Have been at FDIC since Wed at noon. Yesterday's crowds, by most everyone's agreement, were down from last year. Today, there was definately a pickup in attendance. Shud be interesting to see how many folks show up tomorrow (Saturday). One big problem is the loss of the RCA Dome. Folks now have to walk several blocks / or take shuttle bus to the "Oil Dome" AKA Lucas Oil Stadium. The hotel shuttles only run to the main FDIC site, not to the Lucas Stadium. The stadium is very impressive & huge. Pierce unveilled a new 100' aluminum platform. Rosenbauer had a Mercedes Atego TLF (pumper) from Europe that got a lot of positive comments. Rosenbauer also had the number 2 T-Rex/Spartan on display inside. Their newest Metz demo ladder is mounted on a Spartan chassis. They also had a Metz aerial on a tandem axle FL for New Berlin, WI inside at the FL display. Braun had their new Patriot / Spartan Furion ambulance with a Hale pump / CAFS system / 250 gallon of water & 10 gals of foam. ALF's display area had shruk down to 2 engines & one quint, all customer vehicles. During the show it was announced that they wud pull out of Ephrata & Hamburg, so I am sure that announcement won't help out business.

Location: INDY @ FDIC

I, too, was at FDIC but to me it sure didn't look like the crowds were down. Yesterday (Friday) was a good day, lots of people there.

The Lucas Oil Stadium is not all that far of a walk. I disagree that it's "several blocks" away, maybe 2 at the most, and 2 short blocks at that. The shuttle buses did help, mainly because it was a pain to walk there because of all the construction going on for the new addition to the convention center where the RCA Dome had been.

To get to Lucas Oil Stadium you had to cross the street on the side of the convention center (and be on the oposite side of the stadium), then cross the street again to get to the stadium, so it was a little inconvenient, but I'm sure next year will be better concerning that.

Location: St. Charles County, MO

Just returned from FDIC yesterday (4-30) via several stops. I agree with Jeff regarding attendance. On saturday they announced a registration of 27,000+, but did not say it was a record. All the exhibitors I spoke with couldn't figure where all the 27K folks were, we sure did not see them at our area in the old building. Friday foot traffic wasn't bad, but thursday & saturday were the worst I've seen. I understand that in 2011 when the exhibit hall is completed between the original halls & the "Oil Dome" that a lot of the apparatus in the dome may move next door to the new exhibit hall which will have a much higher ceiling than the current hall. There will also be a tunnel constructed between the new hall & the Lucas stadium building. Shud make travel between all 3 much easier. Other than the diecast @ Pierce & Seagrave, didn't see any others.

Location: Peachtree City JawJaw