2021 Tulsa Union Convention
The Lone Star Region and the Mid-Continent Region of the NMRA are coming together for the first time for a joint regional convention. The convention is planned for June 17-20, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Regional Convention Chair, Marc LaChey of the LSR and Ken Ehlers, MMR, member of the Indian Nation Division of MCoR will serve as Co-Chairmen of the convention. Many from LSR Division 8 will remember Ken as an outstanding modeler of the Rio Grande Southern. Ken was a member of Division 8 before retiring to Tulsa.
Tulsa has gained a strong reputation as a “hot spot” for operations over the past several years. Convention attendees can look forward to opportunities to both operate and visit more than a dozen layouts in Tulsa during the convention. Of course, Ken Ehler’s RGS layout will be a highlight along with many other layouts. Marc and Ken are also working toward having a local Tulsa N scale modular layout set up in the lobby of the convention hotel.
One of the reasons that we are excited to provide a joint convention with the Mid-Continent Region is that it presents an opportunity for LSR members to attend clinics given by MCoR members. For example, Mark Juett, Manager, NMRA DCC Working Group and Pulse of DCC columnist is scheduled to present clinics on “Setting up for Operations” and “Getting Started in JRMI Car Forwarding”. Another well-known Tulsa modeler, Lind Wickersham, will present a clinic on “Building and Detailing Structures”. Not to be outdone, LSR member, Gert “Speed” Mueller will present a hands-on clinic involving use of Auduinos. And with some encouragement, Dallas area modeler, Lloyd Keyser, MMR will be presenting along with Al Boos, MMR from San Antonio. These are just a sampling of the clinics that will be available to convention attendees.
And of course, what would an NMRA convention be without a Celebration of Models, Photos & Crafts (a/k/a the Contest Room). Attendees are encouraged to bring models, photos & crafts for entry in the contest room. Models entered in the Contest room will be judged using Achievement Program criteria. And there will be an opportunity for attendees to have models judged for the Achievement Program without being entered in the Convention Contest if preferred. Regardless, now is the time to start working on models, photos or crafts for the convention. See the convention website for details!
Least we forget, Non-Rail attendees may plan on a visit to the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, along with several other activities.
Arrangements have been made with the Embassy Suites, 3332 South 79th East Ave. in Tulsa to host the convention. Attendees who book early can take advantage of a rate of $106.00 for a King room and $111.00 for a double room. And as it customary, the Embassy provides a free, made-to-order breakfast and a complimentary evening reception. And the hotel offers plenty of places for attendees to sit and visit with old friends and make new friends. Check out the convention website for the Convention Code and telephone number to use when making your reservation.
The web site for the convention is WWW.2021TulsaUnion.com. We encourage you to check out the website as updates and new information is posted on the site.
