> The issue about "trade room" hours
> has been around for years with plenty
> of passion on both sides.
> Jim Kindraka
Jim is certainly right about the passion. One fellow in Duluth explained the
issue as a split between the AF-oriented dealers and the modeling-oriented
folks selling stuff "on the side". As his explanation went, the
modeling-oriented folks prefer to shut the dealer hall down temporarily so that
they can go on the various tours and other events with family and friends. The
AF sellers want to maximize sales and prefer to have the longest possible open
hours and have little interest in anything else. Thus the conflict.
Speaking for myself only, I agree 100% with Jim that whether tables are open
for a 36 hours (3 12-hour days) or 24 hours or 12 hours, I suspect that most of
us will find a way to make the rounds of stuff for sale and make a prompt
decision. That certainly would not have been hard to do in Duluth or most
other NASG conventions.
Another way of looking at this is for the local host group to decide whether
they are putting on a convention or a swap meet. If it is a swap meet, then go
all out for maximum sales and ignore everything else. If selling swap meet
tables is the prime objective, then perhaps longer selling hours is needed to
keep the sellers happy. If the event is considered a convention, then other
events such as tours, clinics, etc. should have an equal standing with selling.
Interestingly, the narrow gauge convention and the Sn3 Symposium usually have
the tours in the daylight hours and the selling time mostly in the evening when
it is dark outside. Thus the vendors can go on tours and do other things with
family and friends. Nobody seems to complain about that arrangement as far as
I know. Most of them actually like it.
Jim is right with his observation there is no easy answer. In "S"acto, the
NASG swap meet will be 12 hours long -- one full day. There will be no
competing S-oriented events during that time, but all the NMRA activities will
be in full swing. At Duluth, one S firm told me that one full day was not
enough and he would not be coming to "S"acto. I was disappointed, but that's
the way it is....
See you in "S"acto...Ed L.
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