I want to try to clear up a few things about the information about CHA-Summer 2009, because I’m seeing a lot of complaints and speculation online in various forums and much of it has little basis in actual fact.
The only thing that has been announced by CHA about their new plans for CHA-Summer 2009 is the move to Orlando and that there will be two days of consumer show. There has been no definition created by CHA yet of what exactly “consumer show” will mean, and in fact CHA is in the process of holding a series of conference calls with CHA members to try to define that.
There is actually precedent, especially in the consumer electronics industry, for consumer shows that are display only, with no sales, to show off the latest and greatest products. So we just don’t know yet exactly what that part of the event will entail. No assumption should be made yet that CHA’s definition of consumer show will be something like a Memories Expo or Creating Keepsakes Convention. It could mean no consumer sales, or those days could conceivably even get called off based on the conference call feedback from members if that is negative enough.
I definitely see why a lot of people can’t imagine this turning out to be a good idea no matter what the specifics end up being, but no specifics have been set. We’ll just have to wait and see.
I’ve heard a lot of talk about the undesirability of Orlando as a home for the event. It’s understandable of course that people local to Chicago would be upset about the venue change but I’m also hearing complaints about the Florida heat and concerns about safety in Orlando that I would like to address.
Most of you know that I live in Florida – about two hours outside Orlando. I frequently travel down to the city both as a tourist and to attend conventions (both scrapbook and other types). Orlando’s tourist areas are safe – or no more dangerous than any other tourist areas, such as the one around the convention center in Anaheim. Orlando has a reputation as a city with problems but those problems – the soaring murder rate, etc – are rooted in the city’s low-income residential neighborhoods. As long as you don’t plan on sightseeing in those neighborhoods (far removed from the tourist areas), and observe basic personal safety precautions like not walking alone after dark in the tourist areas, you should have no concerns.
As far as the heat, my experience when attending work-related events in Orlando has been that I am barely outside except to walk from the car to the convention building and then from the car into the hotel – only a few minutes a day, so the heat outside doesn’t matter. And I know the south has a reputation for being backwards, but Orlando’s hotels and convention centers do actually have that new-fangled air conditioning thing. Honest. And we use it – Florida’s carbon footprint isn’t very earth-friendly in the month of July. I’d actually advise bringing a sweater for when you are indoors, in fact. We set our thermostats to polar bear friendly temperatures. Just because we can.
Orlando has a lot of competitively priced convention space, abundant affordable lodging, and is one of the cheaper airline destinations in the country. It’s a very popular convention destination year-round, for a wide variety of industries. Why shouldn’t CHA take advantage of that? They may even be trying to attract more international buyers to the show by scheduling it during the traditional summer vacation period in Europe, and in a popular (and currently very affordable) vacation destination for those buyers. Attracting those buyers might inject much-needed life into the show.
I think and have asked for a consummer show for years!! Kudos to CHA for finally taking a gaint step in the right direction!!
How can a consummer know what to look for in a store if they have no idea what is there????
Gives the manufacturer a chance to education the consummer how to use a new product before it comes out on a shelf!
No matter where it is held….people will come!!!!!!!!!!
Again…CONGRATULATIONS CHA !!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s called ADVERTISING and MARKETING. Just like any other company with a product to sell to consumers, these companies have a budget specifically dedicated to answer the question, “How do we let our customers know we have this product for sale?”
We have some fun product preview images to send you.
lines that will be debuting at CHA ORlando.
if you’re interested. To what email can i send some images?
thx.
–Don:)
I have lived in Florida my entire life ( Jacksonville, Orlando and Miami) and have yet to be exposed to any of the violence or safety concerns that you have. I worked for a travel agency in Orlando for many years that dealt exclusively with children and yound adult tours. No one was ever injured or harmed while on tours. When I travel I use heightened awareness because I am unfamiliar with the area. As with any city it is wise to go places with a friend and use wise judgement when making plans.
Come to Florida and have a great time. There are so many attractions but if they are not your thing visit our beaches, springs, NASA and parks all with in a 30 to 60 minute drive.
I have been in Chicago for summer CHA for years. I found the area surrounding the convention dull, seedy and very limited for food or entertainment. If you have ever walked to the only reasonalble Italian reataurant you may wonder about your chances of a safe return.Unless you rent a car or take a taxi ($$$$)your options for food or entertainment are limited.
I have attended the Anheim location several years . Anahiem is not San Francisco. I found it quite a visual dissapointment THe only entertainment is your Bar or Disneyland. I found the same limitations for food there as well. However I always realize I was there for work not the ambiance.
I have also attended other shows at Orlando. Safety has never been a thought. THe weather is great and especially nice in the evening. THere is an amazing variety of dinning and entertainment options all within walking distance. I can’t understand any resistance to that location.
The restaurants near the convention center are top notch…anything you want. Even the hotels there have great food…Peabody’s B-Line Diner is awsome. The bar at the Rosen has great food and Pointe Orlando has lots of great food. Food is not a issue for International drive….all and everything you could want. Also a pretty are, yes tourist driven, but we love going there to shop and eat.
I am a freelance artist that designs for some of the manufacturers that will be at the show. I too, live in the area and I have attended many of the trade shows held there, as well as other venues in other locations, like NY, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami & Cali. I can honestly say that I feel safer there, and have never, ever felt unsafe. I agree with all of the comments above. It is extremely convenient & affordable. I don’t like being hot, but really, you are almost always in an air-conditioned building or car. Very little amount of time is spent outdoors, unless you desire that. You won’t be sorry you came!