8-18-12 Special Event at Lionel Service Facility in Canfield OH - Recap
It was a great day for the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at Lionel's Open House event at their Customer Service Center in Canfield, Ohio. It was a beautiful sunny day in Northeastern Ohio. Over 100 LCCA members and their family members of all ages stopped by the LCCA booth to visit and talk trains with LCCA President Dennis DeVito, President-elect "Captain Chaos", Lou Caponi and Immediate Past-President Al Kolis. The LCCA team was there supporting Lionel in this open house event at a table adjacent to OGR's display (manned by Ed Boyle and his team) and Lionel's Mike Reagan in the large tent outside of the main entrance. Our team was very successful in introducing new people to our club and explaining the multiple benefits for belonging to the LCCA. Over 25 new members were signed up.
The LCCA group was also right next to the Lionel trains running on the Fort-Pit Hi-Railers Modular layout. We were able to enjoy the sights, sounds and relaxing smells of Lionel trains running all day long. LCCA Members were able to experience the magic of Lionel trains.
This successful event was Lionel's Second Annual Customer Service Open House. People were able to see inside this Lionel's customer service facility and take part in some fun programs, raffles and discounts.
Over 1,500 people came and saw the inventory of more than 110,000 individual parts bins, the workrooms, and of course the massive test layout! LCCA members had an opportunity to meet and ask questions to Lionel's service center staff - who truly make Lionel Customer Service the best in the business.
Lionel's Tom Nuzzo was there demonstrating Lionel's LEGACY Control system operate on their expansive, operating test track layout. OGR's Ed Boyle and Allan Miller were there supporting Lionel and being very accommodating to our LCCA members in attendance. Lionel and the LCCA had several door prices with multiple product raffle winners throughout the entire day.
There were deals galore. Attendees were able to take advantage of a 50% discount on part purchases. People were lined up out the door with boxes and boxes of Lionel train products in their arms as they waited patiently to purchase these great deals.
A huge thank you to Lionel's Mike Reagan, Tom Nuzzo and the entire Lionel staff for their hospitality and service. LCCA members were entertained, informed about Lionel product and services, and seen enjoying operating Lionel trains on the operating layouts all day long.
I want to extend a personal welcome to all of the new LCCA members that signed up and joined our family friendly club during this event. I invite you and your families to take an active role in our club and participate in future LCCA Special events and possibly author articles for usage in our club publications, The Lion Roars (TLR), Interchange Track (IT) or website. We will want to read about your experiences with Lionel trains and look forward to you sharing your personal stories with other fellow members.
We appreciate all of our members and their families who came from all over the country to participate in this Special Event. Thank you for your continued support and participation. We hope you had fun and enjoyed this day. Thank you. It is our members that make LCCA "the best toy train club on the planet"!
Al Kolis
Immediate Past-President & Special Events Manager
Visit this link below to view a video taken during the 2011 Event.