Blade Show Security Risk

Hi Blade Show Staff,

First, who is actually writing this?

Second, how do you (Blade Show) think $13,000 worth of materials (as you can imagine that is not something someone can put in a pocket or even a back pack) "walked" out of the show?

I realize that you personally will not have the answer for the next two questions, but I would think someone in charge of security for the Blade Show would.

If the security officers didn't steal $13,000 worth of items after the show was secured by them. And if the cleaning crew who is supervised by the security offices didn't steal $13,000 worth of items after the show was closed. Who did?

If the security service that the Blade Show employees cannot guarantee no theft after they have secured the show. Why does the Blade Show use them?

Im sure we all look forward to your answers. As a table holder I know I do.
 
It's hard to understand why this has not been dealt with. I would think the motel or the people doing security would have insurance. I would want those tapes. THEY NEED TO HANG THE SOB's.
 
rickmenefee said:
It's hard to understand why this has not been dealt with. I would think the motel or the people doing security would have insurance. I would want those tapes. THEY NEED TO HANG THE SOB's.
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Seems to be a time problem, reported sometime after the show? Not sure how long? But yes, the crooks need to be hanged!!!
 
ya know i would think a theif would have to be partialy retarted or just stupid to steal any thing in a room full of guys that make knives for a living might be a good way to end up missing the hand that stole
 
Don Hanson III said:
Chuck, it's http://www.collectinsure.com/ CKCA members get a discount also. I've had it for 6-7 years. I haven't filed a claim, but those that have, were reimbursed quickly, I hear. Knives covered everywhere. Hope this helps.
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You're right Don. I had a knife stolen from my checked luggage several years ago and I had a check for full value with NO Hassle in my mail box 30 days to the day of when I reported the claim.

As for the theft, I'm surprised to hear this. Just because I know quite a few makers who leave their knives in the facility at night after the show closes. In fact, I displayed my Jerry Fisk collection last year at Larry Bailey's table and after being assured by 4-5 knifemakers that it was safe I left them in the facility in the cases over night.

Sorry to hear of your loss Chuck, it really sucks. Part of the problem is that anyone with a pulse can get a job with a security company these days. Some of their back ground checks (if they have any) are pretty weak.
 
I've heard of other incidents in Atlanta where things came up missing after-hours. Perhaps the value of the items didn't reach the level that "The Blade Show Staff" find concerning (their first and last post on this forum I am sure).

As an aside, Gus is very generous with his time and his home helping makers out before and during Blade. I know many people appreciate it.
 
This is terrible news. My money says, it may be someone who has worked/or does, for the maintainence/janitorial staff, knows the spots where cameras do not cover, but does not actually participate in the theft. Probably a minimum wage job & a recent hire. Leaves a door ajar, to be thier acess point later on. The original "inside job" culprit, may even make sure they are on camera, somewhere else, during the crime, so they can be ruled out. If this is common in Galleria malls, then it may be the same crew that travels around. They may just pay someone to leave a door ajar, or put tape over the latch on a door, so it does not actually catch. This whole thing smells fishy to me. Especially the part about making you sign a waver, charging $40 an hour to review the video & then saying, sorry it's been taped over !!! It seems to me that once they agreed to pay the money, which most probably do not, the next excuse is "sorry we taped over it. If a crime was committed, which it was, it seems to me that, not only does no one seem to care, they are throwing roadblocks in your way. Maybe someone should put some small micro-chips inside the handles that can be tracked by the owners & leave them out. Then track them right to the culprits. Get one & they will sing on the rest. If they can do it with dogs...why not knife handles. Thieves are cowards & can't resist an easy score. This is just my humble opinion. These people need to be taken down.
 
Now before I start of replying to this I want to give you a little background: I have never been to the blade show, BUT I feel somewhat qualified to give my view on this because I work in the convention and conference industry in a good sized convention services company that contracts the setting up of shows. I've worked with my fair share of conference centers and know how things generally work behind the scenes
I think what happened at the blade show was absolutely tragic and do not want to come off as callous at all, that kind of thing should not happen... BUT, it does... a lot
Most of the professional exhibitors (people whose entire or main job in their company is to fly around to different shows and exhibitions and show off their company products) that I have spoken with on the issue of their product or merchandise expect some portion of it to grow legs and walkaway at some point during the show. Obviously that varies depending on the type of show and what they are exhibiting.

There are a lot of different people working an exhibition behind the scenes that possibly vendors aren't aware of. I personally have not been to the blade show (yet) but in an average convention show you'll have the electricians, the decorators, the cleaning crew, the maids, the cooks back in the kitchen, the waitress people handling the refreshment stations, the bartenders, the IT/audiovisual people, and various comings and goings in the back of the convention center of delivery people, linen cleaning, bellboys, shipping and receiving staff, etc. etc. The point being that it is quite hard to keep track of and handle the comings and goings of all these people. Most shows don't even try to (if they have security it's only during the show itself for appearances)
From the sounds of what The BST was saying about security it will be fairy good in comparison to what I see at 99% of shows. Relatively "good security" for a show is locked doors after the show closes and maybe a security guard snoozing in an office somewhere glancing at cameras or walking around if he gets bored. I've worked shows with hundreds of unsecured firearms (rifles, shotguns, pistols) being secured by paying 2 older guys who did the pipe and draping to sit in the room overnight with doors that weren't even able to be locked. The year after that all they did was lock the front doors and turn off the lights (the interior doors to the ballroom and loading dock were unable to be properly secured)

No, your show is not likely going to be secure from a bank robber or art gallery type scenario (as outlined above) but you really can't honestly expect it to be. For what it is it sounds like the show will have very good security (in relation to what is normal for any of the exhibitions I've worked)

To any exhibitors that might read this: If you are worried about the security of your items beyond what is provided by the "security staff" it is not very hard to deter the average trade show or convention theft. Simply don't leave your product on the table or poorly hidden behind the table skirt (it's terribly easy to see what is stashed there with a quick glance) Something as simple as a display case with a cheapo lock on it is surprisingly likely to deter or stop most of the thieves you will get at an exhibition. They're not cat burglars that are going to crack your floor safe or cartwheel through a laser alarm... things that get stolen from shows are crimes of opportunity.

Take into account that I may be completely wrong because I don't know this individual show, I'm only speaking from my personal experience in the field of convention services unrelated to security.
 
I have never been to this show either, but I am curious about a couple things and had a suggestion (I also want to mention that a local Japanese church has a monthly craft sale, maybe a hundred or so people are there at a time, I counted three security guards roaming last time!)

1. Why is the show even held in Atlanta? I know that usually conventions try to go places that are easy and cheap to get to. Vegas for instance. (this question is just curiosity how the venue was chosen)
2. If you want to give people time to secure their things don't they need more than 10 minutes after the show is over? otherwise they have to start putting things away while people are still looking
3. I've got a great security idea for you. Let some guys that don't like crowds anyways but love knives, like me, attend a private showing at night! leave the stuff on the tables, I'd walk around checking things out and keeping an eye on things, no people bumping into me. I won't let anybody take your stuff. :D

Red
 
If the show was moved to Las Vegas, I would never attend it again. Vegas isn't cheap or easy to get to, btw. Then when you're there, you're in Vegas. Its just not my thing. A nice one time visit, probably never again.

I agree on the 10 minutes. I now have to safely store every knife to take back to my room. 10 minutes isn't enough time.
 
Fiddleback said:
If the show was moved to Las Vegas, I would never attend it again. Vegas isn't cheap or easy to get to, btw. Then when you're there, you're in Vegas. Its just not my thing. A nice one time visit, probably never again.
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Roger that! Maybe, probably...
 
Les, ... Did anyone ever say you should have been a lawyer! :)
i guess you asked the hard questions..

Les Robertson said:
Hi Blade Show Staff,

First, who is actually writing this?

Second, how do you (Blade Show) think $13,000 worth of materials (as you can imagine that is not something someone can put in a pocket or even a back pack) "walked" out of the show?

I realize that you personally will not have the answer for the next two questions, but I would think someone in charge of security for the Blade Show would.

If the security officers didn't steal $13,000 worth of items after the show was secured by them. And if the cleaning crew who is supervised by the security offices didn't steal $13,000 worth of items after the show was closed. Who did?

If the security service that the Blade Show employees cannot guarantee no theft after they have secured the show. Why does the Blade Show use them?

Im sure we all look forward to your answers. As a table holder I know I do.
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Hi Dave,

Actually, yes they did.

The fact that we haven't heard back from the Blade Show rep is troublesome. The hit and run post with the "appearance" of concern does not address the issue as it should be. Nor does it provide insight or provide anyone with a real feeling of "security" for their items left overnight.

I suspect if the show promoters could be held financially liable for the losses. They would have a different attitude towards the security issue(s).
 
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