Here’s a bit more of a report.
Thanks to Hollywood’s suggestion, he, Dave Maynard, Ken Brunt, and myself (behind the camera) had a great breakfast at the Nautilus diner near the fairgrounds. Here we are, just showing up – proof that LSC held its end up at the show! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Just before this, Dan from Star explained what I posted on prior: that the show was officially closed, but they were letting folks in at no charge to walk the halls and buy stuff. No MD officials there, all was relaxed. And the great news (as I understand it – and I’m not an official source) is that since MD closed the show, MD will refund the facility rental.
The center hall was very full of vendors, and a few vendors had to be placed in the other (vast) layout hall. Here’s two stitched-together shots of the vendor hall.
And a pan of the layout hall. Keep in mind that this hall is a lot larger than York’s, so the layouts didn’t fill it. Room for growth!
Aikenback Live Steamers had a full team there, and all the layouts were running.
For next year, there is no natural alcove-ish place, except to either side of the concession stand in the rear of the center vendor hall. I neglected to get shots of this, so this is only an indication of where.
However, there’s a nifty little shed, right outside the main door, that I might inquire into… (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
I heard from a couple of vendors that things were packing up around noon. And at 11:30, the layout packup was well underway.
I’m glad that quite a few folks showed up and bought stuff. There were some great deals, and not so great deals, the usual mix. I bought some stuff for myself and Jerry B.; and there was a steady trickle of purchases walking out the door – that is, between the hours of 9 and 11:30, when I bailed.
The negatives go without saying, such as the downturn in the hobby in general, key vendors no longer participating, challenges with a new venue (no small thing), loss of traditional alcove & D&B space, and now this shut-down that no one saw coming. Also MD saying the show was cancelled at the last minute, which surely turned many away. Not to mention all the costs that vendors & clubs spent in time and travel, and their disappointing outcomes from all that effort.
But some positives need pointing up. The doors were opened to the public, and against all the information to the contrary, the public did show up and did buy. MD will refund the rent fees. Star did a fantastic job handling this change in venue, and helping vendors and clubs make the switch, and to show up in force. All the pieces were in place for a great show, and that’s saying a lot.
Going forward, now that the venue change is over, and assuming virus threats aren’t a factor again, I think there’s a lot of hope for the show, and for our presence there. We in LSC have options in setting up our own alcove (e.g., a couple of canopy tents in the layout hall). We can also pick our own hotel (from the many available), which best serves the purposes of the Drag & Brag and our membership in general.
Tonight, the Drag & Brag will happen somehow. I know of three others who’ll be there (at the Embassy Suites bar-restaurant), and that’s fine. Per Ric’s advice, we will be winging it. If more show up, that’s all the better! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
===:>Cliffy
