[CQ-Contest] “You can’t have a Dayton Hamvention in Las Vegas, Nevada,”

[Richard F DiDonna NN3W]

The problem is the expense and cost with running a trade show in Las 
Vegas.  Hams in general are notoriously cheap and the expenses of 
running a show would result in ticket pricing that would deter most hams.

I've been to a fair number of trade shows in Vegas - World of Concrete, 
CES, and others - and some convention type shows - ABA, etc.  Vegas is a 
union run town - especially the convention and hotel business.  And that 
means using union shop labor for everything inside a convention center.  
Want to run an extension cord?  Need to contact the IBEW steward for one 
of the on-site electricians to do it for you.  Want to move in your four 
crates of linear amplifiers into your booth.  Need to contact the 
Teamsters steward to arrange for a drayage team to move it for you.  
Want to have cookies and candy at your booth?  Need to contact the 
hospitality union steward to arrange for a cookie platter (at $1.25 a 
cookie).  On top of that are the convention hall fees.  Vegas is not 
hurting for trade shows, and they can command a premium.  Unless you 
want to go to a "Station" casino in Henderson...

The weather is nice and the hotels are plentiful, but if its too 
expensive to operate and attend, nobody is going to be able to do it.  
Besides, Hamvention is run by the -Dayton- Amateur Radio 
Association.....  Last time I checked, Dayton is a good 1000+ miles east 
of Las Vegas...

73 Rich NN3W



On 7/30/2016 9:58 AM, 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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