03-27-2010, 09:07 AM
Over here most of the national train shows like World's Greatest Hobby or Great Train Expo pay clubs an honorarium to be at the show. They realize that the modular layouts are the primary draw for the general public. When a local tv station covers a show, they don't show the vendors booths, they show layouts. The problem for the promoter of a train show is that if you are going to promote a show in a large metropolitan area, at least in California, you won't find an empty warehouse, you will either need to use a county fairgrounds building or a convention center. Neither of those options is cheap for the promoter. He has to pay regardless of turnout and be "out of pocket" before the show opens. By nature out here the shows are generally not going to be geared towards the active model railroader. When a train show is put on the model railroaders will show up, but if the promoter does not attract a large number of families, the show will lose money. The vendors all pay for a table or booth. The show promoter is not going to enforce any sort of dress code on the vendors. To me the most interesting thing about train shows, aside from having an opportunity to play with my trains, is the interaction with manufacturer's reps at many of the shows. In most cases when a manufacturer has representatives at a show, they are usually the very people who are responsible for the new product releases. If there is something you would like to see offered that is currently not available, interaction with the manufacturer at a train show is an excellent way to have an input on future products.