York Update

Going to be one **** of a event if this **** is behind us by then.  God willing.

3 Day York Returns fro October 2020! 

Just booked hotel for Wednesday night so I can be there early for the Thursday breakfast.

With all the bad news going around, this is definitely some good news. This October will be a fantastic York.

Let us all hope--pray even, if you are so inclined--that the current crisis will be behind us in ample time and that we can all safely gather in October for what will be, by then, some very much needed fun and good fellowship.

Fun & fellowship is always a great thing Allan. We all will be needing that when this hog patootie blows over 

I went to book at the Wyndam Garden, but they bumped their rates while I was looking $30/night, so I went over and booked at the Wingate.  I also didn't want a non-cancelable rate, especially for $25/night more than one that I don't risk any money at.  Just hedging my bets...

3 days again, that's great. I just hope we have an October York.

To: OGR Forum Members:

Since the Corona Virus has made for a lot of problems for everyone, and, for what I have heard 12th. hand from some people who know some of the larger dealers that come to this show, and other items that I will not mention here, my thoughts about how to improve the Eastern Division TCA Meet at York, PA. is as follows:

1) Have the Eastern TCA York, PA. Meet only once a year, namely in October.

2) Have the show at the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (Possible also a half day on Sunday), with

the start times as before - Thursday - 12 Noon to 5:30PM, Friday - 9:00AM to 5:30PM, and

Saturday - 9:00AM to 300PM.

I realize that this is basically what we used to have, however, once a year may boost sales for all of the Dealers, and put less strain on everyone since the show is once a year so money is no longer a issue (i.e. Hotel Rooms, Food, Gas, etc.)

This is only my idea/thought of how to make this event a little better than before. Also, since my daughter is getting married when the April 2021 show (if it is held) and this idea takes effect, I will not miss a TCA Eastern Division Show since I became a member of TCA back in 1994.         

It is always going to be twice a year. No one wants to wait a year between meets.

Santa Fe Mike posted:

..………….. my thoughts about how to improve the Eastern Division TCA Meet at York, PA. is as follows:

1) Have the Eastern TCA York, PA. Meet only once a year, namely in October.………..    

????

Mike,

How exactly would this improve the meet?

As I stated in my post, I realize that this is basically what we used to have, however, once a year may boost sales for all of the Dealers, and put less strain on everyone since the show is once a year so money is no longer a issue (i.e. Hotel Rooms, Food, Gas, etc.).

Also, some larger dealers claim that the April York Meet claim they are not making enough money and they may come only once a year.

So, this was just my opinion, whether people like this or not.

Again, it is just an opinion. That is all.

eddie g posted:

It is always going to be twice a year. No one wants to wait a year between meets.

It would be nice to have it "always" be twice a year, but you can't ignore some of the realities the E.Div-TCA must deal with for each event such as the rising costs of the venue and the venue's required add-on fees.  Combine the rising costs with the overall TCA membership (individuals and dealers) decline and possibly equally important is the amount of volunteers needed to plan, run and wrap-up each event and the substantial time each volunteer must provide to the cause.  Change for the sake of change is usually not beneficial but sometimes the demands on those to run a large event not once but twice a year can necessitate change.

If the April meet is or becomes a money loser for E.Div-TCA a better attended once a year event in October would be better financially and easier on those division volunteers that make it all happen ...again and again.

I think that Santa Fe Mike and Keystone make some good points regarding expenses.  I think Keystone's point about volunteers is particularly insightful - a lot of people do a lot of thankless work that we don't notice.

Perhaps ED could send a survey, not just to ED members, but to ALL stakeholders - volunteers, attendees, vendors, and even bandit meet operators, regardless of whether or not they are in ED.  Ask about preferences, attendance patterns, etc., and use that information to make decisions regarding the future direction.  

We are constantly reminded that York is run by ED.  However, York has become such an integral part of the TCA experience that a wider range of voices needs to be heard.

And accept the fact that somebody will be unhappy.

I seem to remember that York, PA, through the York Agricultural Society, owns the Fairgrounds/Expo center (I might be wrong, can't confirm it with an internet search).

Even though the ED York meet attendance is probably down from around 13,000 to around 9,000, I'm sure that between hotels, restaurants, bars, stores, etc, the meet must be a huge financial boost to York twice a year.

If I'm right, perhaps York can look at the big picture and encourage ED to continue the twice a year schedule by giving them relief in the cost of leasing the fairgrounds.

I sent an email to the meet chairman (contact info on ED's website).  Unfortunately, they don't provide contact info for ED president, or at least I couldn't find it.

Suggest that others do the same, while being constructive and concise, and respectful of the volunteer nature of the task.

Lionelski posted:

I seem to remember that York, PA, through the York Agricultural Society, owns the Fairgrounds/Expo center (I might be wrong, can't confirm it with an internet search).

Even though the ED York meet attendance is probably down from around 13,000 to around 9,000, I'm sure that between hotels, restaurants, bars, stores, etc, the meet must be a huge financial boost to York twice a year.

If I'm right, perhaps York can look at the big picture and encourage ED to continue the twice a year schedule by giving them relief in the cost of leasing the fairgrounds.

That would be cool. I hope it happens. 

I like the Meet as it is. I need no changes. If the ED decides to cancel April I will be disappointed but we can’t have them losing a lot of money. Hopefully, everyone involved can figure out a way to keep it going twice a year. 

Where is 3days listed still see 2 day meet on Eastern tca calendar?

dk122trains posted:

Where is 3days listed still see 2 day meet on Eastern tca calendar?

Go to www.easterntca.com and you will see that they voted to bring it back Thurs, Fri & Sat

There have been some good points made here. Once a year York not totally out of the question. Amhearst is once a year. Think about it. Just saying.

The three day meet is only for Fall 2020, no concrete decision on future meets.

What makes you all think Oct York is even going to happen?  This virus going to circulate for years to come. At least until there’s a vaccine or 60% of the population has immunity.   

we are in a new normal at least I fear for a year.   The only reason the Spanish flu died out is it ran out of victims and that lasted three years.  Hope I’m wrong.

superwarp1 posted:

What makes you all think Oct York is even going to happen? 

Who are you, Debbie Downer?

superwarp1 posted:

What makes you all think Oct York is even going to happen?  This virus going to circulate for years to come. At least until there’s a vaccine or 60% of the population has immunity.   

we are in a new normal at least I fear for a year.   The only reason the Spanish flu died out is it ran out of victims and that lasted three years.  Hope I’m wrong.

I am very concerned that the ages of attendees make them prime candidates for not surviving the current plague.

I myself just turned 74, have type 2 diabetes. If I get Covid...

gunrunnerjohn posted:

superwarp1 posted:

What makes you all think Oct York is even going to happen? 

Who are you, Debbie Downer?

Agree.  If Superwarp1 has such accurate prediction of the future, he should share this certainty with the rest of the world.

Will life be different for a while?  Yes.  Will everything that involves a crowd cease to exist?  Probably not.

-Dave 

Just look at it this way: IF there is an Oct. York Meet, and IF we are all around to be able to attend it, we will most definitely be a blessed group.

In the meantime, do the best you possibly can to avoid coming in contact with this virus. By this time you all know the drill, so just follow the instructions to the best of your ability. I'm wishing the best of good health and good luck to everyone here.

I'm trying to avoid it the best I can Allan, that's all any of us can do until the situation on the ground changes.

How many of these kind of York threads do we need...?  Enough speculation guys....just enjoy your trains and keep a positive attitude best you can.