posted
We may have to reduce some of our projects, because of lower attendance for this meet than expected. Some one posted that maybe there's too many meets and not enough folks; so therefore a coordinated effort to limit meets should be realized. I'm not so sure that's the case, but boy have things changed since my first letterhead experience. Back then not many people had the guts to host a meet. Too much work and too little reward. There was even a pamphlet written about how to host a letterhead event. We hosted one back in '91 with about 400-500 letterheads.
Nancy Bennett had the first walldog event the year the Mississippi flooded. I forget the year. The concept I liked about the walldog meet was you move into a small town for the weekend and take over. It's such a blast.
Since then it seems like small towns are really taking it on the chin. In our area of Illinois there's a slug of towns jockeyin' for position trying to consolidate with this town or that town with their school systems. They say when the kid from a small town graduates from high school there's very good chance that he'll leave for greener pastures never to return. Consequently these towns begin to lose their youth and vitality. Pretty soon their schools close, activities diminish and a shell of what used to be a bustling part of Americana is all that is left.
But when the walldogs are in town, things get fired back up, and when we're done there's a certain magic to it all that makes me proud to be a part of it. I'd exchange huge paychecks in a heartbeat just to be able to stand back and admire what I've done. That's why I'm a letterhead and not an insurance rep. I seriously doubt if you could make a dent in a large city like Chicago with a weekend effort by walldogs and letterheads. It gets lost in the masses. In a smaller town such as Atlanta, though, you do make a difference, and for that brief period of time, you own the town. Who could forget the ice cream social in Allerton or the Mexican band in Belvediere. I'm gonna tell you what. It's a blast. With 2,000 plus letterheads out there everyone of these meets should be bursting at the seams. Make sure you don't miss it. We do make a difference to other people's lives and for that you can't put a price on it. See you at one of these meets. And come to Atlanta if your on the fence and I'll see you giggle and let go. -- Bill
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2111 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Well hey there Wild Bill! When you were refering to the '91 meet. my mind, I know...what mind?...went racing back...I was there and what a great meet it was...Letter Rip...This was the meet I refered to a week or so back where everyone in the area worked together for the true spirit of Letterheads...I learned a ton, had a ton of fun and met a ton of new sign buddies...and now none of their wives will let them around me...oh well.
I am lookin' forward to the Letter Rip in Atlanta! I encourage everyone to join in for the good time and to any of you newbies out there...just break loose with the fear and spring loose with the funds...GET Registered today for the learning leap Atlanta will be...I've made it to bunches of meets over the years and I can truly say I've always left at the end of each meet with more inspiration and knowledge than I took to share with others.
IWannaThankYahFerLettinMeBeMahSefAgin d:-)))
-------------------- David Estes West Kentucky Outdoor Signs 8975 Hwy. 62 Calvert City, KY 42029 ffw2@hcis.net Posts: 15 | From: Possum Trot, KY | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Alot of sign people can't make meet plans (for whatever reason) until the last minute. Personally, I try to plan ahead, but sometimes the money can be a consideration. This is why meet hosts can't accurately predict attendence from pre-registration.
There definately is an overflow of small meets now days. Even ones on the SAME WEEKEND! There used to be only one or two big ones a year, and they were easy to look forward to attending. Now it's diluted, with anybody and everybody throwing their own, with no respect or consideration for earlier planned meets.
Meets in big citys or small towns are totally different affairs. Just like ones held in a convention center is vastly different than one in a sign shop. A "walldog" meet is also a different thing than a "pinhead" gathering. As is the nature or the work being "performed" at each.
The cool thing about all of them, is that ya never know what a meet will be like until you are there. Or who else will be there either.
posted
This type of "LIVE" Letterhead meet is just the ticket for the FIRST TIMERS to learn,meet,and work with some of the most dedicated people in the sign business as keepers of the craft,also known as LETTERHEADS! This is the reason I will be attending,no matter what the cost. Working according to the weather with NO SCHEDULED time frame. Is the kind of loose FLEXABILITY that I strive and enjoy in my business and Life in general. Atlanta is just the place to let your hair down let yourself go and LETTTER-RIP!
posted
With this meet being so close, It is killing me to miss it. Unfortunatly Penny and I have another matter we must take care of. I have to take Penny to Indianapolis for some test and while it is far from a certianty, surgery is a possibility for her and therefore we are not making any plans after the test.
Getting back on subject, I would love to attend a "walldog meet". I have never been, and I would love to get the experience. I have done the small meets(even hosted one) and also the large international meets. I WILL get to a walldog meet someday though!!!!
In regards to "limiting meets", I feel we as a un-official group need to be very careful in this regard. We need to find a way to police ourselves, without getting to the point where a small group or committie say's when,where and by who meets are held. If we get to that point we have lost the original intent of letterheads. We might as well charge dues and become an Official orginazation, something I think most people do not wish upon the "group".
I belong to several clubs with by-laws,cliques, etc. and etc. While it has a place in these circumstances, I do not believe it is right for Letterheads.
I do believe, however, that there needs to be some way to limit "International" meets each year. Say to maybe 2 at the most, one East and one West, including Canada. I don't have any idea's on how to do this, I will admit that. It is just my opinion.
I like the independance of letterheads, I think it is one of the things that makes us stronger. We have a "group" without laws, rules, manuals or discrimination were anyone can consider themselves a Letterhead, and within that we thrive. Not many "groups" could function without all or some of the above. Are we perfect, not hardly, but I feel it is as close as we can get without loosing the independance we enjoy.
These are just my opinions, agree or disagree.
Bill, Jane and the rest of the Letterip group, I wish you all the luck in the world with the meet. Send me a postcard with "Wish you were here" on it.
posted
You made some good points. It appears that the trend is toward a lot of smaller meets. I personally like the small shop meets and a bigger meet with about 150. You can have 3 meets at 150 for every meet that has 450. From a host's stand point you're not going to get to meet everyone at a meet with 450. You make plans for a certain number and then you're along for the ride. What happens happens. Since Letterheads have never formally orgainized most meets are orgainized on a hope and a prayer and should be flexible enough in case the numbers are greater or less than originally anticipated. So far it's always worked out, although now more salesmanship is required than in the past.
For a while all the big meets had the same people doing seminars. I know other people are capable of giving seminars and have a lot to lend to these meets. They deserve a chance as well. We have one guy giving a seminar on painting barns that has never been to a letterhead meet, I think he was a little afraid that he would be talking to a crowd of suits. I think he'll be pleasantly surprised. Also there's some new talent out there that needs to be recognized.
Some people go to meets to see a particular person, but leave the meet having made new friends and learning from a host of people. I seem to learn something from everybody. -- Bill
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2111 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
You could ALSO charge a per day payment for the ones interested in one person only seminars. IF they have a time period dilema for only one or two days as opposed to the whole weekend. Or STOPPED BY just to see what is going on,THEN would be interested enough to pay as they stay!
-------------------- PKing is Pat King The Professor of SIGNOLOGY Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
My Brother is a dadgum poet! Did you catch the alliteration in the "learnin' leap Atlanta line? I'm surprised that line had no reference to Alerton. If you have ever said, "I wish I had attended this meet, or that meet, it is time for you to make your commitment to Atlanta. Lifelong memories and friends will be made and maintained. I will be anxious to see you there!
-------------------- Steve Estes Sign Studio Calvert City, Ky 42029 Posts: 185 | From: possum trot ky usa | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
This is the meet I set my sights on as soon as I heard about it. I wana go, bad! Unfortunately, I have other time & money commitments that have grown larger and will keep me here on the Hill working & tending to family matters. I crunched schedules & numbers til my head hurt and I can't make it happen. Paintin large is what I do, and I am sooo disappointed. The chance to work all day with Hulsey and dem Estes Bros. and swap lies at the end of the day would be too much fun! SH*T!
-------------------- Bill Dirkes Cornhole Art LLC Bellevue, Ky. Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. Posts: 591 | From: Bellevue,Ky. US | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic