Kelly,
That was true 30+ years ago, but the American population has shifted
south and west. Look here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrinking_cities_in_the_United_States
Most midwest US cities have lost 40-60% of their population.
NN3W's point about unions in Vegas is well-taken (I lived near Phila for
many years, and it was the same union problem there that almost
bankrupted their convention center), but there are probably better
places to hold Hamvention. IMO, DARA should have executed their
"contingency plan" 20 years ago before HARA became the sesspool that it did.
While I had planned to attend Hamvention 2017 (I usually attend every 2
years or so), I'll be sitting this one out.
Barry W2UP
On 7/30/2016 10:37, Kelly Taylor wrote:
Dayton succeeded because it was in the heart of the heaviest concentration of
hams in North America. Is that still the case?
If so, then a move to Vegas may well kill it.
The vast majority of hams who attend don't fly first class and stay at the
Crowne Plaza and likely couldn't afford air fare and hotels in Vegas, which is
no longer the
sell-rooms-and-food-and-drinks-at-cost-and-make-it-back-in-the-casino
destination it once was. It can be damn expensive. Some casinos no longer even
comp players with watered-down drinks.
DARA says they're close to signing for a new location near Trotwood anyway, so
it seems the discussion is moot.
73, kelly, ve4xt
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 30, 2016, at 11:17 AM, Tom Haavisto <kamham69@gmail.com> wrote:
To me, it boils down to one thing: organization.
DARA has been doing this forever and a day. At this point, it is a well
oiled machine. Pull the binder off the shelf - all your date benchmarks
are already in place, and on down the line.
It takes a HUGE amount a work on the part of the organizers - expertese not
easily moved to another city - even within Ohio.
Could Vegas host a major hamvention? Sure But that raises the question -
why have they not already done so.
In my mind, if/when Dayton ever ceases to exist, I see another (already
existing) hamvention taking its place - just grow the infrastructure to
take up the extra demand. To start from scratch would take several years
to grow to handle such an event.
Last, but not least - it is US - the hams who actually GO to Dayton who
make it what it is. If there were a mass move to "go somewhere else" (no -
I don't see this happening) - then it would move. Me - I go for the
friendship, and the host city is secondary (in my mind).
Just my two cents worth...
Tom - VE3CX
On Sat, Jul 30, 2016 at 9:58 AM, Barry <w2up@comcast.net> wrote:
Why not?
BTW, the quote is from from Ron Cramer, the General Manager of Hamvention,
as quoted in this article:
http://www.whio.com/news/business/hamvention-to-find-new-home-after-hara-arena-annou/nr7C2/
To me, Vegas has several advantages:
1. Accessible via cheap, non-stop flights from almost anywhere.
2. Better, more predictable weather. No rain.
3. Infinite hotel space.
4. Plenty of alternate activities for both hams and spouses.
With no disrespect to those who live in the Dayton area, it is a
depressing, run-down, small city. There are plenty of better options,
including Vegas.
Barry W2UP
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