Anything better than Visalia?

Interesting. If it isn't worth driving from San Diego, it sure the heck isn't worth driving down from Washington. Too bad.
GWE

The NAMES (North American Model Engineering Society) show is pretty good. It's in late April and this year will be in Toledo, OH. The previous 10+ shows were held in Detroit, but they weren't able to obtain suitable arrangements for Detroit next year. Due to the location change, next year might be better or worse. I'd guess that there are usually 50-100 vendors and at least a couple hundred exhibitors. Mostly IC and steam engines although there are a few model guns if that's your thing. There's also a series of training sessions on both days.
Cabin Fever is put on in February (York, PA?) and Iron Fever in August and Cabin Fever is better than NAMES, according to a couple of friends who have attended both. I think that the Fever shows are put on by the same folks that did Visalia, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
England has several model engineering shows if you don't mind a lot of travel and I've heard that these usually last closer to a week.
Mike

Check out
They have a yearly show in IL that is supposed to be fairly decent.
Mike

I have been to both NAMES and CF and I think they are both good shows. LIke the man said, NAMES is a somewhat unknown because of the new location for the April 2006 show.
chuck