About Us

The origin of the Pacific Pin Club dates to the Fall of 1986 when a swap meet was organized by two pin collectors who had met during Expo 86 in Vancouver.

Pin collecting had been a large part of the World Exposition almost from day one when collectors would search the fairgrounds from one end to the other looking for Pavilion, corporate sponsor and generic pins relating to Expo. A swap meet was held shortly after the conclusion of the Fair and in January 1987 the inaugural meeting of the Pacific Pin Club was held.

In 1987 and 1988 the focus of many collectors changed from Expo 86 to the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games. A good portion of the Club's membership spent time in Calgary during the Games.

From the day it was formed, the Club has always made an effort to have its members involved in community events that increase the awareness and interest in the hobby of pin collecting.

In 1989, the City of Vancouver hosted the World Police and Fire Games. Several members volunteered and the Club produced a limited edition set of seven pins as well as a Club membership pin to help commemorate the event.

In 1990, the Canadian Special Olympics were held and the Club helped organize a pin trading area at the Universtiy of British Columbia.

In 1991, Club members were involved in the event to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Expo 86.

In 1993, Club members volunteered at the Canada Summer Games in Kamloops.

In 1994, Victoria welcomed thousands of athletes, officials, coaches and visitors to the XV Commonwealth Games and many members of the Club either volunteered for the Games or participated in the pin trading that took place in Victoria's Inner Harbour and at the Athlete's Village.

Abbotsford staged the 1995 Western Canada Games and several Club members made more than one trip out to the Fraser Valley to partake in the activities.

In subsequent years, the Club has supplied volunteers to events such as the Molson Indy Vancouver, the 1996 Labatt Brier, the Canadian Men's Curling Championship in Kamloops, the 2001 World Figure Skating Championships and the 2003 World Weightlifting Championships.

Most recently, a number of Club members volunteered with the successful Vancouver 2010 Olympic Bid. Needless to say, pin collecting will be a huge part of the Games. In fact, over 20 different pins were produced for the bid alone.

During the visit of the International Olympic Committee's Evaluation Commission to Vancouver in March 2003, many of the Club's members participated in a large pin trading display organized during the Rally on Robson. In the years leading up to the Games, the Club will be exploring ways to involve itself with the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee and further the hobby of pin collecting.

Starting in 2001, the Club has hosted it annual West Coast Pin Collectors Celebration in addition to its monthly meetings. The Celebration attracts collectors from across Canada and the United States. This event will only continue to grow as we approach 2010.

What is the Pacific Pin Club?

The Pacific Pin Club is Western Canada's premiere organization for lapel pin collectors and traders. Founded in 1987, the Club is entering its 22nd year of generating awareness and interest in pin collecting and promoting the hobby in British Columbia, across Canada and around the World.

Last updated: 15 February 2008