How did makers do at Blade?

All I can say about the show itself is that the new Blade Show staff lost my trust and confidence before we ever got there, and it is something that they will have to earn back from me. I lost advertising down payments because they blew the deadlines for the magazines I was advertising with. When I picked up my show packet, all I got was an empty envelope, and had to struggle just to get a name tag....Had it not been for Missy taking a personal interest, I doubt I would have gotten that. When I returned on Friday morning to ask for the rest of my show packet, I got a deer in the headlights look, was handed a blank show contract for next year, and that was it. The ONLY individual from Krause that was of any assistance to me at all was Missy Beyer....and she is not even on the show staff! Thats just wrong. I know the staff is new, and they need to grow into the show, but what I witnessed was, they were not even trying.

I was very unimpressed to see JS and MS makers in the back of the ABS section, but saw people with display cases of watches and others selling storage cabinets in the 4th row of the that section. For the very first time in all these years, there were people selling firearms at the blade show! I'm sorry to say, but I saw a lot of indicators that gave the show somewhat of a Flea Market feeling. Since Blade has always been the premier knife show in the world, thats just a sad thing.

One thing that I found very interesting was that suppliers are experiencing sales like never before. After speaking with a few of them, it came to light that this is due to folks who have lost their jobs, calling suppliers and spending their savings to get started in knifemaking....thinking they are going to be rich within a month. That bodes well for suppliers sales, but certainly cannot be viewed as an overall good thing.

Customers/sales: My personal assessment was that patronage was down, and I spoke with far more makers who voiced that this was their worst Blade Show ever, than I did makers who had outstanding sales. For me personally, this was the worst Blade show for sales in the past 10 years. OK, enough ranting. This year's show is history, and lets just hope that Krause can get all of its "stuff" in one sock by next year.
 
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I had a good show that started off really slow. Going into Sunday I had only one sale but at the end of the day Sunday everything was good. I enjoyed myself, visiting with my old friends and making new friends. Kevin, O'mally was working but I didn't see the others. Joe your knives looked great to me and those Paul Long sheaths were great. It could be location, by the time folks got pass the purses they already spent all the money they planned to spend.
 
I always enjoy going to the show and visiting with old and new friends. I always learn something from talking with other knifemakers.

I will probably go to the show next year but I doubt that I will get a table after this year's experience and the fact that they are raising table prices another $50.

$500 for a table plus travel and lodging expenses to be treated poorly by the show staff is just too much.

It is sad to see the show deteriorate. Maybe they think they are bulletproof since it is the biggest show but they had better realize in a hurry that they do need the knifemakers to have a worthwhile show.
 
This year was only my second Blade Show, last year being my first. If the figure of 16% decline in attendance is accurate, it beats my impression considerably. I would have estimated 25%. I came down with a couple of table holders and from what I heard from them and others, the new management of this show needs considerable improvement.

I purchased 3 knives, one before the show officially opened because I had an "exhibitor pass". It was priced well below the maker's usual pricing. I also bought the most expensive knife in my collection, though it would still be considered in the low to low middle range.

I found the layout confusing. For example, that last knife I purchased, I saw on Friday, but couldn't make up my mind between two different models. Luckily I was smart enough to not only pick up the maker's card, but also asked him his table number. Only with both bits of information was I able to find my way back to his table to make my purchase. Even with plenty of time, I never found some maker's tables; other I found, but they were empty, except for maybe the maker's card. A number of tables appeared to be unmanned by Saturday.

This year I got to spend considerable time with several makers discussing possible future purchases. I even went back on several occasions, something I might have been too embarrassed to do last year, another indication to me that attendance was significantly down from last year. I could discuss my interests without feeling that I might be keeping the maker from making a sale to other interested customers.

My biggest disappointment was never finding some maker's table (time was not an issue) and finding a few maker's unmanned tables (in one case, this for the second year in a row). Previously posters have named a few tableholders that were there, but I never found. This, too, may be an indication that how Blade management needs more attention to how its lists tableholders that would make it easier for customers to find. But all-in-all, the positives greatly outweighed the negatives. I got to spend time with a number of makers, some new, some I have purchased from in the past, and with great friends.

Paul
 
I was hesitant to post this. I really don't want to sound cocky or privileged, but I have a perspective that worked for me.

I am not a maker. My business is apples and oranges to selling knives.

Nonetheless, I sell a service and product and I have strong and worthy competition.

Concerning the problems of locations and Program listings: I was not listed AT ALL in the program. My studio (Boardroom #1) was way in the back, by the seminar rooms. Inarguably the farthest away service/booth in the entire show. :(

What I made sure I did was to announce my upcoming presence to 350 of my existing clients by direct email the week before, including our location. I had cards dropped off on tables with my location and pricing. I made up two larger posters and placed them strategically. (One at the head of an escalator stairwell, and the other at the entrance to the Men's room. ;))

I couldn't hope for good business, I had to help make it happen. It was my best year to date, by a small margin.

Fortunately, this economy has made it clear to makers they have to try harder, and that may mean getting better photos. I'll bet Point Seven had a great weekend also.

I completely agree that things could have and should have been done even better from the management side. Let's make that happen for next year. There is a poll on the www.blademag.com site asking about your opinions on this year's show. Let them know.

Coop
 
Thanks for posting that link Coop - hopefully it will provide an avenue for the valid concerns expressed by many to be heard and acted upon.

Roger
 
SharpByCoop said:
I was hesitant to post this. I really don't want to sound cocky or privileged, but I have a perspective that worked for me.

Nonetheless, I sell a service and product and I have strong and worthy competition.

I couldn't hope for good business, I had to help make it happen. It was my best year to date, by a small margin.

Fortunately, this economy has made it clear to makers they have to try harder, and that may mean getting better photos. I'll bet Point Seven had a great weekend also.

Coop
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GREAT post, Jim.:thumbup:

I always make the analogy that trying to do well at a show without some basic marketing is akin to opening your pockets really wide, and hoping money falls in them.

That said, I think what most makers are saying in this thread is that the expectation of a down economy was a given, but the usually excellent show management was NOT a given.

I'll put that like this....If I stay at a hotel, and have done so many times in the past, and service just kept getting better, but THIS time, the room smelled, they ran out of towels, and staff was not helpful...I would stay somewhere else...but wait, this is the only hotel in town...for 100 miles.

What makes the Blade show great is the fantastic interaction of everyone involved in the knife community, including Blade Show staff. I plan on going next year....if it isn't a good show, I'll simply not go back....but this is a hugely anticipated payday for a lot of makers, and they might not have the streams for sales that I have as an astute buyer.

ALL that said, the same thing I wrote about Santa Barbara is what I will say here....intelligent innovation will be rewarded and the "same old-same old" regardless of how well done is not going to cut it in these highly competetive economic situations.

It's a business, and everyone had better start acting like it.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Okay here goes... My third year at the show, with this year being the first year as an exhibitor ( 24-CC ). I sold nine knives and took three orders. I made many new friends and had a great time yucking it up with the tables around me. My knives are not the greatest or the worst, I thought every makers knives were great and I say that because each of us did the best we could and laid our ass, reputation, heart and soul on the line. For me it was the thrill of just being in the same room with all of you makers. Only you makers know how it feel to have all those grinders wrecks and leave a pound of flesh on the floor. We are part of a brotherhood that many people envy. I don't care how you make a knife or what your style of knife making is, we share a common interest in knife making. As a new maker (three years, stock removal) I look forward to all the years and opportunities I will have to meet and get to know you guys. Have a great year. Gary M. Lunsford.
 
This was my first blade show and was totally blown away!! I've never been surround by so much knife stuff, it was great. I tested for my Journeyman bladesmith rating and passed, whew, I'm glad it's over. I came to the show with two of my five test knives already sold and sold two more at the show. I was able to pay for the flight, hotel, food, and put a little in my pocket. All around good experience, plus learned alot.
 
Mike Quesenberry said:
This was my first blade show and was totally blown away!! I've never been surround by so much knife stuff, it was great. I tested for my Journeyman bladesmith rating and passed, whew, I'm glad it's over. I came to the show with two of my five test knives already sold and sold two more at the show. I was able to pay for the flight, hotel, food, and put a little in my pocket. All around good experience, plus learned alot.
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Hi Mike,

Welcome to Bladeforums!

It was very nice meeting you at the show! I would also like to congratulate you on your JS Stamp!

I hope you will post a knife every now and then. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Mark Terrell said:
Also, the brown bagging, oh, the brown bagging. More than once (like 7-10 times) I had to run someone off for putting their knives on full display (out from their backpack) in front of my table or very nearby. One guy lined his wares up on the floor in front of several of our tables. I made mention of this to show officials numerous times, but they never did squat, and it was rampant...
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anyone we all know ? Karma catches up with those folks....sooner or later.
 
My only concern at this time is the size of the show. Bruce Voyles made some good points earlier.

But Blade is still the one show I would not miss :cool:
 
Mike Quesenberry said:
This was my first blade show and was totally blown away!! I've never been surround by so much knife stuff, it was great. I tested for my Journeyman bladesmith rating and passed, whew, I'm glad it's over. I came to the show with two of my five test knives already sold and sold two more at the show. I was able to pay for the flight, hotel, food, and put a little in my pocket. All around good experience, plus learned alot.
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Hi Mike,

Welcome to Bladeforums!

Guys, when you see Mike's submission entries, you will see yet another maker who has raised the JS bar to extreme heights. Photo soon. :)

Coop
 
Congratulation to you, Mike and to Kyle. You both are going to be watched closely. Great work. Lin
 
Moslash said:
Okay here goes... My third year at the show, with this year being the first year as an exhibitor ( 24-CC ). I sold nine knives and took three orders. I made many new friends and had a great time yucking it up with the tables around me. My knives are not the greatest or the worst, I thought every makers knives were great and I say that because each of us did the best we could and laid our ass, reputation, heart and soul on the line. For me it was the thrill of just being in the same room with all of you makers. Only you makers know how it feel to have all those grinders wrecks and leave a pound of flesh on the floor. We are part of a brotherhood that many people envy. I don't care how you make a knife or what your style of knife making is, we share a common interest in knife making. As a new maker (three years, stock removal) I look forward to all the years and opportunities I will have to meet and get to know you guys. Have a great year. Gary M. Lunsford.
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Welcome to the forums Gary, I do like your knives. I will be trying to stop by soon, will get with you on date later. Looking forward to seeing some Margarita Green blades being shown.:D
Jim
 
My first BladeShow and I had a blast! I met a lot of forumites and made quite a few new friends with other makers around me. I am still in awe of the level of artistry in that room. I cannot comment as to compare attendance figures, but buyers seemed just like I have seen at other knife shows for the past 7-8 months. They were still interested but they were much pickier. They might still buy a knife but this year they were only buying one or two rather than several.

In any case, this year was an investment for me. I met people, handed out cards, smoozed with customers and picked the brains of other knifemakers. I picked up some supplies, took a lot of notes and have already started on a couple of new ideas for next years knives. I figure I have about 360 days to get better.
See ya next year, Kevin
 
Mike Quesenberry,

I also got a chance to examine your five closely, as you know. You're definitely one to watch for those who like clean work and good design.

I second the suggestion to post your work as you make 'em.

John
 
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