John, I really appreciate you putting the facts out there in layman's terms. Those that are tinkering with trade sessions are going to see the convention attendance drop, thereby causing the dealers attendance to drop along with the overall membership to drop. All resulting in the income to the club to drop. I wrote a letter to Jerry after last years convention. After reading it today, it still seems to have some extremely valuable points. I think the dealers have always disliked the traders over the 15 years of conventions that I have attended. However, not one of them that I know has ever turned down my money while shopping at their table(s). Also, most of you are aware that many dealers have spent countless hours in the trade session rooms, both buying and trading. I am usually available by phone, and everyone knows I am available by email. If I can assist in solving this problem please reach out. Reggie

Here is the letter as requested by Jerry - sent around July-Aug 2021

Jerry, I have not wrote a report on the past conventions trade session activities, mostly because of my dwindling interest in the club period. But with my down time with Covid last week I gave it some thought and come up with this. Trading is slowly disappearing and I fear that this coming year will it will be even less. Most of the real avid traders have left us, in various ways, mostly by passing. There are a few younger chippers showing up, that is somewhat encouraging to me but, I am pretty much done as a trader. I may still attend the conventions of the future pending health and financial conditions in my life.

I thought Ray Talbot was interested before I left, but by the end of the show, he just kinda quietly disappeared without firming up the request that he take it over. I have not heard from him, nor have I reached out to hear what he has to offer.

As far as recommendations as to proceed and possible improvements, I have not given it much thought, mostly because of my own agenda has been keeping me busy, you know life, covid and staying alive all this stuff gets in the way… you should.
Here are few comments and observations:

1) Don’t worry about badges being on the person while trading…
2) Make the trading hours slightly shorter, thus making them a little more special
3) Absolutely, make some one in charge, but allow them to access the keys to the trade room, so the monitor doesn’t have to chase someone down to open session.
4) Each session have a little welcome table with munchies, cake or donuts something to nibble on. (Something besides just water)

I am sure you have heard all of this before, but I was told over the last few years, that we have suffered great losses to our trader base, perhaps I will just drop a few names to punctuate that fact over the past 15 years of people I used to enjoy trading with; only a tiny percentage of these guys are still around and active in trading.

Claude Argo------------------- A J Giametta----------------------Charles Mades
Rick Armstrong----------------Steve Gobel-----------------------Jon Maren
Keith Bearden------------------Steve Goodrich--------------------Allan McCurdy
Charles Bianco-----------------Jerry Graham----------------------Robert McColum
David Byard--------------------Irwin Gross-------------------------Ed Norris
John Chamberlain--------------Jim Hagen--------------------------Lee O’dell
Jim Colbert----------------------Bill Harkins------------------------Manuel Orama
Carmen Cocozza---------------Fred Hempel------------------------Armin Pfaendar
Tarl Cooley---------------------James Hickel------------------------Bill Purcell
Fred DeKeyser------------------Richard Jezeski---------------------Luke Rapley
George D-------------------------John Kallman-----------------------Butch Reynolds
John Esslinger--------------------Stanley Kan------------------------Monte Schuff
Jim Follis--------------------------Charles Kaplan--------------------Curtis Squires
James Freedner-------------------Rob Lange--------------------------Everett Sorrels
Pat & Helen Fricke---------------Jerry Leonardo---------------------Ray Talbot
Jim Gagnon------------------------Travis Lewin-----------------------Charlie Wilson
“Gar”Morris Garfinkel-----------Mark Lighterman------------------Brice Young
Wilson Gee------------------------Paul Liscio--------------------------John Zoesch