Sparky-

Regarding the table decorations, I think that's something that Melissa Law (Australia) told us about.  Tim Dickey sent a large crate of team stuff ahead of the models as a test case.  It had chairs, umbrellas, whiskey (more on that later), and the table decor, amongst other stuff.  It really helped create a cohesive team look to our area and just looked nice.  I think the Germans did it the best with the outdoor carpet and skirting but it's easier to bring stuff when you drive there.

Regarding shipping, that's a neat story about hand carrying your racer on the plane.  I wish I could have done that too.  I've shipped model crates before (as well as full size plane parts) via a variety of methods and I've never had one treated as badly as this one.  I got it back yesterday with no less than 4 fork holes in it, also it looks like the extra money we paid for No Stack was entirely wasted.

They got close to the plane but didn't touch it

At least they didn't drop it off the back of the truck this time, although they did lose it.  I put an Air Tag in the crate so I could track it, I've had issues with Fedex before.  Their official tracking still shows it in Memphis awaiting customs clearance, while in reality it's already unpacked in my shop.  

I definitely remove the engine for shipment.  As you said, it's a large mass hanging out there at the end of the plane.  I bolted mine to one of the walls of the crate.  

I also leave some room between the crate walls and the plane, I shoot for a minimum of 2".  I think that comes from UPS's damage claim policy.  That saved me from having fork holes in my plane this time.  Jack Buckley lines his walls with a ~3/4" cardboard honeycomb stuff that saved his from getting a fork hole in the wing.

Here's a shot from Sunday with all the shipped airplanes awaiting pickup.  The 2 white ones in the foreground are Australian, the 2 professional looking black ones behind that are British, the rest are US.  The Aussie cases have angled tops, presumably to force Top Loading, not a bad idea.  It did seem that the US crates got rougher handling than the others.

Ben's awesome Agcat

Yes, that is my wife Kathy.  She is the best caller - I could not do it without her.  Another USA C/L team member is also using her to call. 

There is a further collection of wonderful pictures here;

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1422752305332255&se t=pcb.1422752678665551

Danny,

Those photos you've been sharing are awesome, thank you!