October 7, 2026
The third annual All Fifty Club Convention was held in King of Prussia/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 19th, 2026. It brought together fascinating travelers from across the country.
Founder and President Alicia Rovey emceed the Convention and presented significant travel-related milestones this year - including that the Club is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year!
Attendees were grouped by Solo Travel, National Parks, Capitols, Presidential Sites, and Roadside Attractions and spent the day sharing travel experiences, discussing future travels, and exchanging travel tips.
General Peter Muhlenburg (historic interpreter) welcomed the group to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by sharing what it was like in the Philadelphia area 250 years ago.
Charles Dean spoke about "How We Got to All 50" and shared different sites across the country that exemplify American history. Chad is a retired educator, one Hawaii visit away from becoming a two-time 50-stater, and is very close to visiting all 433 national park units!
Gary Flanagan spoke about traveling to the 13 original colonies. He is a five-time 50-stater with extensive trip sequencing experience, especially on the East Coast. On his different journeys, he traveled with his family, with his son, and also did a solo trip.
Frank Fannon shared an inside look at the All Fifty Club's participation at the Great American State Fair, a 16-day celebration held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of America’s 250th birthday festivities. It was great to see many of the other Fair volunteers at the Convention too!
Chris Hulse, off-the-beaten-path expert, moderated a panel discussion with Stan Wiebe and Carsten Rovey, who shared their experiences, stories, and perspectives from traveling historic Route 66. Chris covered all “Mother Road” bases - history, beginning, the end, great stops, and more. Route 66 is celebrating 100 years this year, in 2026! Stan is an extensive traveler and writer of The Driveby Tourist. Carsten completed all 50 at age 21 and has spent a lot of time on sections of Route 66 while traveling annually from TN to AZ.
Tabitha Hawk shared about her extensive travels in a presentation 'Taking it too Extreme." She touched on her many travel passions - storm chasing, state signs, state capitols, National Park sites and passport stamps, geographical points, high points, and photography. She is also very close to completing all the NPS sites!
Richard Jackson was recognized for visiting all 63 National Parks, his final one was the National Park of American Samoa.
The Ziadeh Sons were recognized as they will be completing their journey to all 50 states later this year. Their certificates were presented with a blank line for them to add their official completion date! Their father, Radwan, is also an accomplished world traveler who has visited more than 150 countries in addition to his extensive travels throughout the United States.
F Cynthia, Chuck, Gerald, Frank, and Stan were recognized as the club's oldest travelers. Stan was spotted over the weekend wearing a shirt that said, "Never underestimate a person who still travels in their 80s!" TRUE!!
Mark & Harley Hudson and Thomas Becken came the farthest - all the way from the West Coast --- Oregon and Washington!
Paul Bovarick won the All-Fifty Club Friends bag filled with items attendees brought from their home state.
Kenny Jones was the Youngest to complete all 50. He completed all 50 when he was 18!
Mike Kroboth visited his 50th state in 2026. He'll always remember that he completed it in the 250th anniversary year of America and worked at the Great American State Fair!
Leonard Lee completed all 50 as a puppy! Technically, the youngest! Teresa Hanula, dog trainer extraordinaire, asked him to pose with the recognition sign!
Booths
The Jones Family (Chadwick, Amanda, Kenny)
Charles Dean
Gary Flanagan
Stan Wiebe/Driveby Tourist
Erin O'Donnell/50 States in the Rearview
Franny The Traveler
Danny Wasserman
Julien Oliver
Tabitha Hawk/Trippin' Tabi
Frank Fannon
Teresa Hanula & Leonard Lee
Chris Hulse/Extra Miler Club
Social Events
The Social Events were a great way to really connect with other members!
Friday Sightseeing - The day before the convention, local member Marion Valaro and other members toured downtown Philly.
The Volunteer Group toured the American Treasure Tour Museum together, before meeting up to get things ready for the Convention.
Small groups had dinner together at Founding Farmers, CityWorks, and Paladar Latin Kitchen. Conversations continued at the H Bar late Saturday night.
The Sunday Picnic was canceled due to rain, but we gathered at the King of Prussia Mall - the Largest Mall (retail space) in America!
Food & Drinks
It’s an All Fifty Club Convention tradition to serve food and drinks that represent the state hosting our convention—and Pennsylvania certainly gave us plenty to enjoy! Pennsylvania is the Snack Capital of the World, so we couldn't sample all the snacks made in PA!
Lunch – Philly cheesesteaks (steak and chicken), hoagies, tomato pie, soft pretzel bites, Herr’s chips, Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer, A-Treat sodas, Redner’s bottled water, and Wawa coffee
Late Night at the H Bar – Mike and Ike and Charleston Chews
Picnic (Moved to the Mall!) – Shoofly pie and Tastykakes
Other Pennsylvania Treats & Businesses – Utz snacks, Peeps, Hershey, Heinz, Insomnia Cookies, Sheetz, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Yuengling Lager, Zippo, Five Below, Rita’s Italian Ice, and Hot Tamales, Dubble Bubble (Thanks Mike Kroboth!)
Thank you to our wonderful Philadelphia member Marion Valaro, the All Fifty Club Advisory Group (Verenda, Chadwick, and Gary), and the rest of the Volunteer Team - Stan, Amanda, Kenny, Debbie, Deirdre, Marie, LaTonnia, Lisa, Teresa, Matt, Carsten, & Karina!
We appreciate our Convention Partners! The American Treasure Museum, The Wander Club, Grab the Gold, Holy Cow Canvas, Pudge's Cheesesteaks and Hoagies.
If you are interested in attending the 2027 Convention, please complete the Interest Form to be among the first to know the location and date.
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