2003 AMA Grand Event
June 6 - 8 in Des Moines, Iowa
The 2003 AMA Grand Event will be held in Des Moines, Iowa at Water Works Park. This is an AMA-sponsored event being hosted by the Des Moines Modelaires, AMA Chartered Club #740. The event is scheduled for June 6 - 8. The local director and contact for this event is Ray Pick, Event Director — RPick37681@aol.com; Tel: (515) 964-1408.
The AMA Grand Event was held previously at the International Aeromodeling Center and was supported by AMA employees.
The AMA Grand Event was an idea developed by several core AMA managers back in 1996. The idea was to bring various segments of the hobby community together. What evolved was a concept for an event that would be new, innovative, and fun. This became a weekend event where all segments of the outdoor modeling hobby industry would gather at the International Aeromodeling Center for a free, fun-filled exposition offering hands-on hobby opportunities for visitors.
Many industry leaders pledged their support, and during the last several years the event expanded to include free Make-and-Take activities for youngsters and a large raffle giveaway. In addition, local businesses were approached for sponsorship and financial assistance. The Radio Control Hobby Trade Association (RCHTA) usually provided financial support and has been very generous with its contributions.
The event exposes thousands to the joy and excitement of all segments of outdoor hobbies. Our goals are to gain more members for various Special Interest Groups (other national hobby organizations), attract more customers for the hobby industry, and make an unforgettable contribution to positive youth involvement. The AMA Grand Event operates on an annual budget of approximately $20,000.
Attendance and participation numbers show how successful the AMA Grand Event has been in attracting visitors to the City of Muncie and allowing them to experience the joy of modeling. Having completed several AMA Grand Events, we know the event has a very strong appeal. Given the strength of attendance and this year’s publicity, we can expect the event to grow into one of the largest and most popular in any region of the United States.
But what does the Grand Event mean to AMA members or clubs in Texas, New York, or Alabama? How does it benefit them and their interests? The AMA, perhaps for the first time, united the entire spectrum of hobby interests with free hands-on opportunities for aspiring modelers. Through surveys, we know that many boaters are interested in airplanes, and people interested in airplanes are also interested in cars and garden railroads. By exposing a large number of people to various outdoor hobby activities, we strengthen their appeal and membership in national modeling organizations.
As the event grows, we will soon attract national attention, sparking the curiosity and interest of many who will come to realize that an outdoor hobby is a fulfilling, lifelong learning activity. When they see what we're doing up close, they will realize that this is not just a bunch of individuals playing with toys, but that we are people of all types engaged in activities that require skill and that allow us to reap the benefits of personal growth, friendship, and joy.
To accomplish this, the AMA Grand Event has been put up for bids to AMA Chartered Clubs. The primary prerequisite for a club is that it needs to submit a proposal and the site it suggests — whether its own club site or another — must provide for three major activities: Radio Control (RC) aircraft, RC cars, and RC boats. Other activities such as kite flying and Control Line add to the overall success of the event. Make-and-Take activities for Delta Darts, kites, rockets, and a beginner's Control Line model make this an interactive experience.
Clubs interested in submitting a bid for 2004 should contact Carl P. Maroney (cmaroney@modelaircraft.org) to request a solicitation guideline reference book. Bids are due by April 15, 2003 and need to be forwarded to AMA at 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie, IN 47302.
We anticipate one key member from the winning bid attending the 2003 AMA Grand Event for background experience.
- 2,000 cars entered the AMA International Aeromodeling Center
- 3,500 attendees at the AMA Grand Event
- 470 out-of-state visitors from 27 different states
- 800 Make-and-Take projects completed and taken home (at no charge)
- 120 youngsters with Muncie mailing addresses took part in our Passport program
- 291 "Buddy Box" Radio Control flights by non-modelers
- 70 youngsters between the ages of 8 and 17 took full-scale "Young Eagles" flights
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
