Full Version: ARA Show Venue
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#17]
27 Mar 2007
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#16] 27 Mar 2007
Cindy, I think yours was the best message in the bunch. You hit every topic right on.
How in the world can anyone that has been to vegas more than once consider it a vacation? I have been to so many more larger cities that are of more interest to me. ARA is New York City would get my attendance every time! But, for a true vacation/work venue, how can you beat the Bahammas, Hawaii, The Great Northwest...so many place to go, so little time.
I also believe what you said about the vendors finding Vegas to be very expensive to show in. When I worked for a company that showed at Comdex every year, it was outrageous what we had to budget just for move in and tear down considering the union rules. Funny too, they used to say the same thing about us and the gambling, apparently computer geeks were not considered gamblers either.
Ah well, change will come someday, but, probably to Anaheim! (Boo, hiss)
Doug
From: Jim (RETAIL74) [#18]
27 Mar 2007
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#16] 27 Mar 2007
The only other city that would meet the criteria needed for a national ARA trade show would be Orlando. The city needs to have plenty of space to accommodate the show because it's not a big show. It also needs to be in a warm climate that has other attractions because it brings more people.
The access to affordable flights and rooms is always underestimated. Hotel rooms in NYC are $250+ per night. Plus transportation, parking, and food for vendors would be much higher. All things considered, Las Vegas is probably the best location.
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#19]
27 Mar 2007
To: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#17] 27 Mar 2007
I might have mentioned this before in another post, but the best show I ever attended was in 1991 or '92 when the show was held in Oahu. It might have been a regional show - taken the place of the LA fall show. Ahhh, that was worth attending. It was in Nov, so although there was some rain, it was warm and beautiful and it was sunny most of the time. I remember, after the show part was over, we moved over to the big island and I never wanted to come back to the rainy northwest. If you can picture this, I was at the airport waiting for our connecting flight home, lying outside in the sun on one of the benches (the whole airport there is pretty much outside) and chanting "don't make me go back, don't make me go back". Pretty pathetic, but that was the last 'vacation' I've had that I enjoyed so much. At the time, airfare wasn't that bad to Hawaii - I could go now, but my family sure wouldn't be joining me at today's air prices!
There are pro's & con's to Vegas. It used to be a big town with a little town feeling, but now it is just hard to manuver there and expensive all the way around. LV is more a resort town now.
I'm pretty sure I've been told ARA does have to commit at least 4-5 years in advance and I don't see anything changing about where the show is held in the near future, much as some of us would like it to go elsewhere. After years of working the logistics out I'm sure the planning group would hate to start all over again.
Cindy
From: Mike (MIKEN) [#20]
27 Mar 2007
To: ALL
All three of the shows I mentioned are larger than ARA and all grapple with the site issue. There are 3 cities in the country that can handle shows of that size from the standpoint of hotel rooms, flights, ground transportation and exhibit space. Those cities are Las Vegas, Chicago and New York.
Unions are a problem everywhere in terms of cost and the number of them you have to deal with in setting up your exhibit. Security is a major issue at all of them.
I also had the pleasure of attending several trade shows in Europe and while hotels space and transportion are more of an issue than here exhibit space and concept are not. Their halls are comfortable with plenty of lounge areas, restaurants rest rooms etc. plus it is their way to have a hopitality area in most exhibits. Something we could learn from.
Where is our virtual exhibit for all of us who are tired of the travel?
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#21]
27 Mar 2007
To: Mike (MIKEN) [#20] Unread
Mike,
It's a topic I raised with some exhibitors at the ARA show. Those I spoke to were up for the concept of a "Virtual Trade Show."
I don't know if that would knock the legs out from under the live events, and that's not the intent.
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#22]
27 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#21] 27 Mar 2007
I don't care for virtual shows accept as an additional show. I want to touch the product and pick the brains of the salesman.
Dee
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#23]
27 Mar 2007
To: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#22] 27 Mar 2007
Dee,
My concept was to have the company set their booth up, then interview (grill?) the salesperson, touch, feel, beat the product to death, just as if you were at a trade show.
Anything less, wouldn't be a virtual trade show. :-)
EDITED: 27 Mar 2007 by DGL
Message 6428.24 was deleted
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#25]
27 Mar 2007
To: ALL
The $64 question is by how many people has the show shrunk as a direct result of this venue? It certainly couldn't be because our industry in general is shrinking dramatically, could it?
I'm guessing not. The fact is, Vegas has become significantly more expensive than in years past. Airfares are up (...and air travel's a hassle anyway), hotels rooms are expensive, and even food has gotten pricey. And as a result, the trek is at best an every-two-year treat for us.
I'm not sure what the answer is (if any), but I sure wish the Atlantic City Show was as large :S
From: UncleSteve [#26]
27 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#25] 27 Mar 2007
There are only a few reasons to spend what the vendors lay out for the "big 'un"..... and some lay the $$$ out anyway.
BIG expensive equipment where one or two sales will cover the cost of the show and the exposure brings numerous after-show sales. (these companies often sell the demo machines right off the show floor to avoid having to ship them back to the showroom/warehouse)
A new company looking to make their name/products known to the engraving community
An old, established company with new products, not the same old, same old
Because if they are NOT there, everyone will notice even though they don't notice if the company IS there....
IMHO, jumping into venues like our forum would be a much better way to get the word out and just think how many samples could be distributed for what the show costs....
From: Mick [#27]
27 Mar 2007
To: UncleSteve [#26] 27 Mar 2007
Strange timing I must say, as an attendee of ARA in Vegas this year, I was just emailed today a poll from ARA asking all questions about the venue, hotel, travel to and from etc., etc...
Anyone else get one ???
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#28]
27 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#25] 27 Mar 2007
Not to be antagonistic, but I would like to give my point of view.
Food is expensive........
I agree LV is raising their prices from the 1.99 buffets of long ago, but I dont' feel they are higher than I pay here at home. Yes, you can spend a lot in the "Fancy" restaurants, but they do have medium price ranges available. I love Blueberry Hill - a regional chain (CA & NV) of 24 hour restaurants, moderate prices.
Air fares......
Yes, some markets are high, yours is one of them and & I don't dispute that. I do believe for the majority of the people flying into Vegas, it is a good value. Last year, I drove 200 miles to save bucks to fly out of a different airport, just my luck it was cold and icy at 2:00am when I left here.
Hotels are expensive....
The host hotels are always going to be more expensive, they pay for their comp rooms by getting an "allowance" on the number of rooms booked (can't say "kickback").
By doing a search via Travelocity & Orbitz et al, you can find hotels from $39.00 and up. Depends on where you are willing to stay and how nice of a place you want. I stayed 1 block from the convention center and paid $69.00 a night. Last year I stayed at PARIS for a different convention, and the room rate was $220 per night - my other half's company picked up that tab......Lord knows I wouldn't pay that rate!
News Flash.........
ARA just sent a survey to show attendees, asking these and other questions. They also pointed out that the show next year is Wednesday thru Friday - Nothing on Saturday. That fact is not important to me, but it may be to someone else. The dates are February 26-29, 2008
I will go to the show every year that it is in Vegas unless it really, really, really goes downhill. You may have reached that point and that is fine, except you should let the ARA staff know what would pique your intrest and get you to go every year. Even if they don't ask you, just send a short note stating your ideals.
Boy, that was more than 2 cents worth, huh! :>
~
From: bluepaw [#29]
27 Mar 2007
To: Jim (RETAIL74) [#18] 29 Mar 2007
Hey, yeah. Being a Disneynut I visit there 2 or 3 times a year so I am all for anything that takes me to Orlando.
Put me down as a definite yes for ARA in Central Florida.
Bill
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#30]
27 Mar 2007
To: Mick [#27] 28 Mar 2007
I received and filled out the ARA questionnaire.
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#31]
28 Mar 2007
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#28] 28 Mar 2007
I don't view your post that way at all, John....this is a good discussion. I think Vegas would be a terrific venue if I wasn't so jaded by the ghost of Las Vegas Past. I've been heading there for different business reasons for over 30 years, and the changes are dramatic.
And herein lies the dichotomy of my own making.....I'm a snob when it comes to travel. Vegas was always the great place to go for cheap food, lodging and pretty much everything else that could be subsidized by gambling revenue. It was a great place when the mob owned it! But it was never a place I would consider for vacation. Stay in a Best Western? Not gonna' happen. But $300 for a hotel room in a low rent tourist trap with neon? Also not gonna' happen.
I know it sounds weird, but a $400 room at the Pierre in NYC sounds right while $250 in Vegas doesn't. Hmmm....back to the therapist.
:S
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#32]
28 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#31] 28 Mar 2007
Jim,
;-)
I can only remember Vegas from the late 1970's and I'm sure it had started it's change over by then. I guess I like all the glitter.
One of my friendly competitors from here in town went to Vegas this year and it had been awhile since they had been there. They were VERY disappointed in the way it is building up - said they will never go back, they want to remember the "Old Vegas". I guess I can relate to that, but also want to think that this Vegas will be what I remember when I tell my grandchildren when I get old (yeah, like I'm not already there!) Got 2 grandsons & another on the way.
I'm sorry, but I'm too cheap to pay $400 no matter where the hotel is. >.<
Fact is, in 1978 was when I first went to Vegas, we stayed behind the Stardust (Bless it's soul, it was imploded a couple weeks ago) in the RV resort. That was a high class campground that I had never seen before. We had a motorhome that had air-conditioning, but for the pop-up tent trailers, they had a vent tube with air-conditioning that would fit over the vent in the trailer and provide cool air for those without air. I have never seen anything like that since......
~
From: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#33]
28 Mar 2007
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#32] 28 Mar 2007
I'm right there with ya' these days ;-)
Pretty cool story about the RV facilities....I've never seen that! Just slightly on the other end of the spectrum though:
http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/The%20Pierre,New%20York/default.htm
And I was mistaken. The "cheapest" room is now $685, and buddy of mine was telling me he wasn't able to get a reservation for his anniversary a couple of weeks ago because they were booked solid. Yikes!
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#34]
28 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#33] 28 Mar 2007
I'll pass on that...................
8-O
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#35]
28 Mar 2007
To: Doc (GREAT_ATLANTIC) [#33] 28 Mar 2007
$685.00 is almost double what we paid for 2 round trip tickets from Philly to Las Vegas.
Dee
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#36]
28 Mar 2007
To: ALL
Of the convention venues that I've been to (pretty limited), Baltimore will likely always be my favorite.
Our convention was at the Baltimore Convention Center, which is within walking distance of the wharf (awesome seafood!) and Camden Yards (arguably the most beautiful ballpark in MLB - but it won't be baseball season).
I was there in late September, and the weather was very mild. I've never been there in February.....might be a different story.
The only times we got into a vehicle was to and from the airport (THEY HAD SOME TERRIBLE CAB DRIVERS!!!!).
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