  Back to Main Page
|
The AWA Annual Conference |
| - |
 Once a year, in August, as the first hint of fall crispness tinges the air, radio collectors, historians and other interested parties from all over the world come together to participate in the AWA Annual Conference.
Our conference is arguably the country's premier antique radio event. Those who make the pilgrimage enjoy several days of total immersion in our hobby beginning on a Thursday and concluding on Sunday.
Join us in a little "virtual tour" of a typical conference so that you will know what to expect each day when you attend in person. Everyone is welcome but we are delighted to receive new members! Why not join the AWA now? Membership Application
The conference begins Thursday evening with a special presentation for as early-arriving attendees. Friday morning is the opening of the flea market! If you are looking for an exotic piece of communications hardware or literature, better be there then! The most feverish trading takes place during the first few hours of the event, and for that reason no other activities are scheduled at that time. During the rest of the conference, the flea market continues at a much more relaxed pace as the collectors stroll, chat, compare wares, look for bargains and enjoy the resort weather of Western New York State.
The book fair opens about 8 a.m. this morning and will remain open for the entire conference. There, literature lovers will find an enticing array of used books as well as almost every new book in print relating to the antique radio hobby.
The first of a series of talks, seminars and clinics, scheduled throughout the event begins this afternoon. These presentations, given by acknowledged authorities in their subject areas, may be associated with the conference "theme" (generally the history of a specific radio manufacturer), or on subjects of general interest. Early this evening you are cordially invited to visit the AWA's world-famous Electronic Communications Museum in Bloomfield, New York.
On Saturday, as the flea marketing continues in the parking lot and the presentations continue in the hotel's meeting rooms, some new activities begin. Sellers line up to check in for the auction (to be held the next day) and contestants begin setting up for the old equipment contest.
Each year, special categories are developed to
 tie in with the conference theme. But as always, the "standard categories" encourage the exhibition of classic receivers and transmitters as well as examples of outstanding craftsmanship in restoration, rebuilding and the construction of replicas.
The contest judges study and rate the exhibits. At the same time, many of the conference participants begin circulating through the auction room to preview the items to be offered for sale on Sunday at the auction.
Towards the end of the day conference AWA Members and guests begin to get ready for the Awards Banquet. As the festive banquet crowd fills the room, acquaintances made during the contest are hard to recognize--having traded their T shirts and jeans for suits and ties. The food is
 excellent and plentiful; an after-dinner speaker addresses the crowd; The contest prizes are awarded, as are the special AWA recognitions.
On Sunday the flea market activity now thins out noticeably as the auction gets underway bright and early. First vacuum tubes go on the block, then paper collectibles. After these categories are exhausted, the big general auction begins, which lasts well into the afternoon. The auction is among the largest in this country's antique radio collector community, and is a main attraction for many of our conference attendees. Afterwards the auction sellers pick up their checks and buyers pick up their treasures. And the Conference is over leaving us all with the pleasant memories of a visit to The NY Finger Lakes Region and the AWA Conference.
Even as the flea market vendors and conference attendees are packing up to leave, the conference staff is hard at work planning for next year. The staff has to be on top of things because each new conference is expected to be even bigger and better than the last one!
It sounds wonderful, and it truly is. A combination of new and old ideas with the experience of decades of collecting and interest combined with fresh ideas and techniques. I know because I have attended every one since 1996. And the feelings I described were my feelings. I hope you will visit "our house " this year and let us show you what we are all about. I am sure you will find it a uniquely enjoyable experience. I will be delighted to see you!
Roy L Wildermuth III,
2009 Conference Chairperson
Photos by Richard Neidich |
|
Back to Main Page
|
Copyright © 2010 Antique Wireless Association |