Atlanta, Whatcha think?

FrameMakers

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Posts
7,395
Loc
Powell, OH
We got back at 10:55 last night after a 9 hour drive home from Atlanta.

I did not see any thing new and/or revolutionary from anyone. There may have been something new in areas that I have no interest in though.

The biggest thing i noted was that Tru-Vue was giving away copies of LifeSaver software and paying for the first years support to boot.

I am not a LifeSaver user and worry about this sucker punch to the other software vendors.
It would be hard to sell software when your competition is giving it away.

We went to purchase canvases and mouldings, and did plenty of damage on both. Now I have to find room to but all the mouldings away when they arrive.

we went to dinner with a few grumblers on Friday night but I chose to go to the best Italian restaurant in Atlanta and any were else i have been for that mater. Di Palo's in Alpharetta is a small restaurant were they make everything from scratch. I'm talking the pasta, the cheese, the sausages, everything.

So much for now, I have to go rearrange the moulding racks to make room for the arrivals.
 
I agree - I haven't been to this show in three years and was disappointed that it was same old, same old. Saw everything I wanted to in one day. I'm excited about plans for Vegas - something new and different for me!
kaffeetrinker_2.gif
 
Was our first Atlanta show. It was interesting and even though I didn't get to meet as many Grumblers as I would have liked to, we had a good time, bought more than I needed, and got tired of walking. Yea, I was kind of surprised that Lifesaver was giving away their software now. And here I paid $1100 for it not that long ago. (actually I spent more than that since I purchased the barcode software as well) Kind of a bummer for me. I think they should be helping out the people who have supported them all this time by giving them a discount on the new picture it first program, but they are not. Everyone pays the same, new customer or old. I would be spending over $2100 this year for software from them if I got the picture it first add-on now. Anybody new gets the whole thing for less than half that. Seems like old customers didn't mean much. The more I thought about it, the more it ticked me off, so I'll do without it. But I'm happy for the ones who were able to pick up a free copy of the POS software for free at the show. I'll continue to use their POS software now that I've got a ton of money in it. It works good for me. Hey, It's monday, I'm grumbling...

Rock
 
I saw some new mouldings at Omega--their booth was quite large this year--and I bought some. What I liked the best was the Gemini booth where they were showing the Gravity Groove acrylic boxes that slip into a frame. I have struggled with measurements for years in order to do the same thing, and this was such a lightbulb moment that I almost fainted. Apparently, Jim Miller came up with the concept and Gemini implemented it.

I'm going to order a smallish one and use it to sell the idea. An extra: since it's so easy to pull off the box, the client can change the innards as they wish. Cool.
 
Framemaker: where's that restaurant? DO you remember? We go to Atlanta about 6 times per year==still have friends there and lived there for 10+ years and heaven only knows why we moved here but that's another story for another day--but that one escapes me. We LOVE any restaurant run by Buckhead Group--but this is new to me.
 
I had a great time! But then, I have a great time anywhere I go, and if I don't, then I make it a point to adjust my attitude so that I do! I liked the Wizard visualization software, and may get it next year. No geewhiz things, but I was reminded of some things that I had forgotten I could get. I think it was less busy on Sunday than last year, but Saturday was pretty busy at the PPFA booth. The Dove bars were good. The stuffed baked potato concession was a novel idea. I bought a new matboard rack from Gemini (probably should have bought 2). Good givaways from some booths (always a great thing with me...)
 
I don't do the shows regularly - I tend to only go when buying equipment. The biggest change I have noticed since my last show was how the software/cmc guys have become so mainstream - they are starting to rival the traditional big guys in show presence.

I bought a new Inmes 5P V nailer - an impressive machine and not the brand I thought I was going to buy - and I am going to order the Wizard visualization software tomorrow.

I agree with Ellen that the free booty was quite impressive this year.

Peter Bowe
Saline Picture Frame Co.
 
Originally posted by Peter Bowe:
and I am going to order the Wizard visualization software tomorrow.
Peter Bowe
Saline Picture Frame Co.
Can anyone provide some info on this software?

It seems to be a well kept secret that even the guys from Wizard are not talking about it despite requests on this forum.

I have a feeling maybe they don't want to sell it or let anyone know of its existence!

Is it similar to Picture It First from LifeSaver?
 
I stopped att he cheesecake factory!~ Need I say more?

I thought show was good some real bargains but only if you wanted the stuff!~ YMMV United was strong as usual Wizard visualizer software sooo hot!~ I wanted it so bad I almost offered to tear down and pack their booth for them to get a copy!~
They might have accepted!~ (Should have done that) Those guys worked at the end of the show they looked all beat!~ I think even Brain Wolfe was mumbling to himself!~
So many others International Moulding, Olde world prints, Roma, Framtek (cool new depth tool for drill), Kendall-Hartcraft, ImageWizards.This does not even begin to name the art stuff Too many others to mention!~
Again depends on your buying mood and what you were looking for!~ I thought you could do well there!~ just my $.02 The Wizard booth alone was well worth the $200.00 airfare from Ohio.
 
I Like it when you have to Go To The Show to see the new things, get the show specials, etc. So many companies (especially in Art Supplies) send around a flier to tell you what the show specials are and offer them to their whole customer base. Specials just make it even better to go to the show. You probably think you can't afford it. OK. Starting today, add $2 Education Fee to every frame job. Of course they will pay it. They aren't going to dicker over $57 vs $59 and Ms Gotrocks won't even notice $345 vs $347. Put that $2 in a tin can. Next year your only decision will be which show to go to...
 
We really enjoyed the show - and the social events!

Our main reason for going was to find a new underpinner. We found the one we wanted (AMP VN42) and went back and forth among 4 vendors until we found one that offered the best price and support. It should ship today.

Andy was mostly on his own this year because I helped at the LifeSaver booth to demonstrate the POS software. Tru-Vue announced that they are offering a free fully registered copy of LifeSaver POS to their customers, and the response was incredible.

Andy picked up some new moulding and fabric lines and we both met a lot of nice folks! We also picked up Brian's new book at the Wizard booth, and saw the new Wizard 8500.

Friday we attended the Omnibar event and then 11 of us went to the Hard Rock Cafe. Saturday 41 people attended the Grumbler dinner that Barb Pelton set up, and had a really nice time. Photos

Getting home wasn't as easy. The MARTA was being serviced and was half closed. We were put on a train with thousands of other people which was changed to "out of service", and sat there for about 45 minutes. We missed our flight! Delta was kind enough to reschedule us and we eventually got home.

We can't wait for next year!

Mike
 
How could you not have fun when you get to see your framing friends?

It's a different story when you say Tru Vue gave out the free copies of LifeSaver. It takes the pressure off of the LS folks. It is probably a good thing to do for both LS/TV and the framer. I think that is called "getting a customer for life", and from what I've heard, the profit is in the subscriptions for updates & such.

Marty especially liked the chocolate versions of LifeSaver.
 
Mike: having lived there for 12 WONDERFUL years, I can assure you MARTA is always being serviced, delayed, etc etc. Wish they'd go to NYC and see how trains are supposed to run.

Gee been away for 7 + years and things just don't change.
 
Michael LeCompte,

The restaurant is DiPaolo at 8560 Holcomb Bridge Rd. in Alpharetta. The web site is DiPaolo
 
Originally posted by EllenAtHowards:
add $2 Education Fee to every frame job. Of course they will pay it. They aren't going to dicker over $57 vs $59 and Ms Gotrocks won't even notice $345 vs $347. Put that $2 in a tin can. Next year your only decision will be which show to go to...
I like you "Education Fund" idea Ellen!!
 
and I am going to order the Wizard visualization software tomorrow.
Peter Bowe
Saline Picture Frame Co.


Can anyone provide some info on this software?

It seems to be a well kept secret that even the guys from Wizard are not talking about it despite requests on this forum.
No problem Paul, I can do that now.. we were trying to keep a few surprises for people going to the show, but now that it is over I can give you the full run-down.

The new Integrated Framer version from Wizard is now camera based (it used to run just of a database), and therefore anything you capture with a camera above your design table you can use to frame your art work.

Here's an example of a camera capture above our lab's design table (shrunk for the web):
ifsample1.jpg


Basically, you can use any number of mat and frame samples and just lay them around your art - they don't have to be line up as a corner sample. You then just tell the software where the frames, mats, and art are located by simply dragging a rectangle over the samples and art. You can also choose solid colors for mats with an eye dropper tool, and while your resizing the rectangles for textures and choosing colors you get a real-time previes of how the sample looks tiled in your design.

Also, the camera is calibrated to the table so it knows the size of everything you've taken a picture of - mainly the art size and frame sample widths. So when you go to the last step, you can change mat borders and reveal widths dynamically without retaking another picture with the camera. You can also show any of the Wizard CMC templates and add a v-groove to the mat, so it makes it very easy to up-sell different designs to your customers.

And finally, you can save it as a JPG to your hard-drive (in case you want to use it with a screen saver or email it to someone), or your can print it, and best of all, you can save it as a Wizard CMC mat file and load it in MatDesigner for cutting.

Here's an example of a visualized picture, and again shrunk for the web:
ifsample2.jpg


I got a ton of great ideas and feature requests from all the wonderful people I met at the show, so you can also expect a new major release coming in the next few months. If you'd like a demo copy feel free to give us a call at 888-855-3335, and we're currently working on getting all the new product info on our website..

Thanks for the interest in our new software, and feel free to email me or post here if you have any questions...
 
The Wizard visualization program was my choice -- can't wait to get the camera & hook it up.

The Lifesaver program is good, too. Feature for feature, I'd say it's a draw, although there are significant differences in how the programs work. Both programs will surely evolve and improve as framers' needs become better defined over time. And I'd bet a beer that we'll have a third player in this software cetegory by the time we get to WCAF-Las Vegas in January.

For me the kicker was that the Wiz will be interfaced with my FrameReady software. I also like the way Wizard takes care of their software for the CMC users and the upgrades expected in January sound exciting.
 
Hey Folks,
I worked the Lifesaver booth at the show with Mike and Ken and others from Lifesaver. Mike and I were there to help people realize the benefits to using Lifesaver Software. Every program you purchase has a yearly service fee, most are greater than the 395.00 that Lifesaver is. Yes, You have to agree to the maintenance fee for years 2 and 3...but so what! That's 790.00 for three years (#1) I pay that anyway (#2) I bought the software 7 years ago $995.00 and have paid the subscription fee ever since. I had no idea about the deal that Tru Vue and Lifesaver had until I got there Friday and BOY was I shocked. Some Tru Vue reps explained to me later that they had been looking at the different programs and finally determined that in their opinion Lifesaver was the best program on the market. Tru Vue still pays Lifesaver for each copy that is activated and is paying the first year of maintenance. Lifesaver is still responsible for everything else including support, and it is the best! Jim Miller was at the booth a couple of times looking at the Picture It First software and I didn't get a chance to look at the Wizard software. All I can say is that this type of software is the FUTURE. To be able to show your customers what the art will look like completed has to be the biggest thing to come out since Lifesaver POS!
I'm sorry that Barb didn't catch the complete kiss in the one picture.....Jim said, "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT!!!!", The next day Barb asked me if I behaved and I said ,"OF COURSE!"
 
We walked the floor only Saturday, and loved it.

Deals worked out with two vendors, and that made the show more than worthwhile. It was very enjoyable.

If you've not attended an Atlanta Expo, go next year. It's great fun.

Now we're looking forward to the PPFA Orlando show in February. They really treat you well there, and they have a fabulous two day golf tournament prior to that show.
 
And while we are plugging the PPFA show in Orlando, they are doing the "all the education you can cram in your brain in four days" special. $125 for members and $185 for non-members. And you can bet you will have fun, fun, fun!
 
Great tip, Ellen. And all not to make sure and take some classes "outside" of the framing venues. These PMA guys are really sharp-we got some great ideas from the Marketing Exchange at the mid-year show in San Diego

With the new regime in Education at Atlanta-how about some reports of which classes were great and which were not.

There must have been some winners
 
Kerry Wilson is a great teacher. Jim Millers class on FACTS was great but you knew that. I am hoping and praying for more "advanced" preservation classes to be offered in the future, preferably by Hugh Phibbs, Kerry Wilson and Jim Miller. Not all of the classes I took were worthwhile, but I'm sure they are reading the evaluation forms and adjusting acordingly.

Learning is fun. Implementing what you learned once you get home...not so easy.
 
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