The Hamcation group has grown their convention without ARRL's help incrementally, year over year, and IO understand had 28,000+ attendees in 2019. No hamfest outside Dayton comes close to this attendance. The reason is simply hard work and a loyal team. The Orlando ARC has a volunteer team and we see the leadership at every hamfest with a booth, courting attendees and vendors. If you've attended, you're on their list and get their post card and reminder emails. No other area in the United States draws tourists like Orlando, and this February venue will continue to grow and thrive. ARRL has recognized the value of this effort with a phenomenal large presence in 2020 and committing to a National Convention. I believe that it is the expectation of the OARC that this is the right thing to do. It would be a huge mistake with membership and our relationship with OACC and the vendors who support this show to NOT reschedule this for 2021. These members and the Orlando Amateur Radio Club are faithful and loyal ARRL promoters. Let's not let the COVID catastrophe damage this great relationship. Mickey Baker, N4MB Palm Beach Gardens, FL *“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead." Robert K. Greenleaf* On Fri, Sep 18, 2020 at 11:08 AM John Robert Stratton <N5AUS@n5aus.com> wrote:
Barry and EC
The postponement discussed below is neither the fault of our brethren in Florida nor that of the ARRL, but times and circumstances have changed.
Add that we have a new CEO taking office in 10 days, that there may be other venues with better circumstances in a year and a half and that the League's interests may not align with a National Convention in Florida in 2022, I suggest that the decision as to whether to commit to a 2022 HamCation National Convention warrants review by the full Board with the new CEO on board.
There is NO emergency or time critical requirement that compels an immediate decision. Haste makes waste and we don't have the resources to waste.
I suggest we defer a decision to review by A&F, the new CEO and the Board.
______________________________________
John Robert Stratton
N5AUS
Director
West Gulf Division
Office: 512-445-6262
Cell: 512-426-2028
P.O. Box 2232
Austin, Texas 78768-2232
*______________________________________* On 9/18/20 8:17 AM, Shelley, Barry, N1VXY (CEO) wrote:
Good Morning:
As everyone knows, the ARRL Board approved the 2021 Orlando HamCation as an ARRL National Convention. For the past several weeks, ARRL staff has been in discussions with the Orlando HamCation volunteers regarding what conditions, if any, would need to be in place to actually conduct an in-person event of the size and scope that would befit an ARRL National Convention. I’ve attached a memo prepared by our staff that discusses the factors and recommends postponing the event, at least from our perspective.
We heard yesterday from the HamCation Executive Board which has agreed that the best course of action for the upcoming event is to postpone it entirely until February 11-13, 2022. John Knott and Michael Cauley were grateful for the effort we made to summarize so many contributing factors that would need to be considered. These, and some concern that they won’t have an excellent 5-star show as their 75th anniversary event made the decision easier. Additionally, they have some last minute concern that their convention services contractor may be out of business by December – causing a last minute cancellation.
We’ve agreed with HamCation to make a formal, joint announcement using our respective news and media outlets on Mon, Oct 5. In the meantime, they have some work to do to inform 30+ committee members, hotels, and other close stakeholders. We will begin working with our hotel immediately. The information will surely leak, but HamCation has asked our help to keep it out of our formal news engine until we, together, publish a joint announcement on Oct 5.
No one is happy about the prospect of postponing the convention but we want to be able to deliver a positive and substantial event which does not appear possible, given the current environment of restrictions, health officials recommendations and people’s basic reluctance to travel and gather, especially our community which includes a disproportionate number of high risk individuals.
In that regard, HamCation officials are eager to host the National Convention in 2022 and have asked that we carry over the sanctioning of the event to their 2022 HamCation. I believe that is within the purview of the Executive Committee and, given the unusual circumstances with which we’re still dealing and the uncertainty regarding how long these conditions will exist, I strongly recommend the Committee take that action. If done timely, the decision can be included in the joint announcement on October 5th.
I’ve included both Bob Inderbitzen and Kathleen Callahan on this email as they are the two managers most responsible for our position and participation at the event. If you have any questions, please include them as they are likely the one who will have the answers.
73,
Barry, N1VXY
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