Jeff posted this on Facebook this morning.
I may have made a few promises on various collector forums to keep you all up to date with the latest OVMS developments here on the facebook page.. so here is the latest news:
For 2015, our dates remain February 26-March 1 at the KEC, Hall A & the East Hall (as before.)
In 2016, though, we will move to our new, long-term date and location. 3rd Weekend in February, at the Kentucky Expo Center - HALL C!
Many of our members (especially those flying in from overseas) have asked "why do you guys have the Show-of-Shows in WINTER?" There are several reasons. 1) Airfare from overseas is lower in the off-season. 2) Starting in the spring, there are scheduling conflicts with other militaria shows, and we would not want to step on their dates. 3) This has traditionally been the time of year when we can get a hall at the Kentucky Expo Center.
Over the past few years the dates have changed a bit from year to year due to scheduling issues at the convention center, and because the folks at the KEC have tried to accommodate our request for a bigger hall so that we can get tables for everyone on the waiting list. Ideally, we would like a date in March or early April, AND a hall that measures 150,000 square feet at a minimum - more would be nice. On top of all that, we need to plan and advertise far into the future, so once we get our dream date and hall, we absolutely need a long-term commitment.
As much as we collectors don't like hearing it, getting EVERYTHING that we want is unrealistic. A few weeks ago we succeded in getting an early April date. We were thrilled.. but it was short-lived. The date a fluke, and could not be guaranteed beyond 2016. Nor could the hall. There was an open date in early February.. but that sure didn't sound good to us. So, this Wednesday a committee from the OVMS Board traveled to Louisville to meet with the administration of the KEC, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and the Convention & Visitor's Bureau. With the entire group in one room batting ideas around, we reached an agreement that should work rather nicely for years to come.
We won't be needing the OVMS theme Hawaiian shirts anytime soon - our date for 2016 is the third weekend in February. It is, in fact, the date that we have had for the vast majority of years that the SOS has existed. Unlike in previous years, however, the same weekend is promised to us for the foreseeable future. Better yet, we're moving to Hall C. This is the big hall with the huge curved glass lobby that you see right as you enter the main gate. Hall C comprises 166,500 square feet; as much as we currently have in Hall A and the East Hall, with about 4,500 extra to spare. This means that we can have the show in one large continuous room, AND accommodate many of the folks on the waiting list for tables.
We also made a lot of progress on other improvements for the show, many of which are the direct result of ideas and suggestions submitted by OVMS dealers, members, and patrons. I have asked you guys and gals for feedback several times on the forums, and you gave me a lot of great stuff. Some things we (OVMS and / or KEC) simply have -0- control over.. but there was plenty that we were able to implement. We discussed security issues, extra food vendors, places for folks to sit and rest, extra ATMs in the lobby, having the concessions open on Thursday, ideas for the dealer drive-in, organized off-campus tourism and shopping opportunities for spouses, and much more. Thank you. When you think of something that might improve the SOS (as well as the Wilmington Shows or the MAX), please let us know. The best ideas really do come directly from the membership.
The OVMS was not the only show to run into a serious scheduling conflict for 2016. Ron Dickson's National Gun Day was also bumped, but as of the time of our meeting on Wednesday, He and the KEC had not yet been able to agree upon a date and hall. I know that many of our members enjoy browsing both shows in the same weekend. Due to the changes in hall / date availability at KEC, having both the OVMS and the National Gun Day shows on the same weekend was simply not an option.
Our neighbor starting in 2016 will be a familiar one, though: the Carl Casper Custom Auto Show. According to the KEC, the Carl Casper folks are pleased to have us as neighbors again, a sentiment that the OVMS shares enthusiastically. There have even been rumors of some ideas for cooperative efforts to provide extra opportunities for attendees of both shows. I have not spoken with them directly about what they may have in mind, but I am looking forward to it!
That's all the news from this week at the OVMS. As Greg reminded me with a grin this Wednesday, "only 16 more weeks until the SOS." Lots to do before then. As newsworthy bits come up, I'll post them here, and at the new OVMS website, which we are getting ready to kick into gear. Stay tuned.
Remember - no change for 2015 - same dates and hall as advertised. 2016, though, different date and a bigger hall!
Ron
