"The Future for Miniatures" Topic

According to the U S Government, this from a source who works for Homeland Security, for what that's worth, we have at least another year before many of the COVID 19 restrictions are lifted
If this is so, what will the hobby look like in October 2021?
Will there be much left?

I don't see it changing much for me. I'm still buying loads of minis (in fact more than I use to since I no longer go to football games, the pub or eat out so have more disposable income). I have more hobby time as I'm either at home or work these days (not really wishing to go any where else).

Also I only game solo and prefer painting and modeling to playing any way. Finally I haven't been to a wargames show in years so that doesn't effect me.

As long as someone is making and selling miniatures my hobby will keep going covid or not.

It depends on what happens with the vaccine. If people perceive it as working the 2021 Summer con season should explode. People will be happy to see each other, showing off new armies painted during lock down, trying to sate a starved appetite. If the vaccine is not perceived as effective (regardless of why it may be perceived that way) people will still be cautious next year. That could be bad for the hobby.

Hopefully we'll find more ways to play outside of conventions. I have an idea for a game by zoom in which I have every phone, kindle, and laptop join the meeting so players can see the board from four to six angles. You roll your dice (on camera!) and I move the minis. Might work.

In any case, event planners and game masters have some serious work to do rebuilding things.

The convention scene may be in bad shape but, around here anyway, local gaming is getting back on track in stores and in peoples' homes.

I think manufacturers and distributers will do alright as a lot of people seem to be using this time as a "buy and paint year."

I am painting as well, and I intend to run a number of small group games next year with my new projects.

I am also using this time to sell off figures that need to find a new home, and I'll easily put $1,500 USD back in to the hobby in the next six months.

People's shopping patterns had already changed to players buying most of their collection on line.
So no serious change to the gaming industry.

I'll still have plenty of figures to play with, some freshly painted.

I think most people will get back into it. Conventions may look to space things out more. Some people will be more sensitive to crowding at the game table. For the first year or so, 2022, people may be more intune to how they feel before they go to friends house to play with others in the basement.

We probably won't see this for a few years

This to will pass ! Silver lining is like some have said lots of new troops painted up and everyone will be happy to see each other again . Cheers and game on- if you can

So far, manufacturers seem to be getting by, and the solo and very small group players are OK. The rest are buying and painting in anticipation.

As for conventions, they'll come back if the panic lifts as well as the legal restrictions. One or the other isn't enough. But it will be different. It was going to be different between Spring 2020 and Fall 2021 regardless. Older more historically-oriented miniatures gamers will continue to die or travel less. They'll be (partially) replaced by younger ones with greater interest in fantasy and SF, and more prone to be "franchise" gamers, getting period, rules and castings from a single source while the older ones were mix and match.

And there will be punctuated evolution. When the conventions resume, look for a flood of new ideas worked out by individuals and small groups during the Time of Isolation all hitting the conventions at once. The first big conventions afterward are going to be very educational experiences.

We are still gaming, albeit it remotely by email – I am umpiring a SYW game with 4 players (from 3 different countries)

Which reminds me – I have some Austrians to move!

Still continuing with informal, small- group gaming; that shouldn't change in the next year. And, yes, I have gotten a lot more painting done.

Maybe it is too soon to ask about the state of the hobby in the Fall of 2021 and yet even though many who already have games,the miniatures and are able to have games at private residences, the question is what about the hobby, the industry in the Fall 2012? It doesn't matter if you're still gaming but the hobby stores are closed or out of business, if there is no financing for conventions?
And there are some people who think that the COVID crisis will last several years, to include those politicians with the power to keep non essential businesses, to include activities connected with the hobby, closed!
Watch out for the sting in 2021 even 2022 from these types. I live in Los Angeles county in California which is now and may in the figure be controlled by those who have that concern that could be called excessive.

Our club has low attendance due to health concerns but higher interest than ever. It's unclear if our local con will survive after missing 2 years – the issue for most conventions will be volunteers who have started doing other things after missing 2 years.

I expect Fall In 2021 to the be first big one in North America and will likely set attendance records as we are all REALLY ready for a holiday.

I know at my work everyone is rolling over maximum vacation so expect a lot of people to have more time to attend next year. I would like to try for Salute 2022 myself.

Enhance your calm, Dick. Have you seen any major manufacturer close? Are hobby shops closing at an unusual rate? The serious HMGS branches are sitting on the pile of money they did not spend on conventions in 2020. It will still be there in 2021 or 2022. The minor conventions could--let's be honest about this--be covered by a credit card or a good whip-round of the membership.

I'm not sure there ever was a COVID crisis. There is certainly a COVID panic, worse in some places than others.

As for living in LA County, you have my sympathy, but that's really not a problem anyone else can solve for you.

Robert is correct, at least as far as HMGS-South is concerned. We are in good financial shape and ready to resume once it is safe again. We have worked closely with our partner hotel and convention facility and have rolled over deposits to future dates already agreed upon. In fact we are in such good shape we have renewed all 2020 members for 2021 at no cost to the member.

I am a bit more concerned about vendors. Not that they will fold but they wont come. Many companies are finding out they dont need as much expensive office space and workers can work just as well from home. Rudy has touched on it that much of the commerce for the hobby has migrated online. I am wondering if vendors might not find out that they really dont miss most shows and that not attending may in fact be more financially attractive. We may find some vendors cutting back on the number of conventions they do and perhaps only doing a large one, such as Historicon, and perhaps a few regional ones in their area.

Well I would not consider HMGS-Midwest to have a "pile" perhaps a molehole is more apt. Enough to cover the potential failure of a large convention. We were also able to continue the extended membership, at no cost until Little Wars 2021.

The issue is that cons are a major support of the revenue flow. In the past vendors (gratefully) have contributed a significant portions. We have already seen the larger metal based vendors start to curtail convention appearances. They for the most part have been replaced by smaller up and coming businesses who need the exposure.

Without the large convention (Little Wars) we have been fortunate to receive donations of all types (cash, volunteering and mini collections) Each organization still has fixed operating costs (insurance, licenses, filing charges, storage, web hosting etc). We will be ok this year and potentially next year as well. (Perish the thought of no LW 2021)

Our Autumn Wars is on track to show a slight profit (+$150). This is based on in-hand Vendor and Preregistration revenue. My biggest concern is how long this reduced capacity mandate will be in place. Right now the venues are willing to work with us, let's hope that continues.

"Enhance your calm, Dick. Have you seen any major manufacturer close?".

QRF has announced they will be closing and selling off molds, but that's more due to their worker's declining health than Covid.

Of course, it is possible that declining sales due to people having less money to spend on minis since they aren't working, or working less could have something to do with it too. I don't know about that, so it is pure speculation on my part.

However, I suspect if sales were booming, or very profitable, they could just hire someone else to replace him.

QRF are not closing as far as I can tell – they ARE selling off all their modern and WW2 ranges but The other freikorps ranges will still be available.

And if they are like veryone else in the industry they will have had more orders than they can comfortably deal with…

Mike

The problem with what your friend told you is that Homeland Security has nothing to do with the restrictions at the State Level. Those are set by the various State Governors and in many States pushback against those restrictions is building.

Have seen no issues with gaming in my area. I've been playing Flames of War and Warhammer 40k (started that again) and been having a great time. Attendance has been consistent for us wargamers and the one store I play at always has lots of Magic the Gathering people sitting at the card tables. Conventions may continue to be affected but gaming has been doing very well in my region.

I've painted more in the last 6 months than I have the past 2 years. Approximately 70 15mm vehicles, some infantry, and a heap of 28mm fantasy. Time that would have been spent preparing for cons has been filled with working on my backlog and planning the next big project.

Thank you for the clarification on QRF.

I hope I didn't panic anyonw.

Sad to see the WWII to Modern stuff going though, since that's what I personally am most interested in.

Love their 15mm Cold War West Germans, and their vessels for the Falklands Conflict, among other things. Hope someone picks those up and keeps them in production.

To lump all facets of the hobby together is not accurate. Sales will probably be the same as most people game most of the time in their homes or small shops with limited exposure and will continue to buy items on line. Conventions are a separate matter. They hold the highest risk of exposure to Covid from a myriad of sources. Unless mask wearing and hand washing is enforced by the convention organizers on all people who enter the venue many people will not come. Hotel rooms will be areas of exposure as well unless the hotel is turned into a bubble. Also how do you insure that the hotel staff complies. Marc is correct about vendors not coming because of the risks. Many people go to see what the vendors have. Especially vendors of painted figures like myself. One of the precautions I would have to take would be to encase all of my figures in plastic and forbid anyone from touching them or picking them up. When I have tried this in the past customers have become angry or chosen not to buy anything. Customer behavior would have to change for me to be willing to take the risk. Payment could be risky too as cash and credit cards can pass on the virus. Just too many variables.

Look for the 4th wave to be over in spring 2022.

I just got my flu shot yesterday, an annual rite of autumn…even though the news reported that last year's flu vaccine was only "45%" effective. 45% of what, I'm not sure, but they seem to work.

For me, once a corona vaccine is available, or more importantly, once I get the actual vaccine shot, I'll go back to attending conventions. Otherwise, it'll be very limited face-to-face gaming among a close-knit group of fellow corona-chondriacs.

As I noted in the intro to my monthly AAR:

---

Coronanoia Eases: Well, A Bit Anyway…
by Russ Lockwood

Don't get me wrong: my paranoia of coronavirus remains as healthy as the virus is unhealthy, but if you are comfortable with a certain level of risk, then you can ease back into limited, outdoors face-to-face gaming -- assuming your gaming buddies are as paranoid as you are.

So, Dan and I tried an outdoor card game of Dominion. When that proved uneventful after two weeks, we tried a miniatures game of War of the Roses.

---

The key here is: "gaming buddies are as paranoid as you are."

I did one-on-one indoors gaming with no ill effects, again, with gamers as careful as I am.

Otherwise, it's been Play by E-mail of Axis and Allies and Triumph & Tragedy boardgames…which offer a different type of challenge, had slight modifications made to them to enhance fog of war, and are certainly slower to unfold, but entertaining nonetheless.

The second-best reason for a dealer like myself not to attend a convention at present is because no one else will.

The best reason for me not to attend at present is because I don't want to get sick.

I'm hoping the situation will be under better control by next Summer and we can resume holding conventions.

Autumn Wars is in the books. We were Covid compliant with the State, County, Venue and HMGS-Midwest.

We ran Friday night to Sunday Afternoon. 30 of of our 35 events were played. We issued 95 Badges of all types. Last year's AW was at 70 Badges.

Seven vendors joined us. Three did very well, three did well, and one was there to show the flag.

Temperature taking and waivers were done at registration. Followups will occur in the next few days.

The biggest factor that cannot be quantified but was clearly evident was the enthusiasm. Gamers and vendors alike relished the opportunity to socialize and game together after a long drought.

The future of Miniature gaming? Just like mobile warfare doctrine the 20th and 21st century, it is evolving. It has in the past and will continue to do so. There exists now (and always have been) those who:"They came at us in the same old way.stopped them in the same old way".

Each person's decision is a personal one, and we respect that. We will continue to sally forth.

Thresher, the manufacturers may be ahead because of COVID. Think gamers with more time to paint, and gamers with more money to spend on troops and terrain because they're not spending it on gas and lodging. Every HMGS-(formerly East) convention I attend puts more than 800 miles on the car, involves three nights in increasingly expensive motels and four days of eating out. That gets uncomfortably close to $1,000 USD of hobby expense, not per year but per convention, not a dime of which goes to any club or dealer. Since the Host Resort's Last Stand (Cold Wars 2020) that money has gone to troops and accessories. Now multiply me by 3,000 Historicon non-attendees, the SALUTE no-shows, the absent warriors of Little Wars and, shortly, the empty seats of FallIn, and translate that into troops, rules and terrain. I'm trying not to buy troops faster than I can paint them, but I'm painting them at a pretty good clip.

"I am a bit more concerned about vendors. Not that they will fold but they wont come. Many companies are finding out they dont need as much expensive office space and workers can work just as well from home. Rudy has touched on it that much of the commerce for the hobby has migrated online. I am wondering if vendors might not find out that they really dont miss most shows and that not attending may in fact be more financially attractive. We may find some vendors cutting back on the number of conventions they do and perhaps only doing a large one, such as Historicon, and perhaps a few regional ones in their area."

This nails it for me.

I've been in business since 1996, back then shows were extremely important to my business, I attended at one time 26 shows in a given year between wargaming and toy soldier related shows. About 80% of my income came from shows, 20% from mail order/my website.

This year I will not attend a single show, as in none. If you had told me that 5 years ago, I would have assumed I was out of business.

So far in 2020, my gross sales are down about 5%, but my NET profit is up about 15%. Last year, I spent north of 20K attending shows; this year, that number will be zero and frankly, the loss of shows has not hurt me one bit as I've seen a large boost in my mail order/website/Facebook/Pinterest/Ebay sales, it's more than made up for the lost revenue from shows.

Whenever this shitshow blows over (The Fall of 2021 according to my customer the biologist/infectious disease expert, he called the Fall of 2021 back in March, I laughed it off at the time; I'm not laughing now), I'm really not sure if I will go back to shows, I have been much more productive staying home and working on my selling platforms, keeping customers updated via email newsletters and such.

I'll be 60 in December, I'm just not sure what my thoughts on returning to shows will be once we get the all clear.

A lot depends on what "all clear" means; if it means there is a vaccine but it's about as effective as the flu shot (45% or so) and I'll have to wear a mask, drown myself in hand sanitizer, be concerned about the cleanliness of the hotel room and the safety of dining out, then forget it, I'll stay home.

This whole thing as many of you have pointed out has changed the way people shop, probably forever…………

As an attendee, I probably won't go back to conventions until there is a decently effective vaccine (hopefully better than 50% effective). I've got a suppressed immune system due to having had Lyme Disease, and my wife is immuno-compromised due to meds she has to take. I simply can't afford to get sick, nor bring it home for her.

I also don't see the old way of having 6-8 people around a gaming table being viable for a few years, if ever again. GMs are going to have to be creative in designing their games for fewer players. Another concern would be the players handling the miniatures, and how to sterilize them afterwards – you can't exactly spray them down with something lest one damage the paint, etc. Probably just leaving them out in the sun for a week or so is the best that can be done.

As for miniatures purchases, I have plenty, including some I haven't painted up yet. The issue is finding local players, as there are very few around here. So even if I trusted certain people to visit and play at my home, there is always that risk of them inadvertantly infecting us. And while I do play with my pre-teen son occasionally, it gets repetitive – I need adult conversation and adult players for my sanity. :)

The HMGS business model has been changing for some years now, with less dealers attending. This pandemic may have changed it permamently. The old business model of HMGS putting most of the costs on the dealers may no longer be sustainable. I guess that depends on the facility costs too.

If the hoped for vaccine makes the scene in April, perhaps cons can start up again in August or so. I just don't see how the math/calendar enable Hcon to happen.

In regards to people around the gaming table and handling miniatures, a vaccine will help with the former, and the later only need a short period of time – two hours, according to the CDC – if contaminated. The virus does not do well on surfaces, so that risk is minimal.

The upside is that maybe HMGS finally gets its act together and starts spacing out tables in a safer and more enjoyable layout. Hey, I can hope, can't I? :-)

Many people here and around me are waiting for it to be "safe" It will never be safe. Statically, the most dangerous thing one can do is get into your car and drive, the 2nd mos dangerous is get into your shower (slip and fall).
Once the mortality rate for covid falls below those, it's as safe as it is ever going to be.

"The HMGS business model has been changing for some years now, with less dealers attending. This pandemic may have changed it permamently. The old business model of HMGS putting most of the costs on the dealers may no longer be sustainable. I guess that depends on the facility costs too."

My business model has changed dramatically over the years, mainly due to the fact that collectors have changed the way they shop over the years.

When I started in the late 1990's, hobby shops/toy soldier stores were everywhere, one by one they have closed as the owners have retired/gone out of business/passed away and there have not been new business owners taking their place; traditional retailing is dying, it's been dying for a long time, websites have taken the place of store fronts.

I've tapped into a number of new selling platforms the past few years and will continue to find more and more; Ebay/Instagram/Pinterest/Facebook/Etsy, on and on it goes.

Once this pandemic blows over (and you are on point about your timeline; a vaccine may be available in the Spring hopefully, but it's going to take 5 to 6 months to get everyone taken care of………well, I should say the ones who want to get taken care of, guaranteed there will be those who are anti vaccine and will not get the vaccine, much like there are those who are anti flu shot.), I am not sure if I am going to go back to shows.

Wargaming conventions are a much different animal than toy soldier shows; the main purpose of a toy soldier show is to attend and buy, the main purpose of a wargaming convention is to wargame.

If dealers drop out, then the main burden of carrying the cost of the convention will fall on the attendees; will people pay 75.00/100.00 to game for a weekend with a limited dealer hall/maybe no dealer hall?

Oh but don't worry; there will still be a flea market I'm sure, which seems to be the main draw for a lot of people, so fear not, the flea market will continue to flea…………………

I've been attending conventions since 1982 as a flea marketer, dealer and manufacturer, but if I have to stand in my booth for nine hours with a mask on, I would rather not bother.

Perhaps the real question is, "How hard are you willing to work and what are you willing to risk to have your fun?"

Yes, I think I'm on spot for the timeline as well, especially if you need to take two shots. I am unclear how long the benefit of the shot will last. So if you get it in June, will it still be good for March? My understanding for those that caught Covid (place me in those ranks), you only get an estimated immunity for 4 months. Well, that stinks.

In regards to the focus of wargaming shows, I think that is less clear. If you recall way back, HMGS conducted a survey, and the results showed that the priority then was to immediately head for the dealer hall. Has that changed? I don't know. It is the first place I go to upon arrival. I'm less enthused about the flea market at this point in my gaming life. Once in a while I find a ruby in a mountain of rocks. Other experiences may vary.

At the recent CWs, the place was largely empty until the evening flea market opened up, then people came out of nowwhere to fill the room. Given the lack of games, I am guessing people were in their rooms, or arrived late just for the flea market. So yes, they are popular. Not a replacement for the dealers, but then again, the dealers have been droppoing out over the years. I believe some of the anchor dealers had announced that Ocean City was a bridge too far and weren't going to attend.

I don't envy the BoD trying to figure this all out. The re-enacting community is going through similar issues.

"In regards to the focus of wargaming shows, I think that is less clear. If you recall way back, HMGS conducted a survey, and the results showed that the priority then was to immediately head for the dealer hall. Has that changed? I don't know. It is the first place I go to upon arrival. I'm less enthused about the flea market at this point in my gaming life. Once in a while I find a ruby in a mountain of rocks. Other experiences may vary."

I recall a poll or maybe it was a thread where people were ranking what was important to them at a wargaming convention and the dealer hall seemed to rank low on a lot of responders priority list.

First and foremost, it's a wargaming convention, the main draw as a result is and should be the games. It's not a one day show like Salute, it's a weekend event, plenty of time to game, shop, socialize, do what you came there to do.

And I'm 100% with Tumbleweed; if an effective vaccine is not found and the decision is made that life goes on and COVID is here to stay and as a result, people treat it like the flu (ie, I know it's out there, I just hope I don't get it) and just carry on with their lives, then sorry, count me out of a scenario where I have to drive 8 hours, set up my stand, stay at a hotel, eat three times a day, stay in my booth for 8 hours, then socialize at night all the while wearing a mask, then forget it.

I'll stay home.

"I recall a poll or maybe it was a thread where people were ranking what was important to them at a wargaming convention and the dealer hall seemed to rank low on a lot of responders priority list."

It was a poll run by the then BOD. I believe James Mattes was involved. I am pretty sure that the poll showed the first place, or #1 priority for all was the dealer hall. It caused somewhat of a surprise at the time. Not everyone comes to game, lots of games get cancelled, or end early, etc. I would also point out that there have been siginficant changes in dealer attendance too – in that a lot of companies that brought figures no longer do, or even exist. :-(

"I would also point out that there have been siginficant changes in dealer attendance too – in that a lot of companies that brought figures no longer do, or even exist. :-("

Well to further your point and I've said this before; I am a 20mm collector, Napoleonics, ACW, FPW and WWII. When I first started attending the conventions in the mid 1990's and up through the early 2,000's, Id' routinely spend 1500 to 2K on painted and unpainted items as well as scenery/terrain, books and such.

The past few years, I barely spent any money, most of what I bought was from Doug at BTC.

Vendors I used to buy from included BP Cast/Tom Panetta, Scenic Effects, Wargames/Baxter Key, Brookhurst, RLBPS, Toby at Thoroughbred, Andy with SMM, the company that sold FAA and Combined Arms………….all of them either stopped coming to the convention or ceased trading, there is basically nothing there for a 20mm collector such as myself………………….

I believe some of the anchor dealers had announced that Ocean City was a bridge too far and weren't going to attend.

Speaking of the future, I am 98% certain Cold Wars is going to be cancelled, HMGS doesn't have much time left to make a decision.

As for dealers, I don't blame any of them for bowing out. When you make more money sitting home with less sales but higher profit margin, I can see why some won't bother. As for me, its getting harder and harder to justify buying things when the gaming room our group uses is at max capacity already.

Double G:

Sounds like we used to shop at the same vendors back in the day. I do 20mm WWII as well. Never made the leap to 15mm in that period.

I'm kind of like you for my purchases now. And aby money spent at BTC is money well spent. :-)

TSD101 – Ocean City Maryland is in Worchester County. Here are the current restrictions in place, per the county Health Dept webpage:

Effective Friday, September 4, 2020, the state of Maryland entered into Stage Three of the ‘Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery,' with additional safe and gradual reopenings.

As part of the state's initial entry into Stage Three, Governor Hogan announced the following additional safe and gradual reopenings:

INDOOR THEATERS. Indoor theaters where live performances occur or motion pictures are shown may open to the general public at 50% capacity or 100 people per auditorium—whichever is less—with appropriate health and safety protocols in place.

On June 19, 2020 indoor gyms, martial arts, dance, and other indoor studio fitness activities may begin to safely reopen at 50 percent capacity with strict health, distancing, and sanitization measures. Casinos, arcades, and malls may also begin to resume operations with strict safety protocols.

On July 31, 2020 the statewide masking order was expanded to require face coverings in the public spaces of all businesses, and in outdoor public spaces of all businesses, and in outdoor public areas when it is impossible to maintain physical distancing.

So my guess, based on the above info, is that it won't be happening. My own opinion is that I don't see how Hcon is going to happen either. My guess, based on CDC statements, is if a vaccine is developed that works, it won't be till late summer when activities can resume at some level of normalicy. HMGS might want to consider moving HCON into late August or September if it hopes to run the convention. We are doing the same in the re-enacting world – back loading our events all into late summer/fall in the hopes that a vaccine will be developed and be efective by then.

Here are the current guidelines from Lancaster County – note that they are now in the Green phase:

GREEN PHASE
Lancaster County has made it to the green phase of reopening! This is great news because it means we have reduced the percentage of positive cases and increased ICU capacity. We must continue to follow these best practices, which will continue to help reduce the spread of the virus and keep our economy open:

– Social distancing, which means staying 6 feet apart from those you do not live with, works and it must continue in the green phase. The virus is still in our community and highly contagious.

– Wear a cloth mask or face covering over your nose and mouth whenever your are in public spaces. A mask is an easy and essential tool to stop the spread of the virus. Visit link and follow the three easy steps to make a no-sew mask at home.

– Continue to practice good health and hygiene habits, such as:
Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds;
Using hand sanitizer if washing your hands is not an immediate option;
Covering coughs or sneeze with a tissue or elbow;
Avoiding touching your face.

– Continue individual safety efforts to protect our most at-risk communities.

– Limit participation in large gatherings whenever possible. Though gatherings of 250 of fewer are permitted in the green phase, they may only happen if the PA Department of Health and CDC guidelines are followed. Please remember to always wear a mask during these gatherings.

I will say this for Hcon, if HMGS were really smart, they would look at options for moving the convention into later August or September, if they want more assurance it would run. At best, it's on the bubble for early July. Why put it in such uncertainty if you could move it to a later date? I know I'd likely go to a later Hcon and an FI in November, and I bet a lot of others would too. Just a thought. We are doing that same thing (moving to later in the year) for many of our larger re-enactment events.

"Double G:

Sounds like we used to shop at the same vendors back in the day. I do 20mm WWII as well. Never made the leap to 15mm in that period.

I'm kind of like you for my purchases now. And aby money spent at BTC is money well spent. :-)"

15mm is of zero interest to me, 20mm or nothing.

And yes, Doug always has something one of a kind/unique that I can't live without……………;)……..

As a store and recent convention vendor, we are very interested in the continued opportunities of convention vending. We feel it is a great way to reach out and get our name in front of people in a way that online advertising cannot easily do. We are constantly expanding our offerings and partnerships with various manufacturers and large conventions are a wonderful way to introduce such to dedicated gamers.

Granted it needs to be financially responsible, but I consider it an advertising cost that has been worthwhile.

Personally hoping that Historicon is a go in 2021.

I hope Hcon goes too, but keeping it on the bubble in early July as opposed to moving it now to a later summertime date in order to give it a better chance to run, makes no sense to me.

No one with a brain thinks Cold Wars has any chance to run, given the restictions, lack of a vaccine, etc. I would hope that HMGS uses the time to find a more suitable facility than the convention center in Ocean City, MD (and I live in Maryland). Timonium would have been a better choice. Anything inside the I-95 corridor would have been a better choice. Opinions may vary :-)