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Membership Handbook

Show Facilities Standards

Table of Contents

*Introduction
*Articles of Incorporation
*Bylaws
*Code of Ethics
*General Show Floor Rules
*Show Facilities Standards
*Administrative Show Rules
*Exhibit and Judging Rules
*Example Show Forms
*Grading Standards
*Membership

These Facility Standards have been internally adopted by the NIA Board of Directors as a general guide for evaluating bids for various NIA sanctioned shows. They are published herein for the general information of the membership, and as a guide for those who might be interested in hosting insulator shows.

NIA-Sanctioned Local Shows:

Sanctioned Local Shows include club and private insulator shows, as well as other hobby shows where insulator activity is more than just incidental. As a means of directing the attention of insulator collectors and dealers to shows of this type, these shows may be sanctioned by the NIA President upon the request of the show host, accompanied by a description of the show’s intended activities. The NIA encourages its members to apply for sanctioning. The show may then take advantage of being advertised in show calendars and advertisements as "NIA-Sanctioned." Many NIA members rely on this designation to determine which insulator related events they will attend.

NIA Regional Shows:

Regional Shows are major events in the insulator hobby.  Bids for hosting Regional Shows should be submitted to the NIA Secretary as early in the preceding calendar year as is possible.  If suitable bids are not received by November 1st of the calendar year preceding the year in which the Regional is to take place in, the NIA Board of Directors has the option of canceling an anticipated show for that year.  The following guidelines apply to Regional Shows:

  1.  Regional Shows may be one day (with an early buying period the previous afternoon/evening), or two-day events.  In either case, adequate dealer and exhibit set-up time the previous evening and the first morning of the show must be provided.  They can be held at any time of the year, but should not conflict with holiday weekends, the NIA National Show or other well attended annual local shows. 

  2. At least 40 sales tables must be committed to insulators and/or related items.  There must be adequate “roped-off” exhibit space (a minimum of six spaces reserved for insulators and/or related items), located separately from the sales tables, but preferably within the same room.  Sales Tables and Exhibit Spaces should have access to electricity.

  3. Regional shows must be advertised as the "National Insulator Association’s XXth Annual XXXXXXX [Western, Central or Eastern], Regional Show," with adequate national, regional and local publicity.

  4. 24-hour security protection for the sales area and exhibits.

  5. The facility must have adequate parking for participants and the attending public. On-site or close-by overnight parking for self-contained campers is desirable.

  6. The facility itself should be adequately air-conditioned/heated. Hand trucks or carts for use by the participants is desirable.

  7. The facility must have food available on the premises, and adequate sitting and resting areas for the public inside or near the main show area.

NIA National Convention:

The National Convention is annually the most significant event in the insulator hobby. Bids for hosting National Shows should be submitted to the NIA Secretary as early in the preceding calendar year as is possible. If suitable bids are not received by April 1st of the calendar year preceding the year in which the National is to take place, the NIA Board of Directors has the option of accepting bids from the other regions.

  1. The National Convention, which must be a three-day event, must be held in June, July or August, but not during the July 4th weekend. There must be adequate set-up time the previous evening and the first morning of the show, with special admittance privileges for all NIA members in good standing, on the first day of the show.

  2. A minimum of 70 sales tables (with white table covers), must be committed to insulators and/or related items. There must be "roped-off" exhibit spaces (a minimum of 20 exhibit spaces reserved for insulators and/or related items), located separately from the sales tables, but preferably within the same room. Sales Tables and Exhibit Spaces should have access to electricity.

  3. The show must be advertised as "The National Insulator Association’s XXth Annual Show and Convention," with adequate national, regional and local publicity.

  4. 24-hour security protection for the sales area and exhibits. At least a portion of the security during the public show hours should be uniformed.

  5. The facility must have adequate parking for participants and the attending public. On-site or close-by overnight parking for self-contained campers is desirable.

  6. The facility itself should be adequately air-conditioned/heated. Hand trucks or carts for use by the participants is desirable.

  7. The facility must have food available on the premises, and adequate sitting and resting areas for the public inside or near the main show area.

  8. The facility should have a banquet room on site, with availability of a public address system. The cost of the dinner is subject to NIA approval. Alternatives such as informal smorgasbords may be considered.

  9. The facility should have a separate room from the banquet and show halls, with adequate seating, in order to conduct the NIA General Membership Meeting.

Notes:

"Related items"  include virtually all items associated with power or communications equipment, plus items such as lightning rod equipment, pole nails, magazines, books, etc.)

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Last updated June 17, 2001

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