AAR- 2nd Wisconsin Airsoft Expo

[Kerrik13]

Thanks to all the players, teams, and vendors that came out to the Waukesha County Expo center yesterday to make the 2nd Wisconsin Airsoft Expo a success.

The North Hall of the expo center was considerably larger than the VFW from the year before and the room for growth is encouraging. The facility was great and the kitchen staff were nice and accomodating, serving food for a majority of the day at very reasonable prices.

The array of booths were a bit fewer than the first year, but very diverse as well. With several vendors present, there were plenty of items to browse and with several teams present, there were plenty of players to chat with.

Contest Winners
- BEST BOOTH: The Midwest Ostfront Association (the WW2 airsoft guys) showed up with the most impressive booth so far seen at the Wisconsin Airsoft Expo and blew away the competition. An armored tank, a Russian water cooled machine gun, a Pak artillery cannon, WW2 accurate guns, and booth attendees in both German and Russian uniforms/gear easily won them the award.
- BEST COSTUME: The best costume award went to Jared with his impressive WW2 Russian outfit/impression. It looked great and he had a cool pointy hat to go with it!
- BEST LOADOUT: This contest was tough for people to vote on almost resulted in a three way tie. Jedibgp with his MOLLE rig and .30 cal and Rattler with his contractor look came in at a close second, but the winner was a younger player who is new to airsoft that showed up in a full ACU loadout with MOLLE gear and a helmet.

My team, Wolf Recon, had a lot of fun running two "Airsoft Tactics 101" Seminars at 11am and 4pm and seemed to be a big hit with some new (and especially some younger) players. The "Nervous Parent's Guide to Airsoft" seminar at 1pm seemed be a hit as well and involved many topics that were discussed to help parents understand the sport.

By the end of the day, a significantly large number of new players, younger players, and parents bringing younger players had passed through the expo. A pretty good amount of safety brochures (thank you to the WAA and MAA for providing the safety brochure material) got into the hands of young players and parents alike. If the sport of airsoft is to grow and be safe in Wisconsin, getting this material out and into circulation with the new players is critical for our sport.

For all of you who decided to sit on your bums and let the expo go by, you missed a fun filled day! :) Also, a MASSIVE amount of free stuff was given out. At least 1 AEG or high end gun along with probably 10-15 other prizes was given out every hour on the hour, and most expo attendees who were there all day walked out with something for free due to having roughly 7 chances to win!

Again, myself and the rest of the Wisconsin Airsoft Expo Committee would like to thank everyone who came out to the 2nd Annual Wisconsin Airsoft Expo and helped make it a success. We'll be posting up pictures and other media from the expo soon. Be sure to look for information on the 3rd Annual Wisconsin Airsoft Expo, coming in 2009.

[Biscuit-Boy]

I were had good times. Me was kid at airsoftbahzone booth. I helped many many humans buy good things. I were has fun. But, I am also were had jet lag from return from floriduh, so I am feel very dizzy 2nd half of expo.

Very niccccceeeeeeee, how much?

I also buy nice things. Cqb barrel, cool flip-up sight that rly works (thanks C.Kunkel), more crane stocks, and I am sold my acog to Ratlur. Thx Ratlur!jjjjj

I also were decided m203 am too heavy for me. So I order 552 instead for mounting on the rifle.

Me maded 25 dollar. Also Jedi am cool. We all loves the Jedi.

[kyledk]

I were had good times. Me was kid at airsoftbahzone booth. I helped many many humans buy good things. I were has fun. But, I am also were had jet lag from return from floriduh, so I am feel very dizzy 2nd half of expo.

Very niccccceeeeeeee, how much?

I also buy nice things. Cqb barrel, cool flip-up sight that rly works (thanks C.Kunkel), more crane stocks, and I am sold my acog to Ratlur. Thx Ratlur!jjjjj

I also were decided m203 am too heavy for me. So I order 552 instead for mounting on the rifle.

Me maded 25 dollar. Also Jedi am cool. We all loves the Jedi.


hehe yes every one loves the jedi lol.

i won the smoke poofing suppresser:D,im chargeing the battery on for my gun right now, ill let you guys know how it works;)

[Biscuit-Boy]

That suppressor is going to gunk up your barrel, but looks cool as hell.

[seppuku]

Here's my review of the 2008 WI Airsoft Expo....or at least what I can remember a whole day and a half later. ;)

I arrived at the Expo around 11:30. There weren't a ton of people there yet, and things were relatively quiet.

The $10 entrance fee got you one door prize ticket and a paper wrist strap (to indicate your paid admission). Extra door prize tickets were available for $10 each, but I didn't buy any. There were two tri-fold pamphlets on the entrance table free for the taking: the WAA "Welcome Guide" I grabbed was in color and on glossy paper; the MAA "Airsoft Guide for Parents" was in black and white.

Booths:
The booths were arranged in a rectangular circuit, with an inner track and an outer track, filling the Expo hall. Here they are in clockwise order (more or less). I wasn't there too long (only a couple hours) and didn't interact too much, so I sincerely apologize if I miss anyone...

Action Packed Paintball - Holding the center spot in the inner rectangle, this was the first booth you would see. When I circled back to Action Packed Paintball later, the gentleman there gave a nice overview of the field and a synopsis on their upcoming Aug. 24 scenario game. They had a couple props they'll be using this in this game and several 8x10 color photos of the field. I don't think I can attend their upcoming event, but I'll definitely have to make it out there some time...

Airsoft Video Loop - Adjacent on the left side of the APP booth, this booth consisted of a laptop and speakers that were playing footage of what I assume were past airsoft events. In retrospect I wish I checked it out closer, I might have caught a glimpse of myself. :)

Classic Army (?) Jeep - Stationed in the corner of the outer track was a Jeep Wrangler covered in camo netting and a Classic Army sign. Surrounding the Jeep were half a dozen AEGs, but the most notable feature of this diorama were the twin M249s mounted on top of the Jeep. I never saw anyone manning this "booth", so I don't know much else about this display.

FUBAR Cells LLC - On the outer loop right next to the Jeep were a couple of long tables full of battery packs. Since I don't need any batteries right now, I didn't look too closely. I think I saw one pack for $35? Shipping for the first pack was $10, plus $2.50 for each additional? I think I saw a sign stating that FUBAR packs are sold at ABZ.

Airsoft Battle Zone - One of the biggest booths at the Expo, ABZ had a variety of items for sale. I saw a few vests, a big table of parts, a couple spring guns, and several different AEGs for sale (mostly clones from what I saw). I almost bought a CYMA CM.028 AK47 for $75 (wish I did), but other than that I wasn't interested in too much else. I don't know if the prices included tax, or if ABZ was accepting credit cards.

Empty spots - Most of the inner booths on this part of the circuit consisted of empty tables, although Wolf Recon put together a makeshift booth around noonish.

Ostfront Airsoft - Ostfont's "Best Booth" award is well deserved. It was filled with some great toys (e.g. Shoei MP44) and individuals not afraid to show them off. The APC, the big guns, and the costumes were all fantastic. I haven't read the free literature yet, but I think they'd be worth checking out if you're into WWII reenactment.

Door Prize Table - Across from Ostfront, on the outer track, were several tables piled with giveaways. The sheer volume was quite impressive, so I'll cover that in a different section. Behind the prizes in a off-shoot area were a bunch of tables and chairs where Expo-goers could rest their feet. This was right next to the concession booth.

Task Force Steel Horse - The TFSH team (also located on the outer track) had a long table for showing off their gear (much of which I think was Jedi's :)) with a PSP playing videos, and another long table with various guns and gears for sale. Since I'm not currently searching for a team, I visually scoped out their gear and moved on.

Badger Airsoft - Another airsoft team in WI, I don't recall what Badger had on display (sorry guys!).

Wisconsin Airsoft Association - The WAA had a small booth immediately to the right when you walked into the Expo hall. They had a banner, some more pamphlets, and a laptop playing a slideshow. I think I saw Batman and maybe Downslide (?) at one point.

Accommodations:
The Waukesha County Expo Center is a decent venue for this kind of gig. The hall it was in wasn't huge, but it was just about the right size. Concessions consisted of Hot Dogs, Brats, Nachos, and other food you'd expect at such a place. It looked good - really good - but I wasn't hungry enough (and a little too cheap) to drop $3.50 for a brat and $1.50 for a can of soda. The seating area was very welcome, and drinking fountains (and restrooms) were located in the entranceway.

Door Prizes:
Like I said, the prizes were plentiful: they had clone AEGs, a G&G MP5, drop-legs, BBs, Classic Army safety masks, MP40 springers, and some hand-held chronographs just to name a few. I didn't win in either the noon nor 1 o'clock drawings, but the man (Gryphon?) dishing out the goods was very generous. Just checking out the table he gave me a copy of Tactical Arisoft Milsim magazine and a WGC Shop mouse pad, and during the drawings he handed out red hand towels/kill rags to anyone who wanted one. Even if you're an unlucky sod like myself, you have to commend the organizers for doing their best to give everyone something.

Other Stuff:
I had intended on staying for Gryphon's "Nervous Parent's Guide to Airsoft" seminar, but I decided to duck out around quarter after one. Having gone stag, and not being terribly extroverted, my interest had waned. However, I did see a ver. 2 mechbox disassembly/reassembly demo, performed by the proprietor of an online airsoft repair shop that I think works in conjunction with (or for) ABZ. He was very nice, answered questions, and seemed to know what he was doing.


Now for my more Editorial Verdict...

If you were new to airsoft and/or looking to network and meet fellow airsofters, you probably would have enjoyed yourself.

If you were looking for a big marketplace with tons of stuff for sale, or if you were hoping to check out the latest guns and gear, you might have been a little disappointed (where was JonJay and WAW?!?!).


I don't regret having gone to the 2008 WI Airsoft Expo, but I didn't get as much out of it as I was hoping. I would be great to see this event grow in the future....

[Biscuit-Boy]

Sep, JonJay showed up around 3:00ish(?) I knew it took him a while, because I had been waiting for quite some time for them to show up.

[kyledk]

That suppressor is going to gunk up your barrel, but looks cool as hell.


hehe yah, i have heard horror storys about it and soon i will load up all my mags and make all the powder go bye-bye, so i can use it for a barrel cover when i get my exstended barrel.

i took 3 mid caps and let them rip...fire mid would not fire..tryed the other one and it worked just fine but the gun jammed some and had to take out the mag...drie fire...then set it back in and the bbs and mag was coverd in dust, but i have to say it looks sick! on the gun and when fireing.

i let my lil'bro shoot it, he really liked it. when i first fired i thought it would just be like a poof of baby powder but i really looked like smoke. took 4 difent swabs and 6 trys to get the barrel clean, the swab goes in clean comes out black lol.

as for the event i had tons of fun

[Rattler]

TF Steel Horse was in presence with only 2 members absent. We all had a great time and I think each member won something out of the raffle, including the Army Air Core pink panties :P.

Several of us purchased new guns from the booths and enjoyed just talking with the other teams/shops/people from the other areas of the state. Got to see old friends I don't see much and just have a good time with the contests and all.

I saw a lot of new people and younger folks with their parents, I think they got a good first image of airsoft and the people and we will hopefully see them out on the field soon.

Thanks Ryan, Todd(?) and Jason and everyone else who participated in organizing the expo and the teams that ran security.


Myself and TFSH will be there once again for the 3rd expo and all to follow.

Anybody got pics?


Thanks
Dan

[Kerrik13]

Seppuku,
Thank you for the detailed breakdown and the great review! :) I appreciate that it is honest. JonJay from WAW showed up a little after 1pm and setup a massive display right across from FUBAR cells. I honestly think you missed him by about 20 minutes or so.

In all honesty, the amount of booths setup was fewer this year than before, but it was odd how many vendors or teams got booths and then cancelled or just vanished the day of. We're hoping to grow it in the future... this year was the "test" for the Waukesha County Expo Center.

Again, thanks everyone for coming out to the expo! :)

[kyledk]

Seppuku,
Thank you for the detailed breakdown and the great review! :) I appreciate that it is honest. JonJay from WAW showed up a little after 1pm and setup a massive display right across from FUBAR cells. I honestly think you missed him by about 20 minutes or so.

In all honesty, the amount of booths setup was fewer this year than before, but it was odd how many vendors or teams got booths and then cancelled or just vanished the day of. We're hoping to grow it in the future... this year was the "test" for the Waukesha County Expo Center.

Again, thanks everyone for coming out to the expo! :)


maybe because of the game at WGR?

[Downslide]

maybe because of the game at WGR?

Possible an explanation for lower attendance, but not necessarily for lower vendor showings.

But this is a good point. Planning the Expo in the "off season" like the middle of winter, or better yet right before the snow thaws, could see a better showing of attendees who are itching to get out and trade plastic.

[youth in asia]

yea, end of winter/beginning of spring would seem like the perfect choice

[armsdealer]

Seppuku glad you could make it out and thank you for the AAR. The jeep with the CA 249's (the twins) runs on the ABZ field during games...and the two CA 249's are wired to fire together with one trigger pull. Thanks to all who came out for this expo...hope to see you again in 2009!

[jedibgp]

pics (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v467/jedibgp/2008%20%20Airsoft%20Expo/)

Disclaimer: You can use these pics anyway you want... ;)