I suggested at the Saturday morning Eastern Division meeting that the show be three days:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday for members and member halls.
Saturday and Sunday for dealer halls and the public.
After being cut-off from speaking because of time on Saturday morning I was stirred up and asked eight Orange Hall dealers that I know about my proposed schedule. Seven out of eight agreed. One said keep it the same.
Any TCA event that is oriented towards TCA-only attendance is on a downward spiral. The Eastern Division Board reported that the York meet has usually attracted 40-45% of the entire TCA membership for decades. Even the same for this April's show. One can surmise from that fact that TCA national membership is on a steady decline. TCA York for decades was known as a members-only event. Even though the dealer halls have been "open to the public" for five years or so, in general the public either does not know it or chooses to look down on the show as a "members only" event.
Last week's show was one of the best dealer display shows that I have seen at TCA York. Understand that I have been exhibiting in the Orange Hall only since 2016. There should be no reason why one of the best assemblies of toy trains in one location is not filled on Saturday and half of Sunday twice a year. Families interested in toy trains can't come on Thursday and Friday. People interested in toy trains and have heard that Saturday is a mail-in day will not come. The TCA can not recruit new members if potential new members don't come to see what it is all about.
So does the Eastern Division membership and their brethren support the opportunity for dealer to sell their wares, or does the rental income from dealers help support such a large show? Here are some facts: if the dealers don't make money, they will leave early or not come at all. If the dealers don't come, how will TCA members get such an opportunity to see so much in one location and chat with some who actually produces or sells the product? If the TCA does not attract new members, there will not be a next generation to fulfill the C of TCA. The current young generation does not support the idea of membership, in general, to anything, but there is no way you are going to attract new members if those potentially interested don't even get in the door to get educated about the topic, in this case- toy trains.
