For a hamfest/convention to reach the attendance of Dayton it has to be
within a reasonable driving distance for major population centers. Most
attendees are not hard core like people joining this group who probably
come down Thursday or even Wednesday to attend extra events like Contest
U, FDIM, etc. Most come down just for Saturday. The load up their car
drive a few hours and split gas costs. Those people are not going to buy
a plane ticket. Even most of the hard core contesters coming for
several days car pool to Dayton.
The flea market is a big thing for a lot of attendees. Only a few of
the flea market dealers could afford to haul their wares to a NV flea
market. Certainly the guy wanting to unload a boat anchor or two can’t
put it on the plane. Buyers are only going to buy stuff they can fit in
their luggage.
Then there are the inside vendors. A lot of those businesses are small
operations. They are not going to be able to afford Las Vegas convention
rates along with the unions charging to haul the boxes in, plug in power
cords, etc. As it is, every year there seem to be fewer inside dealers.
If the ARRL had not started taking up half of one of the halls there
would be even more empty space. This is even with DARA offering smaller
exhibit spaces at lower prices than when I last exhibited inside a
number of years ago.
No doubt HARA got to be a real dump. But, the reality is I come down
socialize with others I only see in person once a year, to see what new
products are being introduced, catch a seminar or two and maybe buy or
sell a few items in the flea market. I go every year unless I have some
other event I can’t get out of. Never once have I considered skipping it
because of HARA’s poor condition.
If it were moved to Las Vegas I probably would make it once every 5
years or so. I hope DARA gets the new site finalized and has a great
Hamvention in 2017. I plan to attend.
Gary, W9XT
www.w9xt.com
On 7/30/2016 1:58 PM, Barry 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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