Editor's Note: This feature first appeared in The Birding Wire, one of the companion services of The Outdoor Wire Digital Network.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2233989.jpg> Attendees of the inaugural American Birding Expo could test the latest optics, on site.

An event that was embraced by those in the birding, travel and optics industry with great enthusiasm and anticipation, the inaugural American Birding Expo held Oct. 2-4 in Columbus, Ohio, is now history. And, despite less-than-ideal weather conditions for the mostly indoor and tent-based event during two of three days, the general consensus among exhibitors and attendees alike was favorable.

Make that VERY favorable.

Organized and hosted by Ohio-based Bird Watcher's Digest, the American Birding Association, and the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, the American Birding Expo had been in the planning stages for at least two years before it finally became a reality.

At least 1,100 pre-registered for the Expo, and while an accurate attendance and head count was not possible because of the show's logistics, it is likely that the numbers met and exceeded those who registered early.

Admission to the event was free.

Attendees could try out the latest binoculars, spotting scopes and other optics, while picking the brains of representatives from all the major manufacturers, many whom are birding enthusiasts and photographers themselves. And yes, products could be purchased on site – though most company representatives admitted they were content with tire-kicking and lots of product-related questions and answers.

Organizers acknowledge the expo was modeled to a great degree after a hugely popular English festival called Birdfair, commonly called the birdwatchers' Glastonbury, a reference to the annual British music festival. With more than 300 exhibitors, ten of thousands attended the 27th annual Birdwatching Fair held at Rutland Water in August, while raising nearly $4 millions for bird conservation efforts.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2233991.jpg> Major company reps and experts were on hand to answer questions. Photos: J.R.Absher

It's not that there aren't annual events in the U.S. where birding enthusiasts gather and can meet with optics reps and birding tour agents, but all are associated with bird festivals where there are other activities taking place – namely birding.

"At the festivals, people are there to go birding, first and foremost," explained Clay Taylor, Naturalist Markets Manager for Swarovski Optik and an accomplished photographer and digiscoping expert. Taylor said he was very pleased with the Columbus event, and optimistic it could grow significantly larger and perhaps take place in different cities in the future.

First its first year, the American Birding Expo featured more than 80 vendors from nearly 30 countries and as many states. In addition to optics companies, book vendors and artists, exhibitors represented many of the world's top birding destinations, including New Zealand, Argentina, Honduras, Panama, Guatemala, Chile, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, and dozens more.

"There's never been a commercial North American show of this size devoted exclusively to birders and nature lovers," said Bird Watcher's Digest editor Bill Thompson, III, who headed the Expo organizing team. "We feel that this is a wonderful opportunity for consumers to interact directly with the companies, organizations, and destinations that really want their business. It's also an excellent opportunity for the birding business community to market directly, face-to-face with nature-oriented consumers."

No one, including Thompson and Taylor, expects the American Birding Expo to overtake Britain's Birdfair with attendance numbers any time soon. But most agree it is high time an activity as widespread and popular and bird watching — and consumer driven — should have its own major annual show.

And here at The Birding Wire, we couldn't agree more.


- J.R. Absher