ABS Expo, San Antonio

[Kohai999]

Josh put this up in another thread, and I thought it needed it's own place to "bloom".

The ABS Expo was fast declining in Reno and most in that show at the time agreed. The committee at that time decided to move it to San Antonio, with wide support I might add. I don't understand why you think it is schizophrenic. The only change in 6 years was from Reno to San Antonio which resulted in a time of year change. Where is the schizophrenia? Everyone agreed Reno was a nightmare in the winter. The SCI show is going to Vegas, and then its going back to Reno. Are we supposed to follow it around the country? We felt it was better to host a stand alone ABS show.

There have been changes within the show such as format. Some good some bad. We listened to the thoughts last year and have taken every majority idea under consideration and acted on it.

There is no minimum number of knives and hasn't been for years. We just ask that makers have things for sale. The collectors appreciated the preview and asked last year that we extend it. So this year it has been extended to two hours.

The makers did not like the drawing and the collectors were 50/50. So this year we have eliminated the drawing and made it an open sales format.

The show is not perfect but as a committee we are doing what we are allowed to to make it better. As a committee we truly believe this is the makers show. If they ask for something as a group we will and have listened.

I hear you, Josh.

Didn't attend last year, and won't be going this year. Never had a strong desire to see San Antonio to begin with, and sure don't want to see it in summertime.

I know you and Chuck both. Each is coming from a position of individual perspective.

If the San Antonio Expo brought in considerably more foot traffic and $$(and I would not know if it did, or did not) that would be a successful show.....not sure how else to measure it. Plain and simple, the Reno show was on decline because the makers were not stepping up the quality of work...some were, for sure, but many, many were not(imo, this is one of those areas up to debate, but I am a buying collector).

I have felt, and stated in the past that the makers attending the ABS Expo should be top tier makers, and that they should be presenting top tier product, that the Expo should be a showcase. Unfortunately, much as has been tradition with the ABS, the focus seems to be more on back slapping and tall tales then actually having the venture be a financial powerhouse....and my statements seem to have been ignored.

The idea that it is the "makers show" is frightening. 1/2 of the makers that I have seen in the 4 years I attended the Expo cannot be responsible for ensuring that they have their best work represented, how are they to be taken seriously in guiding the destiny of the show?

If the Show Committee is doing all that they are "allowed" to do, something is terribly wrong. The Show Committee should be doing anything that is legally, morally or ethically possible to ensure that The Expo is a success. To do anything else would be a recipe/blueprint for failure.


Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[joshsmith]

Fair enough Steve.

I would like to point out that I consider Chuck a friend. I disagree with his post but I have a very healthy respect from him and his family.

 

[Kohai999]

Fair enough Steve.

I would like to point out that I consider Chuck a friend. I disagree with his post but I have a very healthy respect from him and his family.

Chuck and his family LOVE you....he is certainly a friend.

Please don't take this as personally directed to the Show Committee...it is not. This is an indictment of ALL knife organizations who do not see their entity as a business, at least somewhere in the equation.

Chuck knows business, so do you.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson