2023 RMR ANNUAL Convention REPORT

Rocky Mountain Region Annual Convention

Rails Along the Rio Grande

Albuquerque, NM 10-12 November 2023

Convention Recap – Gary Myers, Convention Chair

Convention Hotel: Marriott Pyramid North

Registrations: 38

Thursday evening: We held open registration at the Pyramid Mariott lounge area for self-served happy hour and registration handouts. Doug Gary of Rio Grande Division hosted an open house operating session on his HO AT&SF layout, for a half dozen attendees.

Friday morning: The convention kicked off Friday morning at 8AM with a special buffet breakfast provided by the hotel for all attendees. We started off the festivities with a Salute to Veterans and welcomed everyone to the convention. This was followed with a pair of clinics, then a lunch break that people broke into groups on their own.

Friday afternoon: We were invited to layout open houses at Rio Grande’s Art Lorenz’s Sn3 D&RGW 3rd Division (Salida to Gunnison), and the N-Scale Rail Runner’s Club layout. Thanks to all who opened their layouts for our enjoyment, it was much appreciated! We broke for a dinner break with everyone on their own or in groups.

Friday evening: We reconvened at the hotel at 7:15 PM with a pair of clinics to close out the evening around 9:30 PM. We enjoyed coffee provided by the hotel and snacks provided by the convention chair.

Saturday morning: Once again, we started off the day at 8AM with a special buffet breakfast provided by the hotel for all attendees. Not everyone was attending our breakfasts, but word had gotten out and more attendees were at breakfast. After a short break, we opened with Mike Mackey, NMRA Western Director, who enlivened the festivities with a meet and greet. It was a highly successful and energetic meet and greet that several attendees commented positively and many very much appreciated. This was followed up with another excellent clinic.

Saturday afternoon: A buffet deli lunch was provided by the hotel for all attendees. The Gallery room was closed in the afternoon for contest judging. Most of the attendees proceeded to the Rails Along the Rio Grande train show at the nearby Balloon Fiesta park.

Saturday evening: Following dinner break, we reconvened at the hotel for another pair of clinics and model pick-up closing for the evening at 9:45 PM. We enjoyed coffee provided by the hotel and snacks provided by the convention chair.

Sunday morning: The hotel hosted our final special breakfast buffet which also had our highest participation of attendees. After a break, the model contest awards were presented to the contest winners along with a photo presentation of the models. One more clinic followed to close out the morning.

Sunday afternoon: Most attendees headed home for the day, but there were a few of us that enjoyed some time visiting the Rails Along the Rio Grande train show.

Sunday evening: After a dinner break, we reconvened at the Gallery room. After many technical difficulties, the remaining die-hard attendees enjoyed a silent movie, ”The General”, starring Buster Keaton. We enjoyed soft drinks provided by the hotel and snacks provided by the convention chair.

Overall, it was a very nice convention. A lot of positive feedback on the relaxed pace of the schedule, with sometimes long clinics but also long breaks. The quality of the clinics was the best I had ever seen in our clinics in any of the Region conventions over the last 10 years. The added breakfast buffets and lunch provided a special touch and let people socialize a lot before going into the clinic room. This had a very positive effect on the attendees, especially with many spouses in attendance, a more social atmosphere led to a better experience for all. The model contest was not as large as several past contests but was diverse in scales.