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

let's set this forum up with a hashtag; #customandhandmadeknives

whenever you post up your stuff here, reference it with that hashtag on IG, twitter and facebook, (and whatever the hell else there is out there).

this forum is solid, and a great place to direct your followers. Sure, you might lead them to your competition, but you'll benefit from theirs. Call it a social contract
 
Hi Mary -- tried the "hashtag" and got lots of Ice Cream sites. I am not a social media guy either. Reasonably knowledgeable about computers but FB, Instagram, Twitter are just not something I had interest in but though I would check out Wolfe's site on Instagram and then saw the post re ICCE on Instagram here but a basic search was not fruitful. Programs really have to fix their search engines and it is too bad if the joint effort of the Guild and ABS are not doing a great job of promotion as you and others point out the collector interest has to broaden or as has happened in Canada, the interest has essentially died.
 
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.

That's very nice of them, but if they can't even find 10 minutes to update their own website, I don't think they're doing anyone any favors. It does no one any good to volunteer time you do not have, or work you are unable to perform.

Maybe some of you internet marketing whizzes or critics could help out?

Is that how it's supposed to work? I think a lot of table holders would have been more than happy to help if they only knew the help was needed. At this point it's probably a little late...

I feel that the ICCE has the potential to be one of the best knife shows out there, but this isn't Field of Dreams. A little bit of promotion would go a long way towards attracting new visitors.

I really do hope that the aisles are full and that the show is a big success for everyone involved
 
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For a show to succeed it needs a lot of 'Buzz' .

This is the responsibility of the show organizers / promoters, table holders & collectors.

Social media is where it's at for promoting & advertising.
 
Bout have Instagram figured out.

Guess I need to tackle FB next?

If Coop were the photographer for this show, there would be more buzz fer sure. :cool:
 
I'll be there.
This is one of the knives that will be with me.




_____________________________________________
Riccardo Mainolfi
 
Like most shows, there's always last minute things to get done. I've yet to complete the matching sheath for my dagger but only lack the silver throat as I got the fluting, inlays & silver tip done this week.

I also started making a mosaic billet yesterday for a small Bowie. I picked up a beautiful piece of fossil ivory while at the Branson Show last week and would like to have it on a knife for ICCE if time permits.

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone will be bringing. The competition Thursday night should be special!

Gary
 
So...a couple things. First, I would believe that the show is actually paid for by the table sales. I don't have any inside knowledge on this (though it would be easy enough to ask) but, it would be very risky to gamble on ticket sales carrying this event, especially when they are giving away so many free passes. Second thing is, if a maker wants to sell knives then he needs to be contributing to the marketing of the event. The 200 or so makers that will be attending have far more reach than any marketing campaign the show promoters can muster. I follow many makers on Instagram and Facebook and most are taking an active role in promoting ICCE. If you don't read magazines and you are not on social media, then it makes sense that this forum is the only place you would hear about the show.

As for participation in this thread, I can only speak definitively for myself though I suspect it is the same for other makers. I have a 2+ year waiting list. My calendar is full and I give myself 4 weeks to make knives prior each show I attend. That means I am usually right down to the wire trying to get knives finished up for the show. I have posted a lot of in-progress pics on both Instagram and Facebook but these Bladeforums threads are usually more about showing off finished work. My stuff will likely be finished a day or two before I depart for the show and I try to get some photos up as I'm heading out the door. That is the best I can do.

Bob

Here's what I'm working on for the show. There's W2, Damasteel, Turkish Twist, zirconium, copper, mammoth ivory, Kevlar and Snakewood

2016-09-15_01-31-58 by Bob, on Flickr
 
Riccardo, Steve and Bob, thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see those. I am really looking forward to the show.

Chris
 
I agree with Bob on many points.
These are two other knives that next week will start with me.










________________
Riccardo Mainolfi
 
if a maker wants to sell knives then he needs to be contributing to the marketing of the event. The 200 or so makers that will be attending have far more reach than any marketing campaign the show promoters can muster. I follow many makers on Instagram and Facebook and most are taking an active role in promoting ICCE.

I completely agree with you. This type of direct marketing is absolutely the best way to reach existing customers. It's the new prospective customers in the KC area, however, that are a little harder for makers to reach. There may be hundreds if not thousands of folks in KC who don't know anything about the custom knife world but would be very interested to go have a look around if they heard about the show on the radio or read something in the local newspaper. This is the kind of local marketing that show promoters can use to cultivate new collectors and increase the exposure of the makers who will be there.

The opportunity to reach a large number of potential new customers is the number one reason for a maker to travel hundreds of miles and spend good money on a table at a knife show. The extent to which the show promoters actually try to bring in those potential new customers is an important consideration for any maker choosing which shows to do in the coming year.
 
Here is a little something that I will be bringing...
image.png
 
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