UPDATE: the second wave of invitations have been sent...

Exhibiting

With the addition of the Mallary Complex, the Railroad Hobby Show now has over 8 acres in floor space, or just over 360,000 square feet.  As large as the areas for exhibits are at the show, there is never enough space for all those wising to exhibit.

All vendors and exhibitors must make their REQUESTS for Standby Status by submitting the WAIT LIST APPLICATION directly to the show office. Sending in your application, which then becomes part of the ARS permanent data base, does not guarantee you a space at the show. You must receive an invitation from the Show Director, John Sacerdote, to exhibit at the show. Please do not confuse your listing on the Stand-by-waiting-list with an invitation to exhibit at the show.

To download a wait-list application, CLICK HERE. 

Who should apply to Exhibit?

Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show is, first and foremost, a model railroad train show.  Since the purpose of the Amherst Railway Society is to educate and inform about our hobby and railroads in general, only exhibitors related to railroading will be invited to our show.  This includes real life railroads and scale model railroads, historical societies, art shows, flea market dealers, importers, manufacturers and photographers.  According to our over 500 current exhibitors and our 267 exhibitors on our wait list, this consistent fact has made our show one of the most sought after shows in the United States.  To further reinforce that committment to railroading, we only allow the display and sales of railroad related items throughout the duration of the Show.

As an Exhibitor, what's included?

Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show is a "table" show.  That is, we rent table space, not booth space.  Each table is 30 inches deep and 8 feet long.  Each table has access to electricity (if requested in advance at no charge) and one chair is included with each table.  Additional chairs can be made available upon request at no additional cost.  No additional or replacement display tables, racks, etc. are allowed without prior consent from the Show Director.  Refunds are allowed for vendor cancellations if requested prior to January 1 for that show year.

Phones and Internet - Extra Needs such as a phone line, wireless or hard-wired access to the internet are available directly through the Eastern States Exposition Offices.  Please call 413-205-5018 and speak with Carol to reserve a phone line or internet access.

Drayage (shipping and receiving)- The Amherst Railway Society has contracted with American Convention Service, Inc. to assist with shipping and receiving of goods, booths, booth decorating, etc. Please do not hesitate to call Laurie at American Convention Service, Inc. at 800-932-6811 or 413-739-6811 or via email at amconservinc@hotmail.com  .  The Amherst Railway Society is not responsible for receiving or shipping of any goods to/from exhibitors.

Extras (Pipe & Drape, Carpet, etc.)- The Amherst Railway Society has contracted with American Convention Service, Inc. to assist with extra needs for exhibitors.  All extras MUST BE CLEARED WITH THE SHOW DIRECTOR PRIOR TO ORDERING.  Please do not hesitate to call Laurie at American Convention Service, Inc. at 800-932-6811 or 413-739-6811 or via email at amconservinc@hotmail.com .

How to move up on the Wait List

Tradition with any wait list usually means, first come, first served.  This is not the only factor with regard to our WAIT LIST.

Vendors, Layouts and Not-For-Profit Organizations are invited to our Show from the wait list based upon the following factors:

• What is in the best interest of the Show (what will help this show grow - in quality).  What will our visitors see that will make the experience more enjoyable.
• What will our visitors see that will help inform, educate, or perhaps get them more involved in the greatest hobby in the world!
• Length of time on the Wait List.

As you can see, we value our visiting public highly.  We encourage all vendors to constantly update their WAIT LIST APPLICATION so that we can consider all of the above in your behalf.

Please remember that our show is strictly an invitational show. We do this to insure optimal balance among vendors, layouts, and not for profit organizations. Invitations are given each year and there is no guarantee that any vendor, layout, non-profit organization or participant will be invited back the following year.  Further, the Amherst Railway Society reserves the right to cancel any contract and/or not "renew" or invite back any participant at any time.

Material used on displays

The West Springfield Fire Marshall tests all materials used in displays at the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show unless they carry manufacturer's certificates certifying that they are fire retardant. "Fire retardant" for the layman means that the material if ignited will go out, that is, that the material will not self-sustain flame. "Fire retardant," fire resistant," and "fire proof," while technically distinct terms, have the same meaning for the layperson. Manufacturers of fire retardant materials attach certificates certifying that fact to the materials. There is a store in West Springfield that sells spray cans of fire retardant for those whose display materials do not pass the Fire Marshall's test. For vendors who are uncertain, we suggest checking with their local fire departments if they have questions about materials they plan to use.

We know of two dealers of fire retardant and one dealer of fire resistant fabric in the area. They are: