Well... I was just asked for about the 30th time in as many days, if I'm going to Tomahawk or Quebec.
The answer is, I can't attend either. I'll be manning the SignGold booth at the NBM Sign Business show in Orlando.
So here's what I want to get off of my chest.
In past years, at both letterhead and pinhead events of various sizes (including of course, what used to be refered to as "the national meet); SignGold,(a company that I work for, in addition to running my own 2 shops), has always tried to "step up to the plate" and support these events. We've written pretty substantial checks in support of such events. we've sent in personel, including myself, to support such events. We've provided working materials, door prizes and auction items for such events. In essence, we've tried to support the letterhead/pinhead movement where and when we could.
Now this year, there are TWO "national meets", and they conflict with a National Sign Business Trade Show. (not to mention with each other).
It's just possible, that companies, such as SignGold, CAN'T support these events on the same level they've always tried to...because we can't be there. Let's face it, to spend that money, and not have someone there to represent you, is just bad business. The crux of the biscuit here folks, is that even if only on a temporary basis..you're alienating vendor/sponsors. The same vendor/sponsors that help offset the cost to participants. Speaking for SignGold..we'd LOVE to be involved. But we can't. Trade shows are too important to companies like SignGold.
I just wanted to speak my mind here...not looking to torque anyone off, or rake up any muck. It's just the way it is.
With 51 other weekends in the year, I hope that the planning commities for future events take the scheduling of SPONSORS into account. Everyone will benefit.
I'm sure both events are gonna be great..I'm sure everyone will have a blast. If you happen to be in Central Florida that weekend...stop in at the Orange County Convention Center, wander over to the SignGold booth, and you can watch me whine about this in person!
Well stated Brian!
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Brian,
I couldn't agree more!!!
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by John Jordan (Member # 2368) on :
Brian,
I agree with you whole heartily in all you posted. Out here in the South Pacific we could not understand why the conflict...the dates for Quebec were posted well before Tomahawk and for me it would have been great to be able to attend the two, seeing that I have to travel such a long way, approximately 12,500 kilometers each way, one week or so between would have been great, but seeing I was committed to Quebec way back in September 2002 it was impossible.
Maybe some type of pre meet calendar for the International meets could be worked, similar to the Internation Golf Tournaments are staged. As it is the present system is only dividing the attendees.
Just a thought, John
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
You're right Brian. We'd love to be at both meets too, but this year it's just not possible. The important thing here is to fix the problem, rather than stir up bad feelings trying to fix the blame. There is no conspiracy here, just a lack of communication.
There is nothing we can do about this year's situation, but I'm sure we can all work together to see it never happens again.
Posted by BrianTheBrush (Member # 1298) on :
Steve... That was the sole intent of my post...to try to avoid this in future years.
Believe me, on as personal level, I really disappointed that I can't attend either meet.
Keep on keepin' on,
Brian Briskie
p.s. FOR ANYONE PLANNING SMALLER MEETS. I tried something new this past spring, I planned my pinhead event "PanelRama", to coincide with my local sign supply house's (Garston Sign Supply) annual Open House. By having both events on the same weekend, I was able to have vendors and sponsors attend a relatively small panel jam. It was beneficial to all involved, the merchants, to Garston, and the attendees at our meet didn't have to spend a dime.
Posted by Bob Gilliland (Member # 28) on :
Same situation occurred earlier this year with the SandCastle meet and the Indianapolis NBM Sign Business and Digital Graphics show and it will happen again in September with the Long Beach, CA NBM Sign Business and Digital Graphics show and A Splash In The Pacific 2003 being held in Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
I have never hosted an event, but do understand there are many details to consider when one does (and the larger the event, the more details there are). I doubt that in all, or at least a high percentage of cases, it was with any malicious intent, but rather just ignorance of the fact. Perhaps with it being brought to light it will be yet just one more thing a meet host will add to the “to do” or check off list.
And in some cases it may have been considered and decided to soldier ahead anyway. After all, these meets are for the participant first and foremost correct? Vendor attendance and participation are to help subsidize the cost incurred to hold such an event and not the main draw or feature of the event (just the opposite of trade shows). For those that have a dual role inside the industry (like Brian), it’s very much a double edged sword from my perspective. I think Brian’s title is very fitting in my opinion; “Commerce vs. Comradary”
Brian, I’ll stop by the SignGold booth if time permits and we can BS about what fun is probably happening well north and north/west of us in Orlando.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Steve,
quote: The important thing here is to fix the problem, rather than stir up bad feelings trying to fix the blame.
I had intended to head out to the LetterRip meet a few weeks ago for my second live meet. Was all set to mail out my registration check good and early when I got an invitaion to the Panel Picnic here in my home state. After a little soul searching (and a look at my checkbook), I decided to head out to the Picnic because of the closeness and convenience involved. It had not been made public here on the Letterville website, but was well attended.
I can see how, as a SignGold representative, Brian would be asked what plans he has to attend any meets. I'm sure Frank Manning is in the same situation as a representative of One Shot.
I'm not sure that a problem exists. I may be naive about this, but on an earlier post, we'd discussed the "formalizing" of Letterhead ideas. The recent Panel Picnic was not posted here for an open invite. To keep it small, written invitations were sent out.
With that in mind, how many meets do we miss because of not knowing about them? I have missed every meet except two. Why? Because until April of this year, I did not know they existed.
There are 52 weeks in a year, but I hope that doesn't mean there wil be 52 meets a year worldwide. Smaller meets can be a great thing, too.
I guess the real point is not whether you miss a meet, but how you decide which meet to go to. No one can be in two places at the same time, but be sure to make it to one of the meets if you can. If not, just wait a bit, there's gonna be plenty more out there later.
Better to have options than limitations. My take on the matter...
Rapid
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Here's a contrary perspective.
I've hosted several letterhead meets and been to more than I can count. The ones that I always enjoyed the most had no commercial booths or displays! Some of the suppliers would send materials for us to use at the meets, and we could evaluate them and send them thank you notes.If they ever sent a representative, that person got out of the box and played with the rest of us. The conflict was non existant. Trade shows are for displaying wares and that competitive side of commerse. Letterhead meets are for discovery.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Sounds like NBM should check their schedule. HE HE, just kidding!! Posted by Robert Larkham (Member # 2913) on :
That's it BTB. In support of you I'm not going to any of them. hehehehe...I couldn't make it to any of them anyway, BUT I STILL SUPPORT YOU! Keep spinning the chicken!
Posted by BrianTheBrush (Member # 1298) on :
Rick...I don't want what I said to be taken wrong. I couldn't agree more with your closing words that letterhead meets are for discovery.(that might even make a great tag line...!)
The point I was making, is that I'd love to attend, on a personal level for one...I'm a letterer/striper/airbrush guy and gilder myself. I DO INDEED partake in the events. I always make it a point to push some paint, and more specifically, put forth the effort to produce work that may generate some money for the event or a cause that the event has seen fit to benefit. (I always create some panels or whatever, at the meet, to be used as auction items, or jump right in to stripe bikes or cars or whatever to raise a bit of coin...)
I do, as do many other vendor/sponsors, get involved.
And I too have been to plenty of meets, my first being in 88, and have had varying opinions on vendors being present, and at what levels.
But, I just ask you to consider how much revenue is generated by the procurement of sponsorship and underwriting, and by the sale of vendor space at many meets. I'm not talking about the 35 person meets at someone's shop here..(and those are great too..I even host one myself), I'm refering to the larger, "national" type meets with attendance in the 100's. That sponsorship keeps the required entry fees for such events from being unreachable by many people's standards.
Rick, your points are valid and well-taken..I just didn't want you or anyone else to mistake MY post as being one of a purely commercial nature.
Keep on keepin' on,
Brian Briskie
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Brian, I certainly agree with you. There is a difference between the small meet and the larger ones. I think of the larger ones more as conventions though. To facillitate that many people and their specific needs, there is a lot of planning and structure required. Vendors should be welcome there. I depend on them to keep me abreast of the new products and materials and methods. I'm sorry you're faced with the limitations of being stuck in only one body.
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