Tulsa Route 66 Model Expo
We held our annual show last weekend amidst a torrential downpour: http://www.route66modelexpo.com . Attendance in total was down a bit, though there were more models on the tables per modeler than in prior years. I think that may be because of our new format. If you are interested in some of the details of that format change - continue reading! If you just want to look at the pics, you can stop here. I didn't get a chance to take a lot of pics, but some of our members sent me some, and I found more already posted to FaceBook.
We have been studying some of the early shows that made the move to what's called an "Exhibitor Format," and then made some tweaks of our own. The basic idea is to make it much easier to celebrate modelers and foster conversations between modelers. To that end, we had each modeler put all of their models together in a single location rather than dispersing them to various tables according to class or category. We also created name tents so their name would be visible, and had everyone wear a name tag. That way, you could find the modeler you wanted to compliment or whose brain you wanted to pick about a technique.
We also changed how entries were entered. Each modeler could submit a maximum of 4 "Evaluated" entries and a maximum of 20 "Display" entries. The Evaluated entries all got judged via Gold, Silver Bronze and awarded an appropriate coin, along with a feedback form to highlight what they did well and how they might improve (if less than a Gold recipient). These entries also qualified for the Master Awards - the typical "Best Of" trophies - Best Auto, Best Ship, etc. Only Evaluated entries qualified for these Master Awards/trophies.
We had 2 additional levels of awards beyond the GSB and Master Awards. The first is what we call the Outstanding Awards, and are basically class subdivision awards - examples include Outstanding Auto Interior, Outstanding Foreign Auto, Outstanding Non-Tracked Military Vehicle, Outstanding Axis WWII Aircraft, etc. Some of these awards/trophies are standard every year, and some we switch out each year. All entries - Display and Evaluated - can qualify for these awards.
The last type of award is the Club Member Award. Each Tulsa Modelers' Forum dues-paying club member gets to select a subject of their choice, and we then create a plaque with that subject and the club member's name on it. They then award the plaque to the modeler whom they feel best nailed the subject. Examples of subjects: Water & Waves, Weathering, Large Scale Jet, Commonwealth Subject, Muscle Car, etc.
We received great feedback on the changes. Some were concerned prior to the show that the limit of how many models were "evaluated" would disgruntle modelers, but that didn't seem to be an issue, and people REALLY loved the fact that they could find the modelers they wanted to talk to by putting names to models upfront. The parameters also helped keep the judging load from being overwhelming, which thus helped the show run in a more timely fashion.
I'd be curious for what you think of the format...it is a work in progress!
Format interesting- less about who wins, more about building strong community
Wonderful pictures of wonderful models, Greg!
Congratulations on your show! The new format definitely looks interesting and refreshing.
Thanks for sharing lots of fine models with us. Great photo work.
Lots of excellent builds, Greg @gkittinger
A very interesting format which sounds promising.
Thanks for all the pics Greg! A very interesting display / judging concept, sound like a blast and I'm glad to see a club exploring an alternative!
Love the variety of models showed at the tables. Great quality of work as well.
Hello Greg,
I did study your text regarding the new format. The name tags to connect the modeler with his presented models is interesting. Not to difficult for the judges, to have the different classes scattered around on the tables. Did you had enough models in each category! My personal irritation in Europe: I always have been in favor of one award per person, per class. And not walking out of the venue with GSB/Outstanding/Best off and so on by one person in the same class. This way you can make more participants happy with a deserved award. What are your thoughts regarding my irritation.
Regards to all my fellow Imodelers around the globe. Dirk The Netherlands.
Thanks for sharing, some interesting builds, photo 63 of the VF-84 Phantom He did such a great job on paint and decal, I did not relies that it was the old Hasegawa kit from the 1960's.
Hi Greg. Great show models. I li,e the shows ideas on judging 👍
Personal favourite is the orange 240 because my 1973 240 is still going strong since I got her in 1978. Thank you for your post
Nice models and nice photos, Greg (@gkittinger). Looks like it was a really nice turnout for the show. Interesting change to the contest format. I would think more people might be willing to bring models to show, rather than be judged on them. Thanks for posting the photos.