Time of Year for a Show

joshsmith

joshsmith

Joined
Mar 31, 2005
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What time of year works well for you collectors when considering a new show to attend?

How much does Christmas affect your knife show travel and in what way? Is it harder to travel before like early Dec. or after like Mid. January?

From what I can tell July, Aug., Sept., Oct. Dec. Jan. are open.

Obviously there are established shows that have to be scheduled around or at least considered.

Feb: ECCK Show New York

April: Solvang

End May/ Early June: Blade

Nov. AKI/ BAKC

Dec. Christmas
 
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Josh,

Here is a list of most of the 2009 shows, I'm sure I missed a couple. There are 35, one almost every weekend.
Do we really need another show?

Jan 15-18 SHOT Show - Orlando, FL LINK
Jan 16-18 Las Vegas Invitational Knifemakers Show - Las Vegas, NV LINK
Jan 23-25 Big Buck Classic - Little Rock, AR LINK
Jan 30-Feb 1 Gatory Cutlery Club Show - Lakeland, FL
Feb 14-15 Arkansas Custom Knife Show - Little Rock, AR LINK
Feb 27-Mar 1 East Coast Custom Knife Show - New York, NY LINK
March 6-8 knife expo
March 13-14 TKCA Central Texas Knife Show - Roundrock, TX
Mar 13-15 NKCA NW GA Knife Show - Dalton, GA LINK
Mar 27-29 Badger Knife Show - Janesville, WI LINK
Mar 28 Plaza Custom Show - Honolulu, Hawaii LINK
Apr 4-5 Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show - Tulsa, OK LINK
Apr 17-19 Santa Barbara Premier Art Showcase - Santa Barbara, CA
Apr 18-19 Oregon Knife Collectors Assoc.
Apr 25-26 Wolverine Knife Show - Novi, MI LINK
May 15-17 NKCA Greater Ohio Knife Show - Ft. Mitchell, KY LINK
May 29-31 Blade Show - Atlanta, GA LINK
Jun ?? Kentucky Cutlery Association Show - Shepherdsville, KY LINK
Jun 11-13 Parker Knife Show - Sevierville, TN LINK
Jun 27-28 Branson Hammer In & Show - Branson, MO
Jul 10-12 Spirit of Steel Show - Grapevine, TX LINK
Jul 24-26 AG Russell Show - Rogers, AR
Aug 21-22 ABS Knife Expo - San Antonio, TX LINK
Sept 11-12 Chicago Knife Expo - Chicago, IL LINK
Sept 11-13 Blade Show West - Portland, OR LINK
Sept 12 Oklahoma Custom Knife Show - Tulsa, OK *Tentative date and location
Sept 17-20 Knifemakers Guild Show - Louisville, KY LINK
Oct 2-4 NKCA KY Fall Knife Show - Louisville, KY LINK
Oct 23-24 Ohio Classic Knife Show - Cambridge, OH LINK
Oct 24 Art Knife Invitational - San Diego, CA LINK
Nov 7-8 NKCA Nashville Knife Show - Nashville, TN LINK
Nov 14-15 Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show - Tulsa, OK LINK
Nov 20-22New York Custom Knife Show - New York, NY
Dec 10-12 Parker Knife Show - Sevierville, TN LINK
Dec 13 Chesapeake Knife Show - Baltimore, MD
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
Josh,

Here is a list of most of the 2009 shows, I'm sure I missed a couple. There are 35, one almost every weekend.
Do we really need another show?

Jan 15-18 SHOT Show - Orlando, FL LINK
Jan 16-18 Las Vegas Invitational Knifemakers Show - Las Vegas, NV LINK
Jan 23-25 Big Buck Classic - Little Rock, AR LINK
Jan 30-Feb 1 Gatory Cutlery Club Show - Lakeland, FL
Feb 14-15 Arkansas Custom Knife Show - Little Rock, AR LINK
Feb 27-Mar 1 East Coast Custom Knife Show - New York, NY LINK
March 6-8 knife expo
March 13-14 TKCA Central Texas Knife Show - Roundrock, TX
Mar 13-15 NKCA NW GA Knife Show - Dalton, GA LINK
Mar 27-29 Badger Knife Show - Janesville, WI LINK
Mar 28 Plaza Custom Show - Honolulu, Hawaii LINK
Apr 4-5 Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show - Tulsa, OK LINK
Apr 17-19 Santa Barbara Premier Art Showcase - Santa Barbara, CA
Apr 18-19 Oregon Knife Collectors Assoc.
Apr 25-26 Wolverine Knife Show - Novi, MI LINK
May 15-17 NKCA Greater Ohio Knife Show - Ft. Mitchell, KY LINK
May 29-31 Blade Show - Atlanta, GA LINK
Jun ?? Kentucky Cutlery Association Show - Shepherdsville, KY LINK
Jun 11-13 Parker Knife Show - Sevierville, TN LINK
Jun 27-28 Branson Hammer In & Show - Branson, MO
Jul 10-12 Spirit of Steel Show - Grapevine, TX LINK
Jul 24-26 AG Russell Show - Rogers, AR
Aug 21-22 ABS Knife Expo - San Antonio, TX LINK
Sept 11-12 Chicago Knife Expo - Chicago, IL LINK
Sept 11-13 Blade Show West - Portland, OR LINK
Sept 12 Oklahoma Custom Knife Show - Tulsa, OK *Tentative date and location
Sept 17-20 Knifemakers Guild Show - Louisville, KY LINK
Oct 2-4 NKCA KY Fall Knife Show - Louisville, KY LINK
Oct 23-24 Ohio Classic Knife Show - Cambridge, OH LINK
Oct 24 Art Knife Invitational - San Diego, CA LINK
Nov 7-8 NKCA Nashville Knife Show - Nashville, TN LINK
Nov 14-15 Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show - Tulsa, OK LINK
Nov 20-22New York Custom Knife Show - New York, NY
Dec 10-12 Parker Knife Show - Sevierville, TN LINK
Dec 13 Chesapeake Knife Show - Baltimore, MD
Click to expand...


This was my point in another thread. Why another show? However I still would like to know the answer to the timing question, regardless the number of shows.

What's amazing Chuck is that you are missing a ton of other smaller organization type shows, i.e. Montana Knifemakers Assn. show.

I think it is good for knife making as a whole to have this many shows. In turn it makes the bigger shows less relevant. There no longer the need for collectors to travel for a larger show like in the past. They can attend their local show and then buy off the Internet for makers that they don't see.

I don't see this as a problem, just the way it is. That's why our own websites are so important.
 
joshsmith said:
What time of year works well for you collectors when considering a new show to attend?
Click to expand...

As Chuck, I'm not sure we need another "NEW" show. Are you are in fact seeking information on preferred dates for a new show or contemplating a change in date for either your show or the ABS Expo show?

Also, if considering dates for a potential "new" show I believe more information on the proposed show would be helpful in determining the best date.
 
In my case, the date of the show would not be any issue at all, if there was a show I wanted to actually attend, other than the ones you mentioned in the starter. And I think there are more than enough at the moment to chose from.

But I would love it if another BIG show sprang up, so there were two really BIG shows six months apart. But it ain't gonna happen.
 
Thanks for asking Kevin. My show will stay put but if the ABS Expo were to consider keeping the existing time frame or a move to early Dec. or Mid January what would be best for collectors?

Personally I like early December but I'm well away that this may not be best for everyone. Let me say that this is a question I have. We haven't actively discussed this as a committee. I don't want a rumor starting that we are moving next year because we are not.
 
Early December would be perfect for me --- is it too late to swing it for this year :D


Seriously, December is a great time, you just run into trouble with tighter than normal finances with Christmas shopping etc... Just have to plan ahead. I really like the idea.
 
Josh,

Take a look at the list below. I don't see where

August, September and October are Open.

ABS Show (August)
Oklahoma Custom Knife Show (August)
Professional Knifemakers Show (August)

Chicago Custom Knife Show (September)
Knifemakers Guild Show (September)
Blade Show West (September)

Fisk Micro Show (October)
AKI or CCKS (October)

NYCKS in New York in November. Hotel room rates double due to the amount of Visitors from other countries vacation there during Thanksgiving week.

Last two weeks of November and all of December are going to be tough. Especially for those who travel. Hotel rates and air fares all go up at this time of year.

First three weeks of January. Paying for Christmas and Weather (as you pointed out about Reno). Las Vegas Classic when combined with the SHOT Show will be tough to displace.

The real problem seems to be not just the dates. But getting customers to the show. As well given the fact that most knife makers are part timers and as such are limited to the amount of knives they can make. Consequently, those with a 6 month or more delivery time would probably not be able to make enough knives (to have a profitable show) to attend more shows than they are right now.

If the ABS and Guild Shows were combined an August date would probably be best. Perhaps combining the ABS, GUILD and PKA would be the solution.
 
You should not forget several high-end custom knife shows that
take place in Europe and Japan.
Many collectors AND big names among the makers attend these
shows on a regular basis...

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
Josh,
I tried to name most of the big shows, and did not include smaller organization shows. There are most likely far too many to list, including rusty pocket knife show.

Starting at the beginning of the new year a lot of customers might be broke from Christmas. As you get into Feb-April some customers get tax returns and some have to pay taxes. As the summer months approach customers might have to put off a purchase so they can take their family on vacation. Then in Aug/Sept kids go back to school and tuition gets paid. Then the holidays start to approach and customers start saving for Christmas. Do they buy a knife for themselves or presents for their family? What's going to make their wife happy?

It seems like a viscous circle.

If a customer is well off then none of this really matters to them, they can buy whatever they want whenever they want. But for the collector with a limited budget these things sometimes do come into consideration.

Having more shows means that makers have to make more knives. They have to travel more if they want to do more shows, which equals more expense. I used to do up to 7 shows a year, that's a lot of work, planning and expense.

Like Les said "The real problem seems to be not just the dates, but getting customers to the show. As well given the fact that most knife makers are part timers and as such are limited to the amount of knives they can make. Consequently, those with a 6 month or more delivery time would probably not be able to make enough knives (to have a profitable show) to attend more shows than they are right now" Makes would come to shows with 3 knives, sell out and then spend the rest of the weekend "BS" ING when they could be at home in the shop.

With the internet who needs all the shows when a customer can buy the knife from the comfort of his home?

I would rather have less, more relevant shows than 35+ smaller shows. Collectors can only afford to go to so many shows. The Blade show is the largest show in the world, if it were less relevant there would not be hype about it 3 months before the show and makers would not have blade show previews weeks before the show.

Would you rather have one - four really relevant shows with most-all the top collectors there or spread them out over 35+ shows?

I would rather have them all in one room buying knives.
 
joshsmith said:
Thanks for asking Kevin. My show will stay put but if the ABS Expo were to consider keeping the existing time frame or a move to early Dec. or Mid January what would be best for collectors?

Personally I like early December but I'm well away that this may not be best for everyone. Let me say that this is a question I have. We haven't actively discussed this as a committee. I don't want a rumor starting that we are moving next year because we are not.
Click to expand...

In my opinion December is just too busy a time of year for an mid to large size show to be successful. Many people travel with their families making airports extremely busy and expensive, there are Xmas parties every weekend (especially work place parties) and surplus funds are often depleted by Xmas shopping etc.

Though in examining the schedule, there's no good time to have a show, however the second or third week in January seem the most promising to me.
Mid/late January has worked for the ABS in the past in spite of bumping up against other shows. And it should help those who are concerned with August heat/humidity in San Antonio.
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
Josh,
rusty pocket knife show...
With the internet who needs all the shows when a customer can buy the knife from the comfort of his home?
.
Click to expand...

I've sold knives that some makers call "rusty pocket knives" for $14,300 at auction. Heaven forbid we get any of those guys into a handmade show and maybe shift them over. FYI one former "rusty blade" collector who shifted over due to exposure to handmade knives at a combined show is Johnny Perry, Board of Director member of the ABS.

I want those guys at any show I produce.

When John Young attended the Spirit of Steel Show he had his drawing, and two of the six knives he sold went to exhibitors selling (oh my Gawd) pocket knives. Now he could have gone to some boutique show and sold out, he usually does. But this time he added two new collectors to the fold. And his expenses at the hotel and table were half of what he would have paid at other shows.

As for show dates no one has any respect for anyone else's show dates. The Spirit of Steel Show is a living example of that. We originally picked September because there was hardly anyone there. Look at that month now.

One man's list of "must attend" shows may differ from that of a "must attend" for a collector. Pick your date, run your profit/and loss, and the collectors and how you manage a show will let you know pretty quick if you made the right decision.

Perhaps a good suggestion is everyone just cancel all shows except the Blade show and just stay home and play on the computer! That way the makers have time to make all the knives they can, the travel expenses are kept to a minimum and customers, well the eye to eye contact, the handling of a knife and picking one with a great balance, the socializing--that doesn't really count does it? I mean we can talk on yahoo, right?

I guess it is a good thing Bill Moran was born when he did. He'd have a hard time making it in today's market, since the magic appeal of his knives was the balance. You can't feel that on the internet.
 
As for show dates no one has any respect for anyone else's show dates. The Spirit of Steel Show is a living example of that. We originally picked September because there was hardly anyone there. Look at that month now
Click to expand...
.

Bruce, Blade West was in Sept. when the Spirit of Steel show started. The old Chicago show also and if was pretty big at the time.

BTW, I love "rusty pocket knives" and would like to see em at all shows :D
 
A couple of guys pointed out a very important point about December other than the obvious Christmas issue. Airlines and hotels get a premium for their services for much of the period between the end of November and the 1st of January. However, anytime between the second week in January and the end of March, they are practically giving away stuff unless we are talking about Florida, South Texas or one of the ski resort areas. Back in February of 2007, I flew to Frankfurt, Germany for $325. That same ticket in August would have cost me around $800+. That same year, I got a room in the Waldorf-Astoria for around $275 in early March, whereas in the high season, that same room can cost up to $600 a night. The trick would be finding a coulpe of cities with hub or major destination airports and seeing which one didn't have a lot of convention business at the time you wanted to do your show. Now this won't last forever, but with the economy the way it is, I could almost guarantee you that one of the older "second tier" hotels in Las Vegas would darn near pay you today to come there at that time of the year ...lol.
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
Don't forget that there will be an invitational show in Boston in October of 2010. It has been named the Boston Art Knife Classic.
Click to expand...

In my first post under October I put AKI/BAKC. BAKC for Boston Art Knife Classic. Since I'm in the BAKC I was hoping I didn't leave it out. I'm sure you just didn't notice it since it was abbreviated.

It does seem like most people agree that mid to late Jan. is the best time for a show to move to or for a new show to be created in. Any way to get out of Montana in January is fine with me.
 
then at some point which I now don't know the time is BAKCA. Oh Josh, do you know the date of the Montana show in 2010?
 
August in Vegas would be be a HOT show! lol
But, the rooms would be cheap and there's a direct flight
from just about any US city.
With all of the shows out there. It is highly improvable that
right collectors can or will attend every show. It would be
great if the promoters could get together and combine shows.
Create regional "Super Shows". It's hard enough to have
knives for the five or six shows that I do every year.


Yeah, I know. I make them slow.:p
 
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