The MAX Show Dealers
   The 1500 dealer tables provide the best in collectibles, and in quantities not to be seen anywhere in the world. The dealers represent militaria eras from American Civil War to Vietnam. Various collecting tables include German edged weapons, Japapanese swords, WWI and WW2 memorabilia, Civil War Era, Vietnam, Korean, and much more. (Photo by Jane McDaniel)





The Collector Exibit Arena
    In addition to dealer tables, MAX offers a seperate collector exhibit arena. Each year, ollectors are invited to display their collections in this area. Each display is in competition for a coveted MAX Show trophy and/or cash award. There is not a more distinguished award in the hobby than a MAX Show trophy and the opportunity for recognition by one's peers for exceptional merit. We hope all attendees will take the time to visit the exhibit area, introduce themselves to the exhibitors and ask questions. Exhibit winners are announced on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Jane McDaniel)

Exibit Judging Point System
Exibitors	Dealers
Criteria I: Point Value: 55%. How the overall display appears -- how it visually attracts the onlooker and the amount of time and effort it has taken to put it together. The value or rarity of what is in display is not considered in this criterion. Criteria II: Point Value: 15%. Does the display have a theme? How well does the display address the theme? Criteria III: Point Value: 10%. Are the display items labeled or identified? Does the display explain/educate or help a viewing audience to become better acquainted with the items that are part of the respective category? Criteria IV: Point Value: 15% The condition, value, and rarity of the item(s) in the display. Criteria V: Point Value: 5% Does the display include the creator's individual name or company	Criteria I: Point Value: 70% How does the selection display merchandise overall -- can customers see what is available -- is there some order in the retail display? Specifically, how much time and effortwas put into the table(s) display? The reason behind this (yes, quality goods always sell), but it is also vital that customerssee what is available. How one exhibits the merchandise is important. Criteria II: Point Value: 20% What is the general condition of the merhandise overall? Criteria III: Point Value: 10% Originality. A concerted effort on behalf of the dealer not to display for sale (unless so stated) any reproductions, altered merchandise, or "newly minted" antique militaria.

The Charter and Life Member Award
This special award category has been awarded since 1989. The MAX Charter and Life Member Award can only be voted on by MAX Charter and Life Members in attendane at the show. This award is completely independent from other awards. It is a most distinctive and desirable trophy. The award winner is chosen from those having displays in our Exhibit Arena. Special ballots for this award can be picked up at the Courtesy Desk or directly from Flurchick. All ballots must be returned to the Courtesy Desk by 1PM on Saturday. We encourage all MAX Charter and Life Members in attendance to vote.

The MAX Seminar Program

    This year the seminar program has moved back to Friday evening. Each year, under the Chairmanship of Ron Weinand, MAX provides an outstanding program devoted to lectures on our favorite collectibles. The program begins at 8:00 PM and is free of charge. It is an opportunity to learn from others and meet experts in the hobby. if you would like to share your knowledge and expertise of a collectible field at a future MAX show, please contat us.

   Ron Weinand has been our MAX Show Seminar Chairman since the Show's inception in St. Louis some 15 years ago. Every year, Ron puts together an outstanding seminar program, a MAX event looked forward to by hundreds of attendees. Many of the most well-known names in the hobby have shared their expertise by giving lectures under Ron's able guidance.

    One of the key ingredients to the on-going success of the MAX Show has been the seminar program. From its inception, MAX has always offered free lectures to collectors eager to learn. These seminars draw huge crowds, ussually with standing room only. This is not surpising, as the list of past seminar speakers conveys the same impact of a "Who's Who" for the militaria hobby. MAX is very grateful to these past speakers, for not only have they entertained collectors, but they have unmeasureably aided in the constant search for education in a sometimes obscure and often expensive hobby. The caliber and reputation of each and every expert says it all. 

Below is a list of past MAX Show seminar speakers:
Christopher Ailsby Kenneth D. Alford Kim Alstott LTC(ret.) John R. Angolia LTC(ret.) James Atwood Rudy D'Angelo Greg Baker Phillip Baker Art Beltrone Thomas Capparelli John Casino Robert Coleman, Jr. Patrick A. (Tony) Cowan Gailen David Urban "Ben" Drew Lyn Gamelson M.D.	Craig Gottlieb Scott Freeland Hans Goebeler Albert "Skipper" Greenwade Martin "Bud" Hasher Robert Heiduk LTC (Ret.) Kelly Hicks David Irving Robert Johns LTC(ret.) Thomas M. Johnson Richard Kimmel James King Stephen J. Lautens Robert McCarthy LTC(ret.) George Massey Dr. Julian Milestone	COL Robert Knight Morgan Robert Moses LTC(ret.) Fred Olivi Joseph Pankowski John P. Pearson Anthony W. Perry Tee J. Reeves Thomas L. Shutt William (Randy) Trawnik Jack Ulrich Gary Walker Jack Ward Ronald Weinand Prof. Dr. Zdzislaw Wesolowski Thomas T. Wittmann William A. Young, Jr.

This year's MAX Show Seminar will be given by Mark Bando and will consist of a slide show, illustrating rare and original WII US Airborne jump wing ovals, pocket patches, cap insignia and regimental and battalion level distinctives. Mark has been collecting US WWII Airborne items since 1970, well before most other collectors, and as such, has become quite an expert in this field. He is the author of six books, five on the 101st and one on the US 2nd Armored Division. You won't want to miss his informative seminar!

This year's seminar program also features Chad Williams who will discuss the different youth organization buckles and their construction and variations. Chad is the product of a Marine Corps family from Newport Beach, California. After high school, he attended Orange Coast College and is currently attending Saddleback College where he is majoring in photography. He resides in Los Angeles, California, with the love of this life and his newborn son. He works as a commercial construction superintendent. With a military family background, Chad has a natural interest in Militaria and has limited his interests in the area of Third Reich era belt buckles. His main interest is focused on the area of Third Reich Youth Organizations. A member of many of the web-based Militaria Associations, Chad is developing a reference book on youth buckles and has been a long time supporter of the MAX Show. A must-see presentation.

The MAX Show is proud to present "An Audience with Frederick J. Stephens" - a unique experience. The purpose of Fred Stephens' seminar is purely to allow collectors an opportunity to ask him questions about his past collecting activities, original finds, early fakes, modern fakes and general comments on a one-to-one-basis. There is a time limit on this seminar of 30 mins to 1 hour.

The MAX Show Wants Board

   By using the "Wants Board", both customers and dealers gain a valuable tool in relating to each other. Now MAX dealers are able to personalize their merhandise for prospective customer's needs, and customers are able to indicate the items they seek at the show. Major L. G. Lloyd's "Wants Board" provides all MAX Show attendees with the perfect trade show networking device.