:
Welcome to the 2nd annual AstroCATS Trade Show
May 3 & 4, 2014
Saturday May 3, 2014
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
and
Sunday May
4, 2014
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thank you to everyone who made AstroCATS
2014 a smashing success. Our guests,
exhibitors, sponsors, and guest speakers were just awesome. And none
of this would have been possible without an army of volunteers.
AstroCATS 2015 planning is already underway. We have a tentative
date of May 30 & 31 and will confirm that shortly.
Did you win one of the great prizes?
Check-out the prize winners page:
Seminar/Speaker Update 28-APR-2014:
Regrets:
-
Robert Naeye
sends regrets,
but is unable to be here (his publishing date just got moved up 2
weeks)
Added:
Sarah Symons
presents:
Our Sky Through
Ancient Eyes
On-line ticket sales is now closed
BUT tickets can be purchased at the door.
For those planning to attend both days
you will be able to purchase a discount "Day 2" ticket at the sales
counter.
Ask anyone who attended AstroCATS last year, and they will tell you it
was a resounding "2-thumbs-up, WAY UP"! The exhibit hall was bustling, seminar
rooms were packed, and we gave away over $15,000.00 in prizes. For a first time
event, it was a huge success. The exhibitors were happy (apparently, some of
you parted with some $'s) and they all say they will be back for AstroCATS 2014.
For a brief synopsis of our program,
AstroCATS 2014 will likely have more than twice as many exhibitors. We will also
be offering a great line-up of seminars that will appeal to every level of
astronomy experience.
AstroCATS is a 2-day event and many of you will
want to attend both days to take full advantage of the seminars. We
offer a discount "Day-2" ticket for those wanting to attend both
days.
Special Hotel Accommodations: Mohawk Residence &
Conference Centre is only steps away from the exhibit hall and
features a 2-bedroom suite, breakfast, parking, and WiFi for only $
79.95! For more details:
Star Party!! A 2-day Solar Star Party!
Brought to you by Stephen Ramsden and Lunt Solar Systems. We are pleased that CBSAP Chairman Stephen Ramsden will be running a
full-scale solar observing program during the show. We have a
perfect location just outside the exhibit hall with room for lots of
dreamy solar telescopes in operation. Stephen will also be one of
our feature guest speakers. Mr. Ramsden is the founder and director
of the world's largest Solar Astronomy educational outreach program,
the Charlie
Bates Solar Astronomy Project. In 2013, his outreach program
introduced Solar Astronomy to 162,023 students!
NEWS UPDATE: 23/JAN - 1st
Door/Raffle/Auction Prizes Announced
Rock Mallin is going to be very generous again with prize
contributions (Door/Raffle/Silent Auction) of 10 (perhaps more)
cameras (various models) valued at over $ 7,000.00! For more
details:
NEWS UPDATE: New exhibitors
added:
-
Hercules Telescope: Manufacturer of
Hi-end carbon fiber telescopes featuring cellular mirror and
Carbon truss tube construction
-
Mathis
Instruments : Manufacturer of high-end mounts. And
they're bringing along a Plane Wave telescope too!
-
ADM Accessories
: Manufacturer of fine accessories, in particular, dove-tail
assemblies, scope-rings, adapters... and all of those other
hard-to-find bits that you need.
- SkyStopper :
Manufacturer of fine Platform Trackers for Dobsonian telescopes.
New exhibitors for 2014
We are glad to report that all (except 1) of our 2013 exhibitors will be
back for 2014. But we will also have quite a large number of 1st
time exhibitors. That list is growing, so check back often to see
who we've added. Here are a few recent notables:
- ADM Accessories: Manufactures those "must have" pieces
of hardware that make it easy to mount your equipment. Dove-tail
bars, tube rings, knobs, and much more!
- Astro Hutech/BORG : Distributors of the famous Borg
line of telescopes as well as IR Enhanced DSLR Cameras
- AstroPics: Wally Pacholka is the famous
"astro-landscape" photographer who has won numerous awards for his
artistry. Pacholka shoots celestial events — comets, close visits by
other planets, meteor showers and the occasional Milky Way cluster —
with national parks and other down-to-earth scenery gracing the
foregrounds of his frames. No home is complete without at east one
of his prints adorning a special place in your home.
- ATIK Cameras: Manufacturers of fine CCD Cameras
and Accessories
- Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions: A full-service
astronomy and photography retailer.
- Hercules Telescopes: Manufacturers of high-end
Newton carbon fiber truss-tube telescopes
- Lunt Solar Systems: Manufacturer of the famous
Lunt line of solar telescopes
- Mathis Instruments : Manufacturer of high-end mounts. And
they're bringing along a Plane Wave telescope too!
- Meade Instruments: They were a sponsor last year,
but this year they will host an exhibit and we look forward to
seeing their famous gear on the show floor.
- Ontario Telescope: Online retailer of new and
used telescopes. Canada’s only stocking Bresser dealer
- SkyStopper: Manufacturer of Equatorial Tracking
Platforms for DOB telescopes.
- Sky & Telescope Magazine
- Sunward Hobbies: A local retailer of astronomy
and traditional hobbies. Lots of cool science related gadgets!
Stay Tuned For More!
Seminars and Keynote
Speakers
For Beginners AND Experienced Astronomers -
Something for everyone!
FREE with the purchase of a General
Admission Ticket! There are even
seminars for families with children!
We will have a full slate of seminars again this year! Whether you are a
"newbie" looking for tips on your first telescope purchase, an experienced
astronomer, or astrophotographer, there are several seminars that offer the
opportunity to learn and be entertained.
Door Prizes, Raffle Prizes, and Silent Auction:
Our Sponsors have been generous! There will be $ thousands of fabulous door prizes and raffle prizes (last year we gave away over $ 15,000 in prizes). Every visitor will receive a door prize ballot and you can increase your odds of winning a fabulous prize by purchasing a Raffle Ticket ($2 or 3 for $5).
New for 2014: Silent Auction. We will be hand selecting prizes donated by our generous Sponsors to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. This is a great opportunity to walk away with some really terrific merchandise at a bargain price! Proceeds are used to fund public outreach programs so it is a win/win for everyone!
A Great Day For Families!
This is a great way to introduce the whole family to a fun, educational, and wholesome hobby. We have special seminars devoted to beginners. For example, "Family Observing" and "Choosing Your First Telescope". The Keynote Speakers will enjoy seeing young people in the audience!
Solar Observing - 2-day Solar "Star Party"
We'll have plenty of solar telescopes set-up for observing the Sun
courtesy of Stephen Ramsden and Lunt Solar Systems. Be
prepared, once you look through one of these amazing instruments you'll
want to buy one!Stephen W. Ramsden is the Founder and Director of the worlds highest volume astronomy outreach program The Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project. Stephen will be lecturing on the current state of the Sun, the hobby and the importance of science in our global community. Stephen will also be hosting free outdoor solar viewing for anyone interested. Free solar glasses provided to all.
What is an Astronomy Trade Show?
It's just like an auto/boat/outdoor/cottage show, only with astronomy gadgets that will leave you drooling. Some exhibitors will be showcasing brand new products, others will offer a retail purchase opportunity. Some visitors will see this as an excellent opportunity to plan their next investment in new equipment. A trade show is where you get to see the "real thing" and kick a few tires (gently please!). And no trade show would be complete without fabulous door and raffle prizes!
If you are ready to buy new astronomy gear there will be approx. $ 250K+++ of merchandise available for purchase at the show. Everything from telescopes, mounts, CCD cameras, focusers, and more. There is something for everyone...entry level to high-end professional grade equipment will be on display. And there is sure to be a few "new product unveilings" at the show.
Held just 50 km (30 miles) West of Toronto and only 50 km (25 miles) North of Buffalo, NY), at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, AstroCATS is a 2-day event featuring the largest commercial display and sale of telescopes and related astronomical products in Canada.
We expect AstroCATS to rapidly become the world’s largest networking platform where manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors have the opportunity to build partnerships, expand their relationships, and showcase new products for the upcoming year.
Outside of the trade show area we will have seminars featuring leaders and acknowledged experts in various fields. We present a unique opportunity for attendees to network and learn from both amateur and professional astronomers.
Astronomy Enthusiast Guests (General Admission)
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned "Pro" you won't want to miss your
chance to see the latest astronomy equipment up close. You will be able to talk
to dealers as well as the actual manufacturers. I think you will agree that this
is much better than seeing a mere photograph on a website.
There will also be seminars, guest speakers, and fabulous door prizes!
All this for less than the cost of a movie ticket! Tickets are available at the door BUT
you can purchase your ticket
on-line in advance AND receive a FREE
Raffle Prize ticket (2 chances to win a fabulous prize)! For ticket prices and advance purchase:
Fabulous Door and Raffle Prizes. NEW! Silent Auction!
Our Sponsors have been generous!
There will be door prizes and raffle prizes. Every visitor will receive a
door prize ballot and you can increase your odds of winning a fabulous prize by
purchasing a Raffle Ticket ($2 or 3 for $5).
There will be lots of prizes and we
guarantee that the prize won't be a T-Shirt or Ball Cap! Prizes will be drawn
every few hours. And the top prizes will be drawn on
Sunday afternoon (May 4) but you do NOT need to be present to win!
Information for Exhibitors and Sponsors
Our exhibitors are the star of the show!
If you are interested in being an Exhibitor or Sponsor:
Sponsors
What is a Sponsor? They are special vendors who contribute fabulous
merchandise and/or gift certificates as Door and Raffle prizes. Most of the
exhibitors are also Sponsors, but there are also some vendors who are not able to
attend the trade show but still want you to think of them when making your next
astronomy equipment purchase. The Sponsor list is growing each day.
RASC
Hamilton
