@Andy Hummell Thank you for posting those stats. Those are definitely higher numbers than I thought.
I wonder the same thing, just how many of the so called "public" are ex-TCA members who want to go to the dealers halls without paying any dues? I can only guess but I bet it is a high percentage. When I mentioned the public in my previous post I meant the public only in the way they TCA allows it now. I would NEVER in a million years advocate for the public being allowed to enter the entire show. It would kill the TCA. I have read many people on this very forum who said they would drop their TCA membership in a heart beat if York was open to the public.
@Traindiesel "These days all hobbies are experiencing downward membership and attendance as prices and inflation increase." I agree with this statement but I don't think it is only based upon price. I am in a car club called The Slant Six Club. Dues are $1.33 per month ( paid $16 per year). Let's face it anyone should be able to put aside $1.33 a month if they feel a club has some worth to them. I have made many friends through being a club member and gained much help and information about these cars over the years. To me it is well worth the $16 a year.
We have about 35 members but have been losing some. We used to be about 60. The President of the Slant Six club in order to try to increase interest and dues paying members started a Facebook Page and in a short time he got something 2 thousand followers or Facebook members. For the last 3 years we have opened up our winter meeting to any of the Facebook members without any cost. They can attend in person or if they are far away they can attend via Zoom meeting. Guess how many of the 2K have attended our meetings? ZERO! Guess how many have become dues paying members? ZERO! Why? That's anyone's guess. It just seems to me that people today (not all but most) have no interest in joining a club or association. I think it is sad because they are missing out on great friendships and great information.
