Hi John, we will be discussing nats at our club meeting this weekend. I'm planning on being there one way or another!

As the late Mike Memmo famously said about going to the international show: "When it's all said and done you know you're gonna be there because IT'S ABOUT [auto-censored]IN' TANKS!!"

KL
"Sure, I'll be there. It's AMPS."

See you there Guys, sorry you couldn't make it last weekend Kurt!

I had never planned to go - too far from Pgh.

KL

Still would have been nice to see you, I'll see you in Ohio then right?

Yup, I'll be there. It's AMPS.

KL

Gentleman –

I have looked thru this thread and as one of the members of the show staff for Armorcon and the chairman of last years AMPS International in Danbury, I would like to go thru a number of items. First and foremost I want to also thank Bill, Matt, Armorcon chairman, Georg, Neil and Doc who make up the rest of the show crew and without their help, none of the shows discussed would be possible.

Let us first address the attendance at this past show. Yes, attendance was down. We could look at year to year over the past 10 years and attendance varies up and down. Yes, the old AMPS East may have had more people say prior to 2008, but the economy and times change.

Entries were down also. Compared to last year we were off by 5% and had a total of 162 entries. Most of those entries were quite good and IMO far better than any collection of Armor at any of the local IPMS shows.

Now the big question, lets talk about vendors. Let us first realize at any show vendors have changed and are becoming an extinct species. This year was a perfect storm in that 1 major vendor had his first grandchild and was not able to attend, another was on a family trip overseas and the last has moved to the mid-west and will most likely not be seen here in the east again. Now, as we complain, realize the list of vendors was posted on the NMMA web site and could have been checked in advance.

We also have to remember if a vendor can bridge the other hobbies such as model railroading or RC, it is almost impossible to pull them away from those shows as there is more $$$ at those shows. So, tool vendors are difficult. Second, years ago you saw more resin vendors, vendors from Canada and local hobby shops. Well, we all know what has happened to local hobby shops, the economy does not favor the Canadian vendors and the resin vendors don’t make enough sales to make the show worth their time.

Lastly I will discuss the “I spent XX hours” driving to the show comments. The show staff starts by giving up XXX hours weeks and months before the show to plan and assemble the show which take away from their model time. Then, say in my case drive 3 hours to the show, spend 3 days at a hotel paid for out of my pocket, plus 3 meals a day. Then spend the entire day working the show to be exhausted at the end of the day so everyone at the show can have a good time For me this is priceless as I had a great time with all my friends and fellow modelers.

Now with all this said I do not want this thread to turn into a public grip session. I invite anyone, and most of you know me, to feel free to contact me by PM, Facebook message or email and I will be more than happy to discuss this subject with you, offline.

Rounds Complete!!

Well said. Let me add my personal thanks to you and the entire staff
that made Armorcon 2017 possible. Yes I was a bit disappointed at the low numbers of vendors but the quantity of kits and prices went a long way to assuage my disappointed. The group I run with are all seasoned show goers and the consensus was that the quality of builds and the camaraderie of the attendees more than made up for any lack of vendors. Again well done and thank you!

Thanks Mike...for what you said, and for all the hard work you and the entire staff do each time we see a show in Danbury...Regional or Nationals. It is difficult for some to realize how much personal time goes into putting on a show like this and having go off with little to no hitches. I think many of us beat a dead horse by saying we attend because we love the show itself. Vendors change, but there is always something to buy...pricing is too tempting not to! However, it is the friends and models we come to see more I think. Hang out for a couple days, some good laughs and just fun.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Dayton and hope to see you in Danbury again next year!

Todd, thanks. The highlight of the show is the social interaction with great modelers like you. See you in Dayton and see you in Danbury on Sept 28 & 29, 2018.

Rounds Complete!!