St. Louis NMRA National Convention Cancelled

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Illinois governor just last night issued an advisory, “I think everybody needs to think seriously about canceling large summer events. ...". It hasn't turned into an emergency order yet, but you just know somebody somewhere will cop the "...doesn't affect us..." thing and prompt turning the suggestion into rule.

This is so true. It's a shame that it almost always comes to that, but it is what it is.

[C855B]

... There is also another Roger Holmes in Central Illinois who looks remarkably like me and sells train videos at various train shows around the Midwest.  We've had some fun confusing people. ...

Including myself several years ago on first meeting both. Well... credit where credit is due, he ("our" Roger) did give me a head's up.

[C855B]

Ken Patterson interview of the principals organizing the 2020 convention, explaining the many ugly details behind the decision to cancel:

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Not really "news" as most of what was outlined amounts to "merely obvious", but revealing in the infinitesimal details of large convention logistics and how much of a house of cards it really is.

[railnerd]

I've been loosely involved in the NMRA 2021 convention planned for Santa Clara, California— these conventions come down to this herculean efforts on individuals and having the right connections.  In other words hard work and luck.

FWIW, the convention center here is currently set up as a surge hospital, but thankfully it hasn't seen a patient yet.

-Dave