NAHBS thingie....

Since I was laid up, on my back, etc. during the time of this post, I didnt get a chance to respond to it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave Kirk

Something like this was being considered a few years back in association with NAHBS. The idea we were floating with DW was to have Friday during the day be a true industry day for press and the such and then Friday evening the show would be open as a black-tie event. Jazz quartet, Champagne, fine food on tooth picks...... the full schmere. It would be expensive to get in the door but those who chose to would get an uncrowded hall with lots of face time with the builders.

If you run the numbers it would be possible for DW to bring in more money with this scheme and the builders/customers would have more time to really talk. Seems like a win/win and DW was signed up for it two years ago but then changed his mind. I don't know why he changed but he did.

Anyway this seems like a way to get your idea done. I doubt most of us can take the time away from biz for two trips a year (NAHBS and Builder's Ball) so tying it in with NAHBS would make sense.

dave

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Yes, I had talked about it several times with a few folks. The problem is/was that no one was interested in purchasing tickets for said event, so it went by the wayside.

It has to have support from all exhibitors and then it will grass roots outward...

Is it possible to do it? I would hope so, but who knows?

DW

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slapshot

It has to have support from all exhibitors and then it will grass roots outward...


DW

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speaking of roots, since we have 10-12 months to discuss it, i propose
trying to get some of the genie back in the bottle and making nahbs a
framebuilder-centric event, a retreat of sorts, as opposed to going the
other direction and becoming even more of a consumer affair and trade
show. but that's just me atmo. no need for convention centers, high
costs, and carpeted aisles. ps for the record, i'll go with the flow, and
am only expressing my personal opinion here. in short (yeah, right) let's
take it more to a museum aesthetic and away from the car show look.

ducking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slapshot

Yes, I had talked about it several times with a few folks. The problem is/was that no one was interested in purchasing tickets for said event, so it went by the wayside.

It has to have support from all exhibitors and then it will grass roots outward...

Is it possible to do it? I would hope so, but who knows?

DW

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I predict a field of dreams...if you build it they will come...I had no idea anything like this was in the works. I bought my tux for my wedding last summer...I need to ammortorize it over a few more wearings please.

the "less is more" approach?

I think the bar has been raised for the industry.

I think the surroundings, i.e. the carpeted aisles, the pipe and drape, etc. have a professional appearance and help to keep the bar raised. Its a professional look for the attendees, one I think they appreciate.

just my opinion tho.

DW

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slapshot

the "less is more" approach?

I think the bar has been raised for the industry.

I think the surroundings, i.e. the carpeted aisles, the pipe and drape, etc. have a professional appearance and help to keep the bar raised. Its a professional look for the attendees, one I think they appreciate.

just my opinion tho.

DW

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then it's even so far.
one vote for austerity.
one vote for shmaltz.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

then it's even so far.
one vote for austerity.
one vote for shmaltz.

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Define "shmaltz" please? :D

DW

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slapshot

Define "shmaltz" please? :D

DW

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excess.
distractions.
inconsistent signage.
3 color piping.
framebuilders pretending to be "industry".
bowling trophies.

i attended the seattle bike expo this last weekend - talk about an exercise in austerity:

running water through both tents, wet carpets, electrical UNDER the carpet, no heat (except for the sponsor's booths), flickering electricity (duh), six sani-cans with a line in the driving rain.

i like don's pipe-and-drape show just fine, imho.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hampco

i attended the seattle bike expo this last weekend - talk about an exercise in austerity:

running water through both tents, wet carpets, electrical UNDER the carpet, no heat (except for the sponsor's booths), flickering electricity (duh), six sani-cans with a line in the driving rain.

i like don's pipe-and-drape show just fine, imho.

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well if that's the alternative, i'd opt for shmaltz too atmo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hampco

i like don's pipe-and-drape show just fine, imho.

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Thanks Hamp!

so, its 2-1 now... take that Richie!

DW

Quote:

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Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

speaking of roots, since we have 10-12 months to discuss it, i propose
trying to get some of the genie back in the bottle and making nahbs a
framebuilder-centric event, a retreat of sorts, as opposed to going the
other direction and becoming even more of a consumer affair and trade
show. but that's just me atmo. no need for convention centers, high
costs, and carpeted aisles. ps for the record, i'll go with the flow, and
am only expressing my personal opinion here. in short (yeah, right) let's
take it more to a museum aesthetic and away from the car show look.

ducking.

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just to be the devil's advocate {nothing against you, richard} since you've closed your que and only sell building bobs to established builders couldn't you park a bike in the columbus/cane creek/SRAM booth and roam the halls at will, beverage in hand? sounds like allot more fun to me. you put allot of effort into your booth presentation {which always looks killer} and like allot of work. boy, i would if i could. for conversations' sake, just sayin'....... Steve "i don't like bowling trophys, either" Garro.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

speaking of roots, since we have 10-12 months to discuss it, i propose
trying to get some of the genie back in the bottle and making nahbs a
framebuilder-centric event, a retreat of sorts, as opposed to going the
other direction and becoming even more of a consumer affair and trade
show. but that's just me atmo. no need for convention centers, high
costs, and carpeted aisles. ps for the record, i'll go with the flow, and
am only expressing my personal opinion here. in short (yeah, right) let's
take it more to a museum aesthetic and away from the car show look.

ducking.

---

+1, I like the idea of a museum aesthetic and a non-Sema look. If I remember correctly most museums are housed indoors with heat and electricity...

30" rims on a Hummer anyone?

http://www.vendettacycles.com/pics/misc/hummer.jpg

Conor

Quote:

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Originally Posted by conorb

+1, I like the idea of a museum aesthetic and a non-Sema look. If I remember correctly most museums are housed indoors with heat and electricity...

30" rims on a Hummer anyone?

Conor

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I hear 30" wheels roll smoother than 29ers.

So DW - in what city will we not be having the black tie event this next year? Word on the street is Erie Pa.

dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave Kirk

So DW - in what city will we not be having the black tie event this next year? Word on the street is Erie Pa.

dave

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Dammit! Who let the cat out of the bag?????

DW

I agree with Sachs in that the show doesn't have to be "conventional" for it to be professional. I talked to some other builders that were in Seattle last weekend and it sounded like the least professional show imaginable. In the past, Seattle has been more of a traditional pipe & drape affair, this year sounded more like a drain pipe affair.

This conversation is really about what NAHBS is at it's core. Right now NAHBS focus seems to be too much on the person wandering around the aisle. I know that these are the prospective customers of the builders, and it just makes more sense if the builders take care of them.

NAHBS should view the builders as it's customer. Make it easier to ship huge crates of bikes across the country. Rent a warehouse and a truck to avoid the convention center thieves who charge $400 to move a box.

I really love going to the show, it is a lot of work, but it's very rewarding. After deciding late that we couldn't afford to miss Indy, Nate and I are going to make sure we attend every year.

It's good to keep this conversation going.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cardinal

I agree with Sachs in that the show doesn't have to be "conventional" for it to be professional. I talked to some other builders that were in Seattle last weekend and it sounded like the least professional show imaginable. In the past, Seattle has been more of a traditional pipe & drape affair, this year sounded more like a drain pipe affair.

This conversation is really about what NAHBS is at it's core. Right now NAHBS focus seems to be too much on the person wandering around the aisle. I know that these are the prospective customers of the builders, and it just makes more sense if the builders take care of them.

NAHBS should view the builders as it's customer. Make it easier to ship huge crates of bikes across the country. Rent a warehouse and a truck to avoid the convention center thieves who charge $400 to move a box.

I really love going to the show, it is a lot of work, but it's very rewarding. After deciding late that we couldn't afford to miss Indy, Nate and I are going to make sure we attend every year.

It's good to keep this conversation going.

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Matt,

I do look for the best value for my exhibitors. I have always based this show on the reality of "can I afford it?" myself. $400 for drayage is, in reality, isnt that much. Its a price per pound and I negotiated a better price from the get go.

I offered my shop as a receiving point for those who wanted to ship boxes (not pallets) to the show. I only have so much room and no pallet jack or forklift to move that stuff. The last few years, we have had local businesses sponsor the show in this aspect. 06-07 it was Phil Wood, 08 it was Chris King and this year it was my shop. It was alot of work, but it helped save the builders money from shipping it to the decorator.

Anyhow, all of this is relevent to keeping costs low so its a better value for the exhibitors.

DW

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slapshot

It was alot of work, but it helped save the builders money from shipping it to the decorator.

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they did ship it to the decorator atmo.
meant with love...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slapshot

Matt,

I do look for the best value for my exhibitors. I have always based this show on the reality of "can I afford it?" myself. $400 for drayage is, in reality, isnt that much. Its a price per pound and I negotiated a better price from the get go.

I offered my shop as a receiving point for those who wanted to ship boxes (not pallets) to the show. I only have so much room and no pallet jack or forklift to move that stuff. The last few years, we have had local businesses sponsor the show in this aspect. 06-07 it was Phil Wood, 08 it was Chris King and this year it was my shop. It was alot of work, but it helped save the builders money from shipping it to the decorator.

Anyhow, all of this is relevent to keeping costs low so its a better value for the exhibitors.

DW

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Thanks Don,

I know it's a lot of work, and I'm sure the drayage fees were low compared to other conventions. But for little ol' signal, all those fees and upcharges add up, especially when we had to scrape the dough together to make it happen. The fees for the convention center were higher than the cost of pickup, shipping 2000 miles, dropoff, and insurance. Kinda crazy eh?

On one hand I know the dollars spent on attending NAHBS are by far the best $ we can spend on marketing. An ad in some glossy monthly can't compete.

The other hand wonders if we really need a three day convetion show, and all that goes along with it to tell the story of handmade bikes.

Again Don, thank you for all you do for the builders. This is meant only as a constructive conversation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cardinal

Thanks Don,

I know it's a lot of work, and I'm sure the drayage fees were low compared to other conventions. But for little ol' signal, all those fees and upcharges add up, especially when we had to scrape the dough together to make it happen. The fees for the convention center were higher than the cost of pickup, shipping 2000 miles, dropoff, and insurance. Kinda crazy eh?

On one hand I know the dollars spent on attending NAHBS are by far the best $ we can spend on marketing. An ad in some glossy monthly can't compete.

The other hand wonders if we really need a three day convetion show, and all that goes along with it to tell the story of handmade bikes.

Again Don, thank you for all you do for the builders. This is meant only as a constructive conversation.

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Matt,

Its all good. I do all that I can to keep the costs within reach of as many as I can. Obviously, when travel is involved, it does become more expensive.
But, another look at it would say "you didnt have any travel costs last year, so average the cost of the two years..." :D

Take that comment with a smile, please...

DW

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slapshot

Matt,

Its all good. I do all that I can to keep the costs within reach of as many as I can. Obviously, when travel is involved, it does become more expensive.
But, another look at it would say "you didnt have any travel costs last year, so average the cost of the two years..." :D

Take that comment with a smile, please...

DW

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you, DW, should only be concerned with the costs of the show, not
ours to get there. just sayin' atmo. personally i am looking forward to
at least five contiguous years in the east to even out the last five
nahbs events. and yeah, this post is now cached.

pressing enter now atmo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

you, DW, should only be concerned with the costs of the show, not
ours to get there. just sayin' atmo. personally i am looking forward to
at least five contiguous years in the east to even out the last five
nahbs events. and yeah, this post is now cached.

pressing enter now atmo.

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Dude! Just because you live in the middle of nowhere doens't mean the show should come to you!?!

Now if it were close to me DW could pick up the huge Montana crowd. I must have at least a 100,000 folks living within a days drive. We are talking real numbers here.

Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave Kirk

Dude! Just because you live in the middle of nowhere doens't mean the show should come to you!?!

Now if it were close to me DW could pick up the huge Montana crowd. I must have at least a 100,000 folks living within a days drive. We are talking real numbers here.

Dave

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nah i'd rather see it morphe into the next chapter atmo.
nahbs: one step beyond -

One step beyond!

YouTube - Madness - One Step Beyond


dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave Kirk

One step beyond!



dave

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i gave you a softball atmo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

i gave you a softball atmo.

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Word. And I smacked the effer out of the show.

dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave Kirk

One step beyond!

YouTube - Madness - One Step Beyond


dave

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madness did good stuff

yeah I am a fan

many a glass of red drunk while dancing around the house with the CD spinning at full steam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dazza

madness did good stuff

yeah I am a fan

many a glass of red drunk while dancing around the house with the CD spinning at full steam

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man! that CD is currently sitting in my top 5 shop playlist. i'm gonna go bust out "the Specials - the John Peel sessions" and maybe "dance craze" thanks, guys! sorry for the thread drift, but you guys started it...........YouTube - THE SELECTER - THREE MINUTE HERO Steve.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dazza

madness did good stuff

yeah I am a fan

many a glass of red drunk while dancing around the house with the CD spinning at full steam

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Dazza,

due to the unfortunate saga of last weeks hospital stay, I have now switched to RED wine...

Damn. just damn.

DW

As much as I love Madness, I liked the Specials more.

YouTube - The Specials - Ghost Town


DW

the English Beat always works for me, still.........YouTube - English Beat: "Save It For Later" and just to segue this all around, how about a hip band and a bar for NAHBS vips? like in san jose when we drank the bar dry - now THAT was a good time. screw the black tie gig. let's get loose & shoot the shit...........Steve.

I dunno. I always thought Ska was what happened when rude boys discovered pot, shortly before going 'straight edge' and renouncing it all.

Which is why The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers pwn The Specials and Madness.

:thumbs_up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thylacine Cycles

I dunno. I always thought Ska was what happened when rude boys discovered pot, shortly before going 'straight edge' and renouncing it all.

Which is why The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers pwn The Specials and Madness.

:thumbs_up:

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Never got into SLF, but The Clash is still in my top 3 of all time.
New Model Army is as well, but I still enjoy some good ska.

DW

ok -
i guess the thread has run full circle atmo.
DW, your issues from the OP were addressed, i hope.
let's try to keep the chat on topic.
the general discussion board is where the casey kasem stuff goes.
thanks.