iHobby Expo

[StephenDeli]

Is anyone going to attend the iHobby Expo at Rosemont IL? It sounds like all the major hobby brands are going to be there. I will definatly be going.

[alakai]

Wow! I never knew this event existed until I saw your post. This definitely looks interesting. Count me in.

[StephenDeli]

I wonder if they have a model contest?

[nervestrikes]

I will be there as in this being my first one to attend. What date is it going to start on ...October.....?

[StephenDeli]

I beleive its the 14-18.

[alakai]

Ok, found more info....
Oct 14-15 is for trades only; meaning that unless you're a retailer, distributor, manufacturer or a member of the media, you can't get in.
Only Oct. 16 & 17 is open to the general public.
I don't see any mention of a contest, however they are featuring a "make and take" booth for kids.

check out iHobby Expo for more details plus a list of exhibitors.

Here's a floorplan of the show. Check out the size of Tamiya's section compared to Revell-Monogram's booth!

[mobilebucky]

Borrow my friend's dealer pass and went to the hobby show today. It is pretty disappointing show for a car modeling fan. Apparently, this is the last year the iHobby show will be held in Chicago. Beginning next year, the show will be held in LA Convention Center. The Revell booth is hidden in a corner, with nothing exciting to show for. The 1/12 F2002 looks pretty bad, it looks like they just put it together box stock without even touch it up. Tamiya booth is pretty much RC stuff. They did show the new YZR-M1 and the 1/32 F-16, the rest are all of their Master Collection stuff. Porsche Carrera GT, Subaru Impreza WRC 2004, JGTC Z are all no show . Anyway, here are some of the pictures I took today.

Tamiya Master Collection
Calsonic GT-R 2003


Xanavi GT-R 2003


RC211V Valencia


YZR-M1




1/12 Enzo




I did find a good deal when I stop by Artograph booth. If anyone looking for a spray booth, they are running a show special for dealer (about 46% off MSRP). PM me for more info.

[StephenDeli]

I will be going tomorrow. It sounds like you were dissapointed. Do people there sell things as well as show them off?

How much for the booth total?

[PlumbedandWired]

Be thankful for what you've got. Here in Australia we'd give our right arm for an event like this - it's like we're on another planet sometimes!!

BTW - I need that Enzo! Does it come as a kit or only finished like in the photo?

[IImportSupra]

Is the Ihobby Expo going to be in Los Angeles in any future dates?

[StephenDeli]

Originally Posted by PlumbedandWired

Be thankful for what you've got. Here in Australia we'd give our right arm for an event like this - it's like we're on another planet sometimes!!

BTW - I need that Enzo! Does it come as a kit or only finished like in the photo?

It is a semi-finished enzo in 1/12 scale that retails for like 600.

[mobilebucky]

-StephenDeli

Normally, the manufacturer do not sell anything at the booth during the expo. However, some of the smaller companies do sell their demo units at the end of the show (I think the booth at AutoArt does that) so they don't have to take it back. Also, when the show open to the public, they do have an area that local hobby shops setup their booth to sell some model. From my past experience, don't expect a bargain or great selections.

Here is the price list of the autograph spraybooth, you can check it out at www.autograph.com

1520 $151.17
1520-Metal hood $205.15
1530-$269.97
2025-431.97

I can scan the orderform if anyone interested just PM me.

-PlumbedandWired

Since this is the last year iHobbyExpo going to be held in Chicago, I was hoping it will have more company support but in fact the show quality has been deteriorating every year. Everyyear I always stop by Tamiya booth to pickup their current year catelog, this year they still handing out the 2003 one. The general show are more cater to RC, train and diecast now.

The Enzo are semi-finished just like the picture. I'm hoping Fry's Electronics going to get the Enzo at the store. As couple months ago, I pick up the F50 from Fry's for $99.

-IImportSupra
Next year iHobbyShow will be held at LA Convention Center on 10/20-23.

[StephenDeli]

Well I just got back from the expo and thought it was very cool. Tamiya had a very weak display and it was just blah. Revell had an ok display with a showcase of their newest models that were terribly built. The show was based alot on RC cars, which took up about half of the entire show. There were alot of little booths with very cool things for sale. New ideas and things of the sort. People very quick to show and sell their products. I bought a resin casting kit for 50 bucks. Hopefully I can bang out some cool stuff with that. I also picked up a pack of micromesh for 5 dollars with grits 1500-12000 and a sanding block. Not a bad deal! The show is coming back in 2006 and I will most definatly go to talk to people and most of all check out the products.

[nervestrikes]

I also went to the hobby show on Sunday, I thought it was pretty weak on the plastic scale modeling to which I was really looking forward too, but oh well atleast a friend of mine was able to pick up an RC Traxxas Revo that he has been wanting. For me I couldn't find any tamiya kits to pick up, I was hoping to find a JGTC car and praying they would be sell the 1/32 f-16 which was totally awesome. To my surprise I walked out with nothing.

[Scale-Master]

For years that show has been called the RCHTA Show. That stands for Radio Control Hobby Trade Association, that is partly why there is a weak showing of static plastic models compared to R/C. - Mark