Executive Director Steve Haston and Deputy Director Rachelle Haughn had the privilege of attending the 2025 Toledo R/C Swap Meet & Expo, where they answered questions, received feedback, and met many AMA members and donors. This two-day event took place April 4-5 at the Glass City Center in Toledo, Ohio. This location, formerly known as the SeaGate Convention Centre, was the venue for The Toledo Show: R/C Model Expo, a long-running event that ended in 2019. Steve and Rachelle had never attended either iteration of the shows hosted by the Toledo Weak Signals, so both of them were excited to be there for the first time!
On the opening day of the swap meet, a line of shoppers eagerly waiting to get in snaked through the hallway outside of the exhibition hall. As soon as the doors opened at 9 a.m., people began browsing the countless aisles of model airplanes, RC helicopters, RC cars, model boats, model trains, and more in hopes of finding some great deals. They also visited the many aircraft manufacturers and saw some of the newest products on the market.
Steve was able to walk around the swap meet and talk with many of the vendors and discuss potentially forming partnerships with them. Rachelle kept busy answering questions about the AMA Foundation's grant and planned giving programs. Visitors browsed the Foundation's brochures about the Torchbearer program and other donation avenues, and many renewed their AMA memberships.
In addition to shopping, show attendees enjoyed RC car racing and indoor 3D flying demonstrations. Throughout their gathering, they also had a chance to enter a pilot giveaway for numerous goodies. Additionally, an auction was held Saturday afternoon. A portion of the proceeds from both of these special events was donated to the AMA Foundation.
Overall, the AMA Foundation team feels like this was a successful event. The value of meeting AMA Foundation donors and AMA members in person cannot be matched.
