After a little time I'm sure Tom will get a better feel on things. I've allways understood that he wanted a low gate fee so people could spend their money with the vendors. I doubt a buck or two will break any of the usual attendees but I think he's also aiming to "grow" custom rod building by atracting curious people. Lets face it when a person that has a interest in rodbuilding then hears about the quality of this show and the information that can be gained for a low gate fee they will be sold. I've personally talked to several of those people over the past three years.
I don't beleive it wise to make insinuations that if someone happens to "complain" they are "CHEAP", I haven't met a person complaining yet, after all how many people flock to the $10 blanks. Aren't we considered CHEAP because we won't fork out for the money for the high end blanks from the manufactures? TO plainly state it if any are wandering I FULLY support the show making money and Tom will find the best balance to sustain growth without bearing the burden on his shoulders.

what a deal! my first show. i also would be happy to pay a higher, more realistic ticket price. i really appreciate the efforts put forth by all so i can go to a show where i can see state of the art materials, techniques, speakers, examples of wares and on top of that get some astounding deals as well. oh and for eight bucks? what a great deal and what great deals! i was just able to get there on sunday(with about 5 hours sleep) but what a joy it was. and by the way i will be subscribing to the rodmaker magazine forthwith. i picked up several at the show, devouring them now. got sixteen blanks, bunches of seats, threads, butt caps, a cap(rainshadow), rod bond, don't know what all else. feel like i made out like a bandit! thanks, woody

I appreciate the suggestions. I'll take them under advisement in a couple weeks when we meet with the Showplace concerning this year's and possibly next year's event.

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Hi Sammy,

I was not insinuating that if people complain they are CHEAP. I was making a statement that some people will complain and some of those people are CHEAP! These are people that want everything for free and many of them have the money. Anyone that has been around these rod building boards for any length of time have read their posts.

I do not consider a person that is trying to get value for their hard earned money to be CHEAP. Many rich $$$ people are CHEAP. I consider a barrel of $10 blanks to be a very good place to look for value. Not all of us can buy top shelf. Have been there and am still there most of the time.

Many buyers like to bargain with the sellers. If the seller is into that, fine. Remember, always leave a seller with his pants on. CHEAP want to leave the seller naked. Not my kind of people.

I hope I clarified my statement and you understand my definition of CHEAP versus someone looking for value at an affordable price.

Capt Neil Faulkner

I think it's basically frugal vs cheap. Big differance, in my view. I was unable to attend, but if I had, it would have been worth many times eight dollars. How many times have we attended a sporting event at many, many times that admission cost for just 2 to 4 hours enjoyment. I'd bet that most of us have been there, done that.

Tom,

I would definately pay more to get in!! The only other thing I have to say is, if I would have known a few months ago what the prices were per night at the campground ( with full hook-ups I might add ) I wouldn't have made a hotel reservation. That's where the bulk of my funds went, although I didn't stay at the Raddison, $19 a night is a far cry better than $59 plus the 14% tax. So what if you have to drive a little further to get to the Showplace!! Being on a very limited income, I would have definately opted to bring my parents 30 ft camper. That's what I plan to do next year. With the savings, I just may be able to buy some of those gorgeous grips of Marks, and JP's that I soooo wanted to do this year but funds wouldn't allow. I know you mentioned it on this board a few weeks ago, but you may think about adding it to the expo website next year. OUTSTANDING / IMPECCABLE job on this years show!! The reception was wayyyyyyy better this year!!!! One other suggestion ( attempt at humor here ): invest in a bullhorn for the reception!!!

Bill in WV

Capt. Neil, no problem. Shoot me a email if you get a chance. Hope to see you there next year.

For those that might not be aware (although I announced it several times) Royce was the guy who donated all the craft tools that we used to put together the tool kits that were given away at the RodMaker Reception on Saturday night. A very generous gesture on his part.

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Higher admission prices are usually a show killer. That's what happened to the Fly Fishing Show in Charlotte. The key to success and more money on my end is a lower admission price.

At many events, the folks continue to raise their admission price each year, thus fewer attend and the vendors sell less product. So, few vendors turn out the next year. So, the next year in order to make up the shortfall, the show promoter raises the admission price. Again, fewer people attend and thus the vendors sell less product. So even fewer vendors decide to come back the following year. So, the promoter raises the admission price in order to make up that shortfall, fewer attend and the vendors sell less product and don't return. It's a viscious circle that is almost impossible to get out of.

On the other hand, if you lower the admission price, more people attend and thus the vendors sell more product and more money. Thus, they're happy and are glad to return. And... new vendors sign on. So the next year even more folks attend, the vendors sell more product and are even happier. They're happy and come back, and even more sign on. The show gets bigger and even more folks attend. Any shortfall is made up by charging the vendors a higher booth price. If they're turning a handsome profit inside, they don't worry about a slightly higher booth fee. This, is the key to growth. If I've been too cheap on anything, it's the booth fees. I kept them very low (less now than they were in Charlotte) so we could build this thing into something solid.

You never want to put the burden of higher fees on the attendees. You might think no one would argue over $2 more, but believe me they do (When I raised the price of RodMaker by just $2 per year, a full third of our subscribers fell away). I've gotten a lot more comments on the "high" $8 fee than folks saying we were too cheap. I know, I know - the show is more than worth it, but we're dealing with the mindset of the average consumer and they're a lot more of them than those of you who chimed in on this post. If all of them were as reasonable as you guys here, there would be no problem whatsoever. Unfortunately, most aren't.

Frankly, if it were possible, I'd drop all admission charges and let everyone in for free. That would pack the hall, the exhibitors would all make a mint, and they'd be happy to pay twice as much for the booths as they are now. We've got some talking to do and then we'll let you know what we'll do next year.

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Hi Tom,

Congrats on another great ICRBE!!!

The above post is very interesting! Good thing I read your entire post rather than answering paragrapg by paragraph. Thank you for sharing your views as you ARE the promoter and we are the public. Now I understand your game plan as you outlined it and it makes sense. Another business lesson for me.

They say 10% of the anglers catch 90% of the fish. I guess it stands to reason that 10% of the rod builders support 90% of rod building or something like that.

I witnessed the demise of RodCrafters and that was a loss to many of us, especially us old foggys. Yes, times change and we have to change also. Even without having attended your show I understand and know what would be lost if due to lack of profit the show ceased to exist. That is why I am not tolerable of the takers who do not support and give back. Of those who complain about $8 admission how many of them pay hugh prices for cigarettes and booze? I bet many go to Starbucks for upscale coffee and lattes.

I better stop while I am ahead.

Thanks for all your dedication and determination an behalf of the custom rod fraternity. Hopefully the snow man will cooperate with us North Easterners next year.

Capt Neil Faulkner



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/26/2008 03:54PM by Capt Neil Faulkner.

We have to work around the consumer mindset, but the dealers, manufacturers and other exhibitors should understand where their bread is buttered. I think they do. Our only problem in that regard is that many of the companies that exhibit here are small, one man companies. It costs them a lot to travel, lodge and display. I don't want to knock the "little guys" out because I really think they're the ones who add that extra variety to the event.

I appreciate the suggestions and we'll still give them some thought as we get back to this in a week or two. Thanks again.

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