The 2013 ECLSTS is less that 9 days away and things are all lined up for a GREAT Show. The vendors list has been posted online and we have 4 MORE vendors than we did last year. As of this writing date, we have 6 NEW vendors. None have been to the show before. The hotel tells me that they have MORE rooms booked at this time than they did last year at this time. The seminar list has been published as well as the floor plan. Some really great seminars are being presented. If you attend these seminars, be sure to take the time to THANK those that are taking their time to present. I would love to attend each of them but I need to keep my ears and eyes on the two buildings and answer questions. In the past I have always heard GOOD reports of each of the seminars. The ONLY complaint we had was the NOISE level that overshadowed the speaker at times. Well this year we moved some things around in the vendors hall and we were able to open up one of the rooms for the seminars. This should help cut down on the noise level in the seminar area. We are NOT able to shut the P A system off in the room, so you will have to excuse the “vocal interruptions”.
Be sure to thank the vendors and the clubs for coming to the show. I have always said there is a ‘two edged sword’ with the shows. If the public does not attend, the vendors will not attend, if the vendors do not attend, the public will not come. So if you attend and buy, then the vendors keep coming back. In some cases, you will find what you want at the show CHEAPER than you would at their store or online. One part of the ‘sale equation’ is gone at the shows, THE SHIPPING charges. The shipping charge for track can get expensive. The other advantage of the show is you can “see it, touch it, and in some cases, you can see it run or take it to a test track before you take it home.
The show will host a modeling contest again. TATE has stepped forward to take on the task of running the modeling contest. The admission fee for everyone this year is going to be $10.00 per day and $18.00 for a two day pass. As always, children 12 and under, accompanied with a paying adult are FREE. LargescaleOnline.com members get discounted admission to the show . If you want a look at the categories for the contest, go on Aristo Craft’s website and go to the forum section and click on the Spring ECLSTS. Look for the thread for the modeling contest for entering information.
The paint sample for the show car has been posted, the tee shirt design and colors are finalized, and we are just counting down the days till the doors open on the 2013 East Coast Large Scale Train Show. You know it IS “The Place to BE for G!” We look forward to seeing you there.