2019 Convention

[NW Mailing List]

Todd is correct. No matter when you schedule it, it is not going to work for some element of the membership. We decided last year to hold the conventions in May so we would have consistency so people could plan ahead year to year, knowing the convention was going to be in May.

This year it fell well into later May, the third weekend. 

In 2019 we are in Roanoke. Roanoke has a lot going on in the month of May. It is difficult for us to find suitable hotel space. First, we approached Hotel Roanoke as it was the premier place in town and with its railroad connection the natural expectation.

For hotels, any convention is all about room rentals and food service. The higher the number of rooms you take the more money you put in their pocket and the more interested they are in your group. 

Our group is small, always less than 100 rooms. When we told the Hotel Roanoke that, they turned up their nose and stated “we have wedding parties larger than that.” Basically they said “take a hike son, we’ve got bigger groups waiting, we don’t need you.” They did not care if this group had anything to do with the railroad or not. We simply are not big enough to have the entire place, so, see you later.

We went to another hotel, they were happy to have us, but did not have space to take us the third weekend, some other event in town. But they offered the 2nd weekend. We did not realize at the moment it was Mother’s Day weekend. Having had experience with railfan events, I can tell you Mother’s Day weekend was like the kiss of death. Memorial Day weekend would be much the same, sadly.

So we backed off a weekend, and that is why we are on the first weekend.

We fell into Strasburg in July last year because we waited on an event that did not happen, it was late, we had success, but it can be miserably hot. So, if the membership who comes or will come to these events can reach a consensus, we’ll be glad to attempt to schedule to suit.

Best
Ken Miller

> On Jun 23, 2018, at 11:51 AM, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Stephen,
> 
>  No matter the date scheduled, it will never satisfy everyone. For example, a convention in June, July and August would create just as much angst because of the heat and coinciding with vacations.
> 
>   As for younger members, currently, I am one of them at the age of 47 and I don't see anyone younger than I at the conventions. Once we see the increase in the 20's-30's demographic we will adapt accordingly. 
> 
> Thank you for your input.
> 
> Regards, 
> 
> Todd Arnett
> President, NWHS
> 
>   
> 
> 
> 
> Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: NW Modeling List via NW-Modeling-List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Date: 6/22/18 11:50 PM (GMT-05:00)
> To: 'NW Modeling List' <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Cc: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: RE: 2019 Convention
> 
> Why are you scheduling the convention during school time which makes families unable to attend?  Shouldn’t it be scheduled during Summer break and after graduation times?  If we want younger members, shouldn’t we consider scheduling so that they can attend also? 
> 
>  
> 
> Stephen
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> From: NW-Modeling-List <nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org> On Behalf Of NW Modeling List
> Sent: Friday, June 22, 2018 7:09 PM
> To: 'NW Mailing List' <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>; 'NW Modeling List' <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
> Subject: 2019 Convention
> 
>  
> 
> Save the date!
> 
>  
> 
>   The 2019 convention in Roanoke, VA will be May 2nd – May 4th.  Planning is underway and details will be forthcoming.  Thanks to all that attended the 2018 convention and I hope that you will join us in Roanoke.
> 
>  
> 
> Regards,
> 
>  
> 
> Todd Arnett
> 
> President, NWHS
> 
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