Collectors Flock To First Ever GPK-Con

GPK_LOGO copyThe first ever GPK-Con is in the books! The largest gathering ever of Garbage Pail Kids artists and collectors took place this past weekend at the Super Toy Con event at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. GPK collectors from around the country gathered to meet artists and chat with fellow collectors they’ve only previously met online. Here are some highlights of the weekend,

Artist Seminar

File Aug 08, 11 55 17 PMThe show started Friday with the Artist Seminar. A total of 12 GPK/Wacky artists spoke and answered questions for just about an hour. The talk drew roughly 100 GPK collectors who got to hear stories from past and present artists. The highlight and loudest applause was for the attendance of Tom Bunk. The reverence the artists showed Mr. Bunk was evident throughout the talk. Jeff Zapata also told many stories from his days as Art Director at Topps. Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the panel was Jeff Zapata mentioning he would be returning to working on GPK final paintings in future sets. Collectors attending the panel were given 4 cards from the show exclusive set.

Artist’s Booths

File Aug 09, 12 06 38 AMThe artists at the show were all very approachable and happy to take time to talk to collectors. Many artists were doing sketch commissions during the show. They also sold a wide variety of sketch cards, prints, cards, and paintings. One highlight for collectors was David Gross’ Rejected Concepts Book. Collectors could purchase the book and get a sketch of their favorite character on the first page of the book. Another highlight was Mark Pingitore’s Disasters of the Universe card set. This debut set was a mashup of GPK style with Masters of the Universe characters.

Bowling Night

Saturday night saw upwards of 50 artists and collectors meet at the Orleans Bowling Center. Right around 20 people bowled with Jon Gregory the big winner of the night! Those who didn’t bowl still stayed and got to talk with artists and fellow collectors. Prizes were awarded and all collectors bowling were given 6 cards from the show exclusive set.

Sunday Breakfast

Matt Oldweiler from geepeekay.com hosted a breakfast that was attended by about 50 GPK collectors and artists. This gave one last chance for everyone to get together before the show wrapped up Sunday afternoon. Everyone attending the breakfast was given the remaining 5 cards from the show exclusive set.

GPK-Con Wrap Up

File Aug 09, 12 15 58 AMCollectors and artists alike all told me GPK-Con was a success. Artists were busy almost non-stop sketching throughout the show hours, while talking with collectors. More than one artist told me they were pleased with the show, and really had a great weekend. They hadn’t seen this many GPK fans at one show before. The artists were generally grateful for the fans that attended the show. Collectors stayed in the GPK area of the show trading, buying, and chatting with fellow collectors. Perhaps the most successful thing at GPK-Con was the overwhelming feeling among collectors and artists alike about how great it was to meet everyone face to face. Most of the artists hadn’t met each other.

I spoke with Super Toy Con Executive Producer Andy Goodman and asked him from his perspective was the first GPK-Con a success. Andy stated the show was success, “Yes, I feel the event was a great success. The artists had a great time. I know they were blown away themselves. Some artists even met each other for the first time ever.” On if there would be a follow-up GPK-CON next year Andy said, “I do feel a follow up event will happen for 2017, the location is still TBD.” Finally, I asked Andy if he would make any changes to future events, “We need to involve more non-sports trading cards. I would like to see year two bring in Wacky Packages and Mars Attacks, and maybe one or two more entertainment card properties.”

For those of you unable to attend the show, there are show exclusive sets still available for purchase. Regular sets are $35, while Prism sets are $50. If you are interested in purchasing one of the last remaining sets contact Andy Goodman via Facebook. Also, artists might still have some of their sets, prints, and art available for purchase. Check the Links page for information on contacting the various artists, or contact them via Facebook.

Artists/Collectors Prepare for First GPK-Con

GPK_LOGO copyGarbage Pail Kids collectors and artists are prepping for the first ever GPK-Con, taking place next weekend at the Super Toy Con event in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena. A few weeks ago GPKNews brought you an interview with Super Toy Con Executive Producer Andy Goodman that gave collectors a great look into what the show was about. Now that we are a week away let’s take a look at what many of the artists and vendors will have available during the show.

GPK-Con will host one of the largest gatherings of GPK artists in one place. All the artists are very approachable and will have a lot of their artwork available at their tables. Here’s what you can expect:

  • simkoJoe Simko is one of the current GPK artists and also the co-Director of the 30 Years of Garbage documentary. If you haven’t purchased the 30 Years DVD yet you will be able to pick it up at his booth along with the complete artist promo set that was created for the movie. Joe will be selling some of his final paintings used for GPK cards along with sketches, and taking commissions at the show for GPK Comic covers. He also will have some of his own products for sale like his Cereal Killers and Stupid Heroes cards, and his children’s book The Sweet Rot.
  • Mark Pingitore, another current GPK artist, will have a booth stocked with t-shirts, prints, original art, and stickers. He will also have blank sketch cards on hand taking commissions available in pencil, ink, or marker.
  • Fellow current GPK artist, Brent Engstrom will have some of his prints for sale at his booth. You also might be able (time permitting) to commission a sketch card at the show with Brent.
  • zapataGPK artist and co-Director of the 30 Years of Garbage documentary, Jeff Zapata, will also be selling the 30 Years DVD at his booth. For the first time ever Jeff will be selling a 5 card set of his own GPK inspired artwork at the show. He will also be selling his own GPK inspired original artwork. Jeff will also be doing free sketches for “any child just above 2 feet above the table”.
  • Another current GPK artist, David Gross, will have sketch cards, original paintings and roughs, and 5-6 prints for sale at this booth. He will also have a book of unpublished roughs at his booth he will be sketch on.
  • layronLayron DeJarnette, a GPK artist who has painted many finals over the years, will be selling exclusive SuperToyCon Posters, T-Shirts and Trading Cards. He will also have original GPK Art, Sketch Cards and Prints. You can also pick up his free artist GPK Business Trading Card.
  • cameraGPK artist Neil Camera will be selling signed prints of a Mars Attacks Comic cover as well as signed prints of a GPK Cover done by himself and Jon Gregory. Neil will also have one special promo card for sale for each day of the show that you can only buy that day. He will have sketch cards available from various Topps brands he’s worked on over the years. He will have promo cards available for Monster Series 11. Neil has painted a GPK themed die cast car that will be part of the auction at the show. He will also be taking sketch card and comic cover commissions at the show.
  • File Jul 28, 10 21 09 AMGPK sketch artist Jon Gregory will be on hand selling two prints (Adam Bomb and a GPK Comic Cover). He also will be selling some of his own portrait trading cards and a limited signed and numbered Rush portrait. Jon will also be taking sketch commissions to be completed on site during the show!
  • scheres2Chad Scheres another GPK sketch artist will be selling his own sketch cards along with sketch comic covers. He will also have two prints available, Eddie and Massacre, along with some risen figures and stickers for sale. Like Jon, Chad will be taking sketch commissions and completing those on site during the show!
  • GPK veteren artist Tom Bunk will also have a booth at the show.

Not only can you spend your savings at all those artist’s booths, but there will also be vendors at the show selling plenty of GPK.

  • Clint Coleman from GPK & Wacky Warehouse will have a booth with a large variety of items for sale; boxes, sets, and packs. Also some rarer items like; sketch cards, plates, binders, and Funko. They will have many items at discounted show rates. They will also have the the 15 card show exclusive GPK-Con artist promo set for sale at their booth.
  • Laura Ross, who many collectors know from the GPK Marketplace on Facebook, will also have a booth. She’s excited to meet all the GPK collectors and will have tons of GPK on hand for sale. In addition, she will be selling cards and toys from Walking Dead, Vampire Diaries, Ghostbusters, Wacky Packages, Super Hero, My Little Pony, and Shop Kins.

GPK-Con Executive Producer, Andy Goodman, has also released the GPK themed schedule for the event, along with pictures of some of the promos that will be available at the show.

GPK CON Activities Schedule Outside the Orleans Arena Show

General Orleans Arena Show Hours
Friday 8/5 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Saturday 8/6 10:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday 8/7 10:00am to 5:00pm

Special GPK CON event schedule

  • Friday August 5th 2016 4:15pm – 5:00pm
    GPK CON ARTIST SEMINAR –4:15pm to 5:00pm Gold Room inside the Orleans Area – Presented by Garbage Pail Kids Underground – the 11 advertised guest artists will host a panel to talk about their work within GPK, what brought them into the industry, and where they see themselves and the collector community going into the future. The first 100 attendees will receive a free gift in the form of an exclusive 4 card promo set illustrated by Neil Camera.
  • Saturday August 6th 2016 9:00am – 10:00am
    GPK CON VIP TICKET HOLDER BREAKFAST –9:00am – 10:00am VIP Lounge Concourse Level – Presented by Aaron J Booton / GPKWorld.com– join all 11 artists for a private VIP breakfast. YOU MUST BE A VIP EXPERIENCE TICKET HOLDER or ONE OF THE ATTENDING 11 ADVERTISTED ARTISTS for access to this event. Ticket holders to this event will receive a free gift in the form of a master set of all 15 special event cards.
  • Saturday August 6th 2016 6:30pm to 8:30pm
    DIECAST AND TOY HALL OF FAME DINER BANQUET AND CEREMONY 6:30pm to 8:30pm VIP Lounge Concourse Level YOU MUST BE A VIP EXPERIENCE TICKET HOLDER or HAVE PURCHSED AN ADMISSION TICKET PACKAGE INCLUDING DINER BANQUET TICKET for access to this event – ALL ADVERTISED AND PROMOTED ARTISTS ATTENDING THE SHOW WILL RECEIVE ONE TICKET FOR YOURSELF TO ATEND HOWEVER IF YOU ARE BRINGING A SIGNIFICANT OTHER, YOU WILL NEED TO PURHCASE A TICKET FOR THEM. Attendees will receive an event exclusive Joe Simko designed poster.
    Dress Code – is casual professional – no jeans no tee-shirts
  • Saturday August 6th 2016 8:00pm to 11:00pm
    GPK-CON Bowling Social – 8:00pm to 11:00pm at the Orleans Hotel Bowling Lanes. Hosted by the Garbage Pail Kids Marketplace on Facebook. ANYONE can attend this event who holds any type of admission ticket into the show. Each attending individual will receive bowling shoes and 3 games for $20.00 in exact cash funds (sorry change will not be available so please come prepared) we have to collect the money in one lot and pay to play. Participating individual / family’s will find and pay Mr. Devin DiNonno between 8:00pm and 8:30pm to pay to play. You are not required to bowl to attend but for the first 100 people who do bowl you will receive Artist Cards P1-P6 as a free gift for participating in the bowling social from Mr. DiNonno when you make payment to participate.
  • Sunday August 7th 2016 8:00am to 9:30am
    GPK-CON Social Breakfast 8:00am to 9:30am Orleans Hotel Courtyard Café. ANYONE can attend this event who holds any type of admission ticket into the show. Organized by GEEPEEKAY.com– each attending individual / family will be responsible for their own costs for breakfast. But for the first 100 people who do shake hands and say hi to Mr. GeePeeKay / Mr. Matt Oldweiler in the Courtyard Café during breakfast you will receive Artist Cards P 7-11 as a free gift for having breakfast with us. Please note it will be impossible to have everyone together for breakfast but the café knows this is happening and will try to accommodate the best they can.

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Interview with Super Toy Con/GPK Con Producer Andy Goodman

STC16_Header copyGarbage Pail Kids collectors around the world have been busy making their summer travel plans for Las Vegas this August. Super Toy Con is taking place Aug. 5-7 in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena. It was announced earlier this year that part of Super Toy Con will be a GPK Con. That’s right! GPK artists, vendors, and collectors getting together to spend a little money, do a little trading, and get their social on! Executive Producer of Super Toy Con, Andy Goodman has been a long time GPK collector. He was able to spearhead the addition of GPK Con to the event this year. He has been working hard planning GPK Con with many surprises.

I conducted the e-mail interview below with Andy last week. In the interview Andy breaks down what GPK collectors will get with the various ticket options available for purchase. Andy also goes through the various social events planned for artists and collectors. We discuss if Topps has any involvement in the show. Finally, Andy reveals a couple of surprises for the first time here, including the reveal of one of the special GPK Con cards that will be available as part of an 11 card set.

GPKNews – Andy, thanks for doing the interview! For those who haven’t attended before can you give GPK fans a quick overview of what Super Toy Con is?

Andy Goodman – Anytime, thanks for inviting me to chat. SuperToyCon is an eight year running diecast (model car) and collectibles event that takes over Las Vegas for one extended weekend annually. The show includes a full event filled with vendors from all walks of the collectibles industry, contests, kids activities, gaming zone cosplay, custom competitions, and so much more during the hours of the show, but the night life, that is when it all beings! The organized social events that take place all over town is really what makes the show unique. STC is all about bringing collectors together from all around the world and does so very well. It is great to shake hands with the guys (and gals) you converse online and trade with 3000 miles away.

GPKNews – Part of Super Toy Con will be a GPK Con. As a long time GPK collector, how excited are you that you were able to add GPK to Super Toy Con?

AG – I collected GPK cards when I was a kid and have been again since the early 2000’s, so when the show owner came to me and said from a production stand point, “How do we grow the event?”, it was a no brainer to me. The suggestion was to create a couple of smaller special events inside the massive show. One of which was to create GPK-CON with the intention of bringing together a community of card collectors, giving the hobbyists a chance to meet each other, and getting to meet some of the people behind the brand so many fans have been appreciating for 30 years.

GPKNews – This looks to be maybe the largest GPK gathering in recent years. Let’s discuss what GPK fans specifically can expect when they attend. For those fans purchasing either the 3 day pass or single day general admission tickets what will be on the show floor for them?

AG – As of this interview we have 11 artists responsible for past and current card art attending the show. Fans will be able to meet each and every one of these artists, shake their hands, take a photo with them, and even commission a special piece if desired. Collectors from around the world will be attending, allowing personal interaction between internet friends. Instead of all the typing, it will be great for collectors to grab a meal together and talk shop about their passion with people who understand and appreciate it. Collectors will be able to set up shop in their hotel rooms in the evening to trade with other collectors. There will be events like a bowling social that will bring the artist and collectors together in an informal setting to allow everyone to hang and socialize, and so much more.

gpk 11GPKNews – Based on the latest flyer for GPK Con there are 11 GPK artists scheduled to attend, highlighted by GPK legend Tom Bunk, current mainstays Engstrom, Pingitore, Simko, and Gross, and many other GPK sketch artists. What can collectors expect at their booths?

AG – Each artist will have a specific table where they will be for most of the shows operating hours. Collectors will be able to meet firsthand the artists behind the fascinating cards. These artists are also responsible for many other freelance projects outside of the Garbage Pail Kids world. It will be a treat to see some of their other original works with the possibility to take some of it home, for a price of course.

GPKNews – I see Clint from GPK and Wacky Warehouse has a booth. Will there be any other vendors or booths that cater to GPK collectors?

AG – Clint and GPK and Wacky Warehouse sure are one of the best specially dealers in the industry. However, several vintage toy dealers who attend the show annually do have collectible non-sports trading cards as well. Plus remember that collectors are invited to bring their stuff to trade in the evening, during room to room trading hours, so there will be lots of shopping to be had.

GPKNews – I notice Topps isn’t on the list of vendors attending the Con. I know historically Topps doesn’t like to travel out west for conventions, with the exception of San Diego Comic Con. Did you reach out to Topps to gage their interest in attending the event?

AG – A conversation with Topps did take place, but they have yet to offer any support. It is unfortunate because they could bring a lot to the table. Hopefully, they are watching and recognize how supportive and engaged their fan base is and decide to support future growth for year two and beyond.

GPKNews – The flyer mentions a GPK Trader zone, can you explain how that will work on the show floor?

AG – The Traders Zone, like mentioned above, is what we call Room to Room trading. Collectors who attend the show, and stay in the hotel, are invited to set up their rooms with personal merchandise in the evenings after the arena show closes. When a room door is propped open, that signals that people are invited in to browse. Shoppers are invited to walk the halls of the hotel and go room to room to find even more goodies after the show officially closes for the evening. From personal experience I can tell you there are some great deals to be had with the late night trading sessions.

GPKNews – Are there any free goodies that a GPK collector can get their hands on at the Con if they have a general admission ticket? 

AG – There are no free goodies for just showing up under a general admission ticket. However, there are free goodies for those that do attend special events, such as the artist’s seminar on Friday night or the Saturday night bowling social.

GPKNews – Also available to purchase is a VIP Package which includes a lot of extra goodies. I know the cost is quite a bit higher, but the package includes a lot of extras. Can you describe what collectors get with the VIP package? Also what specific GPK goodies will they only receive that general admission won’t?

AG – The $225 3 day VIP General Admission pass is more for general collectors of everything. It gets ticket holders in 30 minutes early each day to preview and have first dibs on vendors goodies. It also includes 1 ticket to Saturday night’s Die-cast and Toy Collector Hall of Fame diner banquet. Diner banquet attendees do get some cool giveaways such as a Joe Simko designed exclusive event poster and/or M2 Machines die-cast.

GPKNews – There is an Open Seminar with GPK Artists. Do you know what day/time the seminar will be, and is it open to all attendees or only VIP ticket holders? Is seating limited and how do collector’s signup to attend?

AG – The Artists Seminar will take place Friday evening, (time is still TBD). It will be a free event open to anyone who holds a general admission ticket to Friday’s event. Seating is limited and it is first come first serve; there will be standing room too. If we do get close to fire code capacity limits, there is a chance the special event could be closed to participation at a certain point. We do suggest arriving 20-30 minutes early for this type of special event.

GPKNews – Same question with the Bowling Social with GPK Artists. What day/time will that be, and how to collectors signup to attend?

AG – The Bowling social will take place at the Orleans’s Hotel bowling alley Saturday night, (time is still TBD). This is a Dutch treats type of event, (everyone pays their own way). We feel creating an event like this lightens the mood, puts a little more fun in the weekends activities, and gets the artists and collectors together on a personal level. There is no requirement to participate but there will be some cool prizes for high scores and such.

GPKNews – For the hard core GPK collector there is also a GPK Experience Package you guys are offering. The initial $500 package included a hotel room and a custom comic cover, and was limited to only 10 people. That package has since sold out, and is replaced by a $400 package offering everything else, limited to 20 people. Can you give collectors a overview of what they can expect with that package?

AG – The tier 1 VIP package, ($500.00), that already sold out of its 10 spots includes a single 3-day admission pass with Joe Simko designed exclusive badge, exclusive breakfast on Saturday Morning, the exclusive 11 card artist set of cards, Joe Simko design limited edition print Comic Cover, a Hall of Fame ceremony dinner ticket as a guest at one of the tables a GPK designer will be sitting at, and a personal b/w commission by the artist of your choice. The pass also covered 2 nights stay at the host hotel. With such demand for the VIP Experience tickets we have opened up a Tier 2 VIP package, ($400.00), which does not include the Joe Simko design limited edition print Comic Cover, nor does it cover hotel costs.

GPKNews – Each artist attending GPK Con is completing a special card that will be part of an exclusive 11 card set. You recently posted some teaser pictures of parts of some cards on Facebook. Which ticket holders will be able to receive the set? Will the set be available for sale separately for others to purchase either at the show or online?

AG – VIP ticket holders at both tiers will receive the 11 card set as an included gift. Each artist will have some of their own cards to give away to their fan base at their tables. Cards will also be given away at special events like the Artist’s Seminar and Bowling Social. Complete sets will be available as an included gift when purchasing the GKP-CON Show Memorabilia Kit at the Souvenir table.

GPKNews – The Breakfast with GPK Artists will be limited only to those who purchase the GPK Experience, correct?

AG – There are two organized breakfasts on the calendar. On Saturday morning, there is the GPK Experience ticket holders breakfast, which is limited to specific VIP Ticket Holders. This is a special breakfast making things more interpersonal between the VIP guests and artists. This event is limited to the 11 artists and the 30 VIP ticket holders, (if all sell out). Sunday morning there will be an open breakfast, (Dutch treats again, everyone pays for themselves), where collectors will be able to sit with or near their favorite artist to grab a quick bite before the arena show opens.

GPKNews – Are there any other GPK related announcements coming from Super Toy Con? Any news you want to break?

AG – You are hearing it here first! There will also be a special Neil Camera/Joe Simko collaboration, an additional exclusive card set commemorating the event. To add to that how about we share, right here, the first full look at Tom Bunk’s exclusive event artist card from the 11 card artist set!

Tom Bunk copy

GPKNews – Do you anticipate GPK Con being a successful part of Super Toy Con? Is there a possibility of making this a yearly event?

AG – I have been in the business of event production for 20 years now. Some of the best events I have been involved with started as a small idea like this. I am already highly impressed, and actually blown away by the support the artists and collector community has shown. From collectors and fan site operators like yourself, to the many individuals who admin online groups and pages, the back bone support seems to be there for an event like this which is exactly what is needed to make it a successful event. Though I might have taken the lead to organize the specialty event, there are dozens of people behind the scene helping to promote and create awareness and support the show. As a collector, I do hope we can turn this into an annual gathering for our hobby and passion.

GPKNews – Any other information you would like to add?

13434050_10208335587560481_1269330624_n.pngAG – There is another cool tidbit for GPK artist inspired event info we did not touch on, but Layron DeJarnette designed the event shirts for this years event. To any collectors out there reading this, please take a bit of time to show your support, help share the event flier and artist’s promo cards with other collectors. In order for this event to be a success we need the full support of the community. Besides the GPK-CON, don’t forget the hundreds of vendors that will be on hand selling all types of collectables new and vintage. There will also be countless number of celebrities that will be on hand such as WWE’s John Cena and the Bella Twins, to Sons of Anarchy Drea De Matteo, to the A-Team’s Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and countless more. It’s going to be one hell of a weekend, and we hope you join us!

GPKNews – Thanks Andy for the interview! I know GPK collectors are really looking forward to the event.

 

GPK_LOGO copySuperToyCon
August 5th 6th 7th 2016
Las Vegas Nevada
Orleans Arena

Fri 8/5/16 4pm-10pm
Sat 8/6/16 10am-9pm
Sat. 8/6/16 6:30pm – 8:00pm – Hall of Fame Dinner, Business Casual Attire Required.
Sun 8/7/16 10am-5pm

To purchase general admission tickets – http://ev2.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=TOYCON&linkID=coast&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=

To purchase 1 of the 18 remaining GPK Experience VIP tickets – https://register.growtix.com/e/supertoycon (scroll down towards bottom)

GPK-Con Announced for Las Vegas in Aug. 2016

The folks from Super Toy Con Las Vegas announced that as part of their 2016 Con there will be a GPK-Con held in conjunction with the Toy Show. The convention takes please Aug 5 – Aug 7, 2016 at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. There will be many events centered around Garbage Pail Kids planned including; Artist Seminar, Bowling event, Trading zone, Autographs, etc. Four GPK artists have already been announced, (Simko, Engstrom, Pingitore, and Camera), with more to come. To get more information, special hotel rates, and to purchase tickets visit their website at, www.supertoyshow/gpk

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