The N Scale Collector Conventions are full of traditions. Yes, we are a very young organization, and it seems odd to consider that we have “traditions” but it is true. The schedule for the convention hasn't changed dramatically in years, and the events are pretty much what folks have come to expect. Yes, we switch days now and again to accommodate an attraction’s availability, but we pretty much stick to the same schedule throughout.
The gathering of the tribe is an unusual convention that travels to many locations. We try to rotate our visits West, East, and Central US. Our upcoming meet is in Denver Colorado, and we just did San Diego, so the next one will likely be Eastern US. One thing you can count on is where ever we go, if you like to buy, talk, trade, or live N Scale, there is more fun per square foot than at any other regular convention.
One of the things we don’t do is target a convention location, and then try to make a program to fit. For us, this would be fruitless, as we need to have someone from the location tell us whether or not a convention could be held in the location before we can consider it.The things that are needed for a convention location:Local Convention Host- The most important person on site is the person who knows the area. While we have a very accomplished convention staff headed by our convention czar Dean Daughenbaugh, the local host is the liaison between the vendors listed below and the organization. This person is key before the location is selected, as they are the one making the pitch for us to go there, and after the convention is set, as they run the local contacts for the meet. Lest this look like too much work, Dean has a very precise program with tight parameters, so the job is big, but manageable. Strong local club- Along with the host, these are the folks that help the show go. Usually, they are invited to set up a modular layout at the hotel, and help with door duties, bus captaining for trips, set up-, and host of other jobs that need doing. Most importantly, they ride the busses on our tours to point out sights of interest, and to manage the situation in case something goes wrong- after all who would know where to go if the bus driver gets lost unless they are local? (It has happened!)Hotel- the hotel that is hosting the convention needs to be in a convenient location for travel. It needs to have sufficient rooms for 80% of the convention goers to stay onsite. It is preferred that 100% stay onsite, but that is not always possible. If has to have sufficient banquet space for 400 people. It needs 10000 square feet of display space for the swaparama, and must include 85 8-foot tables. There needs to be the usual compliment of clinic rooms, layout space, and storage.Rail fan Interest- One of the traditions that we have is a rail trip of some sort during the course of the weekend. Whether it is a short line, a dinner train, a logging line, or a narrow gauge special, our group loves to go for a ride and to take pictures of trains. This feature has been with us since our second convention.Fascinating Tour- On some years it is a factory tour of a manufacturer of N Scale products, on other years it is a major shipper of rail borne goods. Our folks are fascinated with “the way things work” and like to see both model and prototype functions. This tour should be within a short drive of the hotel, and allow for in depth learning about a rail related subject. On some occasions, we have spent the day at a major rail museum, and that has been great.
Other trips of interest- our convention is very family oriented, and sometimes the “rest of the family” needs something else to do. We often have historical tours, shopping tours, or other interesting museums available for those that don’t wish to attend the swap-A-Rama or go on the rail related tour. We have found that everyone wants to go on the train ride, though! J
Good Travel Access- We have found that in order for our convention to be successful, travel needs to be easy from all over the country and even the world. That means major airlines have to be involved in the destination, and the hotel needs to have a clear transport path from the airport. Fascinating area- Many of our attendees spend their vacation around the convention, so being close to a recreation area is important. If the location is not near “vacation destination” it probably will not fly.If you have all of these things, and would like to host a convention, we’d love to hear from you. Our conventions are open to any member to propose a convention to the group, and we welcome your ideas.
One of our mandates is to continue to improve our conventions for our members, and we try to do just that. From the first Medford Fourteen years ago to the upcoming National N Scale Convention in Hartford Connecticut, it has been hard work, but fun. The friendships made at these conventions are lasting, and we try to have a good time at each and every one of them. We hope to see you there, perhaps as the local host of the next N Scale Collector Convention!
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