LCCA's 42nd Annual Convention in Norfolk VA. - Recap
We just completed our successful 42nd Annual LCCA convention this past week at the Marriott Waterside Hotel in Norfolk VA. Thank you to all of the LCCA members, their families and the visitors who attended and participated in this fun, informative and Lionel train filled week. Convention Managers "Captain" Bob Carter, "Captain Chaos" Lou Caponi and the entire volunteer, convention team worked endlessly to make this convention a great, fun and entertaining experience.
President Dennis DeVito provided LCCA members with exclusive LCCA billboards and LCCA Special Event pins at various events throughout the week. In fact, one LCCA billboard is now featured on the operating layout in the Children's museum. Thank you to Skip Novak and the staff of the Children's Museum of Virginia for being such good host to our LCCA members.
We received a lot of great southern hospitality from the Marriott Waterside hotel staff, Visit Norfolk CVB, the bus tour staff (Phillips Destination Mgt. Services), Norfolk Southern Railroad, and the Children's Museum of Virginia. Thank you!
A highlight for me was meeting Cameron, Age 5 of the Virginia Make-A-Wish Foundation. Cameron was the honorary engineer for the operating layout at the Children's Museum of Virginia and the honorary conductor during the opening ceremony of the magnificent operating Lionel layout. This Lionel Layout was designed and built for Lionel by LCCA member/Director Roger Farkash of TW Design and Trainworx.
LCCA Members and their families enjoyed touring the local sights and attractions of Norfolk and the surrounding areas. On Saturday, July 27 about 200 boy and girl scouts were at the Marriot Waterside hotel earning their merit badge for model railroading or transportation. Thank you to the Scouts and parents for their participation.
This year's Saturday public train show drew huge crowds of visitors from Norfolk and the surrounding areas. The LCCA/Lionel Fastrack Modular Rail Road layout made its public debut creating a buzz of excitement with conventioneers and show attendees. Our members and guests really enjoyed the Pittsburgh Hi-Railers and the local T.O.G.A modular operating toy train layouts as well.
Stay tuned to the LCCA's website
www.lionelcollectors.org for additional convention recap information. We will be posting information with photos soon.
Al Kolis
Immediate Past President and Fellow Member