Glad to hear positive reviews from RPM veterans Bill and Dave.
I am credited with being involved in the meet, but really I am not. I just
complain and offer suggestions that are usually shot down. Although this year
they did take my suggestion and offer a slide show Friday night for those not
wishing to drive to the layout open houses. I can sit and watch slides till the
wee hours, but my companions are not so inclined. After awhile we retired to the
lobby for a few beers and chips and lots of BS until they threw us out.
I do not complain publicly about any of these events knowing a bit about
what it takes to put one on. Mark Fedderson made table leg extensions for the
model display tables at Naperville. Really helps get the models in front of you.
I believe his idea was copied at Cocoa Beach? Because of the shear number of
display tables at St Louis these extensions are impractical. Usually there are
lots of chairs around so you can sit down to view the models. I am guessing that
because of the growth of the event there seemed to be fewer chairs this year.
Last year there was a stack of chairs at the back of the room you could grab.
This year they were locked up. I found out the center charges $3 + – for each
chair! Next year I am thinking of suggesting a admission hike to cover the cost
of more chairs or being a folding chair of my own...