I was at the 1st Annual Arizona Science & Astronomy Expo, 10-11 November 2012. However, I was not able to make any of the scheduled speaker sessions or visit any of the exhibits that were on display. As it turned out, I continuously worked two booths on the exhibitors floor during the Expo: Oceanside Photo & Telescope and SkyShed POD. I submit my exhibitor badges as proof that I worked two booths:

The following photos are what I was able to capture of the Expo.

Friday, 9 November, was the set up day. All the exhibitors were there setting up their displays and equipment. This is Phil (right, POD dealer), George (middle, owner of the POD we were showing), me (left), and the still boxed SkyShed POD XL5:

And this is our booth with the POD now set up:

This is our banner upclose. Check out the POD photo on the top row, 3rd from the left. That's my POD photo, as seen on my Cassiopeia Observatory web site! (Thanks Wayne for including mine!)

After we finished setting up the POD, I helped set up the OPT booth:

I then took a quick tour around the booths. Many vendors were still setting up their displays, but I knew this might be my only chance to see who was there.

Saturday morning before the Expo opened, I had a nice breakfast table discussion with Astronaut Don Pettit, who would be speaking later that day at the Expo. During our discussions (and yes, there were other people at the table), I mentioned my A-7D jet fighter and T-38 flying and space shuttle work while I was in the Air Force. That seemed to get him very interested in me. Then someone mentioned that I have a SkyShed POD observatory. He is thinking of getting one. And then someone at the table mentioned that I run the ETX web site. Don said he goes to the Site! Made my day!!!

After the Expo opened, Don Pettit came by the SkyShed POD booth. He's the guy in the blue cap:

I asked someone to take a photo of Don and I together. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out too well. But Don's time was limited so we couldn't take the time to pose a shot. But this is me explaining POD details to Don:

I received these photos of me at the POD:

I was able to take a brief moment away from the OPT and SkyShed POD booths and quickly tour the floor. Took some more photos:

Then it was time to get back to work. This is me at the OPT booth:

On Sunday I managed to get some photos of the OPT raffle drawings:

After the Expo closed Sunday evening, I helped pack up some of the OPT displays as well as the SkyShed POD. We loaded the POD on the new owner's trailer:

I had a super time at the Expo. Thanks to many ETX site and Cassiopeia Observatory site visitors who stopped by to introduce themselves and to say how much they appreciated my web sites. Here's a photo of one of those visitors:

A special thanks to Craig (OPT) and Wayne (SkyShed) for allowing me to represent their companies and their customers. It was an honor and a pleasure to work the OPT and SkyShed POD booths.

See you next year at the 2nd Annual Arizona Science & Astronomy Expo!!!

Go to the ETX Home Page.

Go to the Cassiopeia Observatory web site.