Ona

I went on Saturday and returned on Sunday, since I had forgotten to look for some items. When I arrived, about 11:30, there was a handmade sign saying the bourse would close at 1 p.m., not 4 as advertised. Half the dealers had already left and the rest were packing up. I was told that the hotel had booked the room for the afternoon. My $5 admission fee was refunded by a nice young man. One couple, who had come a long way, had just arrived and were far from pleased.

I have had similar experiences at shows on the second day. My advice would be to attend the first day.

Fortunately I live nearby.

I then joined my wife at the casino where I actually made a few dollars.

I've never heard so many complaints from dealers and attendees about a show. Dealers were informed late last week that we must be out by 1:30 on Sunday, even though we paid until 4pm. Then late Saturday afternoon we're told the show is opening up to the public at 8am. Funny that they still posted on the sign outside of the hotel "COIN SHOW: LAST DAY! 10am - 1pm"

I'm not going to get into the politics of the situation but I hate see anyone walk away with a bad taste in their mouth.

So, in order to make good on the situation I would like to extend an offer to all CCF members. This coming weekend is the Brampton Coin Show, and the following weekend is the Guelph show. Parking is free but stop by my table and I will gladly refund your entry fee. Got kids? Bring them too, we always like to talk to the young collectors and see what peaks their interest. They rarely walk away empty handed

@ Orfew, I'm glad you stopped by and had a plesant experience, that's what these shows are supposed to be about.

I would like to thank all members of CCF and everyone else for coming out to the ONA show in Niagara Falls. As show chairman I must take the good with the bad.
This is the first show in this area in 34 years. A lot has changed in Niagara Falls over the years. I had not chaired a show in this area before, so dealing with this type of hotel was completely different than the previous shows I have done. I would be glad to answer everyone's comments on this forum.

@ brexzz1, We usually have a hard time keeping the dealers there till 3 or 4pm. I was in the room at noon doing a draw for the dealers and there was 27 dealers still there, mind you some had started the process of packing. I apologize for the inconvenience especially with the 2 hours drive. I hope you will visit us next year back in Kitchener at the Holiday Inn.

@ Orfew, I am glad to hear that your experience was a good one. Please visit us in Kitchener next year at the Holiday Inn

@ mindfreak, I once again offer my apology for you on the early closing Sunday, we were informed by the hotel only the week before. I spoke to every single dealer on the phone prior to the show and most were acceptable of the situation. Our tables do cost more than the average local show but there is much more overhead running a show of this size, the cost of tables at RCNA level is more than ours.

@ grandpapa, apologies once again for the Sunday issue.

@select, thank you for your offer to all CCF members, you are correct about the politics part of it, but this convention hotel is nothing that we have experienced before. Being a tourist based city they are out to make money anyway they could and that includes renting out the bourse area at 4pm. I totally agree we should have caught it much earlier, but didn't so we had to do what we were forced to by legal contract with the hotel. Being back in Kitchener at the Holiday Inn next year eliminates alot of the issues that we had.

robb4640, I also appreciate your response. But I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about an early Sunday closing when I was there on Saturday. If it was known for a week, should something not have at least been posted on site?

Why is the next ONA show in Kitchener again? Wasn't it there already in 2013?