The first Willow Convention was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1986. In attendance were “85 members and their spouses from 25 different states and Canada.” The event was sponsored and organized by The Willow Society, a Toronto-based willow organization with collectors from the U.S., Canada, England and Australia. A second convention was held in Little Rock, Arkansas, in July of 1987.

At the 1988 convention in Chicago, members voted to separate from The Willow Society, renaming themselves the International Willow Collectors. Annual conventions have since been held throughout the U.S.

IWC is proud of its history and the many collectors who have been and who still are members. As host to the annual convention, attendees still remain amazed at all the never-before-seen examples of willow showcased during the event.