new hotel with adjoining newly remodeled Expo Center, the show has a new face and is now produced by Good Bears of the World. Most appropriately, its first theme was “Good Bears, Good Friends, Good Times” and the two-day event lived up to its title.

Artists and collectors from California to Massachusetts, Oregon to Florida journeyed to America’s heartland to celebrate the much-missed venue. Forty-eight exhibitors filled fifty-three tables with their prize winning designs, and conventioneers and collectors were seen making several trips to their cars to drop off bags of bears and return to the well lighted, beautifully appointed showroom for more!!

Upon registration, exhibitors and conventioneers were treated to show programs, special name badge holders that included a souvenir lapel pin of the 2007 signature bear (aka, T.B.J.), and a very special friendship bracelet from GBW that featured a teddy bear cut out of a lucky penny and suspended from a copper chain, that brought lots of smiles and got the event off to happy start.

The Friday night banquet included 80 attendees, and guest of honor, Bill Boyd looking dapper as ever accompanied by his niece, Libby Comfort. The banquet included sumptuous food choices and a cheesecake dessert bar! The tables were decorated with Good Bears sporting their special friendship bracelets and mylar balloons. The winners of the centerpieces received not only the centerpieces, but also a case of Good Bears to gift to their favorite charity. This puts a new spin on winning a centerpiece, and was well received by the winners. Terrie Stong, International Chairbear of GBW, said “this is what we do, so it’s fitting we use it here. Looks like we have a new tradition!"

Photograhy courtesy of Fran Mattox

On full tummy’s, those who had signed up for the souvenir bear by Marji Bebiak, Hucklebeary Junction Bears and a GBW Bearo, were thrilled to receive the piece entitled Best Friends a terrific elephant and bear exemplifying the shows theme.

Following the banquet was an auction of 54 pieces donated by exhibitors, friends and GBW dens. The auction raised $6,745.00 and wonderful works found new homes thanks to talents of auctioneer, Martha Burch.

The Saturday show opened at 9 a.m. for conventioneers, and 10 a.m. to the public. Floor plans with table and alpha lists of exhibitors were given to each entrant. Door prizes, silent auctions, and many smiling and familiar faces from previous Jubilees, toured the aisles through the afternoon. At the end of the day there were many empty tables, a round of applause, and lots of group hugs!!

YES!! Jubilee is back, but not without the help and support of GBWs Jubilee Committee who helped make the event reminiscent of its bygone days. While exhibitors were busily setting up on Saturday morning, at 7:15 and 7:45a.m. Cathy Draper, instrumental in the shows planning and promotion, was interviewed live by local ABC-TV affiliate KMBC-9’s Michele Rooney. Earlier that week, Cathy also gifted Good Bears to Operation Breakthrough with Kansas City Chiefs, Rudy Niswanger and his wife Patricia. Additionally the show was posted to numerous internet calendars, covered by the Kansas City Star, and Missouri’s Discover Magazine. Cathy’s endeavors paid big dividends toward the success of the show. Working behind the scenes was Pat Kapral composing ads, graphics and whatever else it took, (yes, even trash bags!), to make the event special.

The 2008 Jubilee promises to be bigger still, with several secret events in the works!! Watch future ads and www.teddybearjubilee.com for details.