Russ Lee
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| 25 Jan 2010 09:58 PM |
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Andy, I think you are correct -- everything these days MUST have a positive ROI attached to it, or companies simply can't afford to participate. Maybe that's why the #1 question we are asked is "Who else is going to the show?", which is a very valid question.
Making the decision on whether to attend ICE, or any show, based simply on who else will be there certainly makes sense in that it implies you will have a richer Expo experience if the whole gang is there. Of course, it would be a lot of fun to bring back the old days of expensive parties, car giveaways and lavish grand openings. We all know that ain't gonna happen anytime soon.
Personally, I believe the best reason for a fabricator to attend a show is the prospect of making more money or becoming more profitable. Meeting with mfgs is a piece of that puzzle. The educational conferences are another piece and so are opportunities for creating and developing relationships with other countertop professionals.
That's why the ISFA Area on the show floor will feature over 40 different Ask The Experts sessions, a slew of fab demos, and open-air seminars scattered throughout all three days of the show. That's in addition to the conferences. These are all informal opportunities to get to know some of the best and the brightest in our industry.
I have been to every solid surface/ISSFA/Cygnus show from the beginning. Some have been very exciting and quite glitzy. This show won't have a lot of the glitter, but I have a hunch a fabricator can make more money by participating this year than in many of the recent shows combined. |
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Tom M
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| 25 Jan 2010 11:03 PM |
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Russ, Andy -
All the major sheet suppliers should be going. For several reasons, actually.
One, since we are moving more and more towards a manufacturer distribution system, it is the best way for them to get some serious face time with a wide group of folks, so they can see how (and why!) different areas need different circumstances and different ways to solve different problems. They will not get a better chance than at ICE. Period.
Second, and both Jon and I have said this repeatedly - we are the guys who make their product look good. They owe us at least some face time to show some appreciation. They should be reinforcing that human element that is so often missing in business today. If we are slitting our throats to save a buck, than we should not be saving that buck.
Third, the whole part about throwing us the cold shoulder to save money will not end up accomplishing that goal. Not in the long run. It is a perfectly acceptable business axiom that one needs to spend money to make money. In this case several things will contribute towards the profitability of a visiting solid surface manufacturer:
We remember those execs who spend time with us. I met the executives from LG Hi Macs the first year they started operations in this country. They were the most courteous, concerned and interested execs I had come across. You don't think that made an impression?
I had issues with a major solid surface/laminate company that was not resolved until I met Bob Paradiso. He solved my problems in a flash and I will never forget it. I also found in him an amazingly astute guy who understands how we think in the bargain.
I asked the President and Vice President Sales of WilsonArt to attend a local ISSFA meeting way back in the second year of ISFFA. I arranged a group discussion on issues and ideas and not only did they both attend, but I have seen the results of some of those ideas take fruit nationally.
The idea that it is not profitable for these companies to attend is only true if you have the most narrow view of the market, the fabricators, and the future.
/rant |
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But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775 |
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Russ Lee
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| 25 Jan 2010 11:44 PM |
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Tom,
Agreed. They should be there. So should the fabricators. So should industry suppliers. |
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Andy Graves
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| 25 Jan 2010 11:50 PM |
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Tom,
Well said, BUT, it only works when you have enough fabricators show up to make the ROI worth while. If only a few show up, it is not worth the investment to have the booth.
There may be more cost effective ways to talk with fabricators than going to the show.
For example, a local distributor had a dinner party of sorts and the president of the manufacturer was on hand to discuss any issues and shake hands with the individual shop owners.
Another example, Dupont hosted a night at the Angel game. All the big wigs were there and the showcased all the new designer colors, feed us and watched the game.
So my point is, if the ROI doesn't make sense all the other reasons will cease to exist cause it just isn't affordable. The manufacturers will choose to do something different.
Again, don't misunderstand, I hope that it revives itself into the dominant expo it used to be. That would be great. |
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FabNet Administrator
andy@thefabricatornetwork.com
Countertop Company - www.OliveMill.com |
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Tom M
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| 26 Jan 2010 12:30 AM |
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They don't have to have a booth bigger than 10 x 10 if necessary. They don't need flash. They don't need to dominate.
They need face time. They need to exchange ideas at our level with folks from all over. We then see that the manufacturers have to deal with a variety of situations across the varied landscapes in which they enterprise.
They need to say "Thanks". Just like we do our customers.
It won't kill 'em, yaknow. |
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But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775 |
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Andy Graves
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| 26 Jan 2010 01:44 AM |
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Agreed Tom. I do believe there are many ways to say thanks to a fabricator and it is not always through the attendance of shows. We have been thanked many times one of which was a cruise to Canada. |
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FabNet Administrator
andy@thefabricatornetwork.com
Countertop Company - www.OliveMill.com |
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Jon Olson
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| 26 Jan 2010 12:14 PM |
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It's more than saying thank you. It's an opportunity to game plan what can they do? What can we do? What's the strategy moving forward? etc..
I agree they don't need flashy booths or even free samples. There business plan should be hey lets get there and talk to the folks that are going to make things happen |
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Operations/Production Manager
Award Winning Solid Surface Fabricators
Columnist-Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Magazine
2007 ISFA Fabricator of the Year
978-422-3321 ex 237
www.facebook.com/Sterling Surfaces
www.twitter.com/sterlingsurface
www.youtube.com/sterlingsurfaces
Lets put value back into Countertops
Solid Surface the only surface with unlimited design potential |
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Gene McDonald
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| 26 Jan 2010 01:25 PM |
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I realized along time ago If people will go only to see what they can get out of it...its kinda weird...They dont GET nothing...But if you go to not get and just enjoy yourself..its kinda weird..you come home with all these kinda pearls
But trying to convince someone to go or make then feel like its gonna be like it useat be is wacked...you'd have a bettter chance Pushing a car up a hill with a rope..its better to introduce the up and coming generations of the surfacing industry...I would suggest that if people dont wanna go they shouldnt...cause when they meet a new excited guy like I was 5 years ago they might whine and whimper that the show is not like is useta be...so what...This is a pioneering stage of what to come for the next generation
How are the new people gonna learn after we are gone...lets keep this golden thread going...I see all kind of points as to go and why not going...
But everyone who is reading this and not posting their opinions...I ask you this...Is the countertop industry your passion or something ya hafta do to pay the bills?...What is your competition doing thats exciting?...Whatever MFG that sets up this show is gonna have a special kinda of connection to the fabricators and designers that will be there...we know this is a risky dealio...we all risk something
And to end on this love note for baseball fans (which I am not)...You cannot steal second base and keep your foot on first!!!!!!!!!!... |
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| www.gotgreencountertops.com |
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Jon Olson
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| 26 Jan 2010 01:59 PM |
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Gene well said! I remember you at that first show. No look at you 5 years later a force in the the industry despite this economy. You went to learn. You get it.
For the record Gene I'm not going to the show to steal second base. I plan on hitting a home run. |
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Operations/Production Manager
Award Winning Solid Surface Fabricators
Columnist-Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Magazine
2007 ISFA Fabricator of the Year
978-422-3321 ex 237
www.facebook.com/Sterling Surfaces
www.twitter.com/sterlingsurface
www.youtube.com/sterlingsurfaces
Lets put value back into Countertops
Solid Surface the only surface with unlimited design potential |
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Brian Stone
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| 26 Jan 2010 02:06 PM |
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Now there's a great analogy Jon. You're up to bat with the bases loaded. Andy's the guy on third that got the first hit. Gene's the guy that hit the double that advanced Andy to third. (he would have scored if it wasn't for that damn ACL.) I'm the guy that they walked just to fill the bases.  You're the guy that gets the big hit that helps everyone score. |
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Jon Olson
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| 26 Jan 2010 05:31 PM |
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Does this make me Big Papi? |
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Operations/Production Manager
Award Winning Solid Surface Fabricators
Columnist-Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Magazine
2007 ISFA Fabricator of the Year
978-422-3321 ex 237
www.facebook.com/Sterling Surfaces
www.twitter.com/sterlingsurface
www.youtube.com/sterlingsurfaces
Lets put value back into Countertops
Solid Surface the only surface with unlimited design potential |
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Andy Graves
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| 26 Jan 2010 06:07 PM |
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Posted By Jon Olson on 26 Jan 2010 06:14 AM
It's more than saying thank you. It's an opportunity to game plan what can they do? What can we do? What's the strategy moving forward? etc..
I agree they don't need flashy booths or even free samples. There business plan should be hey lets get there and talk to the folks that are going to make things happen
For the vendors, it is all about marketing. They may say it is something different, but that is BS. You and I both know it. That doesn't make it bad, just reality. My Dad always bitches about commercials when he is watching golf. Funny thing is, he buys the new clubs when they come out based on the advertising (marketing) he sees on TV. Marketing is part advertising, part promotions, part educating and part getting your face out there shaking hands with the potential buyers. Shows are great, I love them. But let's not kid ourselves about why the vendors are there. It aint to say thanks. |
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FabNet Administrator
andy@thefabricatornetwork.com
Countertop Company - www.OliveMill.com |
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Jason Cracker
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| 26 Jan 2010 06:32 PM |
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we went last year and plan on going again this year. I enjoyed all of the vendors booths and plan on spending time at each one. Last years seminars didn't excite me to much, but this years really do |
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Jon Olson
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| 28 Jan 2010 04:55 PM |
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Look's like Cambria has a booth now. |
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Operations/Production Manager
Award Winning Solid Surface Fabricators
Columnist-Countertops & Architectural Surfaces Magazine
2007 ISFA Fabricator of the Year
978-422-3321 ex 237
www.facebook.com/Sterling Surfaces
www.twitter.com/sterlingsurface
www.youtube.com/sterlingsurfaces
Lets put value back into Countertops
Solid Surface the only surface with unlimited design potential |
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Wags
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| 29 Jan 2010 12:01 AM |
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I agree with everything everyone said about Mfg should be there, but, there are so many shows that a mfg can't afford to show in every show. Given the attendance at the last few ISSFA shows, and that this is a new show, im sure some of the mfg are in a wait and see mode. What is more important for a fabricator, to see a mfg at "their" show, or, to see a mfg at an AIA or CSI or IIDA or ASID or or or and drive sales TO those fabricators? If you have a limited budget, and who doesn't, as Andy said its all about ROI. Pushing sales and driving business to fabricators is most likely more important than saying thanks for fabricating what I got specified. In a perfect world, where costs were not an issue Im sure they would be at every show.
Why not combine some of the shows? I know each organization makes money off their own show, but at some point you kill that golden goose. |
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Andy Graves
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| 29 Jan 2010 02:34 AM |
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Eventually some of the show will fail and the profitable ones will grow to give the attendees what they need. |
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FabNet Administrator
andy@thefabricatornetwork.com
Countertop Company - www.OliveMill.com |
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Brian Stone
Advanced Member
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| 29 Jan 2010 02:25 PM |
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Posted By Jon Olson on 28 Jan 2010 10:55 AM
Look's like Cambria has a booth now.
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Brian Stone
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| 29 Jan 2010 02:25 PM |
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I'm leaving 1 week from today! Anyone else going out there early? |
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Kelsey Crisp
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| 30 Jan 2010 03:18 AM |
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Just got notice of a FREE suite upgrade at the Luxor... $65/night Valid during the show dates https://reservations.mgmmirage.com/bookingengine.aspx?pid=LUX&host=promo&code=pval1
| $218.40 |
[script removed]View FloorPlan |
Luxor's vast 780 Sq. Ft. Tower suites are richly designed with the comfort of separate living room and bedroom area with...
[script removed](More Info)
Room Preferences
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| 2/8 $65.00 |
2/9 $65.00 |
| 2/10 $65.00 |
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| Tower Luxury Suite: |
$218.40 |
| [script removed] |
Resort Fee: |
$43.50 |
| SubTotal: |
$261.90 | | | |
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Andy Graves
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| 31 Jan 2010 01:26 AM |
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KC,
How many nights is that for? |
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FabNet Administrator
andy@thefabricatornetwork.com
Countertop Company - www.OliveMill.com |
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