Mid america Fenton Gala 2026

You are encouraged to sell Fenton Glass from your room.  We plan lots of time for “shopping the rooms.”  As in years past, we have given those collectors who return each year the room they had the previous year.  We also know some collectors like to be in rooms next to each other.  Double and king size beds also come into play.  We would like to keep all sellers on one floor and the rooms they have had, but it is getting harder each year.  We would like to avoid putting anyone in the corner rooms or semi corner rooms if at all possible due to not having "window" visibility.  Moving more sellers up to third floor may be the answer to this problem.  We will have signage in place to alert attendees that there is two floors of glass for sale.  If you like, you can request a corner room.  Some desire these because they are a bit larger.  Room assignments are not on a first come first serve basis.  We will do our best to make everyone happy.

1.  Make your hotel reservation.
2. Contact Dan Madura directly for room assignment details.
3. The hotel has tables available for $25.00 (plus tax) each for length of stay.  Please bring your own table covers and/or skirting unless you would prefer the hotel to furnish white tablecloths.  The tables are 30 inches wide by 72 inches long.  
4. When doing your registration online, there is an item for selling glass out of your room.  You can also reserve any tables needed.  Please note:  If you do your registration online and request to sell glass out of your room, you MUST contact Dan for room assignment details.  Doing this online only alerts us that you have the desire to sell glass.  It does not assign your room.

PLEASE NOTE:  No room assignments will be made until you have made your hotel reservation AND completed registration.

For a few years now, we have had mounting complaints about how rooms are assigned for those selling glass.  There are many who want to sell substantial pieces of glass that have been denied the second floor.  Therefore, we are going to institute new requirements beginning Gala 2026.

• You must have a reservation booked at the hotel before any assignment is made. 
• You must be registered for the Gala before your room is assigned.  
  • We will not begin assigning rooms until registration is open in March.
  • For those of you who have the same room every year, we will do our best to honor your request, but this is not guaranteed.  
  • According to the policy of the hotel, guests that are in rooms on the second or third floor that wish to  extend their stay will not be moved.  This may cause a change in your room assignment.  This is beyond our control.  This is a rare occurrence.  
  • You cannot make room assignments directly with the hotel.  If you do so, that       assignment will be cancelled.  You must go through the Gala chair only. 
• You must guarantee to have at least 25 pieces of glass to sell out of your room.  If you violate this requirement, you will be barred from the second floor the next year.  There are no exceptions to this requirement.  If you find after you reserve a room on the second floor and you will not be able to fulfill this requirement, the Gala chair must be notified at least two weeks prior to the Gala so your room can be offered to another attendee on the waiting list who wishes to sell glass.
• The third floor will be used as overflow when the second floor is completely booked.
• You are responsible for making your reservations and registrations. No follow up will be done to remind attendees to do this.

If you are NOT selling glass:

• If you are not  selling glass, we will no longer be assigning those rooms.  
• You cannot request a second or third floor room through the hotel.  Any attempt to do so  will result in that assignment being cancelled. 
  • The hotel will assign you a room upon check-in if you are not selling glass.
  • If you need a handicap room, you may request this in advance for floors other than the second or third. Handicap rooms are very limited in this hotel. Book early.  This hotel is equipped with 3 elevators that access all floors.

Our Friday luncheon speaker will be Cal Hackeman.   

His topic is “Discover Red, White, & Blue Stretch Glass.” He grew up in a home with an abundance of glassware and other collectibles. Over the next 60 years, he expanded his interests to include Fenton Art Glass, iridescent stretch glass, Depression-era glass, furniture & clocks and many other collectibles and antiques. When Cal is not hunting antiques or promoting stretch glass, he serves as a corporate Director for an employee-owned company. He is a certified public accountant and he is president of the Stretch Glass Society. This is a great seminar not to be missed!  The Stretch Glass Society has a wonderful and informative website:

Do you have a nice piece of glass that you are not sure who made it or need more information?  Glass ID on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM in Salon E will give you the answers.  We have a three panel team of experts that very rarely get stumped.  This panel consists of Max and Anne Blackmore and Sarah Smith.  All three are very well versed on Fenton glass as well as other glass makers.  This seminar is VERY educational and VERY interesting.  You don't want to miss this one.  

Learn more about hand painting by Fenton artists hosted by Karen Easton.  Karen will share great and fascinating stories on what it was like to paint at the Fenton factory.  This has become a very popular tradition on Friday afternoons started a few year's ago by CC Hardman.  This seminar will be in the Polo meeting room located on the north side of the atrium following the Friday luncheon seminar. 

There are 17 tables filled with glass all with very interesting stories.   The glass  comes from members attending the Gala.  You are encouraged to set up a display table.  Full table displays are requested with identification requested as education is one of the keys to enjoying our glass passion.  Choose your own theme. You can see pictures of past tables by clicking here.  Please indicate during online registration or on your paper registration if we should reserve a display table for you.  Don't wait too long to reserve.  These tables spaces fill up quickly.  Tables are 30 inches wide by 72 inches long.  You may bring your own table covers and skirting or the hotel will provide them.  Set up will be Thursday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Friday 1 PM to 4 PM in Salon E.  For security purposes, plan to turn in a list of your display glass before your display is set up.