ARRL EXPO Coordinator Katie Breen, W1KRB, relays that plans for the ARRL EXPO at this year's Dayton Hamvention® are coming together nicely: "Our current focus is on the new look and feel of our space. In past Hamventions, Forum Room 5 was located adjacent to the ARRL space. It is now moving to the Silver Arena, giving us more room and the opportunity to spread out a bit and do more creative things inside the EXPO."

Breen said that the ARRL EXPO team is looking at expanding the Field Services area to accommodate more programs and activities, including a larger meet-and-greet area for members to visit with ARRL President Harrison, W5ZN, as well as the many other league officials and staff that will be on hand to answer any questions.

"The Field Services area will boast a large interactive display devoted to Logbook of the World for real time demonstrations, as well as a question-and-answer session with ARRL Web and Software Development Manager and LoTW developer Jon Bloom, KE3Z," Breen added.

Personnel from the ARRL DXCC Branch will be on hand to check DX cards and applications for all ARRL awards and JARL awards. All cards, including old cards, cards from deleted countries and cards for 160 meters, will be eligible for checking. Applications will be limited to 120 cards; more cards will be checked as time and volunteer Card Checkers are available. See the DXCC Web site for the latest program information and current forms

The ARRL Bookstore and Membership area will continue to buzz with activity, particularly with all of the new publications and products being offered this year. QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, will be on hand to sign your new copy of ARRL's VHF Digital Handbook. QST Contributing Editor and author of the popular QST column "Hands-On Radio" H. Ward Silver, N0AX, will also be available to sign copies of his latest book, ARRL's Hands-On Radio Experiments. The new desktop and pocket-sized versions of the ARRL Repeater Directory are sure to be a hit with their new handy indexing tabs on the cover, easier-to-read listings and "Key to Repeater Notes" located right up front.

This is a good time to remind everyone to visit the Dayton Hamvention Web site and buy your tickets now for the discounted rate. Hotel rooms are filling up, so don't think twice -- if you've always wanted to attend Hamvention and have never had the chance, make this year your year to go. Hotels in the Dayton area can be found at the Dayton Montgomery County Convention and Visitor's Bureau Web site. Keep up-to-date with all the ARRL EXPO activities on the ARRL Web site.