Texas Toy Soldier Show SITREP No. 1 (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Saturday was the first day of our Texas Show and it was a great one! Attendance was UP just over 30 per cent on Saturday last year despite serious flood warnings. What was so encouraging was the number of families with kids showing up...and young folks who were genuinely interested and knowledgeable about history. By the time the show wrapped up at 5pm most dealers I spoke to reported that they were very happy with their sales and looking forward to Sunday.

At 7pm the action moved to the "Saturday Night Symposium" in the Menger's "Minuet Room"...again we had a "full house" of 132 guests who came to meet and hear Capt. Dale Dye and Chief Historian Daniel Martinez...Dan began the evening with his presentation on "Pearl Harbor in the Movies" going all the way back to films and documentaries made within months of the actual attack on December 7 and right up to more recent times...great stuff!

After Dan next up was Capt. Dye...Dale Dye is pretty well known for his long and distinguished career in film and television over the last almost 30 years... His talk was on the journey, complete with a few ups and downs along the way, to Hollywood and movies like "Saving Pvt. Ryan" and TV epics such as "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific". Currently he is working on a project about the 82nd Airborne in WW2. After these gentlemen spoke we opened the conversation up to a "Question'n'Answer" session with the audience which was both fun and informative for all concerned. In between all of this everyone enjoyed the delicious "Menger Mexican Buffet".

At 9:30 pm we had to call the proceedings to a close as a Tornado Warning had just been given out...however another 30 minutes were filled up with attendees talking to and getting photographed with Dale and Dan (plus autographs of course). I reckon most folks went away pretty happy...I know I was!

This morning the show begins at 11am but before then Laura (K&C's cofounder and KingsX CEO) will be picking up Capt. Dye and his wife Julia and taking them out to the airport and their flight back to Los Angeles.

Organising a Toy Soldier Show is a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears from a whole lot of people but after a day and night like yesterday...it's all worth it!!! Adios from San Antonio until tomorrow and happy collecting,

Andy C.​

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys, SITREP No.2,

The 2015 Texas Toy Soldier Show is over...and it was by general assent the biggest and best yet! The Sunday show lasts from 11am-3pm and is a bit more "laid-back" than Saturday but still good fun and it was great to see so many of our out-of-towners back again to see what they missed on Saturday and had to pick up on Sunday...I count myself in that number...I picked up some terrific "Crimean War" 'glossies' made by Monarch in Thailand and sold exclusively by "Ted Toys" here in the States. Also several of Britain's new Royal Marines on parade from several great dealers.

Organising and running a Toy Soldier Show sure ain't easy ... as anyone who does will affirm...but it's impossible to do it without the help, support and assistance of a great team and I want to thank Laura, Norma, Amber, Ruth, Mike of "KingsX" here in San Antonio....Also Mr. Hector Silis from "The Menger" and his team.... In Hong Kong, Helen, Tammi and Co. at K&C.

Next, a huge and grateful thanks to each and every single dealer, manufacturer
and retailer who put in the miles (lots of them), the maximum effort and the huge variety of terrific things to see and buy!!! And to our very special guests, Capt. Dale Dye and Chief Historian Dan Martinez.

Finally, last but certainly not least, the collectors who came from all over Texas...the rest of Mainland America, Hawaii, Canada, the UK, Mexico and a few other surprising places....Muchas Gracias,

Andy C.​

 

[PanzerAce1944]

A few key things that I would like to add about this show from my perspective. I have gone to the Texas Show since 2012 till present and the show
has grown and improved, gotten bigger each and every year since KingsX took over the reigns of running and organizing things.
This year's 2015 Show was a total success and FUN experience. Andy, Laura, and Amber along with the KingsX crew went all out making sure
things went off without a hitch, while at the same time providing a better show experience than the year before. Point being made is if there is
any room for "Improvement" it gets done !Anything to add in it gets "added". I already know that the 2016 Show will be again TOP NOTCH.
This year it was great to see and eat some meals with Mikemiller1955, Nick and Mike from Crown, drink a beer with Matt along with Steven
and Paul who comes in from the Windy City each year for the show. We had some good laughs inside the Menger Bar Saturday night.
Met Brian aka "Dietz" finally as well. It was a pleasure meeting you and your family and friends Brian.
Jason aka Panzer ace was here again this year as well as John aka Hotel3Alpha. Good to see Mrs. Hall from Sierra as well again this year.
Enjoyed eating dinner with Martin at the Symposium. The food was perfect....Very....Very Good !!!! Thank You
Also saw LTC PaulN and his wife. Paul looked great in his WWII Airborne Dress uniform at the Dinner Symposium. Well done Sir !!! ATW !!!
I wore a German WWII Field camo Uniform during the Friday Party and when I stepped out of the elevator....all eyes were on me.....Ooops.
That being said there must have been 10 people that came up and shook my hand appreciating me dressing for the show ! Thank You !
Maybe one day soon we will have "Room Trading" at the Menger. Possibly put the Dealers on the same floor.
Last but not least got to chat with Daniel Martinez who was one of the Dinner speakers. 3rd year in a row seeing Daniel here in San Antonio
and he already told me he is coming next year as well ! Finally getting to meet Mr. Dale Dye was a pleasure.He spoke with anyone and everyone
that approached him. He also did a book signing at the show and would readily sign anything presented to him. FYI his own personal favorite
project that he was involved with was " Band Of Brother's"......... Good Choice. Last thing to add is the overall experience of being here in
person. It is almost like a family Holiday experience and you leave heading home feeling happy and content. See you all next year !

Wayne

 

[Panzer ace]

As a collector this is truly a great show. From Friday’s meet n' greet to the show itself and everything in-between there is something for everyone.

Friday night was a blast, great apps, a few refreshments and some fine waitresses in camo! I also enjoyed the fact that the show itself was attended by so many collectors and dealers. I think it is worth noting that the dealers at this show bring a diverse range of products, which only adds another enticing element to this show.

I have to say that the Saturday night dinner was a clear highlight for me. The “one-two punch” of Capt. Dye and Daniel Martinez was spectacular. I actually sat next to a man at dinner who, along with his son, had mainly attended the show to see the speakers.

I can say in all honesty that I am already looking forward to next year’s Texas Toy Soldier Show!

Best,
Jason

 

[binder001]

I really need to get to this event sometime. Sounds like a great time for the military buff!

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I really need to get to this event sometime. Sounds like a great time for the military buff!

The way this show has been trending with Bigger and better each year, next year will be Awesome ! Come on out and spend a few nights
in San Antonio if you can ! I am still soaking in the good times this past weekend has given me !

Wayne