While I am in total agreement with Jim on many of these items I do feel the need to comment on this one:

2)Dealer tables were off by at least ten to twelve dealers. I would be curious to know why. I wonder whether the new “smoking policy” had anything to do with it. I don’t really care if it did. Our governor here in Nevada has signed legislation restoring the privilege of smoking back in the bars and restaurants where food is served. I imagine there will be smoking and non smoking sections coming back. Let’s renegotiate with South Point and allow those who wish to smoke in the hall outside the convention entrance to do so. Who knows we might get a few dealers back.

From 2010 to 2011 we were down only ONE dealer table. Four dealers who set up in 2010 did not set up in 2011 but other dealers picked up extra tables so that the table numbers were basically the same (minus one like I said). We had only one new dealer this year so it was a net loss of three dealers and only one table from 2010 to 2011.

I can't imagine that smoking had anything to do with it. "privilege of smoking" just doesn't sit well with me... What someone does in their own home or car has no impact on me but personally I'd like for myself and my family the "privilege" of NOT having to walk through someone's second hand smoke lingering in the hallway outside the showroom floor. I can only hope that the South Point NEVER EVER allows smoking in that hallway.

Just my 2 cents...

Dave
a "one and done" ex-convention chair