I used to live in the Dayton area and have been going to the Hamvention since 1975. Yes, Hara Arena is not the finest convention center I've ever seen, but in the Dayton area, there is NOTHING ELSE THAT WILL WORK for an event which is the size of HAMVENTION!
Many events are held at Hara year round. If there was another facility, I am sure it would be used.
A few weeks ago, I drove 150 miles from my present QTH (Lexington, KY) to a model train show at Hara Arena. Like HAMVENTION, it was a GREAT SHOW and EVERYONE there was having a great time. I did not hear anyone complaining about the facility like so many of the hams do about Hamvention each year. True, the train show was no where near the size of HAMVENTION, but it still filled two of the larger halls of the facility.
I think many of us hams will have to honestly admit that we are more concerned with the NEGATIVES about HAMVENTION and the Hara Arena facility. Instead, why not consider all the MANY POSITIVES that we experience there, each year, attending the greatest (and largest) ham radio event in the world.
Tom, KR4BD
Lexington, KY