Earlier today, the American Numismatic Association published a press release announcing that planning is continuing for the World’s Fair of Money this August in Pittsburgh.
Whatever happens, will depend on the state of the pandemic and the restrictions set by Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh. It will also depend on how the David L. Lawrence Convention Center can help stage the show to keep all participants safe.
I have confidence that the ANA staff will do the best job they can so that the show can go on.
The leadership is challenging my confidence in the ANA.
It has been more than two months since the ANA Headquarters had to close because of the pandemic, but we have not heard from the ANA president.
On April 8, 2020, the ANA canceled Summer Seminar, but we have not heard from the ANA president.
On April 10, 2020, I explained that the ANA did not have online education because the ANA president killed the process.
On April 16, 2020, I provided several ideas as to how the ANA could provide stop-gap processes to expand online education in the short term.
But we have not heard from the ANA president.
As the country begins to reopen, the ANA has missed a golden opportunity to put itself online to attract an audience. Using a professional staff who could probably use a break from the mundane, the ANA could have created great content to attract people surfing the web looking for something different.
The ANA has many brilliant members with knowledge they can share with the public under the ANA’s banner. Others can generate content for the more serious collectors.
Since the ANA staff is already on the payroll, the costs would be whatever cost production and communications. All it would take is a commitment from the ANA to do this.
Where was the ANA’s commitment?
Where was the Board of Governors to push this?
Where was ANA President Steve Ellsworth?
Scott
Since Covid-19 started, churches have gotten worship services and study groups on the internet. Some Doctors are now seeing patients via the internet.
But, not the ANA. Why? Because numismatics is loaded with old fogies who want to preserve the status quo and stifle new.ideas.
Also, did you notice the ANA lists 4 Pittsburgh hotels to choose from for the WFM. Whoopie! All four are approximately the same price. The Florida United Numismatists give a choice of hotels for their shows, but there will be a big price range among them.
My advice to anyone going to the Pittsburgh WFM is look on the internet. The ANA’S prices can be beat there.
Sincerely
Bob Graul
First, as a full time dealer of 53 years I guess I qualify as one of those old fogies mentioned in your comments. I have seen two letters from the ANA president regarding the upcoming show, so we have heard from the ANA president.
Regarding hotels it is normal sop for associations to make arrangements with a small number of hotels that service the immediate area of the convention. this is generally a requirement of the particular convention center and the municipality it serves. show promoters often have their hands tied to a package deal which is politically controlled to promote business for the municipality in question.
The FUN show is located in an area where there are 100’s of hotels and motels, it is a major vacation destination. Pittsburgh is not the same.
Harry Miller