Many thanks cwentzel, nice of you to say. The layout the IPMS staff did, was just incredible!
I love to build Armor, and Military Jets, and Subs, but most of my clients desire Sc-fi "Memorabillia" items. It's the "Thing" these days. I loved those SF old shows too, but have many interests.
But, yes, back to the main point you address, the same techniques employed in Sci-Fi builds can be used for all sorts of themes. Imagine a large scale Soviet Fighter with "Rotating Strobe" Wing and Fuselage lighting effects, and Fiber Optic detailed controls, flashing and blinking, in the Cockpit,.....Awesome!!
I've always wanted to build a big "Desert Fox" diorama with a columm of Staff Car, a couple of Armored Cars, Halftracks, and few juicy Panzers in there, with illumination details! Open Tank Hatches revealing lighted interiors.
The possibilities are , well, .....endless.......that's the beauty of modeling!