David Allard has tried very hard to put together a knife show in Memphis, Tn. I was there for the first show which was only 40 tables. This show he sold 80 tables, 10 backed out at the last minute, so 70 tables. This is a dramatic increase. I was really pissed off when people [ knifemakers and dealers ] started to leave early. Everyone present had everything to gain and David had everything to lose. I have never been to a show where people just got up and left. Some dealers sold tons of knives, and when things slowed down a little they left. We are talking a day early or 5 hours before the show was over. There is no excuse for this, these people just left because they felt like it. If this were my show YOU WOULD NOT COME BACK!!!!!!! The knife industry needs to be a cohesive bunch of people, not a bunch of selfish children. Enough ranting, support your industry. garyz
-
All For Sale threads must have a pic showing the knife being sold with written date listed, your username & Bladeforums or BFC to prevent photo harvesting from elsewhere - scammers hate this one trick! The rules for The Exchange can be found here. Please read and follow them. Stop using Paypal Friends & Family and follow our best practices to prevent getting ripped off or having a bad deal.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
People who left the Memphis show early
- Thread starter garyz
- Start date
This is not a pile on, but merely an opinion expressed in the proper place.
I do not know garyz or David. However, if you commit to be an exhibitor at a show, see it through out of respect for the other exhibitors, the attendees, and the promoter.
I am certain some of these decisions were based upon people wanting to get home early from the weekend, and I know many in this industry cannot, and do not live by knives alone. However, if the hours are not feasible for you, tell the promoter for next year and see if enough agree that he makes a new schedule. If the hours still do not fit your schedule, don't register to be an exhibitor. It sends a poor message to the other exhibitors and most importantly, the attendees.
garyz is absolutely correct. Our community is too small to set a bad precedence like this.
Attend or do not attend, but don't "bail" on a show.
I do not know garyz or David. However, if you commit to be an exhibitor at a show, see it through out of respect for the other exhibitors, the attendees, and the promoter.
I am certain some of these decisions were based upon people wanting to get home early from the weekend, and I know many in this industry cannot, and do not live by knives alone. However, if the hours are not feasible for you, tell the promoter for next year and see if enough agree that he makes a new schedule. If the hours still do not fit your schedule, don't register to be an exhibitor. It sends a poor message to the other exhibitors and most importantly, the attendees.
garyz is absolutely correct. Our community is too small to set a bad precedence like this.
Attend or do not attend, but don't "bail" on a show.
Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
- Joined
- Oct 9, 1998
- Messages
- 75,838
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here. Do you really mean to say if a knifemaker or dealer can't be there for an entire show, he's willing to pay for a table even though he'll have to leave the day before the show ends, you'd rather he didn't come at all? If he does you'll be mad at him? What if it's the first day he has to miss -- would you be just as mad at him for that?
dogman
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Jul 26, 1999
- Messages
- 1,109
Cougar,
It has nothing to do with paying for the table. If all the dealers, makers, etc, start to leave early on Sunday, then people will not come to the show knowing the exibitors are packing up and leaving. That hurts everyone. Some folks do have a legitimate reason to leave early, but many just leave because the last day is slow. Perception is everything, and if someone walks into a show and half the tables are empty, they immediately thing it must be a crappy show.
There should be a commitment to the community, not just an attitude of getting your money and leaving.
It has nothing to do with paying for the table. If all the dealers, makers, etc, start to leave early on Sunday, then people will not come to the show knowing the exibitors are packing up and leaving. That hurts everyone. Some folks do have a legitimate reason to leave early, but many just leave because the last day is slow. Perception is everything, and if someone walks into a show and half the tables are empty, they immediately thing it must be a crappy show.
There should be a commitment to the community, not just an attitude of getting your money and leaving.
It would be great if everyone stayed till the last minute of a show, however they don't. Almost every show I set up at a lot of the exhibitors are pulling out well before noon on Sunday. Some of the reasons are they've sold all they think there gonna sell, they have a long drive in front of them, and they are just tired. I know that sounds funny but working a show is hard and when no one is standing in front of your table it gets very boring.
I know David works very hard to promote his show, I see him at several other shows working his butt off to get exhibitors to attend. Part of the problem is that it is a new show and it's gonna take a few years to get enough exhibitors to fill it and keep it filled with the public. Hopfully this will happen for him and it will continue to grow.
One new trend is to complete the show on Saturday night. Bruce Voyles SSS show in Mesquite is ran that way and everyone is there till closing. The only problem with that is starting on Thursday means a lot of folks are working and can't get there, so it's a slow start.
Anyway, I hope it gets better for david and if I attend next year, I promise I'll stay to the end.
Perry
I know David works very hard to promote his show, I see him at several other shows working his butt off to get exhibitors to attend. Part of the problem is that it is a new show and it's gonna take a few years to get enough exhibitors to fill it and keep it filled with the public. Hopfully this will happen for him and it will continue to grow.
One new trend is to complete the show on Saturday night. Bruce Voyles SSS show in Mesquite is ran that way and everyone is there till closing. The only problem with that is starting on Thursday means a lot of folks are working and can't get there, so it's a slow start.
Anyway, I hope it gets better for david and if I attend next year, I promise I'll stay to the end.
Perry
I don't disagree with your remarks about boredom, long drives, fatigue, etc. But I am glad to hear you will not bug out Perry M.
IMHO it is wrong, period. I do MANY trade shows each year in two different industries, and am therefore no stranger to all the aforementioned reasons to pack up, and head out. But I still don't do it for all of the reasons listed.
You certainly don't ever see it at industry trade shows. It should be no different at consumer trade shows. Especially and absolutely with regard to TOMBSTONES remark. When people are "paying" to attend, they should be able to see every exhibitor that the Friday or Saturday attendees did.
Just my humble opinion.
IMHO it is wrong, period. I do MANY trade shows each year in two different industries, and am therefore no stranger to all the aforementioned reasons to pack up, and head out. But I still don't do it for all of the reasons listed.
You certainly don't ever see it at industry trade shows. It should be no different at consumer trade shows. Especially and absolutely with regard to TOMBSTONES remark. When people are "paying" to attend, they should be able to see every exhibitor that the Friday or Saturday attendees did.
Just my humble opinion.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 1999
- Messages
- 7,497
I would have to agree. While the shows I work are to recruit new engineers and not to sell a product I am still selling whatever company hired me to work the show. The presentation of full tables leaves a good memory on those who visit. Only major difference I suppose is that I don't get paid a single dime if I leave early