The Framer's Response to "Trade Show Expense 2

[Framerguy]

I started this thread to keep the "Trade Show Expense 2" thread clean and also to give us framers a chance to get our 2&#162 in on what the vendors have to say.

I feel that UMS, Wizard and a few other vendors have done their homework and have made some excellant points regarding the trade shows that THEY feel are the best, overall, for vendors AND framers. My only regret is that there aren't more vendors responding to what I feel is one of the MOST important aspects of our professional upgrading.

I have been to neither Atlanta nor Las Vegas but that will change this year. I plan to attend both of these shows based on what I have read in these "Trade Show" threads. I am convinced that I am missing out on opportunities that will help me in my business. I relied on those shows close to me in past years to learn and to see new products and equipment. Many of these shows have fallen by the wayside for one reason or another and I haven't gotten off my duff to attend any shows that were somewhere out of the Midwest area. I look forward to changing that habit.

To all vendors:

This is a perfect opportunity to add to the information that WE FRAMERS, your customers, feel is important to our futures and growth of our businesses. You have access to a thread that is ALL YOURS. I understand the reasons that some of you are reluctant to post on the Grumble when there are questions related to products that you carry or have developed. A few have told me that they don't want to "blow their own horn" or look like they are trying to promote their products or get some kind of "free advertising" through the Grumble. This is understandable. But the subject of trade shows, their expenses, time and trouble to exhibit, etc. is a non-partisan subject and one that I feel can only be educational for all of us if you would only voice your general feelings about them. I sense a perceived risk that, if a vendor "took sides" with one show over another, that they may jeopardize their status with other venues. I don't believe that is true. I hope that some more of you will take the time to enlighten all of us on YOUR feelings about these shows. I, for one, am open and receptive to any useful information that will allow me to make educated decisions when show time rolls around this year.

To all framers:

These guys are trying to give us their reading on how these shows operate from a vendor's standpoint and I think the least we can do is show our support for them and, for these threads dealing with this all important theme, drop the cute responses, and joking around and

1. Listen to what they have to say.

2. Respond to them so they know that we appreciate what they are trying to get across and WE ARE LISTENING.

3. Give some deep thought to what WE want to do to react to this information. It is one thing to type in a glib response to somebody's posting, and another to show support and appreciation for what may well turn out to be a real learning experience for all of us; new framers looking for their first show and the most experienced "veterans" who have "been there and done that".

It's up to the participants of this forum, framers AND vendors. Now is the time to get your opinions out and heard. Now is the time for ALL of us to learn more.

Framerguy

 

[CharlesL]

Tom,
I hope we'll be attending our first show in Atlanta. I'm looking forward to it. It'll be an opportunity to meet framers and vendors.

Having never worked directly with any vendors, except Gearold, I don't know much about them. I DO, however, appreciate the costs involved in renting space, carting equipment, meeting customers, etc. My interaction with Gearold has been VIA email, but he's been responsive and attentive, and I appreciate that.

I am looking forward to meeting many vendors in Atlanta, seeing their wares, and trying to establish an appropriate working relationship with them.

I think vendors should become very active on this forum. Gearold has done so, along with WizardEdd, Peter Ackerman and any others I may have neglected to mention. Now IS the time for the others to step up to the plate and let their prescence be known.

Thanks for starting this thread.

 

[UzZx32QU]

I want you to all know that I have been receiving letters from vendors and am close to opening the private forum for them. Most of the letters I've received are from vendors that don't post here.

framer

 

[Framing Goddess]

Excellent idea!

 

[BUDDY]

Framer I'm glad to see the Vendors have their own Venue ,and that you are the originator . i know it will be as good as TFG. My nly concern and hope is that the Vendors might chose to utilize their new Forum and not come in direct contact with us. Is there some way to include us in theirs or vise versa?
BUDDY

 

[Framerguy]

Originally posted by BUDDY:
Framer I'm glad to see the Vendors have their own Venue ,and that you are the originator . i know it will be as good as TFG. My nly concern and hope is that the Vendors might chose to utilize their new Forum and not come in direct contact with us. Is there some way to include us in theirs or vise versa?
BUDDY

Buddy,

I was under the assumption that Framer was going to share the information from the vendors with the Grumble open forum.

I am hoping that he will encourage them to eventually begin posting to the open Grumble once they have gotten over their "stage fright" and broken the ice on this private forum. If this is not the case, then I must agree with you. A private forum restricted to ONLY vendors will not help us as a profession to solve any problems common to both vendors and framers.

I have attempted to contact as many of the vendors that I deal with to encourage them to get involved, particularly if they are involved in trade shows. WE need their input as much as THEY need ours. And a private forum with no interaction between the 2 groups will accomplish little, IMHO.

It seems that many of us read parts of postings without paying much attention to the details of those postings. The IMPORTANT point that I tried to make in my opening this thread was to impress upon the vendors that this whole subject of trade shows and their effectiveness on the industry is a problem that is important to ALL OF US. There is no "sides" to choose in this matter as far as the vendors and the POS buyers are concerned. We are both affected by the high fees and subsequent demise of these shows.

Only with the interactive cooperation and sharing of ideas and opinions by both wholesale and retail will anything be resolved. And there is no guarantee of that happening at best. But the opportunity is there if we wish to take it.

Framerguy

 

[WizardEdd]

Grumblers/Vendors

From my perspective, I have been pleasantly surprised by the responses to the posts I have made. Not everyone agrees with me, but my opinion and/or position on certain subjects seems to be appreciated. My initial fear of posting stemmed from warnings I had received from co-workers who posted on other forums. Additionally, although we are not a giant corporation, I have very limited authority to speak on behalf of Wizard’s ownership, and it is critical that I ensure my personal opinions are not taken out of context or misconstrued as Wizard's "official opinion".

At this point I believe the benefit I receive from participating, far outweighs the risks.

(Besides, even my family knows to seriously question anything I say)

 

[B. Newman]

Originally posted by WizardEdd:
[QB]

(Besides, even my family knows to seriously question anything I say)QB]

They ought to! You offered to adopt me!

Betty