Will the ANA WFOM show go on this year? comments

krueger

Central states cancelled will Chicago ANA go on in 4 months +?

If so what will be the covid protocols. then?

CaptHenway

I hope it goes on.

MrEureka

Even if they have to require proof of vaccination for entry, the show must go on!

291fifth

By August the vaccination rate should be high enough that the show will be able to go on. It probably all depends on the convention hall contracts that exist and the OK for conventions to be held by the State of Illinois.

golden

I very much hope that the show goes on! I was at a show yesterday and I heard one dealer say that he thought that it was a 50-50 chance.

cardinal

On the ANA site, they still have the plans for the World's Fair of Money for this year. A bit costly for near hotels - over $200 per night, and that doesn't include taxes,

ricko

Let's hope it does go on... things are opening up all across the country now. Cheers, RickO

JBatDavidLawrence

Well, they've changed the Exhibit Hall to the larger one to allow for more social distancing according to a recent email.

I asked about the possibility of the state of Illinois not allowing the show and they mentioned that they would consider other locations if necessary. Frankly, there are a lot of better options for a "Destination" Coin Show for the general collecting public than Rosemont, but for Dealers and a select group of collectors, Rosemont is certainly a great location.

If the ANA wants to succeed long term in growing the hobby, Rosemont isn't the answer. If they want to cater towards their bottom line, a select group of higher end collectors and dealers that fly into shows, etc they'll keep up the Rosemont events.

I, for one, think that Rosemont isn't the answer for the WFOM this year or in the future...but I'm optimistic that it'll occur this year.

messydesk

@291fifth said:
By August the vaccination rate should be high enough that the show will be able to go on. It probably all depends on the convention hall contracts that exist and the OK for conventions to be held by the State of Illinois.

There's your wild card. It doesn't matter how everyone is expected to be doing in August. It matters what the State of Illinois decides you may or may not do.

2ndCharter

It matters what the State of Illinois decides you may or may not do.

Very good point - that's why I disagree with Ricko's statement about things opening up all over the country - they may be in many states, but in certain states, particularly where major numismatics events are scheduled, they are still shut down.

I know it's short notice but the ANA really needs to look at relocating the show to either Texas or Florida.

pcgscacgold

Let's hope it happens. I owe a few beers to a dealer and it keeps getting pushed to the next show.

Namvet69

I'm hoping for Baltimore cause I can drive there. Peace Roy

golden

@JBatDavidLawrence said:
Well, they've changed the Exhibit Hall to the larger one to allow for more social distancing according to a recent email.

I asked about the possibility of the state of Illinois not allowing the show and they mentioned that they would consider other locations if necessary. Frankly, there are a lot of better options for a "Destination" Coin Show for the general collecting public than Rosemont, but for Dealers and a select group of collectors, Rosemont is certainly a great location.

If the ANA wants to succeed long term in growing the hobby, Rosemont isn't the answer. If they want to cater towards their bottom line, a select group of higher end collectors and dealers that fly into shows, etc they'll keep up the Rosemont events.

I, for one, think that Rosemont isn't the answer for the WFOM this year or in the future...but I'm optimistic that it'll occur this year.

I for one am tired of Rosemont. I went to every ANA from 1970-2019 and greatly enjoyed seeing other parts of the country. I believe that decades ago the ANA had a backup plan in case something happened to the scheduled venue. I realize that the show is now many times larger and it would be much more difficult to have a backup plan. If Illinois cancels the show soon why not have a joint FUN-ANA show in Orlando in July?

skier07

@golden said:

@JBatDavidLawrence said:
Well, they've changed the Exhibit Hall to the larger one to allow for more social distancing according to a recent email.

I asked about the possibility of the state of Illinois not allowing the show and they mentioned that they would consider other locations if necessary. Frankly, there are a lot of better options for a "Destination" Coin Show for the general collecting public than Rosemont, but for Dealers and a select group of collectors, Rosemont is certainly a great location.

If the ANA wants to succeed long term in growing the hobby, Rosemont isn't the answer. If they want to cater towards their bottom line, a select group of higher end collectors and dealers that fly into shows, etc they'll keep up the Rosemont events.

I, for one, think that Rosemont isn't the answer for the WFOM this year or in the future...but I'm optimistic that it'll occur this year.

I for one am tired of Rosemont. I went to every ANA from 1970-2019 and greatly enjoyed seeing other parts of the country. I believe that decades ago the ANA had a backup plan in case something happened to the scheduled venue. I realize that the show is now many times larger and it would be much more difficult to have a backup plan. If Illinois cancels the show soon why not have a joint FUN-ANA show in Orlando in July?

I don’t know Chicago at all. What’s wrong with Rosemont? Is it too close to the airport and not close enough to downtown Chicago?

golden

@skier07 said:

@golden said:

@JBatDavidLawrence said:
Well, they've changed the Exhibit Hall to the larger one to allow for more social distancing according to a recent email.

I asked about the possibility of the state of Illinois not allowing the show and they mentioned that they would consider other locations if necessary. Frankly, there are a lot of better options for a "Destination" Coin Show for the general collecting public than Rosemont, but for Dealers and a select group of collectors, Rosemont is certainly a great location.

If the ANA wants to succeed long term in growing the hobby, Rosemont isn't the answer. If they want to cater towards their bottom line, a select group of higher end collectors and dealers that fly into shows, etc they'll keep up the Rosemont events.

I, for one, think that Rosemont isn't the answer for the WFOM this year or in the future...but I'm optimistic that it'll occur this year.

I for one am tired of Rosemont. I went to every ANA from 1970-2019 and greatly enjoyed seeing other parts of the country. I believe that decades ago the ANA had a backup plan in case something happened to the scheduled venue. I realize that the show is now many times larger and it would be much more difficult to have a backup plan. If Illinois cancels the show soon why not have a joint FUN-ANA show in Orlando in July?

I don’t know Chicago at all. What’s wrong with Rosemont? Is it too close to the airport and not close enough to downtown Chicago?

What is wrong with Rosemont is that the ANA was there in 2011, 2013,2014,2015,2019 and scheduled for 2021 and 2022. Lets go somewhere else.

JBatDavidLawrence

I don’t know Chicago at all. What’s wrong with Rosemont? Is it too close to the airport and not close enough to downtown Chicago?

What is wrong with Rosemont is that the ANA was there in 2011, 2013,2014,2015,2019 and scheduled for 2021 and 2022. Lets go somewhere else.

Yes, the above is the issue with Rosemont. Unfortunately it's not Chicago as it's an hour on the train to get to downtown.

The good parts: It's VERY safe, it's easy to fly in and out, the hotels surround the convention center. It's fantastic for dealers.

The bad parts: Why would anyone bring their family here for a vacation/coin show? It doesn't further the outreach of the hobby. It's the cheapest for the ANA.

Rosemont is extremely convenient for businesses. It's just not a destination place, there's nothing interesting in the general area (unless you like Hummels). It's most of the bad parts of being in a city, but none of the good parts

hchcoin

I have heard all the arguments why it is in Rosemont but I think that is just the lazy solution . I would much rather see it move around the country like it used to. I am also very optimistic it will happen this year.

Tibor

From what I've read in the Numismatist, heard at coin shows and read here on the forum,
there are several reasons why the WFoM doesn't move around the country as much as some
would like. In no particular order:
1. Taxes. Many states and municipalities charge sales tax. Once you negotiate the price of your purchase
are you willing to pay the appropriate sales tax? The dealer will pass this on to you because
they don't want to pay it for you. There is alot of paper work for the dealer as well.
2. In many cities unions rule the roost at these venues. Many times the employee is not as careful
with your items as you would want them to be. You usually have to tip them as well.
3. Chicago has hundreds of direct flights from around the country daily. Many dealers who carry their
inventory with them don't want to change flights on their trip.
4. Rosemont is a 10 minute shuttle/cab ride from the airport. Very easy and convenient.
5. Safety is a major concern in many cities. A few years ago several major dealers complained
about the show being scheduled for Detroit and stated they would not attend. There is a
possibility that LA may be in this boat even though they hosted the WFoM several years ago.
6. Many cities want the ANA to reserve a block of rooms at 2-3 nearby hotels. If the block of
rooms is not fully occupied, then the ANA has to make up the difference. Same for the
concession stands at the venue. If they don't meet the agreed upon dollar amount, then the ANA
has to make up the difference.
7. For the amount of attendees that attend, the ANA is small potatoes. Usually 10,000 give
or take a few hundred. The Shriners and Amway can promise 30,000+ attendees.
8. Many times over the years cities/venues won't even respond to the ANA's request.

I'm sure there are other reasons, these are the ones that come to mind. I go to the WFoM
because of the comradery, seeing coins that I wish I could collect but my budget doesn't
allow. The exhibits that collectors share with us are amazing. I've never had a bad experience
at any of the ANA conventions, summer or mid winter. The only other city/venue that in my
opinion is even doable would be Baltimore. There you may have a scheduling conflict with
the summer Whitman show.

2ndCharter

4. Rosemont is a 10 minute shuttle/cab ride from the airport. Very easy and convenient.

I really do like this reason - when I fly in to O'Hare, all the convention hotels have free shuttle service to and from the hotel to the airport. So, free shuttle service and the hotels are right across the street from the Convention Center. Now, granted, in the immediate area, there's not much for a family to do. However, since I travel there by myself, it's not an issue.