The first National Barbie Doll Convention took place in 1980 in New York City. It was organized by three remarkable women - Ruth Cronk, Fay Jordaens, and Helen Gaydarik. Back in the late 70s/early 80s, Barbie was mainly a pastime for little girls. The convention changed all that, bringing doll collectors of all ages and backgrounds together in a community environment never before experienced. Capitalizing on the success of that first show, collectors began planning for the next show, scheduled for two years later. In 1982, the convention took place in Troy, Michigan, and another one has followed every year since. Roughly 100 collectors attended the 1980 convention. By the mid 1980s, attendance grew to 500. Over 1,000 collectors attend conventions now. Each year a different doll club sponsors the convention. Every year, the sponsoring club selects a convention theme. It varies from year to year..

Mattel donated Beauty Secrets Barbie dolls wearing "21 Years of Barbie" banners to convention goers. Convention guests also received a photo pin showing the Ward's reissue Barbie doll, a pink convention book, and a miniature golden Barbie charm. Only 150 sets were made. These sets are very hard to find.

The convention dress worn by Eskimo Barbie was by Mattel designer Carol Spencer, who personally autographed this doll's ribbon, which reads "Michigan Entertains Barbie". A convention book and pink were included. This set was limited to 250.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

The convention prairie dress worn by this Barbie was created by Mattel designer Janet Goldblatt. The doll's banner reads "Barbie's Pow Wow Phoenix, Arizona May 20-23, 1983". An Indian doll was included; she is a redressed Hispanic Barbie doll with an original Native American labeled outfit. This Indian maiden was created by Ellen Riddell in two dress styles. Sport 'N Shave Ken was dressed as an Indian chief as a table centerpiece; he is an edition of 25. A convention book and pin was included with this set, as well as each of the following convention sets. Limited to 250.

The convention doll is a Loving You Barbie doll redressed in an outfit similar to the Silver Sensation fashion. She wears banner that reads "Barbie Loves New York 1984 Convention". A miniature silver Barbie doll charm was given to attendees, and a red souvenir mug was also available. Limited to 250.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Japanese Barbie was created by Mattel designer Janet Goldblatt. The banner on this doll reads "Around the World Barbie Festival July 18-20, 1985". A second gift doll is a Takara Japanese Traditional Style Barbie from Japan wearing a "MICH Convention 1985" banner and a 1985 Barbie convention sticker on the box. Limited to 250.

The souvenir Barbie doll is a Sun Gold Malibu Barbie doll redressed in a suit and hat over her original swimsuit. She wears a tiny pin in the shape of Arizona that reads "Barbie's Reunion Phoenix, AZ 1986" and features Barbie and Ken dolls. Mattel donated a Dream Glow Ken with a clear "Barbie's Reunion Phoenix, AZ 1986" convention sticker on his window. Limited to 275.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

The Theme was In Oklahoma Where Every Day is Christmas. Astronaut Barbie, the souvenir doll, wears a striped nightshirt, cap, and scuffs decorated with holly and holds a heart-shaped clip bearing Mattel's "We girls can do anything, right Barbie!" slogan. The doll was presented in a red velvet bag. Mattel gave attendees a mauve-colored glass ornament with the Barbie name on one side and "1987 Collector's Convention June 18-20, 1987" on the other. Limited to 300.

The souvenir doll is a Barbie doll dressed as the state flower, a rhododendron. She wears a wreath of flowers on her head, a magenta lame gown with green petals at the hem, and a net overskirt. Her dress is labeled "Barbie in Seattle Rain or Shine 1988". The Mattel gift is a Barbie logo thermometer. Sun Gold Barbie dolls and Canadian Fashion Play Barbie dolls were used for the rhododendron doll. Limited to 300.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

The souvenir doll is the Sensation Barbie doll dressed as a Mouseketeer. Mattel presented convention goers with a Passeio Viky doll from Brazil with a convention ribbon. Viky is Barbie doll's friend in Brazil. Limited to 500.

The souvenir doll redressed as a cowgirl in a red lame top with denim skirt, heart-shaped belt buckle, and white hat. Her dress is labeled "Convention Souvenir Doll Barbie Deep in The Heart of Texas 1990". Mattel gave convention goers a Friendship Barbie doll from Germany. Limited to 500.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

The souvenir Barbie and Ken dolls are dressed in fairy tale fashions sewn by Mattel Philippines, and a special gift set box holds the pair. A special Barbie Trading Card features a photo of the two dolls. Mattel also gave convention goers a Dress Me Barbie from Europe. Limited to 500.

The souvenir doll is a redressed Dream Bridge Barbie doll wearing an original wedding gown. Mattel also gave convention goers a Benetton Shopping Barbie doll. Limited to 500.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

The souvenir doll is the first original Barbie doll produced by Mattel exclusively for a collectors' convention. She has brunette hair in a ponytail, violet eyes, and wears a pink coat over a silver sheath dress; has a paper wrist tag with the statement “You’ve Come A Long Way Barbie,” a Certificate of Authenticity, and a matching Barbie charm. Limited to 650.

The souvenir doll produced by Mattel is dressed in a magician's outfit with a top hat containing a rabbit. The doll uses the Mackie head mold. An extra boxed Magic City Fashion is included. The doll comes with the official Certificate of Authenticity inside the box which states: "Your Magic City Barbie Doll is the second in the Convention Edition produced by Mattel, especially for the 'Magic of Barbie in Birmingham' the 1994 National Barbie Doll Collector's Convention. Limited to 650.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

The souvenir doll produced by Mattel has the nostalgic head mold with ebony black hair, curly bangs, ruby red lips, and silver hoop earrings. She wears a silver lame dress with blue boots. Limited to 650.

The souvenir doll produced by Mattel uses the Mackie head with side-glance eyes and a beehive hairdo. She wears a special outfit for her singing debut and comes with a microphone and a special souvenir magazine. Limited to 800.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

The souvenir doll produced by Mattel wears an outfit designed by Marilyn Miller who designed white dresses for half of the conventioneers and black dresses for the other half. She has short length blonde hair with the nostalgic face. She wears a bracelet and open-toe shoes and also comes with a purse, one white pair of sunglasses, one black pair of sunglasses, pumps and a labeled doll stand. She has comes with the paper wrist tag that says "Beach Blanket Barbie". Limited to 950.

The souvenir doll produced by Mattel has uses the Mackie face with ROOTED eyelashes and RED hair, green eyes and dark red lips and a beauty mark. She wears a shimmery long black dress with a maroon stole. Convention did not receive the necklace in time to put on the doll before the convention so they gave as an extra gift so you have to put the necklace on. The necklace is in a small baggie in with the doll. 1,000 dolls were produced. 25 dolls in white outfits were created for club members and sponsors.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

The souvenir doll is modeled after Nellie Bly who was a Pittsburgh native and Journalist from the 1800s and includes a bicycle and monkey. She is carrying a Black Umbrella and dons a Felt Hat and Cameo at the Neck. The Whole story of Nellie Bly can be found on back of the box....which is made to look like a Leather Suitcase...complete with Handle. Mattel also gave conventioneers a special brunette version 40th Anniversary Barbie in a new box that pictures the brunette on the box back. Limited to 1,000.

This is the official doll from the Tulsa National Convention. This brunette Barbie is simply stunning in the sequin saloon ensemble including fish net stockings.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Celebrates the nostalgic essence of high school prom, while commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Queen of the Prom® board game. This is a gorgeous doll, using the 1959 Barbie head mold with the coveted side-part American Girl hairstyle! She wears a lovely white prom dress with pink satin accents and a matching lined wrap.

Go back to the groove-a-delic 1960s! The actual convention doll was a black & white color scheme. There was another EXTREMELY EXCLUSIVE "Pink" Edition of the 2002 Denver Rocky Mountain Mod Convention doll! There were only 20 of these dolls made! "Pink" was given exclusively to the convention chair people as a special "thank you". .

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Rare and very special MODERN CIRCLE Barbie--Mattel manufactured only about 1,000 of these dolls for convention goers. Made with an unique golden blonde hair color (instead of red) and in a black pantsuit (instead of green). Her computer even says National Convention.

Beautiful giftset was given to convention goers - Silver Ribbon around the two boxes, one box has the doll in it and the other one contains the giftset. Blonde and redhead versions were made. Special boxed mini "HON" die-cast office chair with black frame, red cushions with black polka-dots were also given.

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

Price: $350  (INQUIRE)

2005
Midnight Masquerade Barbie

Convention registration has already began and you can register HERE.

Price: $N/A  (INQUIRE)