Kalmbach Media Announces Exclusive Multi-Media Partnership with Menards for First International Toy Train Expo

New Event to Feature 100+ Vendors and Exhibitors for Model and Toy Trains Hobbyists

WAUKESHA, WI/NEW YORK, N.Y., (June 30, 2018) – Kalmbach Media (Kalmbach), the content creator of such well-known and respected media brands as Model Railroader, Trains, Classic Toy Trains, Discover, and Astronomy, today announced that it has partnered with home-improvement retail chain Menards (Menards) as the exclusive media partner of the International Toy Train Expo (www.internationaltoytrainexpo.org). The event will be held on July 7 and 8 at The Chippewa Valley Expo Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Menards, the primary sponsor of the Expo, is headquartered in Eau Claire, and operates more than 300 stores in 14 states, selling a variety of home-improvement and household goods, as well as a growing selection of model train products and accessories. Other Expo sponsors include Eau Claire-based Model Train Classics LLC, Riverfest Group, and Union Pacific Railroad, based in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Expo will feature extensive model-railroad layouts, vintage toy trains, historic artifacts and collector trains presented by more than 100 vendors, exhibitors, railroad clubs and rail enthusiasts. “We think this is a great opportunity for people to add some more family entertainment into their summer calendar,” says Jeff Abbott, Menards Promotions Manager. “Kids of all ages will love all of the operating displays and vintage trains.”

Menards’ choice of Kalmbach as the exclusive media partner of the event creates the perfect partnership, says Dan Hickey, Kalmbach CEO. “Over the past few years, Menards has entered this hobby market with an impressive range of products. The Expo is a brilliant and exciting way to support this community of passionate hobby enthusiasts,” says Hickey. “When it comes to creating engagement for our content through experiential events, no one speaks to its passionate enthusiasts better than Kalmbach.”

As media partner, Kalmbach will promote the Expo in print and digital platforms across its multiple railroad-hobby brands, including Model Railroader, Trains, and Classic Toy Trains. Kalmbach editors, writers and videographers will also produce original print and digital content before and during the event. Altogether, Kalmbach boasts a digital reach of 35 million consumers on its 18 sites each month, and its magazines reach an audience of more than 1 million consumers.

The International Toy Train Expo is open on Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8, 2018 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day at the Chippewa Valley Expo Center, 5150 Old Mill Plaza, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Half-off advance tickets are now on sale at participating Menards home improvement stores or online at Menards.com/Trains.  Advance tickets are $2.50 (door price $5.00) with children ages 17 & under admitted free of charge.  Free rough camping (no utilities) is available next to the Chippewa Valley Expo Center July 5-8, 2018 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

About Kalmbach Media:

Kalmbach Media is a leading independent media company that provides ideas and inspiration to avid hobbyists, enthusiasts and citizen scientists through its multichannel brands including Astronomy, Discover, Bead&Button, FineScale Modeler, Garden Railways, Scale Auto, Classic Toy Trains, Model Railroader, Model Railroader Video Plus, Trains, Classic Trains, and American Snowmobiler.