Here's my note...if you want to use some of it, feel free. If not, just point out my misspellings...
[b]To the Management:
I am rather surprised to hear that the Mid-Atlantic Arms Collectors' show, scheduled for the 16th and 17th of March, has been canceled. I am further surprised at the cryptic content of the announcement to the MAAC that the show was no longer an acceptable show to hold at the Expo Center. I have been a great fan of all of the shows I've attended there, including the Sugar Loaf Craft Show, Boat Show, Home
Show, Computer Show, et al. Until this point, the hunting and shooting community seemed to have a solid relationship with the Expo Center, and an ally in presenting a quality event for the area's law-abiding hunters and shooters. The staff has been warm, the facilities superb, and the location excellent.
You may be very familiar with the text below, used to inform the MAAC of their Show's cancellation:
"Although we appreciated doing business with you up until now, current circumstances require
that we be more careful with the shows that we permit within the Expo Center."
To clear the air, I would recommend (and expect) a public statement of some sort, enumerating the reasons that the Expo Center's admittance policy has been changed and what/who has determined that this show be canceled. To be certain, when the security of the staff, exhibitors and attendees is at risk, any problems must be addressed. What complaints have you received? What are your fears? Are you insinuating that the show has anything to do with the horrible events in the news involving Terrorists, box-cutters, and other assorted Right- and Left-Wing Extremists? If you are, you accuse all of the attendees (including myself) of involvement in illegal activities. Further, I would pity you for being duped into fear by the liberal news media and those with no sense of the sporting tradition.
If the decision was based on political positioning or simple dislike of the chosen hobby of the exhibitors or attendees, I fear that you will regret your decision financially.
I realize that once a Corporate decision is finalized, there is little that this single letter can do by itself. However, to clear the air on what specific topics/exhibitors/corporations you will and will not allow to come on premises, a public notice would seem to be in your best interest.
I'll also make certain that I personally do not cause any detriment to the Corporation's "carefulness" by staying away from the other shows held at the Center. I strongly urge you to reconsider and revisit
your Corporate policy.
Thank you for your time.
Thomas M. Knight
COMPANY INFO....[/b]