[CQ-Contest] Dayton Hamvention Future?

[Richard F DiDonna NN3W]

On 11/15/2015 6:35 PM, Bob Burns W9BU wrote:
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf
>> Of Richard F DiDonna NN3W
>> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Dayton Hamvention Future?
>>
>> As long as DARA wants to make money, they will keep Hamvention in Dayton.
> Agreed. DARA owns the rights to the Hamvention name and they are free to do
> what they want with the event. Whether we attend or not is up to us.
>
>> You need tailgate space, vendor and exhibitor space and conference room
> space.
>
> This is where I disagree. Granted, the flea market is key to the legend and
> lore of Hamvention. But, I think amateur radio deserves to have a major
> convention and exposition in the U.S. where hams and non-hams alike can go
> to see new products and learn about new technologies in hobbiest
> radio/electronics. Note that I did not include "flea market" in that
> statement. Tattered boxes of old radio knobs or stacks of 30-year-old test
> gear does not strike me as new and exciting.
>
>> I've not gone to Hamvention in years but I expect a lot of slop when I go.
> And, to me, this is the sad part of Hamvention. How can amateur radio
> project itself in a positive light when the premier amateur radio gathering
> in the U.S. is characterized by "slop"?
>
> Bob...
>
>
I think part of the problem is the demographic of amateur radio.  As 
contesters and DXers, we have a somewhat skewed view of amateur radio as 
it takes a fair amount of $$$ to participate in both activities.  From 
my perspective, that means that you're going to find hams of "better 
means" (on average) and that often means folks who are or were 
successful in their careers and have had the experience of attending 
professional trade shows, conventions and symposiums.  I just spoke at a 
1,000 person symposium last week where the registration fee was about 
$200.00 a person.  Hugely successful event, attended by intelligent 
business people, who all had shared corporate interests.  The exhibitors 
were all very professional, well dressed, and well put together.

By contrast, a lot of "regular" hams can barely tie a tie on correctly 
or have proper hygiene.  And, a lot of them are -cheap-. They complain 
about enforcement of the spectrum, losing spectrum, yet won't contribute 
$39.00 to the only organizing entity in the United States that lobbies 
on the issue of spectrum.  Even setting aside ARRL politics, the 
cheapness factor of hams is readily apparent at flea markets, club 
meetings, and in fundraising drives. For example, they complain about 
the ticket price going up $2.00 or having to pay an extra $2.00 to park 
on a grassy field near Hara.

So, having a professionally run, professionally organized, and polished 
event often times requires the attendance of an audience that is willing 
to pay the money to attend that type of event.  You see that at 
Visalia.   You're not going to see that with the mass ham population at 
Dayton...

73 Rich NN3W