World Expo 2005 Report

[Jim Patrick]

Ok, here is the beginning of what will probably turn into several threads. Why? Because there were so many members there and all of whom took pictures of everything. Speaking of pictures, yes, mine are not that great. When you see the group photo different people took (all of which are probably better than mine) we'll make theirs the "official" WE pF group photo. I purposely didn't take pics of the exibits because I still can't control my camera enough. My pics of the entries were blurry to say the least. It was crowded in the display area and the organizers were right not to allow tripods in there. At times we had a hard enough time getting through the aisles with just the people there much less everyone using tripods. Great call there Show Comittee !
It was a BEAUTIFUL weekend for a show. Here is a pic of the hotel, The Park Plaza taken from across the street.

Also, here is The Castle where the exibition was held with the entrance following. BTW, that's Bill Horan standing at the entrance.

Here are a few quick photos of the Vendor area and the raffle area.

More to follow soon..............

 

[Jim Patrick]

Here's the exibition area.

Now, about the exibits. Where do I start? There were so many GREAT exibits I'm not sure where to start explaining. There was literally NO bad exibits there. Honestly. I fully expected to see a lot of very good exibits. I had no idea I would see so many great exibits. You couldn't take 2 steps in the contest area without seeing another great exibit. I'm not using this "explanation" lightly. There were so many fantastic exibits and so many who's who in the hobby (both here in the U.S. and the European Masters) that your mind would start spinning after a just several minutes in the contest area. I met so many new friends that I quit counting. Everywhere I went there was someone new to meet. I had the greatest time I think I have EVER had at any show since starting in the hobby. Honestly. This is the hardest part of the whole post. I really don't know how to explain the "experience" of the exibition. I'll quit now but will return to post some more thoughts soon enough. I'll let my new found friends help me with this one.

Next post, the REAL fun part of the exibition...........

 

[Jim Patrick]

Ok, this is the part I enjoyed the most. Being able to put a face behind the name.

Here we have Chris Merseal Of CRM hobbies with Paul Marshall.

Here's Chuck Robinson of The Red Lancers

Chris Mrosko with Jaume Ortiz (hmmmmm, what is Bill Chilstrom looking at?)

Taesung Harmms, Jim Patrick (me), Jaume Ortiz and Nello Recvico

Bill Chilstrom Looking at the Exibits

Joe Hudson, Mario Fuentes and Gary Beetley. That's David Hood in the back right. Just met him there and yes, he's a pF member so hopefully we can get him to post some of his beautiful work here

Next up, the group photos..........

 

[Jim Patrick]

Ok, here's the group phot on on of the rooms at The Park Plaza. If someone else has a better one, then it will be used to replace this one. Instead of posting who everyone is, I'll let the members I.D. themselves. That's me, 2nd from the right seated with the white shirt.

Next up, the less "formal" group photo.........

 

[DangerAtom]

Originally posted by Jim Patrick@Jul 4 2005, 11:10 AM
Joe Hudson, Mario Fuentes and Gary (sorry, forgot the last name).

That would be Gary Beetley

 

[Don Johnson]

Front row, far left, yellow shirt - Pat Deluhery
Front row, far right, red shirt - Herb Forgey
2nd row, 2nd from left - Don Johnson
top row, green/grey Expo 2005 souvinier (sp) shirt - Walt Damon

 

[Jim Patrick]

Before the Awards Reception, a bunch of us decided to have an enjoyable time at a nearby bar. The name slips my mind right now but again, I'll let everyone I.D. themselves. I'm the 3rd from the right front. Once again, in the white shirt. Of note though, all the way in the back is our Russian friends from 1st Guards. A VERY nice figure line. More to follow on this later

I would be remiss if I didn't mention probaly the favorite "hang out" of the show. There was a Bakery around the corner named Au Bon Pain. A chain store mostly in the North East....or so it appears. They had some FANTASTIC sanwiches there as well as some terrific baked goods and coffee. It was approiately re named by Joe Hudson "The Bon Bon Shop". He nor I could pronounce the name too well :lol: .

One final note befor leaving. I would like to take a little bit to recognize those that made the show so enjoyable for me. This list is not all inclusive but merely a short list of some who I didn't (regrettably so) take pictures with. Barry King, Stephen Mallia, Ray Farrugia (The Maltese Mafia :lol: ), Kenneth Yeo (one of the nicest guys I think I have ever met), Jaume Ortiz (thanks for the "seminar"), Alan and Marion Ball (I now have the honor and pleasure of saying I now know both of these two WONDERFUL people), Bill Horan, Shep Paine, Mike Good, John Rosengrant, Trevor Hensley, Rob Herring, Frank Henson (with his absoutely doll of a wife !!!!!), Walt Damon, Lou Masses......I could go on and on and ..........you get the point. Rather than post all of the stories here, I'll let the other members share their experiences. One final note before I leave. 2 people need to be thanked. One is Guy Herrick. He talked me into going when I was almost sure I wouldn't. Thanks Guy, you were right. I would regret it the rest of my life if I hadn't attended "the best figure exibition to date" (not my words or Guy's but those of the "Masters" in this hobby. Most of which were saying that THEY had never seen so many great exibits in one place. There were as many as 10 or 15 exibits which could easily been voted BOS). Last but not least, Joe Hudson. Joe, simply put, thanks for everything! Your'e one of a kind.

Thanks to everyone,
Jim Patrick

 

[megroot]

Thanks Jim,

That has been trully an exhibition. I really love to see more picture's.

Marc

 

[Roy]

What a very cool, and thoughtful overview of the show.
Thank you kindly Jim.

All the best.

Roy.

 

[diosytexas]

nice one jim. thats set me up for the night shift. post a few pic's fuzzy or not.dave.

 

[Jim Patrick]

How could I forget Norb Lustine? He's also a pF member who was taking quite a few photos as well. Come on Norb, show us your pics .

Jim Patrick

 

[gforceman]

because it seems like everybody had a great time, and there were a lot of extra ordinairy models on show.

because I couldn't be there.

BTW, is there already a location known for the next World Expo (hopefully a bit closer to Belgium).

Greetz,

Gino

 

[Jim Patrick]

World Expo 2008 will be in Spain. I forget the exact name of the location but it'll be in Spain. As a side note, there were a lot of Europeans who made the trip across the pond, we here in the states need to remember that in 2008

Jim Patrick

 

[KeithP]

Great photo's!

Wish I could have been there, too :lol:

Thanks for posting them!

Keith

 

[Brad S]

Hey Jim.

Thanks for the overview of the show. I didn't get the chance to meet you, somehow I missed you. And completely spaced out the group photo. But as you said, I'm glad I went and my wife actually talked me into it. I would be sorry if I didn't go. Meeting lots of different people and especially some wild Canadians was truly wonderful. Thanks again for the overview amd congrdulations on your medal.

Brad Spelts

 

[Brad S]

Hey Jim.

Thanks for the overview of the show. I didn't get the chance to meet you, somehow I missed you. And completely spaced out the group photo. But as you said, I'm glad I went and my wife actually talked me into it. I would be sorry if I didn't go. Meeting lots of different people and especially some wild Canadians was truly wonderful. Thanks again for the overview amd congrdulations on your medal.

Brad Spelts

 

[Luis R.]

World Expo 2008 will be in Spain. I forget the exact name of the location but it'll be in Spain

Could it be Girona?. I hope it is, it's only 1 hour away from home!!

 

[PJ Deluhery]

Jim, thanks for the shots. I took loads of pictures, but forgot the subjects you showed us here.

It was great to meet you and so many others. While I love the modeling, its the fantastic PEOPLE that make this hobby so great.

Thanks to all for a great show and a memorable time.

For what it's worth, I saw a shirt with "Expo 2008 - Girona" on it. Either that info is right, or somebody went to a lot of trouble and some expense to have one over on us.

P.S. I'm the idiot in the yellow t shirt in both the above group pictures.

Cheeres, all!

 

[RobH]

Hi Folks

I have literally got through the door after a truly amazing week! I think I slept at most 5 hours each night, sometimes lucky to get 3. Plus the jet lag now give it 24 hours and I'll post some of my pictures, after I stop shaking. :lol:
I was also lucky enough to be talking to Mike Blank and Bill Horan when Bill open up his boxed diorama and I managed to snap a few "behind the scenes" shots of the piece.

Again it was great to meet all of you folks who were there, and its likely there's some of you I didn't get to meet.

It was a truly unique show, exhibits amazing, but the highlight was meeting, drinking, laughing, eating, drinking, talking and, oh yes, drinking with you all.
There will be tales emerging from the hospitality suite i the near future I'm sure (Jim I hope you eventually recovered!!!!!!!)
The "Planet" table(s) at the awards was a blast! Well done all of you!!!!

And to all the guys who organised it, THANKYOU!!!

My brain is frazzled.............

Think they announced Barcelona as the next location..........someone could confirm I didn't dream it?

Cheers!

 

[megroot]

Hello Rob,

For those who couldn't make it at WE, especilly the Europeans, they have now the chance to do it all over again at EURO.
We Europeans can learn from the experience of the guys who where at WE.

Marc