2009 Chicago Show • Quality First

I need to mention a few other comments. This was the second time I was at a show and was included in the show hall itself. This venue did not have a small coat room or smaller room outside the Main Hall. A photographer's setup requires a lot of room, and with my strobes flashing, I was cognizant this could become a distraction. I shielded my strobes with my background portfolio case. As it turns out not a single complaint was aired to me.

Ed and Cathy saw to it that the space I had at the far end of the show had plenty of tables at my discretion to lay out my stuff. Again, they did all they could to help their clients.

I flew in alone, but had asked Cathy to send out my email asking for a support helper if anyone had someone who would like to meet, greet, write-up clients, and arrange deliveries while I could attend to the photography.

I was approached by the absolutely charming Laurel Babbit, who was there with her table-holding collector boyfriend, Matt Lefabvre. She like that I mentioned 'NO experience necessary!' ;)

We enjoyed many a laugh and she greatly reduced my stress level so I could concentrate. The photos are testimony to her help, also. An open thanks. We may work together again. :)

I suspect this show will be that much better in the following venue, and I thoroughly enjoyed the visits to downtown. (On thursday evening I walked to Navy Pier, and ate at the Billy Goat Tavern. Legendary grease pit. :p)

Thanks to Ed and Cathy once again!

Coop
 
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what is the handle material here??
 
SharpByCoop said:
I flew in alone, but had asked Cathy to send out my email asking for a support helper if anyone had someone who would like to meet, greet, write-up clients, and arrange deliveries while I could attend to the photography.

I was approached by the absolutely charming Laurel Babbit, who was there with her table-holding collector boyfriend, Matt LeFebvre. She like that I mentioned 'NO experience necessary!' ;)

We enjoyed many a laugh and she greatly reduced my stress level so I could concentrate. The photos are testimony to her help, also. An open thanks. We may work together again. :)
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Well from Laurel & Matt LeFebvre, it was great to meet and work with you. Maybe we'll get the chance to do it again here in NYC in Nov at ECCKS.

Again, thx so much!

Matt & Laurel
 
Hi all,

Thanks again. Yes, I am proud of these images, and I'm pleased for the makers and that you like them.

Jon: My nose was firmly in there. Ahhhh, the wonders of Photoshop. :D

Tortoise shell with a gold foil backing is that material.

No, I won't be at the ECCKS (in February), but I WILL be doing the NYCKS in November. Laurel, let's talk.

Thanks.

Coop
 
I hope Jim doesnt mind some of my city images here. This is my first big city show. I have some shots of the neighborhood but didnt take the camera to the show so I dont have any table holder pictures. I'm not outgoing enough to snap flashes around the room and would get names and faces wrong anyway.

Here is the Sheraton Hotel and Tower where the show was held. Kaye couldnt fit the whole place in the picture. Its huge and has 2100 rooms.
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Here is a shot from our room on the 27th floor. This Walla Walla boy is out of his element.
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Another shot of this beautiful city
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One of the things to do on the Navy pier.
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Kaye and I with the city in the background. It was only about a mile down to the pier and well worth the walk.
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One of the collectors leaving after the show Saturday, I can only guess
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My favorite picture of the city waking up for the evening
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This was one of the best mini vacations I've ever had. I call it a vacation because we spent more than we brought home. I'm not complaining although it sounds like it. Knifemaking has given us so many opportunities to travel and see the places we would not see if I were still a mechanic. Chicago is a huge city and there are endless things to do and see if we would have taken more time. We could have booked at a less expensive hotel after the show weekend and really had a good look around town if we planned it better.

The show attendance is greatly out of proportion to the size of the city. I know many of the collectors there flew in and it cost them a bundle to attend and I thank them tremendously for that but the citizens of Chicago didnt step up and attend exept for a couple that I know. I find that odd but hey I'm from Walla Walla and we attend everything there. Maybe we wouldnt though if we had to take a train and water taxi to get there or pay $39 to park the car. Never the less I enjoyed every minute and am still in awe of downtown Chicago.
 
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Hi Bruce,

Yes, I REALLY appreciate you adding to this thread. In fact that's an open invitation to any others for photos.

uccreading said:
Hey Coop

Great job!!!

Jack
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That's Jack Berk, of www.ClassicCustomKnives.com. Of course I would neglect to mention how generous it was of Jack and Carlos Lopez (collector/dealer) to include me in their hotel room, so we could all share expenses. Boy, did it help. :thumbup:

I shared Photoshop tips with Jack for hours, and enjoyed Carlos' superb taste in knives. (That is HIS SR Johnson 'Really Big Bear', and Carlos took delivery from John Young of that immaculate set of (5) chute knives.)

Thanks guys! :D

Coop
 
Thank you Coop for the photos and report. I was in touch with Don the other day, and he was VERY excited with his new Loerchner. That says volumes for a knife considering ALL the wonderful knives he owns or has owned.


Bruce Bump said:
The show attendance is greatly out of proportion to the size of the city. I know many of the collectors there flew in and it cost them a bundle to attend and I thank them tremendously for that but the citizens of Chicago didnt step up and attend exept for a couple that I know. I find that odd but hey I'm from Walla Walla and we attend everything there. Maybe we wouldnt though if we had to take a train and water taxi to get there or pay $39 to park the car. Never the less I enjoyed every minute and am still in awe of downtown Chicago.
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Thank you as well Bruce for the beautiful photos. Chicago is no doubt an amazing city.

IMO, not getting local show support is a great opportunity missed. :( We heard of the same lack of local support for the Santa Barbara show.
I'm confident enough in the general appeal of custom knives that I believe if we can get the curious into the shows it will result in new custom knife enthusiasts and collectors. Both Downtown Chicago and Santa Barbara are very strong "collectable communities" and the partisipants have the financial means to support such.

One the other hand, AG's show in Roger's Arkansas (one of the higher income areas in AR) had a tremendous quantity of local attendees. Probably 75% of those I spoke with (and I spoke with many in that the CKCA booth was right next to the entry door) had little or no prior exposure to collectible knives.
 
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