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IRON HORSE 2024 -Convention Information
The Sunshine Region of the NMRA invites you to our new convention home at the Ocala Hilton in beautiful Ocala Florida, known as The Horse Capital of the World®, for Iron Horse 2024!
Enjoy numerous hands-on activities, clinics, op sessions, contests, meet and greet, fellowship and more. The convention will run from 4pm Thursday October 10, 2024 to Saturday October 12, 2024, 11pm (or when the banquet breaks up).
This years' change of venue offers us at least 6 benefits;
1) a much lower convention cost,
2) all activities are under one roof,
3) Longer clinic room availability (we have clinic room availability from morning to night),
4) the opportunity for more fellowship,
5) you asked for more hands-on clinics and we are delivering more!,
6) Op sessions on-site!
If you've never been to an op session or are a seasoned pro we will have time to train the newbies and let our pros have at it. If you are new to op sessions and have been curious to what its all about then this is the place for you!
We think you will agree the Board has worked hard to bring more to our convention and to increase the quality, while being mindful of the price. Now it's up to you to come out and have some fun and fellowship. Let's celebrate our hobby together!! Every Registration gets a $10 discount card from TRAINZ!! (trainz.com)
Things To Do
There's something for everyone in Ocala/Marion County. Come to the convention early or stay longer to take
advantage of all the things there are to do. Please click the logo or link to see the vast listing and descriptions that this area has to offer as well as day trips and scenic drives! Also, please stop by and say hi to Rob at Rob's Hobby World @ 8585 SW HWY 200, unit 14 in Ocala. Rob has been a long time supporter of this region. He's closed on Sundays so try and stop by on your way in on Thursday.
Convention Hotel - Hilton Ocala
The convention hotel is the Ocala Hilton located off of I-75, exit#350 (see the map/directions above). All activities are now under one roof. No more traveling back and forth to the college. This also provides you the opportunity to go to and from your room should you need a break, nap or
just need some alone time. The hotel offers free parking, an onsite restaurant, bar, outdoor pool and more. I think you will find it is a vast improvement from our previous venue. The room rate per night is $149 and you can make your reservations NOW as this rate wont last long, only thru 8/31/24 or until our allotment of rooms runs out. Rooms are limited so make your reservation today!!
Planned Room Use
Saratoga - Banquet
Belmont - How to Clinics
Keenland - Clinics
Aqueduct - Judging/Raffle
Pimlico - Clinics
Arlington - TBD Clinics
Monmouth & Laurel -
Op Sessions
LOBBY
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Convention Awards Banquet
Our awards banquet will be held Saturday October 12th at 6pm in the Saratoga room. THe banquet will be a buffet style dinner serving:
Baby greens salad bar with ranch and gorgonzola
Penne pasta salad
Grilled flank steak served with au jus and whipped horseradish sauce
Breast of chicken with artichoke mushroom sauce
Oven roasted garlic potatoes
Roasted pepper risotto
Fresh seasonal vegetables
Chef's choice seasonal cobbler
along with assorted tea and coffee
All for just $35 per person. The banquet will include a featured speaker, issuance of awards and, of coarse, our fun raffle. Seating is limited.
Convention Clinics
We listened to our survey responses at last years convention and one item that stood out was hands-on clinics. We hope to meet your expectation with how to subjects on weathing, tree making, t-track assembly, op sessions and more.
The official clinic schedule will be furnished closer to convention time. We will post an early listing of clinics as we get that finalized.
CALL FOR CLINICIANS
With more clinic times available to us we need more folks to step up and share their knowledge and skills with the rest of us. You know you have that little trick for ballasting, making roads or that nifty backdrop. TEACH and SHARE with your fellow members. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and expertise with others please contact Jeff Guzowski "Ski" at: Cell (954) 401-0804 or email at JGuzowski@Bellsouth.net
Online Reservation
We are now ready to take registrations for this year’s convention.
One location for all activities, more how-to clinics, on site op session and op session training! – you do not want to miss this, and a much lower registration cost!
Register NOW! Our registration fee is currently on sale, but only for a limited time!
Thank you!!
Where to Eat
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