I've noticed that nearly all the exhibitions are being cancelled and turned online. Trade and commerce has, finally, woken up from its slumber and businesses are poking their noses out, sniffing the air and finding that they aren't all collectively dropping dead after all. As a result, I have invitations to attend several trade shows next year, and two before Christmas.
So I am wondering now (I am only asking the question and I make no judgement of others for their opinions, so please don't judge me on mine) are model railway enthusiasts more risk averse than anyone else or is this a deeper issue whereby (with one or two notable large groups) shows are generally loss making and finding volunteers to organise is proving hard for many groups. So I wonder if this is going to become the 'new normal' that people keep talking about. Possibly using commercial sponsorship adverts on screen and reverting to mail order.
I for one think this will be a very bad move, kill the social side stone dead and for retailers, those profitable impulse buys will disappear. However, I can see this being the case. Already one political discussion group that also talks a lot of railways (sorry, reverse that) are talking of reducing their three exhibitions to one.
Remember you read it here first.
Derek