The ripple effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted another National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) National Convention. Birmingham, England, scheduled to host the 2022 NMRA National Convention, announced that it will no longer be able to host the event.
Birmingham’s decision to back out as host was driven by scheduling conflicts with another event in the city. “Birmingham City bid successfully to host the Commonwealth Games (similar in scope to the Olympics but for British Commonwealth nations only) in the Summer of 2022 after Durban, South Africa withdrew as host city,” said Kathy Millatt, convention chair, in a press release. “This occurred sometime after our own bid to host the NMRA National Convention was successful.”
The committee originally thought moving the NMRA National Convention back two weeks would resolve any potential scheduling conflicts. But the postponement of the Olympics, World Athletics Games, and European Athletics Championships forced changes with the Commonwealth Games.
“The Commonwealth Games are now beginning to hold venues and accommodation across the beginning of our convention week,” Millatt continued. “Furthermore, our train show location, which is scheduled to play host to a number of indoor sports during the Commonwealth Games, has now confirmed that they cannot guarantee that the venue will be back in a usable condition following the games.
“We apologize to all those who we know were either looking forward to participating as exhibitors or convention attendees and who were planning trips to the U.K. around the convention,” said Millatt.
For updates on NMRA National Conventions, please visit nmra.org.
