I'd love to hear from someone who went to watch groups last night. The way AKC is doing it, selling tickets to Groups separate from the day tickets, seems to be preventing people who are actually there, from being able to watch groups.
Dave heard from several people, even some Junior Handlers who wanted to take their Grandparents, but could not get tickets because they were sold out. From what I saw on the live video stream, by the Non Sporting Group the seats were pretty empty.
They are putting the fear of not having a seat into people so far ahead of time that people are ordering tickets, and then when they do not attend, there is no provision for a refund or even the ability to turn the tickets into somewhere so that those who are in attendance and really WANT to go to see the group have that option. Maybe they couldn't afford to buy tickets in advance, maybe they entered just hoping they could come, and when the money and schedule all worked out for them, now they cannot attend all of the events.
This is just another step in the wrong direction for AKC. They are pre-selling tickets to make money and not thinking about the exhibitors, yet again. The last few years that I attended, it was more crowded by Best in Show, but by no means was it packed, yet it was 'sold out' and no one was allowed in without a ticket.
If you want to pre-sell tickets, fine, but limit the number sold ahead of time to 50% or less of capacity, then the people who show up and want to go, at least have a fighting chance.
At least make a provision for returning/cancelling a ticket order. Do like on Broadway when someone cancels a purchased seat...re-sell it! Then donate the proceeds from the second sale to the Canine Health Foundation. This option would make a multitude of people and dogs happy!
Dave heard from several people, even some Junior Handlers who wanted to take their Grandparents, but could not get tickets because they were sold out. From what I saw on the live video stream, by the Non Sporting Group the seats were pretty empty.
They are putting the fear of not having a seat into people so far ahead of time that people are ordering tickets, and then when they do not attend, there is no provision for a refund or even the ability to turn the tickets into somewhere so that those who are in attendance and really WANT to go to see the group have that option. Maybe they couldn't afford to buy tickets in advance, maybe they entered just hoping they could come, and when the money and schedule all worked out for them, now they cannot attend all of the events.
This is just another step in the wrong direction for AKC. They are pre-selling tickets to make money and not thinking about the exhibitors, yet again. The last few years that I attended, it was more crowded by Best in Show, but by no means was it packed, yet it was 'sold out' and no one was allowed in without a ticket.
If you want to pre-sell tickets, fine, but limit the number sold ahead of time to 50% or less of capacity, then the people who show up and want to go, at least have a fighting chance.
At least make a provision for returning/cancelling a ticket order. Do like on Broadway when someone cancels a purchased seat...re-sell it! Then donate the proceeds from the second sale to the Canine Health Foundation. This option would make a multitude of people and dogs happy!
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