Hamvention canceled

[Lscott]

Hamvention 2020 is officially canceled.

 

Also the Toledo Ohio swap for Sunday 15, 2020 was also canceled. Both for the same reason, Covid-19. I suspect other swaps around the country will be canceled as well sooner or later. For people looking to pick up radio’s, radio related items at the swaps this could be a poor year.

[marcspaz]

I read about that last night. The doom an gloom is getting pretty disappointing. Cancelling events 2 and 3 months out means the masses aren't too optimistic about the current health scare.

[n4gix]

I am not the least bit surprised that DARA has cancelled the 2020 Hamvention. Consider that last year attendance was officially 32k+, and that over half of those came from outside the United States...

 

Japan, Taiwan, S Korea, and other countries in the Far East, S America, Africa, Israel, England, and - well - every country in Europe were represented!

 

It is entirely possible that the travel ban will not be lifted by then, which would result in well over half the vendors to be no-shows, and even the attendance of US citizens would be diminished. All things considered, DARA would take a bath and not even come close to breaking even, much less making any profit.

 

On a personal note, I had made advanced reservations at a motel in Xenia, OH just a quick drive from the Greene County Fairgrounds. Unfortunately the reservations are not refundable, so I'm out $527 and change. While that sucks for me, at least my loss may help the motel's owners to remain viable for next year!

 

I completed my restocking of frozen food and canned goods a few days ago, so I'm well prepared to hunker down in my home for the next few months at least.

 

Be smart and be safe my friends!

[berkinet]

I read about that last night. The doom an gloom is getting pretty disappointing. Cancelling events 2 and 3 months out means the masses aren't too optimistic about the current health scare.

 

It is not the masses' opinion that you need to worry about. It is the opinion of the public health officials that IS something to worry about. Also, I'd say, based on the rest of the world's experience so far, that while scary, this is far more than a "scare."   What does frighten me about the masses is the actions of those who seem to treat this whole thing as something akin to a bad cold and that won't affect them.  I'd say such cavalier attitudes are pretty frightening especially considering the demographics of many users on this forum.

[marcspaz]

I've spent decades in emergency services. If I worry, then you should worry. Right now, I'm more concerned about the idiots that are causing chaos and panic by over-buying food, water and TP.

[Lscott]

Canceling the Hamvention was either going to be voluntary or, I suspect, the governor of Ohio would have ordered it canceled.

 

One question I posed to some Ham friends is now that the event is canceled will vendors that planed originally to be there now offer discounts on line, the same ones they would have offered at Hamvention for a limited time?

 

Many of the general equipment vendors do a lot of business during the 2 1/2 day event. Offering the show discounts on line would help increase their business for a bit.

[marcspaz]

That's a really good question. But do they actually discount stuff at the show?

 

I used to go to gun shows all the time, but found the prices were the same or higher than walking into a local brick and mortar store. So, I gave up on those types of events.

[Lscott]

Some items they do. I have actually contacted vendors in the past if they are going to offer a discount on an item I wanted. It might not be much, around 5 percent, but on a $500 radio for example it adds up. Plus you may save the shipping costs too.

[RCM]

That's a really good question. But do they actually discount stuff at the show?

 

I used to go to gun shows all the time, but found the prices were the same or higher than walking into a local brick and mortar store. So, I gave up on those types of events.

Yes, they do. But it is the manufacturers who actually sponsor the discounts. Not the sellers.