2025 was a year of great progress and success. Interest in decoys was demonstrated with an exciting and active market. There were many factors contributing to this including many long-time collections being sold with items that had not been available for decades.
Our membership is strong with many new members and a nice increase in attendance at our event. Our association finished last year in a strong financial position giving us the ability to continue to evolve and do more to enhance the show experience. We have extended our relationship with the Westin hotel that ensures that we have the space for our current footprint through 2028 as well as support for potential growth.
Feedback from our 2025 show attendees was inspiring and has helped us shape future shows. We must thank our volunteers as throughout the year they work to deliver an unmatched experience.
Looking Ahead
Our 2026 event will be an opportunity that should not be missed. We are celebrating the joy of collecting and will recognize our 60th year with some very special activities.
Our annual event is unique with three major activities beginning with room-to-room trading, the Guyette & Deeter auction, and the ballroom show. The room-to-room selling activity runs from floor two through six with 150 rooms, some of which have three different occupants during the week’s activities.
Guyette & Deeter will begin the selling of the Jim & Diane Cook Collecton which took over 40 years to assemble and represents one of the finest decoy collections ever assembled.
There will be many contemporary carvers attending our event and their work is inspiring and that market is on fire. It is special to be able to work directly with the artist and create something for your collection.
We are working with a growing group of collaborators to provide a richer experience throughout the week. Our goal is to give every attendee the opportunity to learn and connect with a larger network. Last year documented attendees from 37 states and most Canadian provinces.
Room booking is already higher than last year. Please reach out to your collecting friends encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity. Renew your membership – it’s a great value. Firm up your travel and make your hotel reservations early. We are essentially building a “decoy shopping mall” in the hotel, so the early information gives us the time we need to build more effective room and show table plans.
See you soon. Joyful Collecting in 2026!