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national train show

National Train Show

Following information is mainly for Train Show Exhibitors and Vendors.

For General information for Public and/or Attendees go to National Train Show - Public Pages

hartford

NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION®
National Train Show®
CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER

July 10 - 12, 2009

Hartford, Connecticut

MANIFEST

An Invitation to Exhibit

The National Model Railroad Association® endeavors to supply the hobby at large with a national forum to provide information and dialogue on the hobby products and services available to them. To accomplish this goal, the National Train Show® is designed to provide this forum at low cost to both the hobby industry and the public.

The National Train Show® was established in 1988 by the National Model Railroad Association® as a nationally sponsored combined industry trade show and public train show to promote the hobby of model railroading. The National Train Show® is a NMRA® national organization function and is totally managed and staffed by NMRA® unpaid volunteers. The local host group of the city involved with the NMRA® national convention does not put on the show. The show is not a table flea market show nor a private show for the NMRA® convention attendees, but is open to the public at set times.

The show's only purpose is to promote the hobby in a professional manner, to the hobby industry and to the public at large. For attendees of the NMRA® national convention and other associated conventions, the show provides a private advance opening of the show. For the hobby industry, trade show only hours are provided. The show is then opened to the public. A professional advertising agency provides the show's promotion to the public through media outlets and through corporate sponsorship.

The show is in three elements. The first brings the best model railroads of all scales and display them for the public to see the finished product. Approximately 48,000 square feet of display space is allocated for operating model train displays at the show.

The second element is having the industry manufacturers, publishers, and railroad-related organizations at the show to display their products and converse with their customers. Over 130 industry trade and organization booths are set up to display and demonstrate products.

The third element is to be able to buy the products, join organizations, and get started or advance in the hobby. In total, over 330 booths are set up in 140,000 square feet of exhibit space at the show site in a professional trade show atmosphere to promote the hobby of model railroading.

We request that all exhibitors provide a professional display of their products and dress and present themselves professionally at the show.

We welcome your participation at the National Train Show®. For a National Train Show® Exhibitor package please e-mail Debbie Draper or call her at (602) 569-9072 at any time during business hours Mountain Standard Time for assistance.

You may also contact her by normal mail at:

Debbie Draper
National Train Show® Registrar

10837 N. 34th Place
Phoenix, AZ 85028-3310
(602) 569-9072

Fax: (602) 923-7631
e-mail: NATLTRAINSHOW@aol.com

Tom Draper
National Train Show® Chairman
National Model Railroad Association®
e-Mail:TCDRaider@aol.com

AN INVITATION TO EXHIBIT

THE NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION® NATIONAL TRAIN SHOW®
JULY 10 - 12, 2009 - CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

The National Model Railroad Association® (NMRA®) and the Model Railroad Division of the Hobby Manufactures Association® (HMA®) invite you to participate in the National Train Show®, at Hartford, Connecticut, July 10 - 12, 2009. The show, in conjunction with the national convention of the NMRA®, will take place Friday through Sunday at the Connecticut Convention Center.

To promote of the hobby of model railroading, the National Train Show® features dozens of operating model railroads and displays of the latest related products from the industry. The show provides a concentrated market, attracting a large audience of hobbyists as well as the general public.

For the model railroading industry, the National Train Show® provides opportunities to interact with dedicated model railroaders and the public, to display products, publications, and new items. For retailers, the show offers a specialized market for railroad hobby related merchandise. For historical societies, modular railroad organizations, and other special-interest groups, the show furnishes a forum to display various facets of the hobby.

Do not miss your opportunity! Join us in Hartford, Connecticut, in 2009 at the National Train Show® (NTS).

The National Model Railroad Association® (NMRA®) is a not for profit organization for promotion of and education about the model railroading hobby.The NMRA® National Train Show® promotes the hobby by presenting all aspects of model railroading in a public forum.

For a National Train Show® Exhibitor package please call Debbie Draper at (602) 569-9072 at any time during business hours Mountain Standard Time for assistance.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Connecticut Convention Center is located at 100 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, Connecticut 06103 in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Take exit 29A off of Interstate 91 to Columbus Blvd. We have reserved over 140,000 square feet of exhibit space for industry displays, operating model railroads and retail sales.

As an exhibitor, you are invited to attend NMRA® HN2009 convention activities. All of the convention activities will take place in the Hartford Marriott Downtown Hotel, 200 Columbus Blvd., Hartford Connecticut and in the adjacent Connecticut Convention Center. Advance details of the NMRA® convention will be printed in NMRA® and hobby publications.

Reserve your space early to qualify for the discounted booth fee and to guarantee your first choice of location. We only permit display and sale of merchandise that is hobby or railroad related. To obtain an exhibitor registration package, call Debbie Draper at (602) 569-9072 at any time during business hours Mountain Standard Time for assistance. Please feel free to call on our staff for any special arrangements you may require.

Please indicate on your exhibitor registration form contained in the registration package three locations you prefer and we will do our best to provide the space you request. Confirmation of your registration will be mailed in late 2008 or within two weeks thereafter. Advance order assignments of the booth spaces will be filled starting June 2008 in the order received if accompanied with the filled out signed registration form and full deposit for the booth space.

We will do all that we can do to make your experience at Hartford, Connecticut, National Train Show® a success. Our staff will be attentive to your needs and will assist you with information, registration, and on-site support services. We will provide assistance for your move in and move out, arrange for food service during the show, and will provide booth-watchers for short periods during the show. Please feel free to call on our staff for any special arrangement you may require. Call (602) 569-9072 at any time during business hours Mountain Standard Time for assistance.

Each year the NMRA® National Train Show® attempts to provide the most reasonable show costs to our exhibitors. To accomplish this, we order the services and booth equipment extras at bulk rates. If you choose to participate in the National Train Show®, we strongly urge you to order your electricity and extra booth needs before the June 1, 2009, cutoff date. After June 1, 2009, the bulk rates will no longer apply and a late $25 service fee per order is charged. Booth extras and Elctricity are individual separate orders. Most equipment / electrical rates increase by 30% to 50% after June 1, 2009.

MODEL RAILROAD DISPLAYS

The National Train Show® welcomes displays of all facets of the hobby. Over 48,000 square feet is allocated on the show floor to display both operating model railroad displays and static displays. Reservations for displays are accepted for the current show and future shows. Model railroad display place is shown on the show floor plans as the 800 series space areas.

Contest models and display modules, that wish to be entered and judged as part of the NMRA® national convention program, can be judged on the show floor.

For modular display information on this show and at future shows, please contact the National Train Show® Registrar, Debbie Draper at (602) 569-9072.

HOTEL RESERVATION

We have reserved space for our exhibitors in two hotels nearby the Connecticut Convention Center: the Sheraton Harford Hotel, 100 East River Drive, Harford, Connecticut 06108 and the Crown Plaza Harford Downtown Hotel, 50 Morgan Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06120. The Sheraton Hotel provides free parking for guests and the Crown Plaza Hotel charges a special NMRA/NTS parking rate of $2.00 per day for parking for guests. Please reserve your rooms early as the block of rooms reserved by the NMRA® may be released a couple of months prior to the Train Show and the convention.

All NMRA® HN 2009 convention activities will take place in the Hartford Marriott Downtown Hotel and Connecticut Convention Center. Information on the Marriott Hotel will be provided in March 2009 Scale Rails.

CONVENTION AND NATIONAL TRAIN SHOW ADVERTISING & PROMOTION

We have two advertising opportunities for you to feature your company and its products.

SCHEDULE & SHOW GUEST INFORMATION


2009 NATIONAL TRAIN SHOW®

The show will be open Friday 10 July through Sunday 12 July for guests, convention attendees, and the public.

Friday private show hours (9am to 12 Noon) are for industry trade guests and NMRA® convention attendees.  Industry trade guests can obtain credentials through the Model Railroad Division of the Hobby Manufacturers Association®.  

Friday (12 Noon - 6pm), Saturday (10am - 6pm) & Sunday (10am - 5pm) the show is open to the public for an admittance fee. A two-day public ticket is available.

NMRA® members not registered at the NMRA® national convention are charged an admittance fee.

The following is our Exhibitor Schedule.

Date Day Activity Time Notes
JULY 08 Wednesday Decorator Setup 8:00am - 9:00pm Decorator Move in
JULY 08 Wednesday Exhibitor Drop Off Only 12 Noon - 6:00pm No Exhibitor Setup
JULY 09 Thursday Move in 8:00am - 8:30pm Exhibitor Setup
JULY 10 Friday Setup 7:00am - 9:00am Exhibitor Setup
JULY 10 Friday Industry Show 9:00am - 12 Noon Industry Trade Show
JULY 10 Friday Convention Show 9:00am - 12 Noon Convention Attendees only
JULY 10 Friday Open for Public 12 Noon - 6:00pm Public Show
JULY 11 Saturday Open for Public 10:00am - 6:00pm Public Show
JULY 12 Sunday Open for Public 10:00am - 5:00pm Public Show
JULY 12 Sunday Move out 5:30pm - 9:30pm Exhibitor Move Out
JULY 13 Monday Move out 8:00am - Noon Decorator Move Out

BOOTH FEES

The National Train Show® does not sell space and tables for merchandise display.  The show is setup professionally in a booth setting, which is piped and draped.  Exhibitors are required to display their merchandise in a professional looking booth display. Each booth is 10' x 10' in area.

The booth fee includes a rear 8' high drape, two 3' high draped side rails, one skirted 8' table, and two chairs.  Two people per booth may be registered.  A sign with your company name is included in the price of the booth.  Additional services, furnishings like tables, carpeting, display boards, upholstered chairs, and electrical hookups are available at extra cost.  The registration package contains a form for ordering these extra services and equipment at bulk rates. 

Booth fees are provided in the exhibitor registration package.  Please contact Debbie Draper at (602) 569-9072 to obtain your package.  Multiple booths may be purchased at substantial discounts.  Booths paid for in full prior to 15 February 2009 also get a major discount for advance registration.

SALES TAXES

There will be a requirement for each exhibitor who sells merchandise to collect sales taxes.  Our registration staff will provide the required forms to you in May 2009.

DRAYAGE - UPS / FEDERAL EXPRESS

Drayage is required if you are displaying an exhibit at the National Train Show® that requires any of the following: advance shipping, material storage, container storage, forklift or pallet jack move in, special handling, or box crating.Drayage information and forms will be sent to you in May 2009.

If you bring your exhibit with you, and it can be brought in on a flat dolly, this service is not normally needed.   If you ship packages (UPS/ Federal Express) to the decorator/ Transfer Company or Convention Center, you will be charged a transfer fee for this service. In May 2009 we will inform you if we have made special arrangements with UPS for a special delivery to the show site.

LIABILITY LIMITATIONS and DISCLAIMER

NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION® NATIONAL TRAIN SHOW®
LIABILITY LIMITATIONS and DISCLAIMER

The exhibitor for itself, its successors and assigns hereby releases the National Model Railroad Association® (hereinafter referred to as NMRA®) from any and all claims of every sort it may have against the NMRA® based upon, arising out of, or in connection with exhibitor's occupancy and use of the Train Show premises, or any act or omission of any nature by the NMRA® or its agents or employees with or related to the Train Show, including, but not limited to: loss, theft, damage, destruction, or delay or non-delivery of goods, display material and other effects; any injury to exhibitor, its employees, agents, representatives or guests while in the Train Show premises; any damage to exhibitor's business by reason of the failure to provide space for the exhibit or removal of exhibit, or failure to hold the Train Show as scheduled.  In the event, the Train Show is not held or canceled, the liability of the NMRA® shall be limited to a refund of the fee paid for space.

Exhibitor agrees to indemnify and hold forever harmless the NMRA® from any and all damage, loss, liability, claim or expense (including legal fees) based upon, arising out of, or in connection with (i) the violation of any law or ordinance by the exhibitor, its employees, agents, representatives, guests or others holding under the exhibitor; (ii) failure by exhibitor or any such persons to comply with all applicable terms and conditions contained in these rules or in the agreement between the Connecticut Convention Center and the NMRA® regarding the Train Show; and (iii) exhibitor's occupancy and use of the Train Show premises or a part thereof; whether or not such damage, loss, liability claim or expense was caused in whole or in part by the act or omission of the NMRA® or its agents or employees.

The exhibitor may provide recorded sounds in the space occupied by the exhibitor only on the following terms and conditions:

  1. Exhibitors will be responsible for arranging all matters regarding the procurement, setup, use, etc., of "playback" equipment, including conformance to the terms and conditions of the agreement between the NMRA® and the Connecticut Convention Center.
  2. Playback of recorded sound shall be at volume levels that are deemed reasonable considering the surroundings. The Train Show Chairman or his designate shall have complete and final authority in determining whether the sound volume levels are reasonable.
  3. Prior to the Train Show, an exhibitor desiring to use recorded sounds: (a) if using copyrighted sound recordings and the exhibitor is not the copyright holder, shall provide a written authorization from the copyright holder or shall provide written proof of a license agreement between the exhibitor and either ASCAP or BMI; (b) if using copyrighted sound recordings and the exhibitor is the copyright holder, certify in writing that the exhibitor is the copyright holder and describe by title such recordings: or (c) if using sound recordings that are not copyrighted describe by title or otherwise such recordings and certify in writing that such recordings have not been copyrighted by anyone.

The National Model Railroad Association, Inc.®, reserves the right to refuse any manufacturer, exporter, importer, distributor, dealer, or other persons or corporations who request exhibition space, or the privilege of selling, or the privilege of playing sound recordings at the trade show of the national convention, regardless of membership in the association, if their past business practices have been shown to be detrimental to the best interests of the members of the association or the hobby, as determined by the Train Show Chairman.

EXHIBITOR SHOW RULES

NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD ASSOCIATION®, NATIONAL TRAIN SHOW®,
EXHIBITOR SHOW RULES AND REGULATIONS®

EXHIBITOR BOOTH STAFFING

Authorized representatives must staff exhibitor booth(s) during all show hours. Exhibitors are required to be at the show for the three-day period when the show is open for the convention attendees and the general public.

  1. This requirement for everyday staffing will only be waived based on religious circumstances.
  2. A non-staffed booth is totally at the risk of the exhibitor.

EXHIBITOR SETUP & TEAR DOWN POLICY

  1. Because of the National Model Railroad Association's® concern for potential liability, the NMRA® cannot accept exhibitors who cannot comply with this policy. Exhibitors who disregard this policy shall be excluded from future NMRA® shows until reinstated by the NMRA®.
  2. If an early departure becomes necessary due to an emergency, we must be informed in advance prior to booth tear down and arrangements will be made to assist you without endangering the public if the show is open.

EXHIBIT DISPLAY POLICY

Exhibits may not exceed the booth area reserved by the exhibitor.Exhibitors will not be permitted to put on demonstrations unless the NMRA® is notified in advance and sufficient aisle space exists to support an audience.

BOOTH DISPLAY INTERFERENCE

No exhibit may interfere with or block a neighboring exhibit.

  1. Display material exceeding three feet in height above a table may not extend more than four feet from the back of the booth without permission from the neighboring exhibitor.
  2. Exhibitors who have end or corner booths may not exceed the three-foot height limitation on the back or side rail without permission from the neighboring exhibitor.

  3. Display materials at the back of the booth may not exceed the eight-foot height of the drape.

SAFETY PROVISIONS

All display material must be flameproof material or be made flameproof.

  1. Exhibitor must provide the necessary shielding or safety items to protect attendees, exhibitors and all others from equipment that may cause bodily harm.

  2. Electrical wiring and equipment must meet the standard electrical codes.

PROMOTIONS & LITERATURE DISTRIBUTION

  1. Promotions and commercial literature distribution by an exhibitor is restricted to the confines of the exhibitor's booth area.
  2. Exhibitors are not permitted to use other persons to distribute materials at other locations on the show premises.

MOVE IN / OUT SAFETY

Please note that for safety reasons during the move in and move out periods, the NMRA® and Connecticut Convention Center does not permit children under 16 years to be on the show floor. Please contact the NTS: Debbie Draper, or (602) 569-9072, if this affects you.

Please call (602) 569-9072 if you have a question about the show rules. We will be happy to supply the names and telephone numbers of neighboring exhibitors to you so that you may avoid problems with your display material height.

Connecticut Convention Center FLOOR PLAN

The initial 10 June 2008 version of the floor plan's BOOTH LOCATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON FINAL FIRE MARSHAL APPROVAL. The NTS reserves the right to modify any booth locations and/or assignments to optimize the utilization of the show floor space. You will be notified of any booth assignment changes should this has to occur. If floor plan changes are required we will attempt to provide you with comparable space if possible

Product demonstrations must be cleared with the registrar in advance to ensure compliance to public safety regulations and space clearance.

Exhibitor booth space is available in three categories:

  1. Industry products only.
  2. Retail product sales.
  3. Railroad and Hobby related organizations.

We do not accept exhibitors who promote any venues outside of the railroad hobby-related environment.

In the floor plans enclosed in the show registration package, please only choose your booths from the number series in your category. We do reserve the right to select a booth location for you based on the remaining space available at the show after 1 June 2008. The initial published version of the floor plan is subject to change. If floor plan changes are required, we will attempt to provide you with comparable space if possible.

hartford

CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER

FLOOR PLAN (240K) in GIF format
  Single page Floor Plan in Acrobat Format. (89K)
Larger two page Floor Plan in Acrobat Format. (192K)

 

You may download the free Acrobat Reader here getreader

BOOTH SERIES DESCRIPTION

000 - Series Industry Only  (Blue Drapes)
100 - Series Industry Only  (Blue Drapes)
200 - Series Industry Only  (Blue Drapes)
300 - Series Retail Product Sales  (Yellow Drapes)
400 - Series Retail Product Sales  (Yellow Drapes)
500 - Series Retail Product Sales  (Yellow Drapes)
600 - Series Retail Product Sales  (Yellow Drapes)
700 - Series Organizational Use  (Blue Drapes)
800 - Series Layout Display Areas
900 - Series Retail Product Sales  (Yellow Drapes)

We do not accept reservations by telephone for space, but we will be happy to discuss your needs and space availability with you.  If you desire a special configuration for your booths, please call (602) 569-9072 and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Please note that during the move in and move out periods, the NMRA® and Connecticut Convention Center does not permit children under 16 years to be on the show floor.  Please contact the NTS if this affects you.

CURRENT LIST OF EXHIBITORS

The current list of registered exhibitors at the 2009 National Train Show® can be found in the following numeric and alphabetical listing.  This listed is update every three months with the latest information.

Exhibitor by exhibitor name and location. (Alphabetical )

Exhibitor located by booth number on show floor plan. (Numerical)