[CQ-Contest] 2005 Dayton Forum Wrap Up

[Joe Subich, K4IK]

N1UR writes:

> To continue on what Bob, N5NJ, was saying...the idea is for 
> the vendors to follow where the customers are, guys, not for 
> the vendors to tell the customers to come back to where they are.  

Every trade show and major convention that I know of that has 
a "forum" schedule has a constant battle between forum schedules 
and the exhibitors.  The exhibitors are there for the maximum 
possible traffic past their "booth."  Exhibitors want minimum 
competition and want all the attendees "in the hall."  When 
that does not happen, the exhibitors stop coming and the shows 
fold.  This happened with two major broadcast industry shows 
in the past five years ... the sponsors and affiliated 
organizations scheduled more and more events both on site and 
off site that conflicted with the exhibit hours.  Traffic to 
the exhibits dwindled, the exhibitors refused to pay the cost 
of supporting the event and the events died.    

Moving some of the most popular forums off-site is the 
beginning of the end for Hamvention. 

73, 

   ... Joe, K4IK 
 
PS. I am not criticizing Doug and Tim in the least, they have 
    done an excellent job with the hand they had.  I am 
    strongly criticizing the Hamvention Committee (DARA) for 
    allowing the situation to reach this point.