O & S Scale Midwest Show Ending It's Run

Sadly, this seems to be a trend for train shows.

Brendan

There are still a lot of train shows.  They tend to be local instead of national shows where people have to stay in hotels, etc.  National shows that require travel and hotel rooms are a tough sell since many older people are still reluctant to travel by public transportation.  NH Joe

There are many local train shows.    But there are very few O Scale 2 rail shows.    The Indy show has been a staple for 2 railers for probably 2 decades.  

Sorry to hear this.   This was a popular show for many years, and the host hotels are getting in my opinion, out of line with their costs for shows.   I kind of get the feeling that some venues just do not want to be bothered by hosting some shows.   Too much effort on their part, despite the fees they charge.

@R Nelson posted:

Sorry to hear this.   This was a popular show for many years, and the host hotels are getting in my opinion, out of line with their costs for shows.   I kind of get the feeling that some venues just do not want to be bothered by hosting some shows.   Too much effort on their part, despite the fees they charge.

Personally, I can't blame the hotels.  Currently we have a problem with inflation, the likes of which we haven't seen in 40 years.  I remember the last time this was the case, very well in fact, and I'm so sorry to see it back.

If the decision to shut down this very successful and long-running event is based purely on uncontrollable rising costs then it might be premature.  Costs on everything are going up, not just in our hobby, and not just for hotel space.

The pressure is relentless, but is not insurmountable. 

Mike

I attended this show and had a table.    I sold enough stuff to cover the cost of the table, but not the trip.   I went because I enjoy it, so that was like a vacation expense.    However, if I were a dealer and my livilihood depended on my business, and did likewise, I would be very disappointed.     I can understand if the sponsors are loosing dealers that buy 10-15 tables at a crack, they have to look to their business also.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Personally, I can't blame the hotels.  Currently we have a problem with inflation, the likes of which we haven't seen in 40 years.  I remember the last time this was the case, very well in fact, and I'm so sorry to see it back.

If the decision to shut down this very successful and long-running event is based purely on uncontrollable rising costs then it might be premature.  Costs on everything are going up, not just in our hobby, and not just for hotel space.

The pressure is relentless, but is not insurmountable.

Mike

150% increase in the meeting space and 30% increase in room rates isn't a good enough reason to cancel?

Rusty

@R Nelson posted:

Sorry to hear this.   This was a popular show for many years, and the host hotels are getting in my opinion, out of line with their costs for shows.   I kind of get the feeling that some venues just do not want to be bothered by hosting some shows.   Too much effort on their part, despite the fees they charge.

R.Nelson: agreed. Some businesses charge exorbitant rates because they don’t want to mess with that particular venue.
Steve

It was a great show; many thanks to the recent, and prior, parties who put it on

Sounds like a case of we were closed for Covid so let's make up for the lost revenue by taking these train guys to the cleaners. When we were in Denver for the National our attendance was a bit off but we bought and bought.

Dick

I think that a lot of hotels feel that weddings, and other parties, are more "profitable"  than train shows.   I do not agree with this mentality, but it is what it is, unfortunately.    The Westin in Lombard (Ill), has pulled this as well, so it is not an isolated case.

Perhaps weddings benefit from "Bridezillas" and alcohol sales.  Perhaps us model rails should get blotto and act like nuts !!  ??

Mark....good reply!    Love it.    As far as alcohol sales go, you haven't been to the Chicago Show, and seen Harry Carey's at the host hotel on Saturday evening!?   I remember the late John Clemens at this show with a cooler of beer, and offering me one at 9:00 in the morning!   I do not drink, nor would I that early...LOL.  Nobody ever got schlockered, but John was "happy" by afternoon!   

@mark s posted:

Perhaps weddings benefit from "Bridezillas" and alcohol sales.  Perhaps us model rails should get blotto and act like nuts !!  ??

Pretty clear that alcohol is not a prerequisite for model RR'ers to act like nuts,

@Rusty Traque posted:

150% increase in the meeting space and 30% increase in room rates isn't a good enough reason to cancel?

Rusty

No.

It's a reason to go somewhere else -- another hotel, another venue, another city, another time.  If you can't find something more reasonable this year wait until next year and try again.

Mike

Well Mellow Mike, . . . it's all yours now.  Have at it!  :-)

As for the evil hotel, . . . hotels are corporations, and exist for one reason and one reason only.  To make profits for their shareholders.  They have a legal duty to act in the best interests of their shareholders.  Sponsoring hobby shows at a low profit margin is not in compliance with this.

@Mannyrock posted:

Well Mellow Mike, . . . it's all yours now.  Have at it!  :-)

As for the evil hotel, . . . hotels are corporations, and exist for one reason and one reason only.  To make profits for their shareholders.  They have a legal duty to act in the best interests of their shareholders.  Sponsoring hobby shows at a low profit margin is not in compliance with this.

Well said.

BTW -- I guess that I could see it coming.  Everyone else in the lineup, besides me, all took a step backward and I didn't.

Mike

Thanks Mike,  . . . all in good humor!

Mannyrock

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

No.

It's a reason to go somewhere else -- another hotel, another venue, another city, another time.  If you can't find something more reasonable this year wait until next year and try again.

Mike

From the O.P.:

"Please do not ask us to see if we can find another place in which to hold the show. Been there, done that! Prior to booking the show in 2017, and again in 2018, we looked at numerous options and spent countless hours making phone calls and doing research. We looked at options not only in Indianapolis, but other venues in the Midwest as well"

There's a lot that goes on in the background to set up and run a show.  Plus, under present conditions there's no guarantee of getting a better deal elsewhere, especially if you want a secure location for overnight.   There's probably cheaper locations in the seedier parts of town, though...

Rusty