[izzy0855]

Well since I'm here as a vendor let me clear-up all the false-statements. Two weeks prior to the event the PSGRS sent out an email to all the vendors attending this show indicating that there would a fee from the Convention Center Union to off-load any products into and on the convention center floor. These fees could range from $600.00 - $6000.00 depending on the number and weight of products off loaded and brought into the convention center floor. Then the state of Washington added an exize tax of 9.63% from all non-state vendors selling products on the convention floor, that would last upto 1 year after the event. So, it's not the vendors fault that manufacturer's did not show up (USA & Charles Ro) or decided to leave early (St. Aubins) but the non-disclosure from the PSGRS that there would be fees added to the thousands of dollars that we have already spent bringing our products here.

Also, my booth is directly across from Arsitocraft, I have talked with Scott everyday and Louis in not here.

One more thing, (In my opinion) this convention was poorly planned out, and what I mean is this. The Convention Center floor for the vendors is open for five days straight. Some days it's four hours long (8am - Noon) and other's it's six (10am - 4pm). During all the hours the convention center floor is open, there are bus tours going on. Outside the first day, the daily attendance is very slow but for some reason my sales are very good!

What I think is happening for the 2011 NGRC is that Dave is trying to plan a three day Convention Center Opening for the vendors with 7 - 8 hours each day. Then either during the morning or evening hours outside when the convention center is closed, there will be clinics and / or tours going on. This way, we can all go on the tours and take in the clincis!

Rick Isard
Cordless Renovations, LLC

 

[izzy0855]

Saturday evening after the convention doors closed at 4pm, I was carring some items down from the fifth floor elevators to the second floor parking garage, when two members of the PSGRS followed me into the elevator. Picture this, I'm wearing a "Cordless Renovations" Golf Shirt, I have an E8 under my left arm pit, one laptop strap hanging from my right shoulder and another hanging from my right forearm, I'm also carring a small cooler in my hands. We get on the elevator and I'm standing to one side, the doors close and this is what I hear, "I don't know why we have vendors here in the first place, we could have easily put on a great convention without them and made more money." Know, for most of you who know me over the years . . . I'm a pretty nice guy (6'3" 235lbs). But, I have also been known (in my ABC Sports days) to roll over anyone who gets in my way. So, at this moment I decided to do nothing, I was shocked...then when they were done speaking (right before the doors were about to opened) I cough and said at the same time "Bull-****." I also said; " if it wasn't for the vendors who started this great hobby, (RCS, Aristo, USA, Bachman, LGB) both of you would probably sitting in a nursing home somewhere counting out your med's for the next week and sucking on your thumbs."

In previous responses in this thread I have read where MLS'ers did not like the fact that USA, Charles Ro, St. Aubins and many others either decided to backout, or pullout after a couple of days. Well, tough. This hurts us all, and it's not the fault of the vendors. Just think about, your from the east coast and you either have the ship or drive all your products to Tacoma, WA. Plus, pay for expenses for all your employees attending, meals, hotel stay, and gas. If you did not attend and your on here complaining, what"s the problem?

Dave, let's have a great show in Overland Park.

Rick Isard
Cordless Renovations, LLC.

 

[izzy0855]

Thanks John for the nice reply, that was great to hear! Sorry for the late reply myslef, but I stopped in Sturgis (Bike Fest) to take in the festivities. I do second Jonathan's remarks even though some of the big vendors were not there, we were swamped the first two days and at times I had clients waiting patiently. Thanks to all of you who waited, and I don't even think a had time to sit down until the seminar. Even though the comments in the elevator were made, on the drive back from Tacoma I thought maybe I should have said nothing, even closed the zipper. The reason my skin was pealing that day, was from a previous "steamed" conversation that I had with LSOL.com and the rebroadcast rights of pictures taken of me and my parents at my booth. No means no, and asking before you click gets you the pic! That did not happen in this case. Well, overall after my companies name was misspelled twice in the tour booklet and on the website. My Dad was listed as my companies owner (he's the owner of the corporation, which falls under Battery Tech Central, Cordless Renovations, Specialty Engineering, & W & W Manufacturing) . . . our sales were great! The layouts were tremendous and I made alot of new friends, and reaquired an old friendship the Andy Geiger (Former Athletic Director of Ohio State). I had a great time visiting with Dave Goodson while he graciously opened is home and his layout a day before the tour to us Iowans. I always thought Dave has a gig in radio if this train thing ever goes south, what a voice and gentlemen! Thanks Dave. I also do want to thank every vendor I talked with, from Al & Keith at CVP Products to Mike and his wife at Throttle-Up, Inc., to our old friends Jonathan Bliese & his wife from EMW, Matt Drennan & Jason Sullivan from St. Aubins, Ol' Dan Hoag & Rick from Eagle Wings Iron Craft, to Fred Devine from Fred Devine and Associates, and our newest dealer Greg from Rio Grande Southern RR Hobbie., thanks and thanks for your support!

Besides the inconveniences that may come with these conventions, I was pleased with our outcome. Even though I had disagreements with our contract, union fees, 9.63% state tax rate, misspelling errors of my companies name in the tour guide "Twice". . . after I gave away door prizes, and a $100 gift certificate . . . and poor management of scheduling between the vendors hall, tours, and seminars. Example: (Friday 8am - Noon, Oh...when the tours are going on!). I had a great time, let's do it again next year!

Rick Isard
Cordless Renovations, LLC

 

[izzy0855]

Hi Bob, it was also very frustratring to write. It's unfortunate that every NGRC structure can't be the same each year, whether it's in Chicago, Tampa, New York, or Las Vegas. When I say; "Structure." That means, the number of days and hours the convention hall is opened, (ie: Thursday, Friday, & Saturday from 3pm - 9pm) then the tours can go on from Tues., thru Sunday from 7:00am - 2:30pm, and the clinics will be on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings from 3pm - 9pm. This formula works because there's no overlapping between events, and that's what happened in Tacoma, everyone was on the tours and not in the convention hall purchasing products. Thus, angry vendors!

I had a very good and long conversation with a gentlemen who is one of the Big Three vendors, I will not mention his name. We both agreed that there's needs to be a separate committee outside of each club who represents that years convention. This committee has one chair, and 10 members that represent 10 different elements of the NGRC. For example: Let's just say, for ****'s and giggles that I'm the "Chair," then we need two members outside of the hobby, one as a lawyer and the other is an accountant. The other 8 members are people who represent the hobby in this fassion. 1 Vendor, 1 Manufacturer, 1 woman enthusiast, 1 man enthusiast, 1 club pres., 1 canadian rep., 1 trade show promoter, and 1 newbe...(AKA first generation hobbiest). Every other year the committee changes the eight additional members, but the chair, accountant and lawyer stays the same until the committee decides to change personal. The club pres., & both enthusiasts can represent that years members from their city. But the reason there needs to be a separate committee that oversea's all NGRC shows, is because currently the format or structure of each show changes from year to year, and the NGRC will give each club it's structure, venue, tour bus companies, convention hall details & layout, along with a ticket price discounts for all NGRC members who join, and will be the oversight committee for each convention. I also think what draws people any from attending the public day's is the ticket price. $10.00 a head, come on! $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids. If your a NGRC member, you will receive $3.00 off all conventions for 3 years until you renew. Then the proceeds from the members dues will go directly to that years convention costs, and the additional proceeds will go into an accountant that will give away a scholarship to a local community college.

I would be more than happy to ask all the right questions and get the ball rolling, because I have a accountant / notry and lawyer on staff it will cost me less to get everything started then it be to have someone else pay for the information. I think it's a good start and the right thing to do. With your support, let's make each year's convention a success.

Thanks,
Rick Isard
Cordless Renovations, LLC