I have been putting on shows for four years now. The one thing I know for sure is that I don't have it all figured out yet. I have made many mistakes and they have cost me money. I have also learned very valuable information
and built a foundation for the shows and friendships that will last for years. I have also known first hand a lot of the problems that PSGRS had and how they tried to solve them. The Exhibition Hall Chair was beat up every day for all of the hassles
that happened. I know some how Carol feels and I feel sorry for her. This was and is a thankless job.
I still had a good time and it was worth the trip.
Regarding the nexus and Kansas. Sales tax is now around 9% in Overland Park, Ks and will remain that through out the show. A week prior to the convention, I will send a list of the vendors to the state and they will have me give the vendors a one page sales tax paper for them to fill out and mail in their sales tax. It that simple. They only ask I give them a list of the vendors that came and their contact information. Done Deal.
Here are a few facts I can tell you about the 2011 NGRC in KC.
NO Unions are at the hall.
There is over 73,000 Sq ft of exhibition Hall with around 250 booths. Over half have been rented with a deposit paid. All of the manufacturers have their booths reserved.
I have spoken with G Scalers from coast to coast and many are excited about coming. They're excite to attend a conventin in a city that has never held a National Convention.
Free parking at all hotels and the exhibition hall
hotels with rates ranging from $51.00 and up within 2 miles of the hall with free shuttle bus service to and from the hall
show hotel is the Hyatt Place at 99.00/ night. There are over 1000 rooms within 2 miles of the show.
Vendor Hall will be open Wednesday evening, at least 4 hours/ day on Thursday and Friday and all day on Saturday.
Bubba ( Madstang) is in charge of the Model Contest. I expect over 3000.00 in prize money to be given out.
Marty Cozad is in charge of Clinics.
Module layouts have inquired about coming from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Georgia, and Kansas. We are trying to find room for all of them.
I have made arrangements with a shopping mall to lay over 2500 ft of track inside the concourse of the mall and break the
worlds record for the longest train. (it needs to be over 1300 ft long) Ray Manley is in charge of this.
In conjunction with the Worlds longest train, we will invite all of the media to come and witness this event.
It has become more and more apparent that these conventions or trains shows can't become a success without people attending and more importantly spreading the word to others that this event is happening.
I need everyone's help to talk up any train event to get more people to get interested in model trains.
Facebook, Twiiter, and Utube are free; we'll utilize these as much as possible.
I plan monthly newsletters for the convention. Communication is critical.
I want to talk vendors and manufacturers into advertising show specials to pull more people into the events.
Everyone of us has a personal interest in making these things a success. Let's all work together for the hobby. If we're not careful, we're going to lose all Large scale shows, conventions included.
David