2017 Checker Convention

One of the best things about being a member of the Checker Car Club of America is participating in its wonderful conventions that bring Checker owners together. We hold these grand gatherings in various cities where we visit sites of interest, attend to club business, and enjoy our shared experiences.

Gilmore in 2002, photo by John Weinhoeft

Next year, on July 13, 14, and 15, 2017, the CCCoA will hold its national convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan, which is the home of Checker cars. We hope you will join us.

Our accommodations will be at the Holiday Inn West – Kalamazoo. This is an excellent facility with great features, at a reasonable price, and easy access. It can be reached at (269) 375-6000 for reservation. You must mention that it is in the block reserved for the CCCoA. It is worth noting that they will be changing the name to Delta, by Marriot, beginning in the new year, and it will be newly renovated.

There are quite a few interesting things to do in Kalamazoo and we hope to offer a variety of exciting options.

Kazoo (short for Kalamazoo) is the home of Checker cars, and a visit to what used to be Checker Motors and to Markin Glen Park might be of interest. It is also home of Gibson guitars, now called Heritage guitars. The Kalamazoo Air Zoo and the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery are part of the community as well. And, let’s not forget that several craft beer makers are located in the area, and a tour through a brewery might be enticing to some.

There’s lots to do and more to consider. One hour drive north of Kalamazoo, in Grand Rapids, is the magnificent Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. It is impossible not to be spellbound by the amazing indoor and outdoor gardens, and by the spectacular sculpture, at the Meijer Gardens. While some of us may not be as interested in political history as others, I can assure that the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum will bring history alive, and make us proud to be Americans.

The Gilmore Classic Car Museum is recognized as one of the five best automotive museums in the country. Our main gathering will be at the Gilmore on Saturday, July 15, and all car lovers will be impressed with the extraordinary exhibits that have been added to the Gilmore since we last gathered there in 2008.

Checker was a big part of the local community and we are hoping to make this gathering an event that involves everyone who ever had a connection with Checker Motors. Our banquet will be held on Saturday evening at Theo & Stacy’s which always offers great food and service.

Altogether our next convention is shaping up to be a great event. We hope that all of our members will be a part of it because it is great to share these experiences.

More details will be offered in subsequent issues of Checkerboard News and here on the Checker World website.

Being part of the CCCoA is a rewarding experience. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Kalamazoo.

Jim Garrison

2017 Convention Planner