I have attended four HomeBrewCons but unfortunately was unable to attend this year's due to a family committment. It sounds like I didn't miss much .
I have read this thread over the past week and all the good, constructive criticism. In particular from
@Bobby_M. I was involved with some of the largest world-class trade shows over my 39 years in the Aerospace industry and it's amazing how many parallels there are with the home brewing community. Any profession/hobby has to change to move with the times, otherwise it will stagnate & die a slow death. I think a lot of people just wonder why HBC cant just replicate the previous year's event but in a different location. We all had great times in Minneapolis, Portland or Pittsburgh but the writing was on the wall. We were all paying a lot of money for less content and vendor participation. Things had to change.
At the past HBC events the AHA circulated a comprehensive survey and I am one who spent a considerable amount of time providing feedback on the highs and lows of the show. I even sent an email to Julia Herz summarizing my thoughts after last year's show.. I am guessing, and hoping, that the AHA, under presure to improve the ROI from the BA looked at their options and at least considered the feedback from the previous events from people like me who took time to provide constructive criticism.
I was disappointed to see that the AHA has decided to combine the event with the GABF - at least for 2024, but understand their reasons. The two communities are completely different and I do not see a lot of synergy there - except we all love beer! I think the best case moving forward is to have annual regional events where the homebrew clubs can have the opportunity to pour their own beer and meet other area brewers. This could be scheduled to coincide with the regional NHC judging and the regional winners announced. It could also be an opportunity for regional suppliers and Homebrew stores to exhibit - but not on the same scale as HBC. Other national suppliers - the MoreBeers and Blichmann's of the world could also choose to support the regional events - or not!
When it comes down to it, I ask myself what I have got from attending HomeBrewCons. the answer is:
#1 Camaraderie and friendship with other brewers - more often than not brewers local to my state(s).
#2 The trade show and being able to have one on one conversations with the likes of John Blichmann, Randy Mosher, Denny Conn, Brad Smith and others
#3 a lot of swag!
Hang in there and I hope to meet you at HBC 2024!
Paul