Jeff Troy

SHOW SEASON is here and it seems as though this might be a very powerful year for Radio Control aircraft. The Radio Control Hobby and Trade Association's annual Model and Hobby Show in October at Rosemont, Illinois had record consumer attendance, its trade days were busy, and international attendance was very strong. I'm getting ready for a trip to California for the Endless Horizons Show in Long Beach and the International Modeler Show (IMS) in Pasadena. On the rare occasions when home and scholastic schedules allow, I get to bring my wife and daughter on these roads trips - they've really been looking forward to this one. My daughter Devin is six, and she's finally going to meet Mickey, Donald, and Goofy on their own ground. I'll get to see great models on the shows' static tables and an endless sea of products and craftsmanship in the manufacturers' exhibits.

IN JANUARY, Southern California hosted two major hobby expositions: The International Modelers Show (IMS) was in Pasadena, and the Endless Horizons Expo was in Long Beach. It was fun for me to attend these shows as a member of the press, and not as an exhibitor locked into a booth, as I had always been. I saw these shows as the consumer saw them. Endless Horizons had a full-line mix of exhibitors; there were airplane, car, boat, train, and plastics manufacturers of every size and description. IMS was more of an airplane modeler's show, although there was a solid cross-section of hobbies. The weather was fantastic, and the Southern California hospitality and dining were first-rate (thanks, Barbara, Roy, and Susan). The only negative aspect was that both shows took place during the same four days, which put a terrific burden on exhibitors and consumers. I spent two days at each event, but that's not convenient for exhibitors, who must either choose to attend one show or bear the costs of participation in both.