Monumental Doll Moments
The Expo will celebrate what they are calling "monumental moments" in dolls this year, including the 15th anniversary of Marie Osmond Dolls. Marie will be on hand, to receive a new industry award, the Jones Publishing Crystal Award for Industry Leadership. This new award recognizes leadership and contributions to the doll and/or bear industries through innovation, marketing and creativity. Also receiving a major award this year is Wendy Lawton of the Lawton Doll Company, who will receive the Jones Publishing Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors outstanding contributions to the doll and teddy bear industry. Marie's award will be presented at a Friends Like You Crystal Gala Dinner Friday night, August 18th. Wendy's award will be presented at the 2006 Golden Teddy Awards and DOLLS Diamond Awards Banquet on Saturday night, where the DOLLS Diamond Awards will also be announced.
Collector Events Opened To All
Collectors can visit the exhibit floor on Saturday and Sunday (trade only on Friday). There are also various events planned, including a "Teddies To Go" workshop with Bev White (opened to all), a Tyler Wentworth Design Competition and auction (on eBay) to benefit the Children's National Medical Center, and the Good Bears of the World auction.
Additional Doll Events
For a fee, additional events include a Breakfast With Wendy in Kensington Gardens (a Wendy Lawton collector event), Tea Time with Berdine and Friends, and the aforementioned awards events.
For Further Information
The Doll and Teddy Bear Expo will take place this year at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. August 18th through 20th, 2006. The event is sponsored by Jones Publishing, the publisher of DOLLS, Teddy Bear Review and Doll Crafter B Costuming magazines. Admission is $15 to the general public, but free for subscribers to any of the magazines. Tickets for the Crystal Award Dinner are $175 each and tickets to the DOLLS Diamond Awards Banquet are $75 each. For more information, visit www.dollandteddyexpo.com.
