An Reply to Dermot's CPF exam question for others.

[BUDDY]

I know Dermot has or will see this reply but I thought other Grumblers might appreciate seeing this reply from Diane Day of the PPFA Help Desk/Hotline.

To All,

PPFA has asked DECOR for a room for each of the three days of the Atlanta
show. As yet we have not heard back from DECOR. We want to offer the CPF
exam, Recertification and Shirley Damon's CPF preparation class.

Diane Day, CPF
Hope you find this informative.
BUDDY

 

[Dermot]

Buddy

Thanks, it’s super to have someone look out for my interests, trying to understand the whole Show/PPFA ect. thing is not easy, nor is it easy to get early notice of show dates, contents etc. and as I said on the HH it takes some forward planning if a trip to the US is not going to cost an arm and a leg, if I can take the CPF in Atlanta it would be great, the jet lag problem will be less on the East coast, Atlanta appears also to be the show that is strongly recommended, so hopefully Décor and the PPFA will get their act together and make up their minds as to what they are doing, I would have expected that a small issue like “can the PPFA have a few rooms” would have being sorted out by now, it is not something that would inspire the greatest confidence in the organisation of the show in Atlanta.

I can catch up with some friends, on the East coast and Airlingus and Delta fly direct to Atlanta, NY, and Boston and if I fly direct from Dublin to the US I can do immigrations at Dublin before I leave Ireland much less hassle.

I think the West cost shows are going to be a bit of a disappointment, if I’m reading things right there is talk of two shows on two weekends, also the cost of going to the West coast is about twice the cost of the East coast for me up to $5000 West coast, as against about $2500 on the East coast, even at $2500 I want to get the most out of Atlanta.

Dermot Cox-Kearns UCPF®
OnTheEdge Picture Framing
Ashford, Co. Wicklow
Ireland

Member:
PPFA Professional Pictures Framers Association
FATG Fine Arts Trade Guild

 

[tom davis]

Dermot
This is the heading from the PPFA web site

The Professional Picture Framers Association, or PPFA,
Is the largest international trade association for the
art and framing industry. Supporting a membership of
more than 4,000 custom picture framers, art galleries,
manufacturers and distributors, the association
provides its members in North America and overseas
with the most advanced educational workshops,
My question is why do you have to spend 2500-5000 to come to the US just to take a test. If this is truly an international association wouldn't you think the test would be available on your side of the world.
Maybe you can't get enough of us Yanks & Canadians? I'm sure everyone on the Grumble will be happy to see you. You are always welcome on this side of the pond. tdavis

 

[Dermot]

"The Professional Picture Framers Association, or PPFA,
Is the largest international trade association for the"

Poetic licence……I guess that’s allowed.

"My question is why do you have to spend 2500-5000 to come to the US just to take a test"

I would prefer to spend my money and travel to the US, you are right I cannot get enough of you guy’s, I have a feeling that there isn’t enough PPFA members in Europe to hold a chapter meeting never mind a CPF exam……..but if I have anything to do with it, that will change over the coming years.

If I have my CPF exam I will be the only CPF or should I say CERTIFIED PICTURE FRAMER(R) in Ireland, now that should be good for my sales/marketing efforts in fact very good, just being a member of the PPFA is already paying dividends.

Dermot Cox-Kearns UCPF® at present but trying to change things.
OnTheEdge Picture Framing
Ashford, Co. Wicklow
Ireland

Member:
PPFA Professional Pictures Framers Association
FATG Fine Arts Trade Guild

 

[BUDDY]

Dermot You just made me and all the other PPFA people very proud.I will one day be trying to get my $2500 dollars together to come over there when YOU make the overseas PPFA grow ( Along with Hannu)My wife Marie still has a PPFA International pin from the glory days .I have no doubt with members like ya'll it will be in style again soon.By the way I don't feel I'm looking out for your interest but you ours.
BUDDY

 

[Jim Miller]

A couple of observations...

Dermot, while it may be true for you that traveling all the way to our west coast costs twice as much as our east coast, attending a Las Vegas trade show may not be as costly as you think.

Airfares to Las Vegas are among the cheapest per-mile within the USA. And while high-rollers are cheerfully accommodated, hotel rooms and food are available for the rest of us at very low cost. Las Vegas is primarily a gambling destination, and the major casinos work to keep costs within reach of everyone who cares to visit that fair city, hoping all will go home with empty pockets. Also, Las Vegas suffered a severe recession last year, and is still trying to recover. Convention and trade show traffic is quite welcome there, especially now.

Las Vegas is about three times farther than New York from my home in Ohio, but attending a show in New York (not an inexpensive city to visit) costs almost twice as much as a Las Vegas show. If you can stay two weeks in Las Vegas, take in both shows; they will not be duplicates.

About PPFA offering the CPF exam in Europe:
At FATG's request, PPFA agreed not to compete with the GCF in Europe, and FATG agreed not to compete with the CPF in North America. However, that agreement didn't stop FATG from offering their GCF exam via a paid "independent agent" here.

PPFA and FATG have talked of jointly developing advanced certifications world-wide, but that has not yet happened.

 

[Dermot]

Jim

Let’s get into the real world!!!!!!!!!

“If you can stay two weeks in Las Vegas, take in both shows; they will not be duplicates.”

As you know I’m in the very fortunate position that I can put ALL the earnings from my business straight back in there, other than expensed I don’t have to take a wage out of the business, but if you think that I would for one minute take off for two weeks plus travel time to attend what will two very similar shows, you have read me very wrong, I have being to many trade shows all over the world for a variety of business and regardless of the spin that is put on things, shows within any industry are very similar no matter when or where they are held, Jim we are talking about a 3 billion $ ONLY framing industry in the US, in my view that size of business does not warrant two separate shows on the West coast on two separate weekends, wake up and get real and don’t insult my intellegance, also do bear in mind that my wife works full time and I have a very young family, I’m also travelling from Ireland NOT from within the US.

“About PPFA offering the CPF exam in Europe:
At FATG's request, PPFA agreed not to compete with the GCF in Europe, and FATG agreed not to compete with the CPF in North America. However, that agreement didn't stop FATG from offering their GCF exam via a paid "independent agent" here.”

Some one should tell the PPFA and the FATG that there is an agreement in place this is not the message that is going out, you need to get more up date on this subject, if there is an agreement in place why is there NO details in the PPFA hand book or the FATG Directory 2002 both which I happened to receive today, the first thing I looked for was cross references between the PPFA and the FATG there is NON.

”PPFA and FATG have talked of jointly developing advanced certifications world-wide, but that has not yet happened.”

My understanding from the Managing Director of the FATG is that these talks came to nothing and are going nowhere.

Jim I admire your passion for the framing business but I think you need to check your fact more carefully, after all you are looked on as one of the leaders in the industry and it is important that what you message out is correct and realistic.

Dermot Cox-Kearns
OnTheEdge Picture Framing
Ashford, Co. Wicklow
Ireland

Member:
PPFA Professional Pictures Framers Association
FATG Fine Arts Trade Guild