A leisurely morning prepared me for the first of three sponsored meal events at the convention.

I was invited to join a table for the three main events, which include some who are first time conventioneers like me and some who have attended for many years. These table invites happened months ago, so it was great to meet everyone in person.  Friendly, joyful people, all who have something in common – Barbie®.

Today’s luncheon, titled “The Factory” for Andy Warhol’s art studio warehouse, was sponsored by Mattel and featured a recap of recent Barbie® news.  Earlier in the year, Mattel got worldwide media coverage on the

introduction of Barbie in new “curvy” shapes. Mattel also shared clips from the Barbie® exhibit, Barbie, Life of an icon at the Les Arts Decoratifs museum in Paris. This exhibit continues through September, 2016. They hand-carried the Andy Warhol “Barbie” to include in the exhibit, one of Warhol’s last works.

Mattel also hosted a musical vignette of Warhol choosing the subject for his art with entertainment from Barbie, Francie, Stacey and Christie.

In addition to the table gifts that individuals brought for each member of the table, we were all surprised by generous gifts from the convention.  This was the “Oprah Effect.”  They announced to look under our tables and find a collector’s doll, a sofa and a backdrop, similar to what you see here.  The gasps from the audience and excitement that filled the air brought me back to those Oprah moments of gifting the audience with treasures.

My table gift for my fellow conventioneers was personalized M&M’s with the convention theme “Art Pop Happenings” and “Barbie 2016” with some fun pop art napkins.

Our dessert, themed with Art Pop chocolate was a delicious red velvet cake.

On to the competition and sales rooms!