National Insulator Association
2019 Western Regional - July 26-28, 2019

Helena, Montana

General Show Information

Announcing the 2019 Western Regional show to be held July 26th-28th, 2019 at the Delta Hotels Helena Colonial in Helena Mt. Show host Doug Rusher along with co-hosts Ron Yuhas and Jay Bernasek welcome all insulator collectors to this historic show. This is the first time a Regional or National show has been held in Montana. Here is a note from the hosts:

It's our great pleasure and honor to welcome you to Helena MT and the Big Sky Country for what we hope will be a very memorable event and experience for you. Montana has never hosted an NIA sanctioned show before. It has always been on our Bucket List to put on "one of the Best shows and Banquets we could possibly do", and get our valued friends and fellow collectors to come to Montana for a fantastic show. Take some extra time and see the sites, like Custer Battle field, the Museum of the Rockies, Glacier Park, Yellowstone Park, some of the many Ghost towns in the state, especially Virginia City and Nevada City. Most are right on the way to Yellowstone Park. Helena has many things to do from microbreweries to outstanding cuisine, and a great antique mall. The Montana Historical Society Museum is a must see if you enjoy Charlie Russell art, Native American History, Mining etc.

And don't forget the insulators. Montana has a long history with some of the earliest power lines in the country. A lot of insulators were produced just for our high voltage lines in the late 1890s thru the early 1900s, where the large mines and smelters needed more power to supply their needs.

Thanks again to all of the dealers, exhibitors, attendees and volunteers for your help, support and donations. Without you, it's just an empty show hall!

Note the following special show events are planned:

  • Hemingray Muncie Seminar including Muncie's in use, colors, embossings and other unusual Montana insulator lines.
  • Ellen Baumler, historian at the Montana Historical Society, will be a guest speaker on the History of Helena
  • Ellen will also host a walking tour of Last Chance Gulch
  • Community display of Insulators of Montana
  • Note also a rich set of activities available in and around Helena to make s full vacation of the trip!
  • A great logo T-shirt for the show is also available

 

 

SHOW HOST CONTACT INFORMATION:

  • Doug Rusher
  • Show Host
  • 406-461-7341
    •
  • Ron Yuhas
  • Show Co-Host
  • 406-439-4573
    •
  • Jay Bernasek
  • Show Co-Host
  • 406-223-1969
    •

 

Show information and form links:

 

Schedule of Events:

  • Thursday, July 25th

    4:00 pm to 5:30 am         Walking tour with Ellen Baumler on Last Chance Gulch
    5:00 pm to 9:00 pm         Dealer unloading only (No unpacking!), and Exhibitor set-up

    Friday, July 26th

    7:00 am to 9:00 am           Dealer/Displayer unloading & set-up                      
    9:00 am to 4:00 pm           Show hours, general admission
    7:00 pm to 8:00 pm           Seminar: Hemingray Muncie line and other insulators of MT

    Saturday, July 27th

    7:00 am to 9:00 am              Dealers/Exhibitors only                                                    
    9:00 am to 4:00 pm              Show hours, general admission                      
    5:00 pm to 6:00 pm              Reception w/ Cash Bar  and guest speaker
    6:00 pm to 8:30 pm              Banquet (Exhibitor and club award presentations)

    Sunday, July 28th

    8:00 am to 9:00 am              Dealers/Exhibitors only                            
    9:00 am to 1:00 pm              Show hours, general admission                  
    1:00 pm to 4:00 pm              Dealer & Displayer packing

 
 

Floor Plan

   

Note that all dealers and displayers agree to abide by NIA rules including the rules of Ethics which will be enforced at the show.

Click this link to NIA Show and Ethics rules:

 

 

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