ABC Unlimited Productions

Dear Friends,

After nearly 22 wonderful years of producing teddy bear and doll events it is with very mixed emotions that Connie and I are announcing our retirement as of June 1, 2008.  The changing market and the desire to spend more time with our families has dictated our choice to re-channel our energies.

We want to thank everyone who has taken this long journey with us and being our family away from home and for the many years of laughter, joy and tears that have enhanced our lives along the way.

OUR MANY THANKS

To Etta Foran and Pat Joho who got us into this glorious business.

To Hank Currier who partnered with us for several years and put up with a lot of PMS (think that's why he retired to Florida?) but, leant his fantastic artistic talents to all of the events (we continued to use many of the signs he designed right up to this past show in April Schaumburg).

To the artists from all over the United States, Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe who have supported our events by exhibiting at the shows, making souvenir bears, centerpieces, special gallery pieces, presenting workshops and seminars throughout the years enabling us to produce such grand events.

To Teddy Bear and Friends and Teddy Bear Review magazines for their continuous support and giving us the opportunity to host TB & F's TOBY awards and TBR's ambassador awards programs making our events even more special.

To the retailers who also supported our events and spread the word about teddy bears and dolls to their many customers in their shops.

To Intercal and Edinburgh Imports for having a presence at all of our teddy bear events making it possible for the artists to pick fabrics first hand and not just from tiny samples.  In fact, Dale Junker is the only exhibitor who attended every single show that we produced or had a representative present.

To the manufacturers: North American Bear Co., Cooperstown Bears, Bearington Bears, Bearland Express, Deb Canham Artist Designs, Russ Berrie and others.  If we have left someone out it is not intentional, but let it be known that without their extreme generosity we would not have had so many wonderful give aways at the conventions.

To Charlie Misovye for the fantastic stage productions he created for a number of our convention/banquets.  Who will ever forget Sonny and Cher?

To the BEST BOYS who helped on many occasions when we needed an extra hand.

To Linda Mullins, Joel Hoy and Daniel Epley for thinking of us when they decided to retire from the business of show promotion. 

To Good Bears of the World for their constant support and friendships.  May they continue their good works for many years to come.

And, to all of the collectors who made us so happy when we watched them leave a show with huge smiles on their faces because they have just added that one, two or dozen special teddies to their hug. 

To borrow a phrase from that famous comedian Bob Hope - THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.  Wherever life takes you from here we hope that you take along some fond memories as well.

Warm regards and Big hugs,

Amber Beeler & Connie Brouillette