Northwest Expo.

I understand that this was the last year for the Northwest Expo. Is this true

Unless another group steps up to sponsor & run the event, it's done. See the 2nd item: http://www.nwskyraiders.com/news.html It's been getting smaller, fewer vendors and less wonderful displays each year. Steve

At our last club meeting I heard that a group in Portland is looking at hosting it.

Although I no longer live in the NW (used to live in Puyallup) I really enjoyed the NW Model Expo. I've been to other trade shows (WRAM for one) but these were strictly all R/C shows. The were very few Expos which demonstrated all aspects of modeling.

The NW Model Expo used to feature models of every type - static, flying, running model V-8 engines, warships, plastic scale stuff - it was really a lot of fun.

I know they did change the name to the NW Model R/C Expo years ago but they still allowed - and encouraged - our C/L participation. It was a great PR activity for the club.

I heard the same thing about 2 weeks ago and was kind of in shock. One of the road blocks was the cost to put the show on was around $32,000. I think this show in order to continue may have to be put on by more than one club. The age of modelers may be a factor also, look around, how many modelers do you see that are "building" that are under the age of 45. Next weekend I turn 50, many times I felt like the youngster at the field when flying here in the Northwest. I have attended this show since 1982. The 1983 Expo was fantastic, I remember seeing the Walker Trophy for the first time and Paul Walker's "Bad News". The tables were so full of planes it was hard to find a place to put your model if you entered. I still have pictures of that Expo, it was an exciting show to attend. The swap meet is still a great draw, more local parcipation will be the answer if this show is to survive. All clubs should be encouraged to get more models on the tables, the past three years have been a disaster in my opinion. Maybe it is good that the Mt. Rainier RC club give their sponsorship up, new ideas and new blood may be able to bring this show back from the brink. Jim J

One year particularly irked me. The Skyraiders were preparing to perform their outdoor C/L demo and one of Dave Mullens' kids was getting ready to launch. One of the organizers (a member of the host club and an LHS owner) ran up and said, "Hey! No kids." They absolutely didn't want any kids flying (even a C/L model). Never mind that both kids were club members, AMA members and seasoned contest flyers AND under the supervision of adults.

Let's just say I never patronized that particular LHS again.