The 2015 National Show!  July 3-5, 2015   Sandwich, IL

The 46th National insulator show was held in Sandwich, Illinois at the Timber Creek Convention Center.  Jason & Daniella Townsend and Bob Stahr hosted the show.  This show hall was large and allowed comfortable space for all the dealers, aisles and displays.  Friday (NIA day) and Saturday well attended with good walkthrough, Sunday was lighter but good bargains to be found!.  The Saturday awards banquet had a great buffet and also included the presentation of one Lifetime member award as well as two Outstanding Service to the NIA awards.  There were 16 quality displays covering both insulators and related items.  Each displayer received a great award with a slip cast glazed Mickey mouse. Dealers reported excellent sales and there was a great selection of both glass and porcelain available.

A highlight of the show was Jason opening his home to let collectors see his excellent collection of scarce and rare porcelain.  Jason's specialties include no-tie porcelain pin-types, and he has likely the largest collection of these in the hobby.

The Saturday night awards banquet was well attended and in addition to the numerous display awards there were several significant NIA awards given out:

NIA Hall of Fame was started in 2012 - here are the 2015 inductees:

• Fred M. Locke

• Robert Hemingray

One Lifetime Membership (The NIA's highest award) presented:

• John Hovanec & Sharon Foster (North Royalton, OH)

There were also two outstanding service awards presented:

• Jack Roach (Wimberley, TX)

• Lis Bergman (Bellingham, WA)

Four President's Awards were given:

• Carolyn Berry (Round Rock, TX) - 17 years of service & current commemorative coordinator

• Tina Reinstra (Crown Point, IN) - Product Marketing coordinator

• Darryl Wagner (Smithville, MO) - National show coordinator

• Gene Hawkins (Warsaw, IN) - Awards & Recognition chair

At the conclusion of the NIA general meeting was the announcement of next years National show.  It will be held in Muncie, IN with Bob Stahr and Rick Soller as hosts.

An excellent assortment of glass and porcelain was available at the show.  Here are some examples: 

For more details on this great show, check out the links below.

• The National Show

• The Displays

National shows are unlike anything else in the hobby.  It is the one time of year where collectors from across the globe get together and meet.  

Return to the National Insulator show page