FEGA Engravers Show Las Vegas January 23~25 2015

mvangle

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
305
Location
Pilot Virginia.
I cannot say enough about what a great time I had last year at the show! And previous shows!
Whether you are a looker, collector, student, hobbyist, or professional, if there is any way possible for you to attend the show, be it for a day or for the whole 4 days, I would highly recommend it. There are still available tables in the FEGA area and Banquet tickets.
You will meet some of the world's greatest engravers, the nicest people, and the most wonderful new friends from around the globe. You cannot place a value on the time you can spend with them. I have learned so much from just setting and listening to the conversations between the likes of Rex Pederson, Lee Griffiths, Sam Alfano, Marty Rabeno, John Barraclough, Mike Dubber, Andrew Biggs, Barry Lee Hands, Bob Strosin, CJ Cai, Ron Smith, Weldon Lister, Sam Welch, Diane Scalese, Scott Pilkington, Bob Evans, Rachel Wells, Tim George, Jim Blair, Roger Bleile, just to name a few.
Also, direct contact with many vendors. GRS, Tia Mitchell, Ray Phillips, Brownells, William Henry Knives, Doug Turnbull, R.L. Wilson, Bluebook Publishing, again just to name a few.
This year there will by tables with other engraved items such as knives and jewelry.
Not to mention the fact that the show is inside the annual Beinfeld Show, one of the largest antique, sporting arms and knife markers show in the US. Plenty to see!
Great restaurants, walking tour of the Las Vegas Strip, and Plenty to do.
You will not be disappointed. Hope to see you there.
 

Andrew Biggs

Moderator
Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Messages
5,034
Location
Christchurch, New Zealand
Hey, Van

Not long to go now!!!!!!

Mary and I will both be there and really looking forward to it. The tickets are booked, bags packed and just rearing to go.

Cheers
Andrew
 

Barry Lee Hands

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
1,272
Location
Las Vegas
Yes, that's a fact. It is the Worlds largest gathering of hand engravers!
best show in the world for engraving.
 

Donny

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
May 2, 2009
Messages
719
Location
Girard, OH
My wife keeps telling me that we need to attend. My only problem is I do not know anybody. I've taken a class from Rex and have been introduced to Diane S. but outside of that I KNOW NO ONE :shock: !!! I am not the most out going person that is totally ok with just walking up to someone and striking up a conversation!


Don Curtis
 

Andrew Biggs

Moderator
Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Messages
5,034
Location
Christchurch, New Zealand
Hi Don

I only knew John Barraclough when I first attended. I'd also met a few others on the knife network and FEGA forum.

If you want to go......get over yourself, get out of your comfort zone, stick out your hand, introduce yourself and talk to people. I can honestly say that none of them bite you and there are only a couple of ferrel ones amongst them :)

If you think you can't......then you can't. If you think you can.......then you can. :)

I can promise you one thing. You will see some amazing work and meet some of the nicest people in the industry.

Cheers
Andrew
 

Lee

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Nov 17, 2006
Messages
1,047
Don, you have nothing to be concerned about. I walked in years ago an Idaho farm boy and the first one to greet me was a wonderful fellow with a big goofy grin name Rex Pedersen and in short order came Marty R, Sam W, Bob E, ...............it just keeps getting better. It is as welcoming a group as I have ever experienced. We even like upside down Kiwis.
 

Ed Westerly

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Mar 16, 2011
Messages
1,224
Location
southern California
I will be going again this year (4th time) and when I went the first time I knew 0 people. I knew about 20 when I left. Just walk up to a table, say hi, and then start talking engraving. It's what we're there for!
 

Doc Mark

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Nov 16, 2006
Messages
1,284
Location
Hampton, Virginia
Don, I can attest to what Andrew and Lee already said, Seven years ago, I too walked in knowing absolutely no one. I knew a few names from the newly created Forum but I'd never met a real engraver before. The first man I met was the incomparable aforementioned John Barraclough and he introduced me to so many others, it was hard to take in. On the first night, while waiting in line for to be seated for dinner in one of the restaurants, Joe Rundel introduced himself to me and offered to buy my dinner, as I was a newbie! The long and the short of it is, you will have a ball and begin friendships that will last from now onward. Please come, I promise you won't regret your decision.
 

mvangle

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
305
Location
Pilot Virginia.
Like Don and the others said. You will be received openly by some of the greatest folks in the engraving community.
I will say this however, how you approach the show will determine what you will get from attending. Come to the show hungry for information from vendors and engravers with tables. Come fully intending upon meeting several engravers that you have heard of. Bring or buy at the show some of you favorite engraving books to have autographed. A good example would be Roger Bleile's American Engravers. Many of the engravers will be there and I found while you can meet them and learn from them, they are interested in you as well. Make a extra effort to attend the members meeting to learn whats going on with the Board of Directors and the business of the guild. Everyone eats somewhere. Join a group going to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Go with group.to walk the.Vegas Strip, it is an amazing city. The art, architecture, the restaurants are beautiful. Join the group at the "office", just an area somewhere in the hotel (location can vary from the lobby to small meeting room). If your lucky, many attendees bring musical instruments, you will here some amazing talented people playing and singing. It is a great trip. BUT, you can not come, fly through the fega area, go back to you room and watch TV and get anything out of it. YOU come ready to have a great time and you will!

I didn't even mention the Banquet, the auction being the highlight of the evening. Also, you can see and handle some of the most beautifully engraved items anywhere!
 

Donny

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
May 2, 2009
Messages
719
Location
Girard, OH
Is there a specific building or block of rooms one should ask for at the Riviera? We have never stayed there.

Don Curtis
 

Tira

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
1,551
Location
Doylestown, PA
All you have to do is get into the room and stand there. Someone will come and speak with you! = ) We are such a small group overall that we love to find more like minded people and just like that you will be one of the herd....
 

mvangle

Elite Cafe Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
305
Location
Pilot Virginia.
There are no blocks of rooms just for FEGA. But there is a group rate for the complete show SARM114.
Below is all the info from FEGA.COM:

This will be in conjunction with the Beinfeld Las Vegas Antique Arms show, inside the International Sporting Arms Show. As an added bonus the SHOT show will also be in town just before our show.

Dates for the public: Friday 23rd ~ Sunday 25th January 2015

Show Hours for Public and FEGA members:
Friday 23rd 9am to 5pm
Saturday 24th 9am to 5pm.
Sunday 25th 9am to 2pm


Entry fee to members and public:
One Day Pass $15
Three day $35
Honor Guest $90 (allows entry to show same time as exhibitors)

FEGA members in the past have always got into our show for free. This is now changed because Beinfeld Productions are in charge of the gate so FEGA members will have to pay to get into the show like everyone else. However, the cheaper hotel rates will more than offset this small cost.

Set-up for Exhibitors:
Thursday 22nd 10am ~ 6pm

Make sure you set up early. Other exhibitors and those with an Honor Guest Pass will be visiting your table. It will be a busy day!!!

Location

Riviera Hotel & Casino;
2901 Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas,
Nevada 89109-1931
Phone numbers; (702) 734-5110 Toll Free (800) 634-3414
Hotel Web Site; www.rivierahotel.com
Room Rates: Approximately $50 ~ $90

No FEGA promo codes. Members to book own rooms and tell hotel they are booking for the Antique Arms Show by Beinfeld Productions to get special rates.
The code for Antique Arms is SARM114 and this group rate comes out to about $89.00 per night.


Banquet and Auction
Saturday 24th January starting at 6pm.
Price per person is $58

This will be a fun night with the menu to be announced. The auctioneer is entertaining and the proceeds for the auction help offset the cost of the show plus helps build the finances of FEGA.

COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Wed. Jan 21st
8:00 am ~ 5:00pm Exhibitor packet pickup at front registration desk

Thurs. Jan 22nd
8:00 am ~ 5pm Exhibitor packet pickup at front registration desk
8:00 am - 10:00 am FEGA BOD Meeting (Royale Sky Box)
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibitors set-up and visitors with a Honored Guest pass

Fri. Jan 23rd
9:00 am to 5:00pm Show open to public
11:00am FEGA Master Engraver judging
12:00 pm FEGA Awards judging
6:00 pm to 10:00pm Members welcome reception (Royale Sky Box)

Sat. Jan. 24th
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 am FEGA Annual Meeting (Royale Sky Box)
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Show open to public
6:00 p.m. Annual banquet and auction (“Top of the Rivâ€￾ access from Monacco Tower elevator)

Sun. Jan 25th
7:00 am - 9:00 am FEGA BOD meeting (Royale Sky Box)
9:00 am~ 2:00pm Show open to public
2:00 pm Exhibitor Take-down

Mon. Jan. 26th
Free Seminars, all welcome
9:00-~ Midday (Royale Sky Box)
12:00 ~ 1:00 Break for lunch
1:00pm onwards. Show and tell sessions
Bring your bits and pieces for some critiquing and ask any questions.
5:00pm Las Vegas Night Walk (A walk down the Strip for anyone that wants to come and see Vegas by night)
 

Sponsors

Top