ICCE 2016 Crowds (or lack thereof)

redradr

redradr

Joined
May 22, 2008
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336
Wasn't able to attend this year's show but got plenty of good photos of knives from a couple friends doing some recon for me. Once again, the Knifemakers went above and beyond in bringing some magnificent pieces! Rather than show a bunch of knife pictures I thought I would share something I noticed of grave concern to me. These photos were at different times between 12:30 and 3:30 Sat and one a little after 1:00 on Sunday. Plenty of knives, plenty of Knifemakers, not many non-knifemaker people in attendance though. I guess there was a slew of Honorary Members on Friday. After that the crowds were sparse at best. Like any other show I'm sure some makers sold some knives and some didn't. But by attending a show you hope to get exposed to a steady stream of potential buyers that may turn into future business. This show has problems. Not sure if the Guild or ABS are doing their own marketing but it obviously is lacking and they should be ashamed!
 

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Did you take any photos Friday..?
It appeared to me that Friday was busier than any other time and
sales were likely up from 2015.....Plenty of reason for optimism.!
My 2017 table is reserved....
 
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My sales were identical to last year, neither great nor bad.

I like the show being held there from a historical aspect but I do think that crowds would be larger with a venue somewhere other than downtown.

Gary
 
*I'm agree with Gary.

I think it is obvious and normal that Sunday is characterized by fewer knives on the tables, fewer knife makers (many are starting to return home) fewer visitors. Then as with everything, but everything can be improved with proper and constructive criticism.

_________________
Riccardo Mainolfi
ICCE Table D 8
 
I am truly hopeful that there will be improvement. Getting the established collectors there is one thing, but what really needs to happen is getting the general public there. New collectors is what it will take to make this show continue for many years to come. I am aware that social media is the way many makers connect with their collectors so why not broaden this by finding more ways to get in touch with the locals that are not collectors yet. Olathe Kansas is pretty much a suburb of Kansas City. I know at one time Olathe had the largest average household income in the USA. There are also the Kansas City Chiefs that are playing about the time the show happens as are the Kansas City Royals. Not only are the home team fans there but many fans that travel to see the games. Interstate 70 runs through and is a main travel artery for the nation. New collectors will help keep the show happening every year.

Chris
 
We did fine this year although I brought home a nice Gents Bowie that I am surprised it didnt sell there. The Thursday night Social was so packed you could hardly walk around and very loud. Great food and drinks and very stiff competition for the awards.
Friday afternoon was the busiest day of the 3 but Saturday was good too. I didnt see some of my favorite collectors this year as they changed the show dates a few months ago which screwed up at least one for sure deal for me.
There were some private shows up the rooms that we were invited to. Very informal and drinks and snacks and knives and more knives. Good times after hours.
We signed up for next year.
 
Compared to Blade & Little Rock this show was Slow. But I did OK. Cliff Parker had a great show!

I brought two kitchen knives (first I've made in many years) just to see if there was enough interest to make more.
They sold to the first person to look. Good market research I think.

Like Bruce mentioned, there were a number of collectors not there.

Not the best time of year for a show & too close to the Fisk Show. Don't know what can be done about that?
One show will always conflict with another these days.

I'll be there next year.
 
I did the show last year and this year; I think traffic was about the same but my gut tells me sales were a little better this year. I know several makers sold out. I don't think many makers went without any sales. Overall, there wasn't much time that I didn't have someone at my table looking at knives. It wasn't "Blade Show" busy but it was more personal.

I do think the venue is a problem for drawing in local traffic. I have a lot of immediate family in the K.C. area and they all complain about having to drive into downtown to visit the show. I personally, really like the location but, I think they should consider moving. Either way, I've already paid for next years table.

Bob
 
I live in a suburb of KC and see nothing wrong with the location. Growing up in the suburbs of KC I'm used to driving downtown for events. The theater and our large events are mostly in that general area (farmers market, bartle hall, sprint center, power and light... ). This was my first time attending the show. I was there sat for an hour and a half and enjoyed it. It felt like it was busy during the time I was there. It didn't look like the pictures above, but I'm sure there was peaks and valleys with the flow of people. I will be back next year. I didn't see any local advertising. As a side note, from the perspective of a first time attendee, it seems odd that there's no price on some tables and one table I went back to twice (45 min apart) and nobody was around to find out how much a knife was.. maybe that's the normal process.
 
I attended friday and seemed a steady flow of people.
I to am a local KC area person and saw or heard no local advertising of the show.
One thing to I thought of was the American Royal Rodeo was going on that same weekend and if the show is looking at moving teaming up with that event and venue might be a good fit. Thousands of people attend that rodeo and it is in a good location with way better parking. alot of the knives I saw would also apeal to that crowd going to the rodeo. I have attended bikes shows and other events at the venue where the rodeo is held and Im sure they have a market place where they are selling horse gear and leather good. Its the same place they hold the american royal bbq competition and only about a mile west of the Marriot, there is not a hotel on site so not sure if that is a deal breaker.
Just some thoughts from a local weekend warrior knifemaker. :)

JP

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
 
I questioned every local person, and only one had experienced marketing that wasn't maker sent through forums, facebook or instagram. Nobody saw any marketing.

The crowds were small. Friday was brisk, but the following days were dismal.
 
We haven't analyzed all the information we have from the show yet but we know the crowds were smaller but more knives were sold. That tells me we are attracting a better crowd, knife buyers.
 
Ryan was there Fri-Sun and I was there most of Sat and Sun. We had commitments Thursday so were unable to go to the banquet. They were gracious to have a table for the CKCA, which we setup with membership information and the Sam Lurquin Giveaway Knife.

I did take a few pictures on Saturday morning and posted on Facebook (#icce).

We are local Kansas City people and as I have previously mentioned in other threads we have seen no local advertising. We have had several conversations with other collectors and makers all weekend too about this. What we recommend is that you must write Guild and ABS Show Committee members to listen to concerns. A successful show has many layers. And many want to put blame on only one layer. Lets look at some of the layers.

1) Makers/Suppliers pay for a table. Where is this cost going. As a maker you need to know the exact percentage of your table fee is going to marketing, overhead, space rental, etc.
2) As a Maker/Supplier what are you doing to advertise yourself and the shows you are attending?
3) What is the organization doing to promote the show locally?
4) are you reaching out to your collectors?

I did meet a few new collectors on Saturday that stopped at our table at the front of the room. I did think it was a better quality of blades at the show, just not an attendance buster. Sunday was pretty much dead by noon.

Yes they changed the dates for this show, kinda last minute. The dates I agree are not the optimal, and let me explain. With so much going on people must choose.

1) Plaza Art Fair. This is an annual show, that is nationally ranked and by invite only to setup. It happens this time of year every year. Many people didn't realize just how big this art show was until they tried to a) go to the plaza b) have a several hour wait at a restaurant.
2) Free Concert at the Kauffmann Theatre on Friday. Stop of traffic, limited parking, and lines for restaurants
3) KC Chiefs Football Home Game on Sunday - People line up early morning to tailgate in the parking lot by 730am and is full of people
4) American Royal - It begins this time of year and lasts through early November. There was a PBR Rodeo on Saturday too boot. BBQ Comp is usually early Oct.


Location needs to changed and hoping after next year we can get both organizations to look at other, possibly better, venues with more ammenities for family and kids too and better parking options.

Makers and Collectors need to be consistent on contacting both organizations and get them to do more local advertising. We have suggested local news media, local radio stations, papers (other than ads in second hand newspapers), magazines, etc.

I would like to congratulate Russ Andrews for winning the Heat Treat Oven at the end of the show Sunday! Well deserved after his shop fire!!! I was thrilled to hear his name on the loud speaker.



My two cents...

Mary
 
Mary.H said:
We are local Kansas City people and as I have previously mentioned in other threads we have seen no local advertising.

Mary
Click to expand...

I was told that they ran a radio spot multiple times on Mon & Thurs on one top radio station. That's all that was done for local promos that I'm aware of.

Gary
 
Some of what I have heard (not able to attend shows for a few years now) included and excellent Friday with lots of Guild Hon's in attendance and a slow down thru to a crawl on Sunday. Many makers did sell out but there seems to be a large number of sales being made to some dealers attending bringing knives back to their homelands (China & Taiwan) with high markups, which while this is terrific for the original sale, unfortunately it tends to skew the interest of collectors that are viewers but not necessarily purchasers.

The advertising issue is always difficult as costs are quite significant. Maybe makers, collectors and associations have to promote themselves and sources like BFC so that there is more participation and the passing on to clients this particular resource and why makers and collectors should make use of it.

Looking forward to seeing knife images as I do understand that there were many quite fantastic knives available at the show. Fortunately, we did see many of them pre-show in this forum but it would be great to see knives from makers that so far are not frequenting BFC.
 
Speaking of (pro) knife images: Was Eric Eggly set up at this show? I'm assuming such, as he's done the past ABS and Guild shows.

But, I've missed that or it's not been mentioned.

Jim
 
I, too, agree with Mary that even though it's a very nice hotel and venue, parking is at a PREMIUM and very limited ($12+ to park at the hotel for a couple of hours AND the fact I had to borrow a vehicle because my truck won't even go through the entrance and no street parking!!!) and Downtown KC Friday Rush Hour Exodus.....hard to even get on I-70 to get out of town.

Zero marketing from where I come from but I had orders to pick up, friends to see, and enjoyed it immensely for the time I was there.

The room was 'full' when I left around 4:00PM....earlier than expected but I had spent all of my 'Play Money' and then some plus wanted to beat some of the traffic.

I look forward to and will attend next year, wherever it may be, and I'd be willing to try to contact and get the word out to local TV/Radio/Print Media.

It'd be nice if all of the activities going on, in and around KC, would have some kind of a combined advertising/flyer that would highlight ALL the things happening.

It was great to see everyone, I appreciate the hospitality, I apologize to those I missed and see y'all next year!!!


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