[hopfenundmalz]

I've never seen such a lack of evident enthusiasm for the conference before. I hope that is just on the various forums and sales have still been strong.

Honestly, it seems to me like the last 2 or 3 years have been less enthusiastic online than the first ones I went to. Not completely sure what's up with that.

Just heard that first day registration is up 13% from last year.

Not hard to believe. What I'm referring to is the people participating in threads about it. "Who's going to NHC?" type threads.

I remember 5-6 years ago NHC was a large chunk of the posts here starting about now through June. It has really diminished. If you took that as your only data input you would think NHC was dying off. That's why you can't get an accurate idea of what home brewers are doing or thinking just by forum input. I think we are a subset of a subset of a subset

IIRC, 5-6 years ago the conference was selling out, and the competition was hitting its entry cap. Those were topics of great debate.

Higher numbers for the conference size and a higher entry cap has made that a much lesser problem now. The entry cap is still there, but there are more first round sites and a slightly higher second round number judged. Oh, a limit of entries per individual also helped.

The conference is contracted for a certain number of attendees. Some judgement is excercised by the AHA on their estimate of that number.

[dmtaylor]

The "con" name makes me think of people dressing up in silly costumes and parading around....um...nevermind 

I always think the same thing! 

[yso191]

Yeah, I much prefer NHC.  Homebrew Con sounds like someone is trying too hard to be trendy.

[dmtaylor]

I resemble this remark, but...

I wonder if the reason they changed it to "Homebrew Con" is to avoid the confusion between what the "C" stands for in NHC --- is it "Conference" or "Competition" or both or what?!  Now today it ONLY stands for "Competition", NOT for "Con".

I learned something over the past 18 hours.

[toby]

I remember 5-6 years ago NHC was a large chunk of the posts here starting about now through June. It has really diminished. If you took that as your only data input you would think NHC was dying off. That's why you can't get an accurate idea of what home brewers are doing or thinking just by forum input. I think we are a subset of a subset of a subset

I don't know if I'd say dying off since I've been at each of them since Grand Rapids, and there seems to be a pretty good attendance.

It just seems the enthusiasm about it has dropped way off in various online forums. The forum meetup in MN was barely anything. A few years ago, it was a major topic of discussion. And not just here.

[toby]

I resemble this remark, but...

I wonder if the reason they changed it to "Homebrew Con" is to avoid the confusion between what the "C" stands for in NHC --- is it "Conference" or "Competition" or both or what?!  Now today it ONLY stands for "Competition", NOT for "Con".

I learned something over the past 18 hours.

That was their stated reason. Because apparently they thought having NHC stand for both the National Homebrew Competition and the National Homebrewers Conference was confusing.

[denny]

Yeah, I much prefer NHC.  Homebrew Con sounds like someone is trying too hard to be trendy.

If only you knew how many times I've told the AHA the same thing.  I finally gave up.

[theDarkSide]

I resemble this remark, but...

I wonder if the reason they changed it to "Homebrew Con" is to avoid the confusion between what the "C" stands for in NHC --- is it "Conference" or "Competition" or both or what?!  Now today it ONLY stands for "Competition", NOT for "Con".

I learned something over the past 18 hours.

That was their stated reason. Because apparently they thought having NHC stand for both the National Homebrew Competition and the National Homebrewers Conference was confusing.

NHC = National Hurricane Center so a bunch of weather geeks show up...nobody wants those guys around

[klickitat jim]

I remember 5-6 years ago NHC was a large chunk of the posts here starting about now through June. It has really diminished. If you took that as your only data input you would think NHC was dying off. That's why you can't get an accurate idea of what home brewers are doing or thinking just by forum input. I think we are a subset of a subset of a subset

I don't know if I'd say dying off since I've been at each of them since Grand Rapids, and there seems to be a pretty good attendance.

It just seems the enthusiasm about it has dropped way off in various online forums. The forum meetup in MN was barely anything. A few years ago, it was a major topic of discussion. And not just here.

That's my point Toby, the difference between using the forum as a gage or actually being there.

[MDixon]

if there was a dedicated Event section area for the conference.

Good idea, Mike.  I'll make one now.

Is it coming?

[denny]

if there was a dedicated Event section area for the conference.

Good idea, Mike.  I'll make one now.

Is it coming?

I thought I did.  Must have dickchimped it.

[denny]

if there was a dedicated Event section area for the conference.

Good idea, Mike.  I'll make one now.

Is it coming?

Should be there now under Events.

[a10t2]

NHC = National Hurricane Center so a bunch of weather geeks show up...nobody wants those guys around

If they're anything like the tornado folks they're our kind of party.