Hobby & Trade Shows- are they relevant?

[Jon Cole]

The 2009 iHobby Expo is in two weeks. Is there anyone here that can report on any new announcements pertaining to our hobby?

I’m not even sure if there is anything there to report on. I can, however, remember not too long ago when the two big annual toy shows, iHobby (formerly RCHTA), and the New York Toy Show in February, were big deals for our hobby. The model kit manufacturers would often make announcements of new kits at these shows. Will they be making any new announcements?

The link I found for iHobby Expo is:

http://www.ihobbyexpo.com/home.html

iHobby Expo

Oct. 22 to 25, 2009

Rosemont, Ill.

[crispy]

Shouldn't they be announcing the Corvette ZR1??? LOL

As to your question Jon, I think it still is pertinent. It give the wholesalers a chance to put orders in and look at what's upcoming from all manufacturers.

As for the model kit companies, yes, they can keep some secrets until the show. Happens every year.

Chris

[Joe Handley]

I'll be going the friday as a HobbyTown employee and on Saturday as a Suburban Chicago Rock Crawler member (we'll have a good sized course there and having a competition on saturday ) There were more models there last year than the year before, but Tamiya opted out last year too.

[Eshaver]

In the 1970's , I was a manufacturer of Custom Van accessories . These trade shows allowed us the manufacturers to actuallly greet and lobby wholesale distributors and some invited guests as a result . Allowing the print media was also important as they themselves could be swayed to look at your products and write a favorabile review . The internet today is simply an end means to spread the " Print Reviews " around electronicly . Now lets see whats new for 2010 ! Ed Shaver

[Exotics_Builder]

I'll be there on Saturday supporting the Revell Make and Take with other club members. I'll be taking photos. There will be announcements for the first half of 2010 by Revell for sure. Sadly, can't say anything I may have learned until the annoucement sheet comes out.

[vizio93]

Shouldn't they be announcing the Corvette ZR1??? LOL

Chris

I would love to see the ZR1 as a kit !!!

[FloridaBoy]

I think Hobby and Trade shows are GREATLY IMPORTANT!!!!

My local hobby shop owners to me are two of the most knowledgeable in both of my hobbies as can be, more than any other in my life, and at age 62 living in many towns and visiting others, I have seen my share..........

Their hobby shop is small but incredibly intelligently stocked, as they make trade shows either indivicually or together, and as a result, they are among the first to receive the new products, get products that we never knew about but seemed to be inexpendable once we got them, new aftermarket items and the list of advantages goes on and on. They also know what seems to be coming out from the "scuttlebutt' that always seems to prevail at these events.

I got more information at the NMRA National Train Show held in Ft Lauderdale in 2002 in a few hours than all of my years in the model railroad hobby combined. Ask any real car buff if he thinks SEMA is worth it, and I would be it would be an affirmative, and it was allegedly started by Revell to get close to accessory manufacturers to make models for their kits.

Then there is the most important aspect, which is talking and interacting with other hobby buffs and players, which in itself is a rewarding experience. Anyone walking away from one of these shows without ideas or inspiration just didn't get it at all.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[Harry P.]

Trade shows are important to all manufacturers. It's where they "strut their stuff," announce upcoming products and drum up interest among their distributors and customers. A trade show might not be so relevant to the end customer, but it's a critical interaction between the manufacturer and their customers (the distributors and retailers who will potentially carry their new products).