Kitbuilders Monstrous Weekend 2008! Who wants a show?

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Kitbuilders Magazine · November 17th, 2007, 10:46 pm

Let me set the story behind this adventure. For years I have heard from dealers about getting a second model related show started for the GK hobby. The Wonderfest is one of the coolest shows on the market but it is a ton of work to prep for one show. You basically hit the ground running and before you know it, it is over. So what would happen if we had another show?
I have been approached for several years to promote a show. Mike from Forbidden Zone has also toyed with idea and it was a matter of who jumped in to get wet first. Mike and I talked at the last WF and I had mentioned getting a show set up at my new location in the mid-west. I must say that I am a little more than hesitant about this adventure but hell, I was more unsure when I took over the magazine!
Now if I was going to do a show a couple things had to happen:
1. I needed at least a full year to put it together.
2. I wanted it sometime in or around October; my favorite time of the year.
3. I wanted dealer support. Face it, shows cost money.
This past WF I circled the room as much as I could to find out if the dealers and producers would be interested in a show out here in St. Louis. Pretty much everyone I asked at that time was unanimously in agreement. This is what brings this post to light today.
I have the venue on a “soft” contract as you read this. What this means is the hotel is on hold for now. What I am looking for is a more firm commitment from the dealers and fans of this hobby. The venue is the Marriott in St. Louis, directly across from the St. Louis airport. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/s ... -marriott/
This is an incredible hotel and the Grand Ballroom can hold up to 250 tables. There are also 5 additional rooms for a model contest and seminars. This gives us about 20,000 sq. ft of meeting space. More than enough room to house any crazy thing we want to set up. Right now the standard seminars will be conducted, model contest, display room and main dealers room. Security is available 24 hrs. a day so that makes me feel safe anyway. Another attraction that we have sunk our teeth into is the haunted house called the Darkness. Rated #1 in the nation. I talked to the hotel and starting immediately after dealers door closing we could start a shuttle service to and from the haunted house, by the way there are actually two houses for the price of one, every half hour. This would be done on Saturday night and upon return we have talked of planning a live band, cash bar and all night craziness in the Pavilion, which can seat over 500. There are many other plans in the works but it all hinges on YOU, the dealers, producers and fans of this hobby.
The dates scheduled would be the 24 – 26th of October 2008. Yep, the weekend before Halloween! I can’t think of a better weekend for a show like this. The hotel has reduced rooms for us to just $88 per night and we are looking at dealer’s tables for just $210 - $235. Sound to good to be true. Nope, it’s all true and the best part is that St. Louis has never had a show of this kind so we are in virgin waters.
If I get a solid commitment I intend to throw out all stops in advertising and publicity to make this a great show. What is a great show? People in the door. Our intent is to advertise in every major city in a 600-mile radius to ensure full coverage. All major web sites and there will be a dedicated web site just for this show where you will find maps, ticket information and hotel registration. All we are waiting on is YOU!

If you already want to jump on board for this contact us now by either pm, kitbuildersmagazine@charter.net , info@kitbuildersmagazine.com , or by telephone @ (618) 588- 5232.
We will be contacting all the dealers personally to check on participation either by phone or e-mail. We’ve talked about another kit show long enough, let’s get er’ done!

gothiken · #2 Post by **gothiken** » November 17th, 2007, 10:56 pm

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME

I know Im goin.. and I know a whole bunch of people I can drag
with me...

thanks for the dates too.. can plan the vacation for that time

GREAT news...

ManthingVT · #3 Post by **ManthingVT** » November 17th, 2007, 11:04 pm

Dan, as I've already told you, I'm completly excited by the whole idea! If the support is out there, this'll be fantastic.

MVT

saulcuba66 · #4 Post by **saulcuba66** » November 17th, 2007, 11:34 pm

Dan J., you know my answer when we spoke earlier.....HECK YEAH!!!!!!!!
This sounds like a great idea. i love the idea that this show is catering towards the garage kit modeling with seminars, model contest and all the other attractions such as the haunted house tour, band and much more!!!!
I'm very excited about this.....again count me in!!!!
i'm hoping that the support from us modelers and producers here will get this show going....i personally hear all year long about having another show for us resin heads....so boys and girls here it is. hoping that it will happen.

Saul

battydave · #5 Post by **battydave** » November 18th, 2007, 4:34 am

you know im in bro, been waiting for another show

John Hircock · #6 Post by **John Hircock** » November 18th, 2007, 5:53 am

That would be awesome! Kitbuilders, AFM, Forbidden Zone, Brothers in Resin, XO-Facto, Resin Realities, Earthbound studios, Kit Kong, Resin from the grave,Alternative inmages, Monster Dork, Six String Productions, Nightmares in Plastic, Steve, Danno, David, Terry, Saul, and more! I would support a show like that!

John

rpauly · #7 Post by **rpauly** » November 18th, 2007, 12:31 pm

I'm down for that.

#8 Post by **SCULLY1953** » November 18th, 2007, 12:37 pm

Color me there! $\:D/$

Bubba · #9 Post by **Bubba** » November 18th, 2007, 1:57 pm

Dan, you and Barb already know our answer... Let us know if we can help...

Harkon · #10 Post by **Harkon** » November 18th, 2007, 2:32 pm

I would definitely come to join the party.
Great idea indeed!
Barb & Dan, you do awesome work!

Andreas

jayco35 · #11 Post by **jayco35** » November 18th, 2007, 2:46 pm

You know I'm in ...another model show is just what the Dr ordered. I love wondefest but with it in july this year that will definitely affect the crowd. I'd say oct will be perfect as a follow up for this who can't make it.

Andreas it would be good to see you 2x a year instead of 1 and you fly in from Germany

RCreations · #12 Post by **RCreations** » November 18th, 2007, 2:50 pm

I think it's great having 2 shows. While I don't think I can afford to go to both in the same year, it's nice to have a choice. Like if I'm tight for money for Wonderfest, I can always save up and attend your show. You guys do an excellent job with the magazine, paints, kits and now this show!!!

Jesse321 · #13 Post by **Jesse321** » November 18th, 2007, 3:09 pm

Count me in as well Dan ... anything that we can do to help, we're there.

Jesse

wolfman of bolton · November 18th, 2007, 3:42 pm

yep i,m in st louis is a city I havent visited yet, lookin forward to it.

wolfy

Kitbuilders Magazine · November 18th, 2007, 4:03 pm

Fantastic guys and gals.
What we hope to achieve is an additional show to the WF. Not a replacement by any means. I enjoy the WF as much as the next resin head but one show is just not enough for this hobby. We also hope to go to the Chiller and lend support there as well but it all depends on the date of the Fall Chiller. We are hoping that these do not clash. We hope to provide a show in the center of the US that everyone can enjoy.

centaur1 · #16 Post by **centaur1** » November 18th, 2007, 4:41 pm

I agree that one annual figure model show, even though its a great one like Wonderfest, is not enough.

I bet there will be a strong demand for this show, and I think it'll do well.

SaturnLtd · #17 Post by **SaturnLtd** » November 18th, 2007, 4:43 pm

Sounds like a fantastic idea Dan! It would also be easier for me to drive down there from MN. Looking forward to attending!

Dino

saulcuba66 · #18 Post by **saulcuba66** » November 18th, 2007, 4:45 pm

I second that Blake. i think with the support from all the modelers, sculptors, writers and producers that love this hobby the show would do well!!!!!

Saul

Pun13 · #19 Post by **Pun13** » November 18th, 2007, 5:42 pm

Brothers in Resin will be there..

Really cool to have another resin kit show, looking foward to
it. 2008 looks already to be a resin filled year.

Tom

ShaneM · #20 Post by **ShaneM** » November 18th, 2007, 5:51 pm

Doing it right before Halloween counts me out. Both as a dealer/producer and or as a fan. I have firm commtiments that take my time that time of year. Same reason I don't attend the Halloween Chiller anymore. Best of luck with this.