Historically, Pittsburgh was known by its nickname the “Steel City," but it has come a long way from its manufacturing past. An extensive urban renewal program has turned abandoned industrial sites into new shopping, housing and office complexes.

Today it designates itself Pop City, and with the invention of the Big Mac and the Ferris Wheel lays claim to the birthplace of Pop Culture. It is where the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers forms the Ohio River in an area known as the Golden Triangle. Pittsburgh is a city made up of distinct neighborhoods each retaining its individual personality and cultural identity. In this diverse city we will gather May 17th through May 21st for the 2012 ISASC Convention.

The Sheraton Station Square Hotel will be convention headquarters. It is Pittsburgh’s only riverfront hotel and is conveniently located downtown adjacent to shops, restaurants and nightlife. Transportation to other locations around the city is easily accessible from the hotel.

We sail into the convention Thursday night with a river cruise aboard the Gateway Clipper. Capture the personality of this great city watching the sunset over the spectacular Pittsburgh skyline as we navigate the three rivers while enjoying dinner on board. It is an opportune time for getting reacquainted and meeting first-time convention goers.

If you are one of those jaded collectors who thinks there is no scale out there that you haven’t seen, come to Pittsburgh. It can be almost guaranteed that with four collections to see, there will be that ONE that has eluded you for your entire collecting career. No two of these collections are alike. We start off Friday morning celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the ISASC Collection. This is your collection! You will get the chance to see how far it has come in just ten short years. The Collection Development Committee has been hard at work moving into the new display area, and they are eager to show it off. We will spend the rest of the day viewing the collection of Les Firth. Two down and two to go!

The informal Friday night get-together officially opens the convention with a warm welcome to all. It is a refuge where no one tires of scale talk. Saturday morning will feature programs designed to increase your knowledge and interest in scales. The afternoon presents an unparalleled opportunity to find that long sought-after scale with the Silent Auction and Let’s Make a Deal. The crowning event for the weekend will be the Saturday night gala reception and banquet.

Sunday morning the program continues with the traditional Show and Tell where members share their favorites with fellow collectors. The business meeting follows before concluding the official convention with the farewell luncheon. Sunday afternoon is usually free for exploring, but this time it is for exploring the Mary Anne Murphy Collection.

Wait, don’t leave! There is still one more to go. On Monday we will head out into the wilds of Pennsylvania to see the fifth and final collection. This is definitely an event not to be missed. Larry Press was born to the destiny of a collector. Sometime back in the late Eighties he happened upon a scale and that was the beginning of his obsession. Over the years he has amassed a huge number of scales of which he freely admits he has lost track of the total. Seeing this enormous collection will put the finishing touch on an incredible scale-filled weekend.

Every time scalies meet it reinforces the steel that holds us together. It allows us to embrace this unique hobby in an environment where we can freely discuss our interests with others. If you have not taken advantage of this opportunity, we hope you will come and experience this for yourself.

Your Hosts Les and Elaine Firth and Mary Anne Murphy are excited about showing off Pittsburgh and the rural countryside in addition to the ISASC Collection. They, along with Convention Committee members Kurt and Ann Beyreis, Larry Press and Bryan Negrini, have been hard at work ensuring a terrific weekend for all.

President Bob Jibben, along with all the board members, encourages everyone to join them. So “steel” yourself to head for Pittsburgh and join the fun. See ya there!

 

Photos courtesy of VISIT PITTSBURGH