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As speculated by many this bullet point just appeared in a TCA email.

"• Coming April 2017, the Dealer Halls will be open to the Public on Friday and Saturday." 

Looks like the show is going to be changing a bit next year. As a dealer I am excited for the change. What are your thoughts? 

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eddie g posted:

BIG MISTAKE!

Time will tell if it's a mistake, Eddie.  My fear is that it will have very little positive effect, but I'm willing to give change a chance. 

Even though I like "my York" just the way it is, I also know that it's not just about me. Essentially, if the York meet never happened again, I'd miss it, but I would still be a train collector/operator who loves his hobby.

I predict people will still find a reason to complain and TCA membership will drop by a minimum of 25% or more.

Whether it will help the hobby or not that is yet to be seen. Just how much more traffic that is not already there it will attract will be interesting to see. I give them credit for trying. 

Last edited by MartyE

so if it's open to public on Friday and Saturday. Why buy a ticket. Oh wait for Thursday. Is there going to be any thing really that great that you have to be there for it on Thursday. Personally I think it's a big mistake if they want to do that what they should do is get the vendors to stick around till 3 or 4 on Saturday and open it up on Saturday. That would be your big draw day anyway. 

Fridays in April?......typically a school/work day.  Can't see much public interest in Friday.  I could be wrong here.

Saturday?...should be interesting!  It may be the one day in which dealers/mfrs will judge their own future for the overall 3-4 day expense of their participation.  

Now, I would hope that any operating layouts would be available to the public, also.  I believe that's part of the overall draw for a public train show.  And since there have been in the past nice layouts in Black and White Halls, would they be moved to Orange, or even the adjacent Brown Hall (empty last April)?  Maybe even MORE layouts?  

And, what about the EDTCA ice cream social Friday night?.....the EDTCA Coffee/Maple Doughnuts on Saturday AM?...both in Orange Hall?  Rhetorical questions at this point, I know, but some of the little gems of York meets for members......IMHO.

I know, I know.....stay tuned.

Anyway, kudos to EDTCA for trying something new.   And, good show, dealers!!!  

KD

Last edited by dkdkrd

One TCA subset that has a periodic show I drive to attend lets members in early, and then is opens to the public.  I do not see that show overwhelmed by kids, women, and unknown buyers after the public opening.  Fairly, I rush through looking for stuff and then split, maybe missing the herd.  If there are people on here whose local TCA branch operates that kind of local meet, what is your experience?  I know this one I attend hands out fliers in general train shows, but advertising York to the public will be a biggie.  Ads in the show sections in all the model magazines, OGR, etc.?  Fliers in eastern Pa. shows?  York locals will have to be "retrained" to learn they are no longer persona non grata.  I am less incentivized to set up where I have to keep a table that long, and be more concerned if I have to leave it, even momentarily, with no vetting of attendees.  Of course, if the public is only allowed in the dealer halls, dealers are usually manned to staff their booths.

Possibilities:

Membership will drop as Marty suggested.  Maybe not after just one meet with Dealer Halls open Friday/Sat, but certainly if it is done that way for a second occurrence. 

Taking this to the extreme, it could mean the end of (or at least shrinking of) earlier week events like "Thursday at (wherever)", Wednesday night DCS meeting, etc.  Ultimately the meet could see Thursday become as slow or slower than Saturday currently is when all the people signed up as TCA members just to go to York drop out.  This could lead to a return to just Friday-Saturday meets, which might make sense with the apparent dropping of interest.

While many dealers welcome the opening to the public, some will still resist keeping their booth set up until close.  We will see how the general public responds to this.  They may not have much sympathy for the "I've been here for 3 days" complaint that I've heard a few times, even if it is Saturday.

The public may not care.  We will apparently find out in April or May once the effect can be evaluated.

Or, the effect may be minimal and undetectable.  It may not be the cure all or death of the meet some will predict.  Probably closer to the middle than on either extreme.

-Dave

 

richabr posted:

It think colorado hirailer may be referring to security excluding the public from member halls.

That's probably easy enough to deal with by modifying the public badges slightly.  Same color but with black bars printed along the sides, different color, etc.  Anything that can be quickly observed with just a glance.

-Dave

Guys, I can (and have) spent my entire budget in the first 15 minutes after opening on Thursday. So the public gets to pick over the leftovers. No big deal in my book. If it helps to grow the hobby and help the vendors at least break even, great. As for how many of the "public" will attend. Who knows? I honestly cannot recall seeing the masses hanging onto the fences clamoring to get in. I hope it helps, and isn't too little, too late.

They can open it to the public, where are these people going to come from? I dont envision people coming from hours away to check this out (most of them have likely paid their dues or come in as a guest already), so this will gain some locals... thats about it. 

My only real question... how much will they charge the public to get in on Friday and Saturday, such that the membership can still justify paying TCA dues and the meet fee for only the exclusive use of Thursday?

Boilermaker1 posted:

They can open it to the public, where are these people going to come from? I dont envision people coming from hours away to check this out (most of them have likely paid their dues or come in as a guest already), so this will gain some locals... thats about it. 

My only real question... how much will they charge the public to get in on Friday and Saturday, such that the membership can still justify paying TCA dues and the meet fee for only the exclusive use of Thursday?

TCA Members would still have the exclusive entrance to the Member Halls for Thurs to Sat.

Depending on the cost of Public admission there would be an incentive for Mr Public to joint TCA to experience the "Total York Experience" and see what the Member Halls have to offer. 

Right now, we only know that the general public will be allowed in the Dealer Halls on Friday and Saturday.

At this time we do not know if there are any changes for Thursday what so ever. Also, what will be the hours of operation on Friday and especially Saturday. As we all know Saturday was a shortened day at 2:00. Will it be extended?

jim r

eddie g posted:

So here's what is going to happen, All the members that only go to the orange hall & purple hall, they will drop there membership, & just pay for Friday & sat. as general public. 

Hi Eddie or anyone who can answer these questions.

What is the cost of a TCA Annual Membership?

What is the cost to pay for Friday & Saturday / General Public Tickets? 

Gary

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