Ideal place for a knife show?

Joss

Joss

Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
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Hello everyone,

The discussion about the Guild show made me think about that. From a purely effectiveness or business stand point, what is the best location for a knife show?

In my opinion, the important factors are:

- Centrally located, both from a North South and East West standpoint (i.e., a major show shouldn't be in Florida or in Seattle). This should be based on key population centers, not only geography. I.e., it might make sense to have a show slightly more South than the purely geographic line.

- Well deserved by major airlines - in fact, it makes sense to select a town which is an airline hub, like Fort Worth. The idea is to be able to get cheap, direct flights, from any major city. As a counter example, to go to Atlanta from Seattle is ridiculously long and painful.

- Reasonably cheap accommodations, both for the venue and for hotels.

What do you think? Are those the right criteria (the number of criteria has to be limited to be manageable)? And if yes, what would be the best place?

Thanks,

JD
 
They say location, location , location is the key. I think that a centrally located show might not be the best place. Vegas is too glitzy and people spend their money gambling instead of on knives. The west coast is ok but you run into a lot of legal issues, like the selling of Autos. Ny has the same problem with autos but there is a lot of money floating around manhattan.

You do have to consider the ease of getting to and from the show, cost to set up for makers and do the show. The Ny show is expensive, with the table fees, hotel and even food prices you can easily spend $1500 just to do the show.

For years I have heard of a few makers or show promoters thinking bringing back a show in Rhode Island. I think that this would be a great show. There are great hotels right at the airport so you could fly in and out on the same day if you wish. The cost of the show would not be too expensive and food is cheap, great seafood! The best part is that AUTOS ARE LEGAL IN RHODE ISLAND!! You could have all of the big name auto makers there with no legal hassles.

I hope this thread can help show promoters.
 
No matter where you host it, there will always be about 2/3 of the buying public that will be out of range. That's just the way it is.
My 'solution' would be to have a different host city each year. Cover the four corners and the middle in about six years and then start all over. each venue would have it's disappointments and plusses. At least once in six years *everyone* will have an opportunity.

(In my sport of rowing the Master's Nationals are done in this format. Every year it's an adventure somewhere else.)

Let's start with Rhode Island..... ;)

Coop
 
Good points Joss.
I don't have the answer but I will say, keep an eye on the NEW Chicago Custom Show. For an all custon show it has all the right things going for it. Last year was the first and it was great and hey, there is a talented photographer set up there :p Just take a look at the list of makers attending.

Don Hanson
 
Chicago might be a good idea. I think Rhode Island is assinine personally... I would never go there for a show. It's just to expensive for me, and I'd guess for anyone on the West Coast. If the idea is to select the location based on the auto regulatory status, it's going to seriously limit the attraction to a small number of makers and collectors.
 
Joss, I don't agree about RI. The flights might be too expensive, but I do a hell of a lot of travelling, and I can tell you that hotels are cheaper in RI than in Chicago. If you think about a 3-night accomodation, the total for this will outstrip most airline fees. And remember--Southwest Airlines flies into Providence. If you sat out of Boston or NYC, there are many East Coast options where the hotels/motels can be quite inexpensive. And the idea of being able to legally buy autos is very attractive.

I think that rotating a show between 3 sites (East, West, and Center) would be a good idea. Few people will fly crosscountry to attend a show (excpting things like Blade, etc).

I think that the factors involved should be:

Knife-friendliness
price and availability of accomodations
price and convenience of air travel
price and convenience of venue
 
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