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Hi all, I am wondering how many of you have attend the Matchbox Gathering in NM each year. I am curious if it is worth the trip as I am considering attending this year. My main reason to go would be to attend the car show looking for models, displays, literature, etc. that I don't currently have. Are there a lot of Matchbox dealers that sell the older stuff or is it mainly new items? How is the room trading? Is it worth staying in the convention hotel? I want to attend but don't want to spend the money if I am only likely to find a handful of pre-1968 cars. I am after variations and the rarer models so any information you can spare would be beneficial.

Thanks, John

Hi John.
I have been to the gathering only once and that was in 2004 so quite a while ago, There were a lot of later Matchbox but there were also lots of good regular wheels too, It was similar to your normal toy fair but without the thousands of beaten up models that nobody wants, But the best part for me was meeting all of the guys that I had known for years but had never met, I could not recommend going there highly enough, I also got to visit Jim Gallegos homestead and see his collection, Yes it can be a bit expensive but it is an event that is second to none, and the hotel is excellent. Well done Jim G.

I totally agree with Nick's statement. My two visits were quite a long while ago too, in 2004 and 2005, and I do not travel overseas at all anymore nowadays for various reasons, but if I did, it would certainly be a must.

I do not think there is any Matchbox event in the world that is better in terms of quality as well as quantity. Worth travelling any distance!

You do not have to stay at the convention hotel, as you can perhaps find a cheaper place nearby and still participate in all the events including room trading, but I have always found it a bit easier to have my own room right at the location.

I have been attending 11 out of 14 events so far, and it really was worth it every single year!
There are always dealers with tons of new and old stuff - not just Matchbox (but mostly!).
Room trading normally has up to 25 rooms opened (from people selling just a few items, to others having the whole room stacked full of toys!).
The Sunday toy show attracts some more dealers than just the ones from the room trading. A lot of them have non-Matchbox items, but you still can find a few more Matchbox toys there.
I'm always having a room at the Marriott hotel (at $99 + taxes per night), as I find it much more convenient to be where the action takes place.
And I'm always part of the room trading, too.....

For me, a big part of the fun is to meet up with my collecting friends, and to make some new ones, too. I really don't want to miss that!!

So you'd better start saving your money for next year's event, which takes place July 21 -23, 2017!

Kay

Next year would be a good year to go.

I have attended 13 of the 14 gatherings. I have met a lot of great people and have increased my Matchbox knowledge exponentially.

I am one of the few who was at the first gathering back in the old days. It was really just some collectors meeting back then. It has grown into a much bigger event now.

Most of the collectors at the gathering are into older Matchbox. There are lots of regular wheels available. Selection depends on who shows in any particular year. Over the years I have been able to find many things I thought I would never have in my collection. This is also a good opportunity to meet many of the western US collectors. I live in somewhat of a Matchbox collectors desert. There are fewer than ten serious collectors on Colorado. The gathering allows everybody from the region to meet and collect.

I have always stayed at the convention hotel. I like parking the car and not moving it for the whole weekend. For a level four Marriott the price is reasonable. I attend the convention dinner and auction. The auction generally has nice items including prototypes and unusual items. I attend most of the seminars. Usually Paul Carr or Ali will give a fantastic talk about Lesney and Florida Jim has the best seminars about all matters of things. This year was Matchbox copies. He knows his fake stuff.

The great schism occurred because of the gathering and that is too bad. I have good friends on both sides and I am sorry everybody can't meet together anymore. Oh, and one year the motel flooded. That was fun.

I would go.

Hans in Denver

I plan to attend the gathering when I retire in 4 years. I can't do it any sooner sadly.

I plan to attend The Gathering when I win the Lottery. (Surely it must be my turn soon?)

I plan to attend The Gathering when Hugh wins the lottery

johnboy wrote:I plan to attend The Gathering when Hugh wins the lottery

This year was my first time at the Gathering and certainly not the last !

I met many great people there, including many collectors I only knew through this forum or the previous one. Everything there was quite perfect. The workshops/presentations were amazing, the room trading was a lot of fun, (visiting and receiving people over!) the auction night was a blast and even though I do not collect modern matchbox, the Mattel guys were great and they take this very seriously.

The Marriott was a great hotel, its restaurant was top quality, the room was perfect. I just can't find any flaw. Jim just makes a wonderful job.

I will be back next year and will likely come with my wife as we want to visit Santa Fe and then head to California.

It's a must.