[Closed] List of the GLM's Cadillacs at the chicago show.

Great ideas. We will gladly take donations for more efficient displays.

See enlarged photo (PIC) posted below.

The crowd there was not a 1/43 model crowd - more toys really, so the...

collectors interested in these were the ones manning the booth plus a few local 1/43 nuts. We had no one really looking at the GLMs except one man who said he found his car in his colors and really wanted it!

Maybe next year we can take close-ups (if they send any prototypes!!!), but we had limited time and so, so many to take photos of - GLM, Autocult, Goldvarg, Brooklin, D&D, B&G, etc... I don't think any of the GLMs were labeled so identifying them was hard for many of us. We will try to do better next year.

Hi John, that's an important point.

In my opinion.

If manufacturers are sending pre-production samples in a toy show, I guess it's because they are expecting a great visibility of their product.

Not only for the lucky collectors who can attempt the show and see by themselves of course, but also for all of those who are expecting to see the treasures on the tables via photos and internet.

So I think that these manufacturers would benefit a lot by helping you guys having better display organisations. Not a luxurious and expensive glass display cabinet, but something that could help see the models properly.

It's a point we could all share with them, don't you think ?

A good point. We did have financial help from Legacy Motors and the Zone this year.

They were generous but there are more expenses involved than most think. There's travel, lodging, meals, booth rental and more, all of which we're glad to do as a part f giving back to the hobby.

Over the last few years, we've been trying to accumulate things like posters, banners, signs and the paraphernalia a booth needs to look somewhat professional. The manufacturers are very helpful in providing their models and paying for shipping and packing. We can always ask for more but we don't want to make this more expensive for the makers than it already is.

When it comes down to it, it's a matter of convenience as well. All this stuff, except for the tables and chairs, has to find its way to Chicago and back home again. It's a big job and we were blessed with a lot of help this year.

Yes, as Karl mentioned, it was a learning year and we'll take the lessons we learned this year and use them to make things better next year.

Thanks! I spy a '66 Coupe deVille in what may be Autumn Rust; an

Ember Firemist convertible with top raised -- probably the Eldorado; a [possibly] Baroque Gold '68 Coupe deVille; and a [again possibly] Commodore Blue '76 Fleetwood 75.

Then there is the powder blue '68 deville convertible shown in their Facebook post.

Time for that 2nd job.

Hi Karl, Interesting, and sad in a way.

It tends to confirm that 1/43rd scale has never been very successful in US compares to other scales and its struggles to attract a larger audience.

It's also the reflexion of a reality, which is that collecting scale model cars nowadays is not that popular anymore, especially for the younger crowd.
(By the way, I must be one of the youngest collector ( 42 ) around here, to post on forum43).

Your post also gives more sens to my answer to John.

Manufacturers could probably help themselves a bit more by helping you having a better visibility during the show.

Well...easy to say for me, not that easy to do.

Thank you for your efforts, and your devoted time.

in europe we prefer 1/43 cause we have little homes and american collectors prefer 1/24 and 1/18 cause they have big homes ?..lol

As someone who has run this sort of thing at Modelex..

here in the UK, and who also attended toyfairs for many years as part of earning a living I feel that any criticism of you folk is somewhat churlish. You all did a great job, unpaid, travelling long distances and paying out for accommodation, etc. OK, you all had a great time and it was for the love of the hobby but let us all not forget that setting up a stall, manning it, chatting to visitors all day, promoting the models and the scale, and packing away afterwards when would-be 'helpers' disappear like snow in summer is damn hard work.
As far as organisation of the displays was concerned, exactly what was due to arrive from a variety of manufacturers was an unknown right until a few days beforehand, the display space had to be pre-booked, and setting up a stall is not an easy task. Also, visitors would not see the pre-show pressure and limited time available in setting up. As traders we would often find the 'early bird' ticket holders a nuisance, trying as we were against the clock to set up for the main opening time and then having to stop to chat with admittedly enthusiastic collectors.
I applaud you all - you did a great job and I wish I could have been there.

I think a model company can provide their own displays.

Private vendors manage to do it by themselves at local model shows all the time. It's not rocket science. It'll fit in a carry-on.

Good point Joe

JR your remarks were right on target in every regard. I travel 800 miles to attend the Chicago show with friends who are also dealers. I help them set up and take down their displays and I can attest to how much work is involved. The crew at the 1/43 booth worked long and hard to display all items to the best benefit of those in attendance and it was quite effective. To benefit those not in attendance would require more space than is available and display fixtures that are very expensive. If you were there in person you would see that this type of show is not like the show held in Germany where the principals from the various companies are there in person showing off their products to the dealer network
. This show is intended for selling product directly to the collector on the scene. Speaking as a collector, my opinion is that the setup by the 1/43 folks was highly successful with a strong effort on their part to promote those products that were provided by the various product lines.

Great ideas for next year!

It's really good to know what's important to each of you! It never crossed my mind to think of the GLMs as never being seen before and that the Forum viewers wouldn't have the chance to pick up and peer through the plastic! I offer my sincere apologies and as we all improve with good input I'll try to do better next time.

JR and Bob did nail the atmosphere though. I watched the guys working like busy bees to get everything ready, carefully shifting and reshifting the boxed displays as more models came out -- at the same time early buyers arrived and asked questions.

I think because the Brooklin and JR models were unviewable without taking them out of the box, they did get more exposure (pardon the pun) from me. Perhaps being able to take several of the models from other dealers' boxes out to be photographed wouldn't be too much to ask, especially if it's done by someone not necessary to the conversational end of manning a booth. Ah, but which ones???

Time to take a vote!

JR and Bob's comments are right on the money. To be fair, I think one needs to experience either watching or participating in the organization and prep efforts required to realize the difference between "trade shows" and hobbyist shows. There of course is a huge difference in finances, equipment, personnel availability and so on between the two. I'm glad that this discussion has happened as it helps to educate us. I do appreciate that all comments were made in support of our hobby too. Is the next show the same time next year then, as opposed to in the spring?