Just to keep our forum members in the loop:
OGR will not be at the April York with our "formal" Orange Hall presence as in the past.
That said, Ed plans to be there for, I believe, Thursday and Friday.
I will be in York late Wednesday afternoon through early afternoon on Saturday. I will be attending as a regular TCA member, but will be wearing my OGR shirt, cap, and jacket and will be circulating through all halls, but primarly the dealer halls. Will be happy to meet with any folks who might want to meet with me. Email me at editor@ogaugerr.com any time between now and York week and include your cell phone number if you have one. I will send you my cell number so we can make arrangements to meet. Otherwise, look for me as I wander aimlessly around.
Steve Nelson (Mr. Muffin) tells me he will also be there as a regular member this time around.
The writing is somewhat on the wall, I believe. In light of changing demographics in the hobby and ever-rising expenses, many manufacturers and dealers would prefer a once-a-year York Meet, preferably (and logically) in October. That is a decision only the TCA Eastern Division can make, of course, but in the meantime I think it's safe to say that an increasing number of the aforementioned manufacturers and storefront dealers will be cutting back to the October Meet. Individual sellers--the foundation of the York Meet from the very start--will likely be content to keep two meet dates on the calendar, and that is also perfectly fine.
You can be sure that the goal of ALL of us is to support and grow our great hobby. But when the hobby is also your business, you do have to keep your business expenses in line and invest your available marketing/advertising/promotional dollars where they will yield the greatest return.
