AMA CONVENTION 2008
Dave Mathewson — AMA President
Add to this the chance to renew old acquaintances. The Convention has become a staple on my events calendar.
—Dave Mathewson
Charles Mackey — Fallbrook, California
The AMA Convention means many things to me: a chance to catch up on the newest technology, check out the latest designs, and pick up a few bargains.
Most of all, the Convention is, to me, a social gathering. I get to see old friends I haven't talked to for years, I meet some of my current club members there, and even make a few new friends. This year I got to meet a nice guy named Dave Mathewson; I think he has something to do with AMA! All in all, it is a lot of fun.
—Charles Mackey
Greg Hahn — AMA Technical Director
The AMA Convention, as with all mass gatherings, has a variety of purposes and fulfills many needs. For the modeler attendee, it's often the big-purchase show. Being a "selling" show definitely adds to its popularity by giving the modeler the opportunity to see it, feel it, and buy it. eBay is the way to go nowadays, but there are many modelers who still enjoy talking with vendors and getting a chance to rub elbows with the "big boys." Often they will go to the show and make their one big purchase of the year—that once-in-a-lifetime project.
Modelers who are AMA members will use the Convention as a convenient way to renew their membership and discuss issues with the many staff and Executive Council members in attendance.
The location for this event is also very important, in that there are so few chances for our West Coast members to be involved. Often our West Coasters seem to be left out, considering most of the high-profile shows are east of the Mississippi.
For the nonmodeler, the show is often the "eye-opener" into the world of RC modeling that will hopefully drive them to take the leap into this amazingly rewarding and educational hobby. Few hobbies are truly family oriented, educational, and entertaining all in one. There were countless moms, dads, and kids walking the aisles.
Attending this show gave me a chance to meet and greet many of the Council members I didn't previously know and get acquainted with many West Coast fliers.
—Greg Hahn
Peter Chagares — Southwest Systems / EZ Balancer (Simi Valley, California)
You have to go back to when it was called the IMS, or International Modelers Show, and was held in Pasadena, California. I think that most people then attended the show as a way to find out about all the new products and to get a chance to speak directly with vendors or others that they only communicated with via telephone or by reading their articles in the publications.
In my opinion, that is still the reason people attend each year. Of course, some will attend the forums as well. Up until last year when I became a vendor, that was the biggest reason for my attending.
Also, it was a way we would socialize with other friends. I, as well as many of my friends, would attend the IMS twice each year—once on Friday with one group of friends, and then again on either Saturday or Sunday with another group. Not only did you make certain you saw everything, but you got different perspectives on everything. With Pasadena being so close, attending twice was easy and not very expensive.
You go away with an idea of what is new, what direction you want to go with modeling in the coming year, as well as a better knowledge of what is available.
Now, as a vendor, I hope to expand the exposure of my products as well as make some direct sales at the show. Last year, my first as a vendor, I introduced a redesign of my previous product. This year, I introduced a new companion product as well as a smaller version of the original. Seeing that I came back, I guess you could call last year a success, and as I intend to come back next year as a vendor, the same could be said of this year.
—Peter Chagares
Jay Mealy — AMA Programs Director
I believe the original concept driving the Academy's decision to purchase the International Modelers Show (it did so in 1999) and present it as the AMA Convention was to create a focal point for the exchange of information—an environment where modelers could immerse themselves in everything modeling. Opportunities to touch, smell, and taste all aspects of their favorite avocation and come away enriched in some way that satisfied them.
Lastly, the most important aspect of the Convention is the chance to allow the attendees and participants alike to simply have a good time and look forward to the next presentation of the AMA Convention.
—Jay Mealy
Bob Beecroft — Fallbrook, California
It's a great place to see old friends. I am a Free Flight flier, so I don't take a great deal away from the event, but that's to be expected.
—Bob Beecroft
Tom Schwyn — AMA Marketing Director
AMA's Convention is primarily an industry trade show that highlights the latest and greatest products being introduced to the sport, and has the distinction of being the first significant show of the year. It also brings focus to the AMA and what services it provides.
As with most shows, seeing other attendees with common interests is key. Whether it's a competitor from across the country or a fellow club member who attends the event with you, the camaraderie is key!
—Tom Schwyn
Robert Behrens — Lake Elsinore, California
Having been away from model aviation (RC) for the last 15 years, my interest has been renewed by exposure to the latest technology and newest products and by seeing the camaraderie still existing among fliers. I would like to recommend that wives (the supporters of husbands' hobbies) be allowed the privilege of admission at AMA member rates.
—Robert Behrens
Jim Cherry — AMA Executive Director
The Convention is the AMA's largest avenue of one-on-one exchange: membership with the vendors, members with the AMA leadership, and vendors with the Academy.
It is also a way to connect with our membership in the western part of the nation. The seminars and presentations are a large part of this information exchange. We chose to launch the new Park Pilot Program at the Convention this year due to the large number of members who would be there.
What do you take away from the event? A renewed excitement about where this sport and hobby is going. The development of new radio and battery equipment in recent years has made flying possible in places we had never thought about before. Flying sites are moving back into the cities as opposed to moving farther away.
The number of volunteers that supports the AMA is also apparent from the annual Convention. From the Executive Council, Associate VPs, CDs, and Leader Members, all are part of the strength of the Academy and all volunteer their time. I encourage all members to make plans to attend the Convention next year.
—Jim Cherry
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
