Conventions

Welcome to Philadelphia

The United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence — what better time to visit where it happened? Founded by William Penn in 1682 (the name is Greek for "brotherly love"), Philadelphia was the central meeting place of the nation's Founding Fathers: it hosted the First and Second Continental Congresses, saw George Washington elected commander of the Continental Army, and witnessed the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Much of America's early history happened here, and most of it is easy to reach with the Philly PHLASH bus (an all-day pass is $5.00). Places to consider while you're in town: the Independence Visitor Center, the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia City Hall, and the Reading Terminal Market — in continuous operation since 1853. For more about the special 2026 celebrations, museums, and attractions, visit visitphilly.com.

What Your Registration Includes

The registration fee includes one display table in the Exhibit Hall, use of the Hospitality Room (Wednesday through Saturday evenings), lunch on Friday and Saturday, the Saturday Night Banquet (a two-entrée buffet), and the Annual Hardware Auction. Members attending their first ADCA convention are not charged the basic registration fee.

Thursday Tour — Hagley Museum & Library

At 8:30 am a bus departs for the Hagley Museum and Library — 235 acres along the Brandywine River in Wilmington, Delaware, originally the home and gardens of the du Pont family. Our visit includes a special "Nation of Inventors" presentation featuring original models submitted to the US Patent Office, a Hagley Library tour with selected hardware catalogs, and a tour of the Eleutherian Mills residence, followed by a box lunch at the picnic area.

At 1:00 pm the bus continues to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts — founded in 1805, the first school and museum of fine arts in the United States. We'll take an architectural tour of its landmark building, designed by Frank Furness and completed in 1876, one of the few major Furness buildings still standing. Back at the Embassy Suites by 4:30 pm.

Deadlines & Fees

• Register before July 15, 2026 to avoid the late fee. Registrations from July 15 through July 31 add $10.00 per person, and the Thursday tour may not be available to late registrants.
• Registration closes July 31, 2026.
• The hotel group rate is guaranteed through July 17, 2026.
• Souvenir program ads are due June 15, 2026.

Cancellation / Refund Policy

A full refund is available if your cancellation is received by June 15, 2026, and a 50% refund by July 15, 2026. No refund can be made after July 15. To cancel, call Dale Sponaugle at (716) 830-7010 or email adca.members@gmail.com.

Questions?

Contact Dale Sponaugle — dsponaugle@gmail.com or (716) 830-7010 — or email the club at adcaoffice@aol.com. Convention packets are mailed to active ADCA members in February and posted to this page.