Hearthlist Digest #297 - Thursday, May 6, 1999
 
Re: HPA Show
  by <[email protected]>
Re: HPA Show
  by "Skip Jackson" <[email protected]>
Re:Rep Praise
  by <[email protected]>
Re:HPA
  by "Dave Kuhfahl" <[email protected]>
 

(back)
Subject: Re: HPA Show
From: [email protected]
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 20:44:32 -0400
 
   Hello i want to join the discussion about the show not being long enough.
I buy for several other depts besides the hearth show. And this is the
shortest show that I attend. It also has the shortest hours. One thing that I
am used to is a time of evening hours . I attend a show in atlanta for gift
buying in January that is open friday evening till 9 P.m. And alot of the
booths serve food and drink.
                    Personally the best suggestion I have seen is the one to
start on Monday and Tuesday with the education Days. And then continue with
show. This would create the best attendance.
 
	I found that I have to really push to get through the booths. And
there is not time to attend any of the other activities with the show going
on at the same time.
 
 
 
 
 
				Mark Ludeman
 
 
 
		Ludeman's Fireplace and Patio
 
 
 
 

(back)
Subject: Re: HPA Show
From: Skip Jackson <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 21:04:29 -0400
 
	Education classes Tues, Wed & Thur.
	Show Floor open 8am to 8pm Thur, Fri & Sat. (Get the reps
out of bed.)  Almost twice the show hours.
	Cost too much to fly before 12:01 Sun. morning anyway.
	Would HPA make enough profit to function for the year with this
schedule?  Will mfg's agree to this schedule?
	Will convention centers book shows with this schedule?
Skip Jackson
Fierside Engineering
Cincinnati
[email protected]
 
 
 
 

(back)
Subject: Re:Rep Praise
From: [email protected]
Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 10:12:40 -0400
 
I would like to express my opinion of one of the best hearth industry
representatives in the midwest.  That would be Larry Franchimon from Travis
Industries.  Larry has more knowledge of the competetive product than most
reps have of there own product, and for this I salute him.
 
Randy
 
Hearth-n-Home, Michigan
 
 
 
 

(back)
Subject: Re:HPA
From: "Dave Kuhfahl" <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 10:52:35 -0400
 
Here's a manufacturer's feedback on the length of the show.
 
We invest a ton of money (for the size of our company) into the trade show
each year.  We bring about 1/4 to 1/3 of our company employees.  In Phoenix
we spent 3 days setting up, 2 days tearing down, and had 5 hours "free
time" to see Phoenix.  During the show, dealers come in waves.  We try our
best to not jostle them through.  We tend to be somewhat proud of what we
have to show and enjoy showing it.
 
The dealer feedback we get at the show is priceless.  We always come home
with a book of improvemnts to product and service.
 
I think it would make great sense to extend a day (or two) on the front
end.   All could enjoy a more relaxed, productive experience.   If we leave
Vermont on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, it will not affect the week for the
factory, the cost difference is minimal, and I believe we could do a more
quality presentation, perhaps even some technical sessions for our dealers,
especially on new product.The next time a dealer sees a new product is when
their dating order shows up.  For most of us "inside people" it is the only
time we get to attach faces with people.  Business is after all is a
network of relationships.  The trade show is an annual event, let's use it
wisely!
 
Dave Kuhfahl