Founded in 1682 by William Penn, Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of a nation. It was here at Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence – and later the U.S. Constitution – were debated and signed. As significant as these events were, it is still only one chapter of history that played out here.  In the years since its founding, the city has fostered and lived the values of political, religious and human freedom. This is in large part why Philadelphia was named the first and only World Heritage City in the United States. With this backdrop we will gather May 4-8, 2017, for our 39th annual convention.

Convention Central will be the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia-Valley Forge, beautifully situated on nine acres of landscaped grounds. Located in King of Prussia about 30 minutes from downtown, the hotel is a great stepping off point to explore the celebrated sights and landmarks of Philadelphia. Heading off in other directions, the Valley Forge National Historical Park, Winterthur Museum and Longwood Gardens are all within easy driving distance. For those not inclined to roam, the King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest in the country, is just down the street. Oh, and of course, there’s the DoubleTree signature greeting, a warm freshly-baked, delicious chocolate chip cookie offered at check-in.

The pre-convention activity on Thursday evening is designed to be an easy-going, laidback event with plenty of time to visit and get reacquainted. We will be having dinner at the Good ‘N Plenty Restaurant located in Lancaster County, the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Since the restaurant opened in 1969 it has featured “down home dining” served family style with an emphasis on local cuisine. Over the years as its popularity grew, the original farmhouse built in 1871 has been renovated serval times to increase the seating. Additional attractions located in the restaurant are their award-winning bakery and extensive gift shop.

Friday will be a fun-filled day full of neat “stuff” for scale aficionados. We will spend the day viewing the world-class collections of two longtime members. You will definitely see several “one-of-a-kind” scales. We promise! In addition there will be some scales from the collection of another longtime member on display at one of the stops.

The official convention gets underway with the traditional Friday night get-together and album sharing. Never will you have a better chance to view other members’ collections as you peruse through albums identifying scales for future acquisition. It is a relaxing time to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. The camaraderie that prevails throughout the evening sets the tone for the entire weekend.

Saturday morning we will have several informative programs with scales and weights being the main topics of discussion.  The perennial favorites of convention goers, the Silent Auction and Let’s Make a Deal, will round out the afternoon. 

Already there is talk of several members bringing lots of great scales and related items to put into the auction, boosting the selection immeasurably. The grand event of the weekend will be the gala reception and banquet held Saturday night. Sunday morning will continue with more scale talk as members share a favorite from their own collection. The afternoon is yours to explore the area, perhaps with a tour of the highlights of the city.

Monday we are off to Philadelphia for an exceptional treat. The morning will be spent at the Philadelphia Mint where we will have a special guided tour for our group. We have been assured that many scales from the Mint’s own collection will be available for our examination. We will finish the morning with some free time to wander about the other area attractions, such as the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall. 

In the afternoon we will visit the “American Treasure Tour” – a massive collection of Americana from antiques to pop culture. We will have lunch here, followed by a tram tour of the multiple buildings, and then some free time available to explore a few areas in more detail.

The convention is always a rewarding way to connect with your fellow Scalies. Many members consider it one of the best benefits of belonging to ISASC. If you have not attended in the past, we hope you will consider joining us this year. The Convention Committee, headed by Greg Hill, has been hard at work ensuring a terrific weekend for all. They, along with President Bob Hayden and all the board members, offer you a personal invitation to meet them at this year’s convention in Philadelphia/King of Prussia. See ya there!

Photos courtesy of Visit Philadelphia