The MRIA [Model Railroad Industry Association] has been merged into a new group - the HMA; http://www.hmahobby.org/ Efective July 1st. Model Railroad manufacturers no longer have their own organization to promote model RRing and their own cause. Too Bad...
MRIA co-sponsors Trainfest in November each year with the WISE division of NMRA (southeast Wisconsin). When I asked about MRIA going away, they seemed unconcerned. They have a five year contract with MRIA. The dates in 2005 are Nov 12 and 13. We shall see. The show is large and the industry has their private show on Friday and is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. I think a lot more manufacturers are represented because of this.
I understand that HMA will pick up MRIA contracts via their Model Railroad division. Trainfest continues with HMA.
Yes I got that e-mail last week, mixed feelings since I deal only with RR at Testor. In the past year I have concentrated on Railroad shows only (NMRA national & regional and Trainfest). Testor went to Trainfest last year for the first time with just Floquil and Aztek items and we were more than busy. When I attend the Ihobby expo in Chicago, I'm only asked questions once in awhile. Most model railroad manufactuers and consumers go to NMRA, Trainfest and Springfield MA. for shows. Time will tell and I will keep a positive attitude.
The biggest problem with the HMA is that railroading is woefully under-represented. The main task of the HMA right now is to shore up their failing national Hobby show, this year to be held in LA instead of Chicago. Suffice to say that it isbn't going to be a great show for trains, as more than 80% of the show floor is filled with other hobbies. Thew last straw for the MRIA was the licensing faux pas, and that left a deep rift inside the organization. There were a few of us dedicated to the education and development of retailers, but that seems to have gone by the wayside in favor of politics and ease of operation (as in, if someone else is doing it, life is easier). The problem is, the board of the HMA only has one train member, and they are dedicated to doing all they can to promote their mainstay hobbies, for many years- RC. While I am an RC hobbyist, I am also a MR manufacturer, and am very concerned that our voice will be lost in this new organiozation. Dues will most assuredly go up, and that will reduce the participation of the cottage businesses that are some of the mainstays of the RR hobby. We shall see how long it lasts, as the WGH program is SO much more on target for the Model RR manufacturing group. If the HMA turns itself around and begins to serve the needs of our industry, then if will get support like the MRIA did. If they keep going the way they have, it will be a very rough road for all of us. George Johnsen deLuxe innovations
Best of fortunes to you George. You make a fine product and I truly like the Deluxe models on my layout. Thanks for doing what you do.
