47TH ANNUAL BRNA SHOW COMMENTS

Bob Hurst

What did you think of BRNA this past August?  From my vantage point as the Bourse Chairman let me take a minute or two of your time and let you know what I thought of the show.  First of all, I would like to thank the BRNA Board for entrusting the show to me.  When I took over the job as bourse chairman, I was concerned if I would be able to do the show justice.  This was my first endeavor to ran a show, but having set up and attending hundreds of show over the past quarter century, I had a feel of what was needed.   I tried my best to go the extra mile for everyone at the show.  I asked four months out to bring problems to my attention so we could get them straightened out before the show started.   Did that work - Absolutely.  Come show day, I personally only had two complaints and one was not warranted.  Thanks to Grant Campbell, BRNA Vice President, all the dealers were treated to a Bar-B-Q dinner set up night.  Grant went out and found someone who loves to Bar-B-Q and it showed. On Wednesday before the show, the Food and Beverage Manager for the Convention Center, Mike Culver showed me the smoker that was out side the convention center.  Over 300 pounds of Pork Butt was in the smoker and it sure smelled wonderful.  The dinner for the dealers consisted of Bar-B-Q, and all the fix'ins.  I believe that everyone enjoyed it. 

The convention center staff worked remarkably well with me and the bourse floor tables were set by mid-day Wednesday.  Blenda (BRNA Secretary/Treasurer) and Wendell Brush and I started putting the blue covers on the tables until they had to leave to pick up someone at the airport.  I took a short break and returned and covered more tables.  Back at the convention center early Thursday morning, I finished up the covers.  Gary Overton, the President of BRNA came in and help put out the table signs.  By eleven AM we were ready for the dealers.  At 2 PM we opened the doors for the dealers.  Everyone moved in to their booths very smoothly. 

The attendance for the show seemed to be down a little.  However, I believe that there was a very good reason for that.  The Georgia Numismatic Association (GNA) had their convention a month earlier and due to ANA having their summer show in mid August, BRNA had to shuffle the date around and start earlier.  Actually, BRNA was always the week of my birthday, but this year, I will spend it at ANA in Denver.  I believe that next year will be back to normal as we moved the convention back to August.  The actual dates will be: Aug 23-26 2007.

A very important note to all of you.  We have the privilege of having the Wingate Inn on Holiday Drive (now called College Drive) as our Host Hotel. Many of you got your reservations at the show, but for those of you who have not done so, you can contact, Christina Hasty at:  706-272-9099 or email her at:  christinahasty@hotmail.com to get your reservation for next year.  Just let her know that you are a BRNA dealer.   Visit their website at: www.the.wingateinns.com/dalton07822. The Wingate Inn will undergo a complete renovation starting in November 2006 and will be a new facility when BRNA is back in town.  They are adding a full restaurant and have requested a Full Pour Liquor license.  If the license is approved, the Wingate will be the only hotel with a complete bar and lounge in the area. 

I truly enjoyed being your Bourse Chairman for the 2006 show and hope that everyone will be in attendance at 2007.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Best Regards,

Bob Hurst
BRNA Bourse Chairman