This is the report I wrote in 1999 about PIN March Stockholm 1999

Thursday: Preparing or the event

On Thursday, March 4th 1999 Karin and I flew to Stockholm early. As we have been to Pin March 97 in Antwerp and Pin March 98 in Copenhagen we already knew that if we would come on Friday we wouldn't have much time to see a little bit of Stockholm. So we flew a day earlier this time and arrived at our Hotel (the KOM Hotel where PIN (Pincollectors International Network) had worked out a special rate for its members) at about 1.30 pm.

As I knew the PIN Board would already be at the HRC we thought we should go up and offer them our help. So at about 2 pm we arrived at the HRC Stockholm. A Staff-Member of HRC Stockholm told us that the 'Pin Folks' were already upstairs preparing stuff for the event. We went upstairs and I tell you I had never seen so much HRC Merchendise in one room. All raffle and auction items were there and the PIN folks were pretty busy.

Of course we decided to stay and help them instead of doing the sightseeing stuff. Guess what: Even the 'Pin Man' himself - Uncle Dan - was working pretty hard on preparing items for the raffle. Great work, Dan.

Besides putting numbers on the raffle items we had to prepare the special 'Pin March 99 Laminates', putting together the Auction items and packing 200 goodies-bags. Everybody who attended the Pin March received at the entrance one of these goodie-bags which had a HRC Stockholm Menu, a HRC Stockholm button, a special Pin March button, a special Pin March Laminate, an auction catalog, a HRC Stockholm Pin (red online doubleneck guitar), a PIN sticker, some information on PIN and - most important - a coupon to buy the special HRC Stockholm Pin March 99 pin.

We only had one big problem: there was a suitcase with a lot of donations - and no key for it. Alan Daines had it with him - and was doing some sightseeing with his wife Barbara. Alan, we really thought about going for a knife to open this big suitcase - we were sooooooo curious. But finally Alan and Barbara showed up - good timing folks.

As time went on more and more Pin Collectors showed up - and after we had prepared everything trading began as a lot of people had their trading-bags with them. Dennis Thern, Manager of HRC Stockholm, was impressed that so many people (I guess we were around 30 or 40) were already there and said 'This was supposed to happen on Friday'. Well, Dennis, Friday was another story...
Karin and I left early at around 9 pm as we knew the next two days would be something special...

Friday: The arrival of the pin collectors

On Friday morning we got up early to see at least a little bit of the city. Unfortunately the weather was bad (it had snowed all night and the streets were very wet) so Karin and I just did a little tour to the old-town of Stockholm called Gamla Stan which is really wonderful. Very narrow alleys with small cafes and beautiful buildings. We enjoyed it to be there again - and forgot the bad weather. And the cappucino at the ART CAFE was just perfect.

At about 3 pm we went back to the hotel, picked up the pin-bags and went to the HRC. On the way there I found a little photo-shop and made a deal with the owner. Ulli Ratz, acting president of PIN, had asked me to be the 'official photographer of Pin March 99' and so I thought it would be nice to take pictures and have them developed right away so that people could get a copy of their photos with them on their way back home. The owner was great and offered me to let the shop open 3 more hours on saturday just for us.

When we finally arrived at the function rooms of HRC Stockholm it was crowded. It seemed like about 100 people already were there - and pin-bags were all around.

To mention just a few names there were Uncle Dan, Judson Pitt, James Fridenberg (3 of the 4 Traders - the folks who made this great OFFICIAL HRC PIN COLLECTORS GUIDE), Gary Goh, James and Sara Wetgrove, Joe DeNiro, Eugene Mallar, Danny Foh, Carol Feuerborn, Daver Zopfi, Nancy, Peggy and Don Fitzgerald, Big Duva, Dr. Frank Begun, Big Bernd, Nawarat Vichien - and a lot more.

Dennis seemed to be very happy that already so many people showed up. And there were already two folks of the STAR OF HOPE were the donation would go to. They had an information booth and I saw a lot of folks coming over and talking to them.

Whow, trading was so great. I saw about every pin I had ever heard of - incldung rare Staff Pins. And trading was heavy. At the end of the evening I had more than 60 new pins for my collection. I was very very happy with so many new and nice pins.

Also it was a great 'HELLO' for some of us when we met people again that we had not seen since Pin March 98. I also met a lot of people for the first time in person that I had dealt with on the Internet often - but this was the first time I could actually trade with them in person and talk to them. That was great. My biggest HALLO was for my good friend Gary Goh from London - that I had not seen for - well at least a few weeks. Gary - despite your food poisoning it's always a pleasure to meet with you.

I was especially very happy that my 'old-time-pal' Joachim 'Honk' Hanka showed up. Honk was one of the first folks that I traded pins with online - and although he decided to sell his collection about a year ago he still enjoys to be together with us and to be part of a Pin March. Honk, it was great to see you again and I hope you will be part of Pin March 2000 too.

It shows - what I would call 'the old european gang'. These are the folks from Germany and Switzerland (well and Gary from London was there of course) that met at HRC Antwerp when we had no idea that a European Pin March like this could ever happen. What I really miss on this picture is Stefan Winkler - Stefan, you really belong to this 'gang' and we all really missed you in Stockholm. Hope to see you at Pin March 2000.

Saturday: PIN March 1999 takes place

After having breakfast with a lot of HRC Pin Collectors at the KOM hotel we walked over to the HRC. Although we all knew that they wouldn't open before 11 am we were there early with about 50 others to make sure we all get a nice table.
At 11 am the crowd went into the function rooms of HRC Stockholm and Pin March 99 could start. Upon entering everbody got his goodies-bag.

I'm sure: Within the next hour at least 2000 pins were traded. Everybody was so excited - and traders bags were everywhere. The rooms got crowded within 30 minutes. I swear I don't lie: When I came into the Men's Room at one point two guys were trading pins there...

After just one hour a message came threw that I could not believe: Within an hour all raffle tickets were sold out. And we had 5000 (!) of them. At one dollar for each ticket that meant that we had already made 5.000 US-$ for the Star of Hope. What a great start.
About 200 Pin Collectors from all over the world were there when at 12.15 pm Ulli Ratz, acting president of PIN, welcomed everybody to Pin March 99.

Then it was time for the first Auction - and time for Alan Daines. Alan did a great job and I'm sure for the next couple of years he has a job at Pin Marches - Alan always will be our official Pin March Auctioneer.

The first auction item (A HRC Stockholm STAFF Back Pack with 5 secret items in it - including 3 STAFF Waitresses and an old 'special key' to the function rooms) went away for US-$ 500 and so more money came together soon for the Star of Hope. I bid for a Saipan Opening Staff Pin and was lucky enough to be the high-bidder on this item. When at around 2 pm the first part of the auction ended we had a few thousand dollars more for the Star of Hope - whow.

For the next two hours trading was high again - and some silent auction took place. At 4 pm the second part of the auction took place and Alan was busy again. During both auction we had a very helpgul hand by Dana Begun, daugther of Dr. Frank. Dana went threw the room with every auction item so everybody could have a close look at it and decide who much to bid for it. Thank you so much for your help Dana.

Before the second part of the auction started a lady that represented the Star of Hope made a very emotional statement. She said that she had no idea that we were like a big family and that she almost felt like being a part of it. Yes, you are right, I thought: We are a big family that meets only a few times each year and really loves these family-get-togethers.

The second part of the auction started with a HOT ONE. Item # 16 was the official PIN March Guitar Pin - and the NAME of the guitar in ALL coming postings (remember the Carol Feuerborn Guitar from last year). I can tell you it was a bidding fight and it was just fanastic that 1.500 US-$ finally went to the Star of Hope to make sure that this pin from now on official is called UNCLE DAN-Guitar !

Our goal was to make 20.000 US-$ for the Star of Hope - for the children of Russia. And after the acution ended Mr. Udo was pretty busy in finding out how much we had made for charity.

In the meantime everybody could pick up the items he/she won in the raffle. Everybody had won a few things - and it seemed like most were very happy with the items they had won.

Also everybody had the chance to let at least three of the 4 Traders - authors of the Official HRC Pin Collectors Guide - let them sign their book. And a lot went and bought one at the Stockholm Merchendise Store to have their signed version when they returned home.

At 9 pm the founder of the Star of Hope received a check from Pin March 99 - with almost 30.000 US-$ for the Star of Hope. Folks, what a great success for all of us - and for the children of Russia. The Star of Hope-people were absolutly happy, they were almost in tears. Click here to get some information about where the money will go.

The Star of Hope thanked the HRC Stockholm with a 'Diploma' and a special 'Diploma' was given by them to Dennis Thern. As Dennis wasn't upstairs at that point people began shouting 'Den-nis', 'Den-nis', 'Den-nis' cause we all know how much work he had done for this event and how big his part was in getting this great amount of money. Hearing all the shouting Dennis came up and thanked everybody for being part of this great event.

A great day - a great Pin March - ended. And we were all happy. Happy about the great trades we had made - and happy about the money that came together.

Sunday: Happy staff, crowded HRC and the collectors world waved Good-Bye

After another night of dreaming of pins and after another breakfast with a lot of fellow HRC Pin Collectors you know what happened... of course we went back to the HRC Stockholm to do some more trading and chatting. For the organization-crew it was the first time they were able to trade pins - and also Dennis Thern for the first time this weekend did some trades.

Everbody was still talking about this great event we all had been part of and the big amount of money that came together. And of course there was the main question 'What will be next year' ? People were talking about where to go - and most of them said: Let's get back to Stockholm - this is the perfect place for the event. I personally totally agree. And I talked to Dennis Thern if he would do all the work again. he was smiling - and talking about how hard it will be to beat the 30.000 US-$ next year. Dennis, you are right. It will be hard. But even if next year we would 'only' get 20.000 together we would help a lot of children in Russia with it. Well, I guess plans for Pin March 2000 will be made within the next 2 months - and I really hope that HRC Stockholm will be our host for the Millenium Pin March.

At about 2 pm the first Collectors had to wave good-bye as their planes were about to leave. It was hard to say good-bye to all these nice folks after 4 days of HRC fun - but we all said: We will meet again next year for Pin March 2000.
Later Dennis Thern even let us have a peek at some of the drawings of upcoming HRC Stockholm pins. Keep an eye on them folks - they look great.

At about 4 pm Karin and I had to leave. After finding out that the Duty Free Shop had great whisky (I am a big whisky fan and bought 3 very good and rare bottles) we were walking to our gate - but had to stop as a bunch of people were waving at us. Of course: HRC Pin Collectors were at the bar having a last swedish beer there. What a great surprise to see some of them here again.

Well, after a nice flight I arrived back home with over 100 new pins for my collection and with a memory full of nice meetings. Folks, it was great to have met you all. I have enjoyed Pin March 99 very much - in my opinion it was the best Pin March we ever had. Not only because of the amount of money we made for charity. Everything was perfect.

At this point I want to thank a few of you. First of all I have to thank Dennis Thern, Manager of HRC Stockholm for everything. Dennis, I had heard a lot about you even before I visited HRC Stockholm for the first time in 1998 (missed Dennis on that trip as he was in Asia at that time) - and all the great storys I heard about you seems to be true. You are a great guy. Thanks for everything.
Secondly I have to thank the staff if HRC Stockholm. After visiting HRC Stockholm for the first time in 1998 I already said that this is the best staff I have ever met at a HRC. But I know that this Pin March was something different and that it was a lot of hard work for you. Everybody of you always had a smile on your face and seemed to be relaxed - even with all this hard to manage people. Thank you so much for everything. I nominee the staff of HRC Stockholm - all together - for the Employee of the YEAR award.
Well, of course I have to thank the crew of PIN (Pincollectors International Network) for their great work. I know how much work it was for you and how much you invested in this. In the last 3 months when I wrote to my good friend Ulli Ratz he always told me what right now was going on in preparing the event. I know how often they flew over to Stockholm to make sure everything would work perfectly - and it did. Folks, thank you so much. I know it was hard work - but I guess looking into the eyes of the representatives of the Star of Hope must have you all feel very proud.

Also I wanna thank these folks who helped in preparing everything for the event on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Karin and I had a little part in it too). Especially I wanna thank our fantastic auctioneer Alan Daines. Alan I already told you: I'm sure that a part of the money which came together at the auction was because of your great performance. You really know how to run an auction. Also I wanna thank Dana Begun for helping us with the auction items.

A special thank you goes out to all the folks who donated stuff for the auction and the raffle - and for those who kept on asking for donations at all the HRCs. These donations made it all happen...

Last but not least I wanna thank all the folks who bought raffle tickets and bid in the auction. Your money will help the Star of Hope a lot. I spend about 100 US-$ on raffle tickets, 150 US-$ in the auction and some more on the Star of Hope Super Sale. I never looked at it as 'what do I get for my money' after I had been to the information booth of the Star of Hope. The money is well invested. Thank you all for spending the money on raffle auction and everything.

Folks I have no idea where Pin March 2000 will take place. But one thing is for sure: I will be part of it again. Make sure you will be there too. Be part of the Millenium Pin March !!!

Jens