2008 Woodworking Show- Underwhelming

December 1, 2007 by thewoodwhisperer
Filed under: Blog 

So, what’s the deal with The Woodworking Shows? Have you been lately? Now I’m not talking about the large industry shows like AWFS and IWF. I’m specifically talking about the smaller consumer-aimed shows that travel the nation every year. And every year, you can look in any woodworking forum and see posts from people claiming how disappointed they were or how the show is going “downhill”. Last year, we attended the local show here in Phoenix and even made a couple videos. This year, as a nice change of pace, we decided to simply attend the show. No work, just pure woodworking entertainment. So, being a spectator coupled with the fact that this was my 3rd show in a row, put me in a good position for an objective review.

Let me set the stage. Its a cloudy, rainy, miserable day in Phoenix (obviously not typical). We make the hour-long drive to Westworld in Scottsdale. We make our way inside and I feel that boyish excitement building. That feeling I get when I am about to plunge into tool nirvana. The feeling of being surrounded by like-minded peers who are equally excited about a common interest. The chance to sit in on a few lectures or seminars and glean some knowledge from an industry professional. The prospect of seeing some big tools I will probably never need or handplanes I will probably never know how to use properly. At the very least, its a chance to see some products that I look at online all the time, finally come to life.

Now I know this isn’t exactly the fault of the The Woodworking Shows, but the first thing I noticed upon entering was the horrible lighting. Little halogen lights hanging overhead about 75 feet in the air were casting their harsh shadowy and unpleasant glow on the rather small assembly of displays below. We had better lighting in our moldy basement back in New Jersey! Now if these 30 year old eyes with 20/20 vision were having difficulty, I can only imagine how annoying it must have been for my more veteran woodworking comrades. But bad lighting can’t stop a good show. So we pressed on.

We began at one side and meandered through the aisles. Within 10 minutes we had seen everything. Obviously we didn’t really stop to look at much, and I have to ask myself why? Am I really that jaded to this stuff?!?! Certainly not! I was like a kid in a candy store at the Vegas show this summer. What, besides the obvious size difference, makes this show so different? Well here’s my best guesses.

First, there was nothing new or interesting for someone who pays attention to this stuff online. I can look at router bits, saw blades, and consumable supplies all day on the net. So the one way to grab my attention with these items is to price them competitively. And unfortunately, it seems that these companies just can’t compete with online pricing. So much for that angle.

Second, none of the major tool manufacturers were represented. Powermatic, Porter Cable/Delta, Lie-Nielsen, Festool………not a single one. Now from what I understand, this was due to the fact that the show recently changed ownership and there was difficultly getting contracts signed in time. But there were tools there last year, and only two or three companies were fully represented. It seems that most companies just don’t feel this show is worth their time and expense.

Third, and in my opinion this is the most critical factor. There was a severe lack of focus on education. If there were quality seminars taught by quality instructors, I would have spent my entire day there. But there was very little being offered. There were two “stages” though, and one of them was completely abandoned at noon on a Saturday. The other one was host to a small finishing lecture. The same lecture I’ve seen for 3 years straight.

Just to be clear, I do not profess to know the answers to this riddle. I am simply making observations based on my opinion and my experience. The shows are clearly suffering, and will continue to suffer if things don’t change in dramatic fashion. What’s the winning formula? More seminars with quality instructors? More tools? More discounted prices? Lower booth fees so more vendors can sign on? I refuse to believe that there isn’t enough interest from consumers. But is there something the show can do to really capture our attention and that of potential vendors and instructors? For me, the woodworking show now feels like an obligation instead of a MUST-SEE event, and that makes me pretty sad.

When done properly, a woodworking show should bring out the kid in all of us. It should make us have to exercise restraint with our credit cards. And most importantly we should walk away with some woodworking knowledge. The only disappointment we should feel is the fact that we couldn’t catch “so and so’s” seminar because it conflicted with someone else’s. Or maybe we missed a particular bargain because we arrived too late and they sold out. I am holding out hope that in the new year, the new owners will really build this show up to its full potential. Bring back my woodworking shows PLEASE!!!

What do you guys think? Do you have any suggestions for how the woodworking shows can improve? Or is this simply the natural evolution and subsequent extinction of an outdated concept?

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29 Comments on 2008 Woodworking Show- Underwhelming

  1. mdhills on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 4:36 pm

    2. Clearly there is a need for “presenting your woodworking on the web” seminar, although it might take some searching to find an individual with experience in both fields and with an appealing personality…

    Matt

  2. Matt on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 5:40 pm

    3. I had a chance to talk with the folks putting on The Woodworking Shows awhile ago. Appearantly they just changed hands from the original group that was putting them on. So they must be undergoing a learning curve since exchanging keys to the operation. Hopefully it’ll work itself out in the near future for the benefit of us all!

  3. Ron Boe on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 5:59 pm

    4. I walked in right behind you after stashing one bag of literture and needing room for a couple little goodies I decided I had to have. Thought I’d bump into you later and say hi but ….. and it wasn’t that big a show.

    One of the vendors, my main wood supplier, had decided to not display due to the lack of interest from the consumers in years past. They just did not get a return on their investment. They did end up having a very small booth anyway (last year they had a huge display) - they were enticed to make a presence.

    One guy I wanted to see again was not there. A couple folks were new (a deck mounted drum sander that I’m pretty keen on was new) and Kreg had an even bigger display. William Ng himself was there promoting his school and I always feel guilty for not signing up. One of these years!

    I think these little local shows are very important to inject extra spice into the local woodworking market. I just don’t see me going to Las Vegas to a big show when I have things to do and better things to spend my money on. With the Internet I suppose this is less critical but shows will put things out there that you may not be looking for and in that regard they could do a better job in getting these new products out there.

    So I think smaller displays from more vendors - with a stronger effort to get more local & regional vendors yet keep the larger national ones like Peachtree and Sommerfeld’s.

    As a consumer we need the eye candy to draw us out there and to spend. The shows need to provide that or else it will be a downhill spiral to no shows at all. That would be a shame.

    Finally; how did you know about the show? I bugged my vendor, checked the Internet and in general kept an eye open as I’ve missed the shows in the past because they did not advertise enough. They need to attract new blood from among the woodworkers to keep the traffic up. Perhaps free plugs from folks like yourself to build up the traffic and create an interest.

    Better cheaper food couldn’t hurt either!

  4. Kip on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 6:08 pm

    5. Marc, You are right on. You described the same feelings I’ve had for the past 10 years. I used togo to shows in Chicago, Milwuakee, and St. Louis. THe pricing issue was my biggest reason for not making the effort. The seminars seemed ver priced ans the few I did spring for were very limited with the details it takes to overcome the obstacles we endure when trying something new and different. So, Marc watchng your pod cast and depending on on-line catalogs. I Hope the new guys ramp up to your expectations. I guess I gave up on the shows years ago.

    Kip

  5. Neil Newman on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 6:29 pm

    6. Hey Marc,
    I agree with you that this show has changed and not for the better. We had one scheduled for our area in Minneapolis but it was canceled at the last minute. No explanation on their web site, no notice what so ever. Rockler, which is based here did step up and offered the advertised show discount at their stores, and even had people handing out flyers at the show location.
    I checked this show’s web site and they have a show schedules for the end of Feb.in St. Paul, MN. I’ll let you know how good it is (or not) If they show up this time.

  6. Roger on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 7:16 pm

    7. Marc, I think the whole local show concept is becoming obsolete. You can get better and more timely advice and demonstrations on your site and sites like LumberJocks. As you said, you can better product pricing and as much product information on the internet.

    Maybe what should happen is big shows (AWFS and IWF) should be webcast so that everybody that want to can virtually go to the show. There could even be a fee charged for this.

  7. Mike in St. Paul on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 7:42 pm

    8. I agree with Roger.

    Seminars aren’t nearly as good as books, DVDs, and podcasts. You can watch/use them over and over, and do so at your leisure in your own home.

    Also, the price of tools has come way down. When a table saw used to be a “major purchase” I think it was more of a big deal to talk to the manufacturers, etc. but now almost anyone can afford a contractor’s table saw or benchtop tools.

    I don’t think either one of those things is bad, mind you (especially since I have done/used both). In fact, I think both things are GOOD for woodworking as a while. I think it is up to the people that put on the shows to find ways to make them better or adapt. I’m sure there are ways to make them still useful and fun.

    Just gonna take a new marketing strategy. But I’m sure there is still a way to do it.

  8. Bob S in CA on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 8:12 pm

    9. I talked with a local vendor who usually does these shows in the SF Bay Area, asking why they didn’t sign up for the one out here a couple of weeks ago. First was the new owner. Apparently the turnover was very poorly done. Little publicity was done for the show here. I usually get a mailer 6 - 8 weeks prior to the show. This time it was a post card just one week before the show, pointing me to the web site. So the vendor didn’t feel the show was promoted well enough, nor was the organization sharp enough, to warrant his time and money. I can’t blame him.

    It sounds like the national vendors/sponsors have had the same experience with the new owners since so few were there this time around.

    I don’t know that shows are dead. I think vendors need to offer more significant “show specials” to get people to come out, and they need new demonstrations. Having Mark Summerfield demonstrate how to use his router bits to build a cabinet for the umpteenth time is not going to cut it, especially since all he’s doing is pitching his products. Not that there’s anything wrong with him doing that, it just shouldn’t be billed as a class or seminar.

    The guy who does the Wood Magazine sessions is always very entertaining (can’t remember his name at the moment). His sessions are so full of good stuff that all sounds so simple and common sensical while I’m sitting there. Ten minutes after I walk away I can’t remember anything he said. That isn’t his fault, simply the volume of info presented. I’d love to have a handout that covers everything he says, but they just say “go get the magazine, it is all in there”. Sure, in 20 different articles spread over who knows how many back issues.

    I would still enjoy going, but I skipped it this time since so many of the vendors were missing. I do hope the new owners get their act together, and quickly, otherwise this show will be dead.

  9. baldy on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 8:12 pm

    10. http://www.woodstockwoodshow.ca/ probably the best wood show that i have been to. some interesting stuff but….same old same old!!! seminars are free but same old same old!!!! vendors are the normal vendors. i want to see new innovative tools. i want to see quality tools. i want to see DEALS. i pay money to get in i want more than $50 off a $1000 piece of equipment. what ever happened to the goodies. you know the pencils and magnets and stuff so that when you got home you felt like you got something!! and why do they sell booths to vendors that don’t even resemble wood working like the guy that sells towels or the guy that sells those little stick of anti fog stuff for glasses. when i go to a wood show i want to see tools, tools that i can’t walk into the store and see. i want to be able to feel tools and play with tools. i would even like to try the tools!!! i was at a wood expo this year and they had the freud guy there and he was demoing blades with a bench top table saw showing the difference a blade can make… perfect!! the steel city guys were there and they did nothing and only had half of there line there. they had a beautiful $2700 tablesaw there but you couldn’t get closer than 3 feet…maybe i should have put a deposit down. well i’m rambling but i think you get my point. i agree marc i want to feel like a kid in a candy store without the temper tantrum!!!

  10. Larry Shepherd on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 8:18 pm

    11. This used to be a family event each year. My son-in-law and my self would attend the shows in Columbus and Indianapolis for most of the day, and my wife and daughter would go shopping at the local malls. Since the slow decline of the shows I now attend the Indy show once every couple of years by myself , and they never fail to disappoint me.

    Education by qualified presenters is the key to their survival. They cannot complete with the internet on pricing. I have bought many tools and have failed to exercise credit card restraint in the past because of a great demonstration. In the last show there was a free seminar on finishing. While I believe the presenter knew his stuff, he did not properly prepare for the session and it was a flop. He could not hold anyone’s attention for more than 5 minutes.

    But it may be a mute point now anyway. So many pod casts are starting to appear on the internet that the wood shows may not be able to compete. Sites like yours, stu’s shed, and many of the wood magazines, etc. give great information on both tools and procedures. And I can attend these whenever I want.

    Many of manufacturers now have great demonstrations of their products. Legacy milling will send you a great free DVD of their product. Jointech http://www.jointech.com/smart_miter.htm),
    the Sand-Flee *http://www.rjrstudios.com/)
    and Shopsmith (http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Sawdust_Sessions.htm) have great on line demonstrations of their products. I have had a Shopsmith for years and was gradually buying Grizzly tools to replace them, and the Shopsmith presentations have renewed my interest.

    So I think we are witnessing a slow death of these Wood Shows. Sad, isn’t it:(

  11. Dean on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 8:42 pm

    12. Marc, sounds like the money is just not there to make it profitable or the vendors would show up. I have a choice with how I spend my money and traveling to shows will not be one of the ways. I am going to send the wood whisperer a donation and hope enough others do the same so we can continue to learn from someone I like. I also have the ability to email and get personal attention on problems. At a show they won’t hardly talk to you if your bilfold is not in your hand. Keep up the great work, I think all of us are better off because of you and the time you spend doing the podcast right. Dean Knight

  12. Brian on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 9:29 pm

    13. Marc, I was there at today’s show as well, and other than the crazy rain, I was rather underwhelmed. I had walked through the entire place in about 20 minutes. I struggled to stay longer and listened to some product pitches so I didn’t feel like I had wasted money. This was my first show ever, and I’m fairly new to woodworking, so I wanted the opportunity to put my hands on some equipment. I’ve already got the tablesaw, but I wanted the chance to look at some miter gauges, extension tables, whatever. Only thing I saw was kreg. Also, I felt like the rest of the show was just people trying to pitch little woodworking accessories. I had made the same comment that no major tool manufacturers were there. I was expecting to see delta, powermatic, or jet, but no one was there. Very little of anything piqued my interest. I think this will be my last show, unless I hear good things about future shows.

  13. Ron on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 10:12 pm

    14. I found out about the show here in Portland by chance. I never heard anything or saw any advertizing before and my friends were the same. The show was much smaller then last year and I made it through in about an hour with some draging of my feet to feel like I got what I paid for. Another thing I wonder about is that after last year the list of used tools on craigs list was huge. I was looking for some tools and had a hard time getting on the phone quick enough. This year it didn’t make a ripple in the number of tools listed after the show. Might be we all here in the northwest are tooled up, or the economy is down. I do look forward to the show and hope they continue to do one here. You just cant beat the feeling of entering a huge building with all that great stuff. Like a kid again in the Sears store before Christmas.

  14. Larry on Sat, 1st Dec 2007 10:27 pm

    15. Marc, I agree with your coments, as well as the coments posted by others. In the SF Bay Area, there was NO advertising to attract new blood or to remind seasoned woodworkers of the upcoming show in San Mateo. When the fishing, boat and craft shows are coming, they’re advertised well in advance on radio, TV and newpapers ( with the $2+ discount coupon). Agressive advertising would help increase the shows interest. In addition, large manufactures of equipment/tools and retail suppliers should recognize their responsibility to be present at all shows to help maintain and promote the craft of woodworking.

  15. Mike on Sun, 2nd Dec 2007 5:47 am

    16. I agree it is usually the same stuff every year - even the same booths in the same location. I go looking for the gem and never really come up with it. I spent some time at the incrajig booth last year, it felt more like an infomercial (but worked, I bought a miter gauge). I asked a pretty simple question of some of the Delta guys and they looked at me like I was from another planet. Overall, I continue to lower my expectations, but still go. More instruction based session from the big names (they kinda do that) would be my preference - make it more like a profession conference with tracks etc…vs. a woodworking flea market.

    As a side note, lowering the booth fees might help…but I would not want to hear that complaint from Festool as their reason for not participating…price of entry. ;)

  16. Dean Suminski on Sun, 2nd Dec 2007 10:30 am

    17. I remember attending the wood show a couple of years ago in Portland and I was just getting serious (to have fun) about woodworking and I was wide eyed as I went through the show. As I didn’t know what to expect I was looking forward to the show again. I had to search for when and if one would be. Three of us attended and everything you said was the case. What a disappointment! Even if they continue to do the show, it will take time to overcome this years show and get excitement back into it. A video show is just not the same as being there in person.

    Dean

  17. Mike on Sun, 2nd Dec 2007 2:11 pm

    18. Marc,
    I couldn’t agree with you more! Here in the LA area we get 2 woodowring shows a year- mid year at the LA County Fair grounds and late in the year at the Orange County Fair grounds. I’ve been to both for the past several years and noticed an appreciable drop off in vendors and attendance. Just a few weeks ago was the latest in OC and itbarely filled two halls. They could have fit it into one. I went specifically to look at a particluar vendor and they were a no-show. Same goes for anything to do with wood turning. Rockler didn’t even participate! I also agree that they should update the demos - I won’t waste my time seeing the same things over & over. I went to Rockler the day after I went to the show (to see Norm!) and asked the manager why he didn’t show this year. He said because the booth fees had gone up and attendance was not predicted to be as high. He made the right call! I spent more that day at Rockler than I did at the show.
    Mike

  18. Russell on Sun, 2nd Dec 2007 5:56 pm

    19. I couldn’t agree with you more Marc. I went with a friend of mine on Saturday afternoon and was done after 15 minutes. We walked around for about an hour only because I didn’t want to admit to myself that I spent $7 on admission for 15 minutes. I didn’t end of buying anything, nor did I really take interest in anything. I will not be going next year unless the company that puts this on does some major PR work to convince people like me otherwise.

  19. Paul Comi on Sun, 2nd Dec 2007 8:00 pm

    20. The value in a woodworking show to me is in seeing products I’m not familiar with being demonstrated. Otherwise, its just like paying to go to a bunch of noisy retail stores with a lot of people around and I prefer to research and make purchases more efficiently online. In fact, when I did see some things I was interested in buying, I checked pricing online with my blackberry and found that the woodworking show pricing wasn’t very good. The exceptions I’ve heard are when people purchase demo gear from the show and take it home when the show is over.

    Most of the products I would be interested are from companies like Leigh, Festool, Lie-Nielsen, and Lee Valley and those companies either produce excellent dvd’s to show their product or they offer excellent return policies in case I get the product and am not satisfied. I saw the FMT demo’d at the show, but the dvd of the product showed me the same thing.

  20. Mike Eager on Sun, 2nd Dec 2007 11:22 pm

    21. I went to the woodworking show in San Mateo, but it was disappointing, with a few exceptions. Many of the companies which I had hoped would be there were missing. I’ve been looking at purchasing a table saw, possibly one of the new hybrids, and wanted to do some comparison shopping, and perhaps get some suggestions from people who had used various brands. But neither Delta, Jet, or any of the other manufacturers were there. I even printed off Rockler’s “buy from us and we’ll pay your parking” coupon from the website, but if they were there, they were quite successful at hiding.

    Like others, I’ve gone to the woodworking shows for the demos, new products, and for the occasional bargain. I did buy some supplies, but not much, and nothing struck me as a bargain I couldn’t do without.

    I did see a couple interesting demos, one from Sommerfeld’s and another about HVLP sprayers. I don’t think there were any new products on display. And few company reps to talk to.

    I hope that the new owners get their act together and put together a woodworking show worth spending time to attend.

  21. Denny on Mon, 3rd Dec 2007 11:13 am

    22. Marc, I agree with you completely. I traveled 150 miles to go to the Phoenix show on Friday. It was a miserable rainy day too. Like you, I was sadly disappointed with the exhibitor turn out. None of the big name tool vendors (Delta, Porter Cable, Jet, Powermatic, Festool, Dewalt, etc.) were there. Rockler and Woodcraft were also missing. I was done in 20 minutes.

    I go to these woodworking shows to see tools. Its that pure and simple. I want to see the tools first hand. The internet and DVDs are great for collecting information on tools but that is only part of the story. In my opinion, nothing can replace actually picking up and inspecting a tool. The weight, the balance, the fit & finish, the sound, how it feels in your hands and an demo are what I’m looking for. On several occasions I was prepared to buy a tool and then changed my mind after I was able to see one up close.

    My day was not a total waste since I did buy some supplies from PeachTree. Although, these supplies were expensive compared to the internet prices if you consider my day off from work, gas money and my time.

    If they offer another woodworking show in Phoenix next year, I’ll call ahead to find out which tool vendors will be there before I decide to go or not.

  22. Charlie on Mon, 3rd Dec 2007 7:31 pm

    23. Hi Marc, I totally agree w/ you. The show is a great disappointment. I remember the shows in the Philadelphia area when they turned a huge bowl big enough for the fellow to stand inside to turn it. Hardly any vendors. The only high light was talking to Mr. Keller. I promptly ordered a dovetail jig from him.
    I emailed the owners of the show and he is very passionate about making the show a success but it sounds like with the large sponsors missing - the old owners, that vendors are hard to come by. There is a Mark Adams woodworking show coming to New Jersey in February, I am hoping that will be better.
    Keep up the great work.

  23. joey on Tue, 4th Dec 2007 11:40 am

    24. Maybe it is time to move past the trade shows, and tool porn.
    And come on, you have to drive an hour in Phoenix to get anywhere, you might have to travel a bit for an improved experience. What show wouldn’t be better in Vegas?

  24. Mike on Tue, 4th Dec 2007 8:31 pm

    25. Interesting ….
    http://www.woodworksevents.com/

    I had never heard of this one till I picked it up on Andy’s FWW blog…
    http://blogs.taunton.com/n/blo.....mp;entry=4

  25. Vic on Tue, 4th Dec 2007 10:41 pm

    26. Marc….First of all, I doubt the lighting was halogen..It was probably Metal Halide…not great light. A lot of my lighting upgrades are from the MH to T5 or T8 fixtures. As to the nature of LIVE. It’s going to need reinvention if it is to continue. With the internet, podcasts, ease of “live” demos, and availability of instructional DVDs, the live shows have to start offering something you can’t get at the “Big Box Store” that is the internet. I’m not sure what that is, but if not rethought, they face the same demise as the local retailer to Home Depot or Walmart. The world is moving on and fortunately you have been positioning yourself well for the changing environment.

    I hate to see my local feed store, or Washington or Ace Hardware store close. Some have managed to create a value added experience (namely service) and stay afloat but, for how long:( I still buy local whenever I can justify it financially. But, a lot of the time it comes down to price and I have to go with the big box store or the internet.

    Sorry for the downer

  26. Steve on Sun, 9th Dec 2007 5:18 pm

    27. Marc-
    I attended on Friday - in the downpour! First of all, the facility was terrible! A leaky “tent” with the “outhouse” two hundred feet away across the asphalt lake! And the poor folks at the Forrest booth up to their ankles in water, while some guy sloshed around them with a floor squeegy. I’d never been to Westworld before, but I think it’s better left to the horse shows.
    Before I went, I checked the woodworkingshows.com website for more info. There was nothing indicating the admission price. Just a two dollar off coupon. The Sommerfeld mini-seminars were OK, but it gripes me that we have to pay to go see product “commercials”! I wouldn’t mind it if there were some worthwhile classes, even if we have to pay extra for them. But, paying money just to go shopping for 20 minutes? Not my idea of a worthwhile experience. And did you try the $3 bottled water?

  27. Joe Strong on Thu, 2nd Oct 2008 8:40 pm

    28. Marc

    Just for the record I took over the shows 2 weeks before they started. I was a vendor for 20 years and hated to see the shows die. My ability to effect the first few shows was limited and, just for the record, the rent in Phoenix for the vendors was free to entice more participation - so I don’t think the rent was too high in this case.
    This year we have more education, more deals, more free stuff -
    just for coming to the show. Education areas like our hands-on Hand Tool Rodeo and the Skills Express: Train Building Seminars are free - all included with a $9 entry ticket. I do not believe in paying for seminars.WOOD MAG is back with Jim Heavey for “From the Pages of Wood Magazine.” He is sponsored this year by Delta Porter Cable. Both companies were not in the Phoenix show last year. The show in your area this year is in Tucson, because of the Cardinals home game on the same weekend. We are also trying to put together a golf tournament like a pro am(pro woodworker am woodworker) for that show are you interested.
    Believe me when I tell you I will do all I can to bring as much talent
    and as many interesting woodworking tools at the best prices possible to your show for the 2008/2009 show season. We look forward to seeing you on the show floor!

  28. Mike Bules on Thu, 9th Oct 2008 3:39 pm

    29. Marc & Joe
    I have gone to the show in Portland for (I think) ten years or so. It has always been something I looked forward to. In fact, it became sort of a tradition that I would go….find wayyyyy to many cool things and spend wayyyyy to much money. Just so I could justify it to my wife, I would say “consider it my Christmas presents. This worked fine until she started trying to confiscate the stuff and hold it till Christmas. I don`t knnow about the rest of you, but I got that stuff cause I NEEDED that stuff, and I needed it RIGHT NOW!
    When I first started going, everything I saw seemed like something I just HAD TO HAVE. Then,in later years I started realizing how much I could learn from the seminars and I would plan My whole weekend around catching them all. It seemed like I had lost an old friend when, each of the last few years, the show got smaller and smaller and the seminars fewer and more repetitious.
    I had pretty much decided not to go this year. It is encouraging to hear that something may change to try to make the show what it once was. I don`t agree that times have changed and everyone just uses the internet now. I myself rarely buy something I cannot hold in my hands or see it operate. I really hope the show will be improved and, hearing that there is even a possibilty of it, I will go one more time this year. If it isn`t any better than the last few years then I am gonna give up on it. But as much as I used to enjoy it, I don`t want to give up on it just yet.

  29. Marc Braun Nov 2008 on Fri, 7th Nov 2008 10:04 am

    30. After reading some of the comments about the wood working show,
    I figured I should put in my 2 cents.
    I also enjoyed going to the shows in the New England area. But
    I have not done so for a few years. Most of them take place in the
    late fall or winter so traveling is a consideration. I use to go
    weather permitting almost every year. If not just to see the demonstrations, I also wanted to see the new equipment.
    I did notice the change of attitude in the demonstrators during
    the last years I attended. I even heard a demonstrator say that
    he was there ,so people would buy, not just to demonstrate.
    The show I went to often just got smaller and smaller. One
    franchise that handled a lot of the major manufacturers, decided
    to not attend anymore, saying the cost were to high. The manufacturers decided not to attend after that.
    But perhaps the thing that bother me most, after paying to get in,
    paying for outside parking ( in the rain), I did not feel like they
    ( in general the show people or demonstrators) really wanted
    me or anyone there. It just seemed like the overly
    friendly attitude, with let me show you how this works or how you
    can do this or that ,was gone. You know with Gas prices high
    during those years it cost us going to the shows quite a bit of
    money too. Not just the vendors.
    I guess I am saying the atmosphere was all wrong. Other
    people I know stopped going for some of the same reasons.
    However , if at all possible I would like to go to a bigger show
    and see how different it is compared to the smaller shows.
    As far as pricing on items, I do not expect them to meet internet
    pricing. Discounted maybe, but not the lowest price ever.
    These are just my thoughts.
    m

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