The Gettysburg show is brand-new this year, and was conceived by a couple of dealers who didn't want to follow the MFCA show to Delaware, so they took the opportunity to try a new show.
Disclosure: I am a member of the MFCA, past treasurer and I run the admissions area each year.
We were forced to move because the convention center had become too expensive for us to rent. I don't know about the promoters of other shows, such as OTSN, or Bill Lango, or the group that puts on the West Coaster, or even Norman Joplin and other promoters in the UK, but our organization is a non-profit, and we only make enough to help cover the costs--help cover the costs, not cover the costs.
We have been looking, since my last year as treasurer, 2001, for a new venue, because the costs have risen on the average around 10% each year. We looked for other sites in Pennsylvania, such as the Fort Washington convention center. the Adam's Mark hotel and the armory in Philly, and some of the local colleges and universities. None had the same facilities, and that for even more money than we were currently paying. The Chase Center in Wilmington affords us the opportunity to have a better location for a better price, than Scanticon in Valley Forge did.
To that, Delaware has the advantage of no taxes, especially an iterant merchant license fee ($45) such as Lower Merion Township charged and which we had to collect from each vendor.
For patrons, the Chase Center is only another 20 miles south on I-95, and people coming from the north may find it easier than the confusing navigation in and around King of Prussia. Those coming from the west, if they travelled the PA turnpike, may find it easier to get off at Downingtown and follow Rte 1 south into Delaware.
There are hotels within walking distance of the Chase Center; most of us are staying at the Double Tree suites.
As to the observation that the show is dying off, well, actually, some of our long-time vendors have died off, more politely, passed away. Others are alive, but no longer making ling trips. We've had around 100 vendors registered for the past 5 years; that's fewer than the 110 in around 2000-2001, but still a decent number. Some buy a table but don't make it; there were some last year who were prevented at the last minute.
Remember, too, that our show is not just a market, but we also sponsor the figure exhibition. I hope that anyone who has visited the show in the past was able to take in the exhibition and see the work that was on display.
Anyway, sorry to get on the soap box, but I'm glad of the opportunity to give you a look behind the curtain, so you see that we're not a commercial enterprise, a Wal-Mart for toy soldier enthusiasts, but members of a long-established club of toy soldier collectors (and painters), who do this for love of the hobby.
Thanks, and I hope to see you in Wilmington at the end of April.
If you live within distance of Philly, I also invite you to visit our monthly meetings. They're held on the first Friday of every month, at Artisan's Hall on Roosevelt Blvd in NE Philadelphia. We hold our meetings jointly with the local IPMS chapter, the Delaware Valley Scale Modelers, to there is always plenty to see and talk about with other hobbyists. (The meetings adjourn to the Rhawn Pub around the corner--Guiness on tap).
Prosit!
Brad
