IN THIS ISSUE you will find overview
coverage of AMA Convention 2005. I use the
word “overview” because—just like a large
modeling competition—there is just no
practical way to give a blow-by-blow account
of all that happens at one of these affairs.
Also, there is just no way to convey what the
attendees are experiencing because each of
them is experiencing something different.
What I’m going to try to build here is a
good case for why each of you, who has any
interest in this hobby/sport, should try to
attend at least one modeling consumer show
or modeling convention each year.
For those of you who have discovered the
joys and benefits of going to these gatherings,
the following will be old news. For those of
you who haven’t attended one recently—or
ever—please read on and let me try to
persuade you to do so soon.
There are myriad reasons why modelers
attend these affairs. Many are simply in search
of one specific modeling item, and they know
they can usually get it at a “show special”
price at a convention or consumer show.
Many attend knowing that they can get oneon-
one attention from a manufacturer or
company representative and get all of their
questions answered efficiently and
thoroughly.
In recent years these modeling shows have
allowed hobby shops and discounters to
purchase booth space, and modelers flock to
them to restock all types of modeling supplies
because there are—in more and more cases—
no hobby shops in close proximity to where
they live. (This is a sad but true scenario.)
Okay, those are pretty good reasons to
attend, but there is much more to it. At a
convention we can graphically see the human
involvement and get a sense of the magnitude
of the hobby/sport in our own region. We can
see and meet the people who are involved on
both sides of the aisles. We can let ourselves
be reinspired by looking at the many beautiful
examples of craftsmanship, learning about the
new innovations, and defining the many
directions that are available to us. It’s a sort of
rebirth process in the entire modeling
experience.
I wrote about this before elsewhere, but it
bears repeating here; there are more modeling
experts per square foot at a modeling
convention or consumer show than almost
anywhere else at any given time on the planet.
If you have a technical question, this is where
you want to be to get the answer. Chances are
that if one expert does not know the answer to
a particular question, he or she will be able to
refer you to another one immediately who
does!
In a similar vein—and stating the
obvious—there are simply more modelers per
square foot at such a convention or show than
almost anywhere else at a given time. What
this means to me is vast opportunities to
exchange information, experiences, and
pleasantries with others who have—at least in
one manner—the same outlook on life.
What were once just consumer shows
have, in many cases, been transformed into
actual modeling conventions. Having all of the
aforementioned elements gathered together in
one place provides the opportunity for a
structured format of symposiums and
meetings designed to inform and facilitate the
learning process. It pays to get in touch with
the convention organizers in advance to find
out what special events are planned so that
you can arrange your schedule accordingly
while attending.
The process works both ways, however.
As a modeler in need of specific information,
you should not be bashful about seeking out
the convention organizers and letting them
know what type of information you personally
need. If enough interest is expressed about a
given subject, they will try to schedule a
symposium on that subject the following year.
Attendee feedback is key to making any
convention grow and evolve.
AMA is well represented at the various
consumer shows and modeling conventions
throughout the country. When you are
attending one of these gatherings, please take
a moment to visit the AMA booth and meet
your representatives. They need your personal
input to structure this organization to better
serve your needs. Without communication,
this is a difficult assignment.
If you can’t catch up to me at a convention, I
can always be reached at (610) 614-1747. My
E-mail address is [email protected]. My
address is Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083 MA
Bob Hunt Aeromodeling Editor
Attendee feedback is key
to making any convention
grow and evolve.
Modeling Spoken Here
April 2005 7
1815 South Research Loop
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 7