I.C.C.E - Kansas City 2016 - Makers, what are you bringing?

diggercat, I agree, but suspect most of the makers don't know about this thread. Surprised there isn't more activity here?

That said, we will have a great show. Stop by for a visit. :thumbup:
 
I only recently joined Instagram and can't quite figure out how it actually works as a search for this show does not find anything when using "I.C.C.E - Kansas City 2016" so not sure how to access what makers are posting.

I am also continuously amazed at how the traffic and posting of knives for shows has been greatly reduced over the past few years as I know myself and others looked forward to seeing posts to have some idea of knives we might be interested in handling and perhaps purchasing.

Having not attended any show for a few years, I still spend a lot of time on this site. Maybe makers or collectors should pass out some flyers promoting both BFC and the CKCA to other makers at shows. I know I passed out a lot of CKCA flyers over a few year period when my wife and I attended up to half a dozen shows or more in a year.
 
diggercat said:
More than a hundred table holders, less than a dozen are proud to share what they plan to bring. This is pitiful. How do knife makers expect to stay in business? If I was a maker planning to attend this show or any other show let the collectors see what you are bringing. I will make this show. I will stay 2 nights this will cost me almost 600. 00. I am afraid that I am throwing my money away. I see no major support in the media for this show. The promoters of this show are sucking. They are hurting themselves and everyone planning to attend this show makers and collectors.
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I just finished my first knife for the show and have 3 or 4 more to go.:eek: There's probably gonna be a last minute rush of knives as usual.
 
I'll have this one there....
29006414104_704e2d8164_c.jpg
[/url]20160910_154040 by sewardknives, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
hopefully it's a summer slowdown that accounts for diminished postings.
we need to redouble our efforts!
 
I will be there and will have my five JS test knives plus three others. Still working on finishing my last two test knives only have some crappy cell phone photos.



 
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I've seen NOTHING about the upcoming show except basically here.....I was thinking that the advertising/coverage would be over the top this time around for the sake of a third show.


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Don't know what advertising you are looking for, but it's been in Knife magazine for quite awhile. This year's show was announced on Sunday of the last show. I've seen many makers list the show for quite awhile on their personal websites. Don't forget, not all knifemakers are photographers :)

Knifemakers who want to be "hot" want a captive audience, I think that's one of the reasons they move off the forums to other venues...less competition and less negative opinions about their work.

Thanks for the pictures guys.
 
Sorry, don't do magazines and I was just about the first in the door on Friday last year. I live 45 minutes away from the venue and there's been nothing.....not much to captivate their audience unless they bring those folks with them.

I'll try to do that again this year but, jezzus, KC and the surrounding area is home to a couple million people whom I'm real sure don't all subscribe to knife magazines....just sayin'.


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Dawkind said:
Sorry, don't do magazines and I was just about the first in the door on Friday last year. I live 45 minutes away from the venue and there's been nothing.....not much to captivate their audience unless they bring those folks with them.

I'll try to do that again this year but, jezzus, KC and the surrounding area is home to a couple million people whom I'm real sure don't all subscribe to knife magazines....just sayin'.


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Reaching the general public through periodicals is difficult. Often one needs to use a combination of the local media (radio/tv) as well as bill boards and social media(s) to reach most of the general public.

My media contacts don't reach as far as K.C. but in my experiences with past local promotions I found that when you contact the right people, there are often free public service spots to be had for those willing to meet with them for interviews especially when you have an event with the history behind it that this one does.

Gary
 
According to the official ICCE show website, the dates for this years show are still "forthcoming" but at least they have a list of the exhibitors from last year - http://www.icce-show.com/

*shaking my head*
 
Thanks Gary. Good to see that there's something out there, though a bit odd that one of apparently two official websites has been left unattended...

Looks like a a lot of excellent makers exhibiting there. Hope it's a great show for everyone.
 
Dawkind said:
I've seen NOTHING about the upcoming show except basically here.....I was thinking that the advertising/coverage would be over the top this time around for the sake of a third show.


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Dudley,

You are very correct in saying no publicity in the KC Metro. Living in the southern part of the region and listening to 2 different radio stations with high audience records, not once have I heard anything about the show.

I think they must forget who pays for them to do shows. Collectors, new collectors, new audiences. That's right, a collector or buyer pays your bills not other knifemakers (unless your a supplier).

If you understand social media and how the algoritms work with both facebook and instagram you know you don't see much. Especiallly when they set it up as an event. People don't see events unless they "click" attending or change the setting when in the event to receive notifications. Or go to events constantly to see posts or events nearby. Events were great to start but fb changed it's algoritms for them, along with business fb pages.

Murray try hashtags when searching instagram. #icce is one that you can see several makers using on instagram and you can try that search on fb too. :)

Remember ABS and Guild are the promoters of this show. They do not use a company to promote this show, like Blade or Arkansas.

Ryan will be there on Friday and I will be there Saturday with him.
 
Mary.H said:
Remember ABS and Guild are the promoters of this show. They do not use a company to promote this show, like Blade or Arkansas.
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This is correct, and it means that the show is run by knifemakers not marketers (and old knifemakers at that) who are volunteering for their respective organizations, on top of their regular knifemaking or day jobs. Maybe some of you internet marketing whizzes or critics could help out?
 
I, as a Collector, appreciate that but if folks need assistance you need to ask and long before now.

I'm not trying to be a jerk but, as one of the critics, communication is key and since I'm not a Maker or more heavily involved I knew nothing about this aspect....sorry.


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For what it's worth I will echo what Mary said above. The only place I've heard about it is on BF.
 
I agree about asking for help. That's the key, and a pretty difficult task. Not trying to be too critical myself. I'm the president of our state organization, and I know I don't personally do any better.

I hope the show goes well again, as I have serious plans for ICCE 2017.
 
there needs to be a changing of the guard for shows to survive, but it's not likely to happen if the current movers and shakers are doing fine without having to go to shows. Sucks for building a solid and steady collector base, but maybe the days of requiring a solid and steady collector base are over. With such far reaching access, (ironic, considering the failure of many shows to utilize it in order to remain important) via the internet, what you may lack in reputable conduct, or well made/designed knives you might make up for in volume- until the next dude comes along and steals your thunder. I hope it's a temporary glitch that's come about through decades of encroaching technology, because I like to think that the communities humans are capable of maintaining will ultimately supersede 'community by translation' through virtual/digital tech. But, I've read too much science fiction to believe that's what'll happen.

anyway, in the short term- wtf is wrong with a show organizer who doesn't recognize the importance of a web presence with up to date info? Or the importance of local radio advertising, even? Sorry, but if your show fails, you have only yourself to blame.
 
Ben Seward said:
I'll have this one there....
29006414104_704e2d8164_c.jpg
[/url]20160910_154040 by sewardknives, on Flickr[/IMG]
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That's a beauty Ben! I can't wait to see it.

I would like to see more participation in this thread also. The makers showing their work in these threads have ever been tapering off the last few years. I understand that many are using social media but this is still a great venue to show the products and build excitement for the show. I don't do social media, may eventually have to change that, so this is my go to place to view makers work. I understand that the business of life and the busyness of life can make things hard to keep up with, but if I were putting out the expense to go to a show as a table holder I would hedge my bet by showing my work in all available venues and formats.

Chris
 
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