Will ED Offer 1st Time Public Attendees the Option of Guest Admission to Allow Entry to all Halls?

I would bet a large sum that this will be the case but you could find out for sure by emailing one of the club officers, in particular the registrar. Otherwise you will just get a lot of uninformed opinions like mine.

Pete

I have read that you will have the option to join the TCA without the referral to go into the member halls. If non TCA members are allowed into the member halls, the tax man will come knocking! There was a article about this a few issues ago in CTT.

Jim, for the past few years, folks that have never been a TCA member could go to the registration desk and sign up as a guest. The members at the registration desk would act as their sponsor. This only works for first timers, not members who belonged to the TCA at one time and then dropped out. It was briefly mentioned at the business meeting last year this would continue but I haven't read anything official yet.

Pete

I see this getting very confusing. I'm already confused.  

As I've said before, either you open the dealer halls to the public for all three days or not at all.  A limitation on days of public entry to the two halls is not only confusing but can cut down the public gate revenue by 33%. This is lost money that the ED disparately needs to keep the meet solvent, functional and relevant.  Fact- the demographics of those that buy the trains is rapidly changing.  As a result, the meet cannot survive ( as we know it) if its dependency is on members only.  I suggest the rule change, as a successful business person striving for a policy that will ultimately produce a result necessary to keep the meet in place for years to come. If anyone disagrees with this assessment that's fine. Keep the meet members only but at the same time present your ideas for boosting a stagnant York attendance. Perhaps lifting the one time guest rule..... maybe????

Chances of the general public arriving before Saturday are 'slim to none' based on polls conducted on SurveyMoney.

Dennis LaGrua posted:

Perhaps lifting the one time guest rule..... maybe????

Isn't this the same as not having to be a member? 

NYC Z-MAN posted:

I have read that you will have the option to join the TCA without the referral to go into the member halls. If non TCA members are allowed into the member halls, the tax man will come knocking! There was a article about this a few issues ago in CTT.

In the latest Headquarters News the TCA President states "The general public will not be allowed into any of the other [other than the Orange, Purple, and Black] Halls unless they join the TCA first." So no worries about the tax man. (Yes, I know the meet is run by the ED) "Arrangements have been made to instantly sign up tentative members in the Orange and Silver Halls." So those folks would then be able to visit the member halls. 

He also states that they have balanced their budget and that last year was largest amount of money collected from dues in the history of the TCA. It was nice to read some good news about the TCA for a change. 

 Keep the meet members only but at the same time present your ideas for boosting a stagnant York attendance. Perhaps lifting the one time guest rule..... maybe????

When compared to any of the meets/shows I attend. admission and member table fees are way below market. The Eastern Division could raise prices. Since these prices are low, I am guessing that dealer table prices are below market too

eddie g posted:

I see this getting very confusing. I'm already confused.  

I'll send you a booklet "Why Re-Arrange Deck Chairs On The Titantic".

Opening all 3 days to the public IMO would be a mistake.  Perks of being a member to any organization is things unique to membership such as a "members only" day.  It's really not that difficult to advertise the 2 public days.  This really isn't that difficult. Most people here will tell you Thursday is hard day to attend anyways because people work.

It's amazing that so many people are over thinking this.

Just my opinion, but it would not be a stretch to say it now makes sense to eliminate the signing up of someone as a guest at the desk.  Now that there is a way to attend as public without joining, it is unnecessary.  (edit: To clarify, I know the difference of dealer halls only for public vs. all halls for guests.  My point is that either is the "taste" of York to get someone interested, and hopefully have them consider membership.)

It makes perfect sense to leave it available as an option for people who are actually friends of members for a one time guest admission, as has always been possible.

I realize the organization and meet have evolved since then, but back when I walked up to the registration desk in the Blue Hall (before it moved to Silver) not fully informed for the first time, I was unaware of the  signatures required for membership.  I mentioned to the registration folks the name of my hobby dealer (whom I had known since I was a kid) and the solution was to have a guard escort me to his table and have he and another member of his staff who knew me sign my application so I could then return to the registration desk and join.  (edit: I am well aware the two signature rule is no longer in effect, I am not trying to suggest it should return.  While we are at it, the initiation fee that used to exist has also been waived for quite a while now.)

I happily joined, and I was (as most are) in awe of what I was able to see on that single Saturday.  I've been back in some capacity every meet since.

(I am not claiming we should go back in time, so no need to bring up the "it must evolve or disappear" replies).

I'd have to agree the public's level of attendance on a Thursday would likely be minimal.  Even for people who do have flexibility in their ability to take a few vacation days, many can't justify doing that instead of using their days for actual family vacations/events/commitments.

-Dave

Just my opinion, but it would not be a stretch to say it now makes sense to eliminate the signing up of someone as a guest at the desk.  Now that there is a way to attend as public without joining, it is unnecessary.

Signing up as a guest allows a person to visit all the halls. Only the dealer halls are open to the public.

Dave45681 posted:

Just my opinion, but it would not be a stretch to say it now makes sense to eliminate the signing up of someone as a guest at the desk.  Now that there is a way to attend as public without joining, it is unnecessary.

 

Dave

Dave, This has been the policy for at least the past two years (4 shows +). The ED with the blessing of the National, has acted as a sponsor for those who never been to York. The two signature rule has been dropped. It would still be an big advantage for those who have not yet attended to go this route and be able to walk into any hall vs just two halls for not much more cost for all three days. The OP wanted to know if they plan to keep this option open. Since ED officers rarely if ever post here the best way to find out is to contact them directly. Contact info is available on the EDTCA web page.

Pete

CW, Pete,

Aware of your valid points.  Edited my post to clarify. 

Agree that only the ED knows.  That's why I chose my first 3 words of my original post.

-Dave

MartyE posted:

... It's amazing that so many people are over thinking this.

Marty, it's the OGR Forum!!!  

We're how many posts into this topic, and still no firm answer to the OP's question.    Seems about right.

David

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

MartyE posted:

... It's amazing that so many people are over thinking this.

Marty, it's the OGR Forum!!!  

We're how many posts into this topic, and still no firm answer to the OP's question.    Seems about right.

David

Actually out of all the posts including mine, (Pete) Norton has the best answer.  Contact the EDTCA.

My personal opinion: The whole thing is a BIG can of worms and it will be an administrative nightmare.

I think Allan sums it up in one concise sentence.

Norton posted:

I would bet a large sum that this will be the case but you could find out for sure by emailing one of the club officers, in particular the registrar. Otherwise you will just get a lot of uninformed opinions like mine.

Pete

Well stated.  And yet, many posts later, here we are.

I believe the whole point of admitting the public to the York Meet isn't to do a favor to non-members, it's to hopefully turn non-member attendees into TCA members.  It's not about attendance (which only varies by a couple hundred people each year), it's always about increasing TCA membership.  I think the hope is that a lot of people will tour the Orange & Purple Halls and rush over to the registration desks to join TCA to see everything.

Of course, the variable is if the 'public' that are not already members are enthusiastic enough about the hobby to make the leap.

I'll go out on a limb and say that the Eastern Division will continue to offer guest admission, just as they always have.  But I will be curious how busy the security guards will be weeding out members vs. guests vs. public from all the halls!

The funny thing is that most here are saying the same thing!

I pity the guards at the doors to the 4 member halls. "Waddayamean I can't go in here???"

I heard a rumor that if you don't have a member badge when making a purchase the buyer will have to pay the non-member price....

I heard a rumor that if you don't have a member badge when making a purchase the buyer will have to pay the non-member price....

In relation to What?

"Members half off"

I politely decline 

You know what, I don't like this whole public thing, I hope they end it.

eddie g posted:

You know what, I don't like this whole public thing, I hope they end it.

If it's a success, it will continue.

MartyE posted:

eddie g posted:

You know what, I don't like this whole public thing, I hope they end it.

If it's a success, it will continue.

Exactly. Even in the world of toy and model trains anything that is financially successful will continue.

For me York will be a great show as usual whether the public shows up in droves or just sprinkles in a few folks. I'm looking forward to it.

They may make "York" a bit more profitable, but the TCA will loose me and a few others as members. I admit it...I'm a member because of the meet. Before the internet, and train forums, the TCA publications were very valuable and welcome. No longer, at least for me. The TCA Museum is great, but I "donated" my ticket price anyway for me and guests. And please, forget the lectures about "growing the hobby".

Bob Kazian posted:

Do you think the ED will offer 1st time Public Attendees the option of "Guest Admission" at $22 for Fri/Sat vs "Public Admission" at $14 for one day or $20 for two days when they register?

The option could be offered when the public registers and would allow 1st Time attendees access to all the halls.  It may result in some new TCA members.  Could only do this once based on the current Guest Attendee policy.

Your thoughts?

Yes, if a public attendee wishes to become a "Guest Admission" or a TCA member in order to access the member halls as well, they will be able to exchange at the registration desk in the Silver Hall and pay the difference.

Nancy Tentzeras

Eastern Division York Meet Registrar