Chicago 2008 (2 Viewers)

[binder001]

Now that September doesn't seem so far away I'm getting excited again. 2007 was my first OTSN and it was great to meet some of the gang from the forum there. I already know that my money won't last after I visit my favorite shops so my wife and I are planning to enjoy a bit more of Chicago than I got to see last year.

Gary B

 

[gk5717]

I,ve heard this from several reliable sources that the Hyatt has new management and that they are putting certain rules in effect relative to OTSN.
One being no open room doors before Thursday for room tradeing, and a few more other rules mainly effecting dealers.
I also heard the head of OTSN Don P???? is trying to sort things out.
Anyone got any further info on this?
I was planning on arriving Wednesday, but will cancell and come Thursday if the above is going to happen.
Gary

 

[MCKENNA77]

I,ve heard this from several reliable sources that the Hyatt has new management and that they are putting certain rules in effect relative to OTSN.
One being no open room doors before Thursday for room tradeing, and a few more other rules mainly effecting dealers.
I also heard the head of OTSN Don P???? is trying to sort things out.
Anyone got any further info on this?
I was planning on arriving Wednesday, but will cancell and come Thursday if the above is going to happen.
Gary

I have heard this same thing but I didn't hear anything about specific days of when doors could be open or not. What I did hear though is that the new management tried to get rid of the room trading all together and just have the show on Sunday. In my opinion, I dont think that would be very good for the toy soldier world.

Take Care

 

[theBaron]

I have heard this same thing but I didn't hear anything about specific days of when doors could be open or not. What I did hear though is that the new management tried to get rid of the room trading all together and just have the show on Sunday. In my opinion, I dont think that would be very good for the toy soldier world.

Take Care

I don't know if losing the room trading will affect the whole toy soldier world, but it certainly has been a hallmark of the Chicago show. Are there other shows where informal selling takes place?

I know that we could not encourage or acknowledge room trading before the MFCA show, when it was held at the Valley Force Convention Center, because the local township has an ordinance, requiring a merchant license for anyone selling anything. But I haven't been to any multi-day shows elsewhere, so I don't know what customs obtain anywhere else.

Prost!
Brad

 

[kogu]

Although the Chicago Show itself on sunday is a stunning event and a one of kind, I believe, due to it's size, the kick, the thrill, or how you want to call it, is on during the room trading on the days prior to the show.
Meeting with the manufacturers, having a chance to talk to them and to fellow collectors and dealers from all over the world, all that would be drastically reduced when confined to the show hours.
If the Hyatt management really enforce those rules, I would think that Don Pielin would look for another venue or worst case, calls it quits
Again, the show is fine, but the real excitement is on during the previous days.
It would be a great shame to lose that.
Konrad

 

[jazzeum]

If they got rid of the room trading, I wouldn't bother going.

 

[Warrior]

Brad,
The only other shows where there is room trading is the West Coaster and the Indy show; neither compares to Chicago.

The hotel is under new ownership and they spent 25 million on jazzing up the place; a new broom sweeps clean and they have quite a few new rules and regulations which effects the dealers more than the attendees.

No more nine foot tall signs and banners in the halls, the bulletin boards that used to have 4,000 flyers taped to them on each floor will be gone, no signage in the windows or in the rooms, no moving of furniture in the rooms (some dealers used to throw the chairs and other unwanted furniture in the hallway), only one table rental per room (I have two rooms and used to rent four tables, will have to get by with only two).

We were also told we cannot open until Thursday; however, we can prop the door open with a note taped to the door saying we are open. So, you'll have to actually open the door instead of just peeking in.

We'll have to see how the whole thing shakes out; in my opinion, it's much ado about nothing really, it will sort itself out, these things usually do....................

 

[jazzeum]

With all due respect, George, that doesn't sound much ado about nothing: the signs and flyers on the bulletin boards were useful in finding out where things were. I remember someone posting last year they had a lot of retired K & C for sale. Having the door slightly ajar is also not a small thing necessarily.

However, if you're going to invest a lot in the building, I understand the concern. On the other hand, if this unduly restricts collectors and dealers, then maybe Don needs to think about another venue. I wonder if the new owners understand the importance of the show to the collecting community. I understand we're not exactly like having GM comes in for a sale show but this is one of the key events of the year.

As the saying goes, "it is what it is."

 

[nmrocks]

I've heard it's part of a local pres. candidates pilot program for a more "Effective Government" as part of the "Cap and Trade" bill going thru the Senate.
If you don't like change, just wait!

 

[tdubel]

Well, this will be my first Chicago show, I can't wait, I guess I won't really know the difference of the change in rules. As long as they still allow the late night indulgence of adult beverages, I will be fine. I invite all to join me in a few drinks. Do they allow cigar smoking in Illinois anywhere???

TD

 

[MCKENNA77]

I've heard it's part of a local pres. candidates pilot program for a more "Effective Government" as part of the "Cap and Trade" bill going thru the Senate.
If you don't like change, just wait!

That was good, and rather funny I might add.

 

[Warrior]

Brad,
Those bulletin boards are useful for about ten minutes until dealers plastered their sheets all over the place,sticking theirs over ones already on the board. It was as clear as mud to figure out.

There will be maps like previous years, so you'll be able to find all of your favorite dealers. When I first starting going to OTSN twelve years ago, they didn't even give out maps, you had to wander around until you found certain dealers, it was a nightmare.

Some dealers have mentioned to me they'd like to see the show set up like MFCA; two days in the hotel for example, Saturday 9 till 3 and Sunday 9 till 3 with no room trading. That way, you'd get two HUGE selling days instead of four days of room trading with sales spread all over the place ending with a madhouse on Sunday.



I'm not going to get all in a twist over the new rules and regulations; one thing I've learned after being in this business for ten years is you can't waste time worrying about things you can't control. The new rules, whatever they may be or how they shake out, are out of my control. It's their hotel, so I have to follow their rules. The inmates don't run the prison..................

 

[Alexdakar]

This might make it less of a madhouse or it might make the dealers come up with some interesting new concepts. I can't wait to meet the dealers, manufacturers and collectors. The first year that I went it cost me around $1800 to fly and stay there because I brought my family but it was worth it. This time I'm flying solo.

 

[gk5717]

You don,t have the open room trading, next years show won,t be at the Hyatt!
As stated before, ROOM TRADING is what makes this show so much fun.
Gary

 

[desk11desk12]

You don,t have the open room trading, next years show won,t be at the Hyatt!
As stated before, ROOM TRADING is what makes this show so much fun.
Gary

Agreed,

Carlos

 

[kilted vampire]

Well, this will be my first Chicago show, I can't wait, I guess I won't really know the difference of the change in rules. As long as they still allow the late night indulgence of adult beverages, I will be fine. I invite all to join me in a few drinks. Do they allow cigar smoking in Illinois anywhere???

TD

Tom you will have a blast. Just meeting people there on the forum makes it worth while. I am looking forward to going as well. Would love to bring some of my stuff to sell but do not know now. Have to call father unit and see if he is interested in going still.

 

[Warrior]

"Would love to bring some of my stuff to sell but do not know now. Have to call father unit and see if he is interested in going still."

Pretty simple; all you have to do is ship whatever you want to sell directly to the hotel to your attention (if you know your room number, that will really help) and you can arrange to have the box brought up to your room once you get there.

I used to be able to fit everything I bring to the show in a van, but not anymore, so I forward boxes to the show. Last year, I sent about a dozen boxes out that way and it worked like a charm..........

 

[jac28]

You don,t have the open room trading, next years show won,t be at the Hyatt!
As stated before, ROOM TRADING is what makes this show so much fun.
Gary

I looked on the OTSN website and all it says about changes for room trading is that for people opening their rooms on Wednesday nite - they should hang a small sign over their door knobs... Thursday on - doors must be open (most are anyway). So it sounds like room trading is alive and well... any news rules about moving furniture, etc. could make it a bit more difficult for people to set up - but I'm sure that the old saying "Where there's a will, there's a way" will apply this time. As always, I look forward to the Chicago show and all the room trading.

Jim

 

[jazzeum]

"Would love to bring some of my stuff to sell but do not know now. Have to call father unit and see if he is interested in going still."

Pretty simple; all you have to do is ship whatever you want to sell directly to the hotel to your attention (if you know your room number, that will really help) and you can arrange to have the box brought up to your room once you get there.

I used to be able to fit everything I bring to the show in a van, but not anymore, so I forward boxes to the show. Last year, I sent about a dozen boxes out that way and it worked like a charm..........

A fellow from Indiana, whose name I can't remember right now but really nice guy, decided that he wanted to get out of K & C except for AK, so he rented a room, brought all his stuff, put up a sign, the word got around, and he did really well. So, since you're going anyway, just ship it, and get the word out.

 

[theBaron]

Brad,
The only other shows where there is room trading is the West Coaster and the Indy show; neither compares to Chicago.

The hotel is under new ownership and they spent 25 million on jazzing up the place; a new broom sweeps clean and they have quite a few new rules and regulations which effects the dealers more than the attendees.

No more nine foot tall signs and banners in the halls, the bulletin boards that used to have 4,000 flyers taped to them on each floor will be gone, no signage in the windows or in the rooms, no moving of furniture in the rooms (some dealers used to throw the chairs and other unwanted furniture in the hallway), only one table rental per room (I have two rooms and used to rent four tables, will have to get by with only two).

We were also told we cannot open until Thursday; however, we can prop the door open with a note taped to the door saying we are open. So, you'll have to actually open the door instead of just peeking in.

We'll have to see how the whole thing shakes out; in my opinion, it's much ado about nothing really, it will sort itself out, these things usually do....................

The venue's management is an important factor to consider when running a show, after the venue's cost. In the last 6 years that we had the MFCA show at Valley Forge, there were 4 changes in ownership, with attendant turnover in personnel. We dealt with a different sales agent in each of the last 4 years. And it made it difficult to negotiate, and also to get patron concerns addressed, about things like room reservations.

You know, when you really think about it, running a show is a real pain in the tocchas. Maybe that's why we spend so much time in the hospitality suite....


Prost!
Brad (the other Brad)