ICCS Show,,,Whats the purpose ??

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putt-putt44

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hi,,,,

I was just wondering if anyone could shed some light towards the goal of these shows ??

Other than cue collectors and dealers showing their cues to other collectors/dealers,,,,what is the purpose ??

Why no media coverage ???

Seems to me that these ''shows'' come and go into town without the public really knowing or caring anything about them.

I understand that the exhibition is open for only one day to the public,,,,Just one day ???


Can anyone explain how a collector or dealer has benefited from the ICCS shows ???

I have viewed these on the stream and once the camera crews make their initial rounds,,,then what ???

It appears that you could drive a tractor trailer up and down the aisles as the ''exhibition'' looks so empty,,,????

Again, any insight would be great,,,!!
 
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My own perception is that it's more of a get together for collectors of big cues. There aren't many of these guys in the world, a very tiny sub-culture to say the least, and they use the ICCS as a means to congregate & socialize. There really isn't another event quite like this. It's kinda like an annual "big cue club" meeting. They do things at the show like having contests for creativity & design, and generally just get to show off their collections to other people like themselves who truly appreciate the finer artistic side of the cue making craft. Cue makers are invited to show their biggest, latest work, and are encouraged to step things up a notch for the cue(s) they bring to the event.

The events are open to the public for a day, but displaying cues to the public isn't really the driving cause for the show. Yes, they do claim the show is intended to recognize & shed light on the functional artistry of cues, promoting the art. But more so I think it's a good excuse to get together with the other people who share their interests & show off their collections to one another. That's why the weekend long event only shows to the public for one day. They get time just for themselves. Pretty neat, though likely misunderstood by a lot of folks. Not unlike any other item collector shows.
 
Thanks Eric !!!

Finally, some information from someone who's not only very insightful , bit one of the best craftsman out there !!!
 
I can give it from my perspective as an ICCS newbie. Focusing completely on the craft first it's simply a way to walk through and be hands-on (if you dare) with the pinnacle of the cue maker's art. Cue making has truly evolved into an art that is mind blowing and the ICCS is a way to see cues that would normally not be seen in person in any one place. It's a way to see contrasting styles, contrasting solutions to tricky problems, clever design and outstanding creativity wrapped into a slender tapered pole that still has to be functional as a pool cue.

Also the ICCS is a way to connect to the history of the game when some collectors opt to show their older cues and cues used by famous players. The visitor can really get a feeling for where cues evolved from.

Now from a networking standpoint it's simply that makers can connect to collectors and collectors can connect to each other. This has to result in more sales, trades, and settling of "market value" for high end cues in general when there is more information sharing happening.

And from my personal experience it's good to be able to show off what I can do to the buyers at the top of the food chain. This is an acid test of whether or not I stack up to the greats in my own field or not.

I personally don't see the ICCS and similar "cue shows" as a big venue to make a lot of sales. I would never seek to take a truckload of cases there as I would to something like the Super Billiards Expo. These shows are what momma called show and tell more than show and sell. When I am at the ICCS it's low key, conversational more about the craft than about making a sale.

Overall it's just nice to hang out with nice people and enjoy a weekend talking cues and talking shop with people who can appreciate what you do.
 
Hi John,,,,,,,,,

Great to hear your thoughts conveyed so eloquently as only you can....

Yes, I know the vehicle it serves as far as seeing some of the most beautiful cues and cases in the world and the chance to chat with an iconic case maker such as yourself,,but I as an enthusiast was pondering what it really did for the masses to get those interested in the arts to gravitate to these wonderful galleries,,as well as any publicity for either the show or it's participants,,,,

We all see a great deal of beautiful cues and cases at such venues at the ''Hopkin's'' but I was hoping the ICCS would be able to take it to the next level,,,well maybe with Mr. Prout overseeing things it will,,,,,

John,,,I still laugh when I told you at the ''Hopkin's'' that your ''Rolls Royce'' case is way too nice to use,, and you asked ''Why''???

That's where one of my ''Kopy Kats'' come in,,, great for the road and no worry should it get scuffed,,,,

I would love to see it come to the Tri-State area, I may set up and do a display,,,also be great to see you and ''The Boys'' again,,,,dinner is on me , as long as Mr. Schick picks out the restaurant,,[ knowing Bill, it'll be a steak place}..........

,,,,,Alan...........
 
The Valley of the sun sounds great Bruce !!

Hey Bruce,,,,,

Yeah,,now thats a great idea,,

Never been to Arizona,,

Never been to an ICCS show,,

That's called a Win -Win situation !!

Have a great night and a Happy New Year'' to all,,!!

''SHALLATOVA''.......!!

,,,,,,,Alan..........
 
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putt-putt44 said:
Hey Bruce,,,,,

Yeah,,now thats a great idea,,

Never been to Arizona,,

Never been to an ICCS show,,

That's called a Win -Win situation !!

Have a great night and a Happy New Year'' to all,,!!

''SHALLATOVA''.......!!

,,,,,,,Alan..........
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Arizona is October is just starting too cool down, the overnight temperatures are tolerable, and room rates do not refelect the WINTER SEASON RATES YET. Arizona also offer great GOLF, and Mexican Food.

Several Years ago the the ICCS was in Sin City, and than Santa Fe, but I missed it in both places.
 
Tempting Bruce !!

CocoboloCowboy said:
Arizona is October is just starting too cool down, the overnight temperatures are tolerable, and room rates do not refelect the WINTER SEASON RATES YET. Arizona also offer great GOLF, and Mexican Food.

Several Years ago the the ICCS was in Sin City, and than Santa Fe, but I missed it in both places.
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Nice to have that info,,

Is the ICCS scheduled every Oct ??

Yeah, maybe in the future we can do AZ,,[ Hey AZ in AZ},,!!

[I'm a freakin marketing genius}..and somewhere in the Tri-state area,,

I think perhaps the Phil. Expo Center might be a suggestion,,people are already familiar with that location from the ''Hopkin's'' expo,,

Something to think about,,

,,,,,,,Alan,,,,,,,
 
Alan, i'm surprised that you have not been to the ICCS. If you ever get time & inclination, it's worth a look even if you don't display. It's cue euphoria.
 
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