Why Attend a National Convention?

Why Attend a National Convention?

The National Model Railroad Association each year sponsors a national convention in order to provide a place for the membership to meet to continue their association with the hobby in a common forum.

The national convention consists of multiple activities for the member to learn and participate in all aspects of the hobby. In the course of a week, the convention attendee may tour and attend:

  • Clinics which instruct the member in the techniques of the hobby.
  • Symposiums on the prototype railroads.
  • Tour model railroads in the surrounding area.
  • Tour railroad facilities.
  • Tour hobby manufacturing facilities.
  • Tour railroad related industrial facilities.
  • Tour the sites and special attractions of the area of interest for family.
  • Attend an auction of model railroad equipment.
  • Participate and /or view the superb hobby models in the model contests.
  • Attend meetings on the future of the hobby.
  • Meet with hobby manufacturers and industry publication representatives.
  • Attend the largest train show in the country.
  • Attend meetings specialized for your particular interest.
  • Attend social functions and learning clinics on non railroad related subjects.
  • Meet and make friends with people who share the same interest.
  • Meet with representatives of the association and the Kalmbach Memorial Library.

There are so many activities at a national convention it is difficult to do it all during the course of a convention week. As an example, a national convention has almost a 100 different clinics and symposiums, and over 30 model railroad visits scheduled during a week long convention.