Lets Throw a Trade Show!....

336Robin

336Robin

Multiverse Operative
Silver Member
I was thinking Trade Show this morning. I've always wanted to mastermind a trade show, nothing extravagant, just a building with heat or air, bathroom facilities, rented bleachers, rented tables a good date for it, have some vendors, invite a ton of people, maybe have a big disco dance along with it, hire security, buy insurance. I think it would be a lot of fun to get together. Shares are $1000. You can only buy one. The money goes into an account that all expenses are paid out of including the prize fund. We will need a lot of money to make this work because we have to be able to add some money to the Player Pot in order to attract the best players. This event will not be a success unless we are able to pay the players with checks that don't bounce. Player may receive a 1099. This is a business venture and everything is done above board.

Your share entitles you to a part of the profits or losses. You will not be liable for any more money than what you put up unless someone sues. Then you own your shares of the venture. It would help you to be incorporated or for this venture to be incorporated and that decision will be made by the board. I will bring the proposal to the floor.

There would be a board of directors that would have the final say in decisions where policies are set and purchases are decided on. Unless you are on the board you would be allowed to attend meetings voice your concerns in a civilized manner and lobby board members to make your point for a time before final board decisions are made.

By civilized manner I mean you will stand silently and wait to be recognized by the chair. You are free to voice your opinions and you will be heard. Boisterous blasts of your opinions will not be allowed and the penalty will be assessed if you continue to demand attention. The penalty will be expulsion from regular meetings. You will not be allowed a refund of your investment based on your disagreements with board members or their decisions. Letting people out weakens the integrity of the future event. Once someone is let out they can feel free to attack the viability of the venture.

The board would consist of people who are or have been employed in the billiard industry.

This could be a table mechanic, book writer, wholesaler etc and that would also be dependent on the extensive experience or knowledge someone brings to the table.

All aspects of the Trade Show would be decided by the Board. What you see here are my ideas.

It is my idea, I will be on the board. I will be the Chairman. The board will consist of an odd number of people so that decisions can be made.The number of people put on the board will be kept to people who are able to attend meetings. If a board member falls into complacency with absences after the 3rd absence in a year, his contribution to the venture will be assessed and a decision to remove will be voted on. A decision to table a decision on something can be made by having a 2/3 rds majority of board members wanting more time to invest for information gathering in order to make a decision.

A person cannot apply to become a Board member without writing a letter of intent stating why they want the position and why they know that they will be able to attend regular meetings. Meeting will be once a month until the event. Existing board members will decide on additions to the board. I will set the first 2 members.

All members are invited to the Regular meeting for discussion of the topics.

When it comes time to make decisions the board stands alone and may go into Quorum. The results of the meetings will be published and the votes of Board Members will be made a part of the record.

Once your money is in the account of the Organization its in. You cant pull out at a whim for any reason because you were informed up front this was the policy. The only rights you have are limited to sharing of the profit or loss of the event. If this turns sour because of any number of things that can happen....oh well guess we booked a loser.

How big this event would be, would depend on how many people want to get on board. I would say that we wouldn't be able to do much unless we can pool 150k in the account of the corporation because we need to add a substantial amount of money to The Player Pot to make it a success.

This could be a lot of fun and it could end up a big winner! If it was then you would be a part of it all! You get free admission with your investment and you ensure the safety of your investment by inviting as many people as you can. You will be given publications and sent emails that will allow you to tell people about the event. We want every Pool Player within driving distance there and since you have skin in the game, you are in charge of making it happen.

How many of you would be willing to throw a thousand at something like this taking the chance that it could be Awesome and if not..... well you tried your best?

 
With 150 investors you'll need a significant legal budget for incorporating and sheparding all the necessary paperwork through the process. Stay below 25 investors and life is easier for everyone.
 
Not a terrible idea, but let me be the first to say that you have also vaguely described what it would take to build a real pro tour as well. Which I would support IF the structure were legit and sound.
 
Post

About time someone came around here posting quality and making good use of the section.
Brilliant idea.





Rob.M
 
there would be no additional paperwork...

bdorman said:
With 150 investors you'll need a significant legal budget for incorporating and sheparding all the necessary paperwork through the process. Stay below 25 investors and life is easier for everyone.
Click to expand...

You would set it up as share holders at a $1000 a share. They wouldn't have to individually incorporate to protect themselves. The tradeshow itself would have to incorporate and the share holders would not be personally liable for the corporation's activities.

You hold a share holders meeting for input from the investors.

You would have to have a quorum of board members for any decisions to be made. It would basically just be a corporation.

I guess my main questions would be...A) are any of the board positions paid positions? or do they just receive a portion of the profits and if so, what portion B) Are board members required to also be share holders C) How many events would be held a year? 1, 2, 4?

The main reason for C) would be that if there are more than one events a year, then it does become more convoluted to have share holders, because you would need a way to have additional investments made.

The simplest way would be to dissolve the corporation after each event.

A more convoluted way would be to create additional sets of shares for each event, or to buy back the shares at the end of the event with the proceeds from the event.

There are pitfalls to each way of doing it though and corporate legal representation would probably be your best bet.

Jaden
 
Mr. Bond said:
Not a terrible idea, but let me be the first to say that you have also vaguely described what it would take to build a real pro tour as well. Which I would support IF the structure were legit and sound.
Click to expand...

second that.
 
Good Points

Jaden said:
You would set it up as share holders at a $1000 a share. They wouldn't have to individually incorporate to protect themselves. The tradeshow itself would have to incorporate and the share holders would not be personally liable for the corporation's activities.

You hold a share holders meeting for input from the investors.

You would have to have a quorum of board members for any decisions to be made. It would basically just be a corporation.

I guess my main questions would be...A) are any of the board positions paid positions? or do they just receive a portion of the profits and if so, what portion B) Are board members required to also be share holders C) How many events would be held a year? 1, 2, 4?

The main reason for C) would be that if there are more than one events a year, then it does become more convoluted to have share holders, because you would need a way to have additional investments made.

The simplest way would be to dissolve the corporation after each event.

A more convoluted way would be to create additional sets of shares for each event, or to buy back the shares at the end of the event with the proceeds from the event.

There are pitfalls to each way of doing it though and corporate legal representation would probably be your best bet.

Jaden
Click to expand...

Jaden,
You make some good points and I would probably make it part of the articles of Incorporation that after each event the shares would be bought back by the corporation in order to extinguish the profit or loss.

So this would keep the door open to do more events, yet the corporation would continue on and each event would be open to speculation.

Paid board positions, I doubt it but some expense covering might find its way in there but not likely at first. Yes I would want the board members to be share holders. I realize that 150 different share holders might be a bit much but I like the idea of getting a lot of people involved, this puts a lot of people out there talking things up. Right now I would propose 1 event. If money were made? Definitely more to follow with the first shareholder receiving preference to invest first.

Its tricky enough to make money at something like this and dissolving the pile with expenses at first would something I wont be in favor of. The money would have to be there for the real expenses of the event first and foremost. I realize this puts board members under the gun for their own expenses for awhile but it keeps the balance sheet clean. At the end if the board kept receipts they would get paid back for their expenses at rates that were approved for meals, lodging etc before the splits took place or the shares repurchased. I do think the boards expenses are valid but I want a firm hand on where the money goes if I am going to commit to doing this.

Its nice to see that there is some interest and its something worth talking about. I like the idea of multiple people with skin in the game and no one person losing a pile on it.
 
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I'm not positive.

336Robin said:
Jaden,
You make some good points and I would probably make it part of the articles of Incorporation that after each event the shares would be bought back by the corporation in order to extinguish the profit or loss.

So this would keep the door open to do more events, yet the corporation would continue on and each event would be open to speculation.

Paid board positions, I doubt it but some expense covering might find its way in there but not likely at first. Yes I would want the board members to be share holders. I realize that 150 different share holders might be a bit much but I like the idea of getting a lot of people involved, this puts a lot of people out there talking things up. Right now I would propose 1 event. If money were made? Definitely more to follow with the first shareholder receiving preference to invest first.

Its tricky enough to make money at something like this and dissolving the pile with expenses at first would something I wont be in favor of. The money would have to be there for the real expenses of the event first and foremost. I realize this puts board members under the gun for their own expenses for awhile but it keeps the balance sheet clean. At the end if the board kept receipts they would get paid back for their expenses at rates that were approved for meals, lodging etc before the splits took place or the shares repurchased. I do think the boards expenses are valid but I want a firm hand on where the money goes if I am going to commit to doing this.

Its nice to see that there is some interest and its something worth talking about. I like the idea of multiple people with skin in the game and no one person losing a pile on it.
Click to expand...

I'm not a corporate lawyer, just an MBA holder so I'm not entirely sure, but I believe you could set up the shares themselves as being purchased with a buy back option.

The question would be if you could set them up as a per event type of share with the buy back being for a percentage of net profits from the event.

That way you wouldn't really have to worry as much about share holders NOT selling them back at a loss at the end of the event hoping to hold out for a profitable event, IN THE EVENT OF A LOSS.

I would think that if you could get 150 share holders at $1000 dollars a share, that you should also be able to get some type of sponsorships. Those in conjunction with the booth sales and gate at the tradeshow, I don't see why it couldn't be profitable.

Jaden

I don't know though, it would take a lot of research, there are others that would know much better than I at the feasibility of it. It would always be better for 150 people to take a $400 dollar loss than one person to take a $50K loss.
 
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Trade show

Have it Altanta Ga. were Dawn Hopkins had hers. Big and nice place ,lots of parking and many hotels and motels and resturants around it,and close to the Hwy. I 85. Rich aka the skunk.
 
336Robin said:
Jaden,
You make some good points and I would probably make it part of the articles of Incorporation that after each event the shares would be bought back by the corporation in order to extinguish the profit or loss.

So this would keep the door open to do more events, yet the corporation would continue on and each event would be open to speculation.

Paid board positions, I doubt it but some expense covering might find its way in there but not likely at first. Yes I would want the board members to be share holders. I realize that 150 different share holders might be a bit much but I like the idea of getting a lot of people involved, this puts a lot of people out there talking things up. Right now I would propose 1 event. If money were made? Definitely more to follow with the first shareholder receiving preference to invest first.

Its tricky enough to make money at something like this and dissolving the pile with expenses at first would something I wont be in favor of. The money would have to be there for the real expenses of the event first and foremost. I realize this puts board members under the gun for their own expenses for awhile but it keeps the balance sheet clean. At the end if the board kept receipts they would get paid back for their expenses at rates that were approved for meals, lodging etc before the splits took place or the shares repurchased. I do think the boards expenses are valid but I want a firm hand on where the money goes if I am going to commit to doing this.

Its nice to see that there is some interest and its something worth talking about. I like the idea of multiple people with skin in the game and no one person losing a pile on it.
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<<< See More people need to retire to get the brain working again... I'm in Robin... this looks like a great idea. Hopefully we'll get the right people to chime in here to put the wheels in motion for the right 'iron clad structure' for the investors motivated. If/when you get the corporation details worked out, publish a Trade show site to link us to for the investor prospectus outlining corp intent detailing share buy back requirement, tentative dates, moneys, share holder event participation opportunities, location(s) etc... Open the IPO 'share floor' for the targeted goal participation.

Great idea! :thumbup: I happen to have a couple of dollars these days...
Randy


The question would be if you could set them up as a per event type of share with the buy back being for a percentage of net profits from the event.

That way you wouldn't really have to worry as much about share holders NOT selling them back at a loss at the end of the event hoping to hold out for a profitable event, IN THE EVENT OF A LOSS.

I would think that if you could get 150 share holders at $1000 dollars a share, that you should also be able to get some type of sponsorships. Those in conjunction with the booth sales and gate at the tradeshow, I don't see why it couldn't be profitable.

Jaden
 
Set a date

Set a date; to show. Think of it as a card game, all players that want in show up at a designated place. No money transfer (buy in’s) prior to the meet. I would think it will be learned rather quickly, the same day, as to the viability of the venture, the face to face with all the players (investors).
The designated place: not a rented hall, a public place – a state / city park with a pavilion or something like, of course, if there were a place with clothed tables that could accommodate 150 people or so, that would work to. A person not able to make it could be represented; every entry would need to be present. Likely, if things are going well – decisions, voting on the basics would need to occur.
Find out if the rubber ever meets the road.
 
Meeting

Dan_B said:
Set a date; to show. Think of it as a card game, all players that want in show up at a designated place. No money transfer (buy in’s) prior to the meet. I would think it will be learned rather quickly, the same day, as to the viability of the venture, the face to face with all the players (investors).
The designated place: not a rented hall, a public place – a state / city park with a pavilion or something like, of course, if there were a place with clothed tables that could accommodate 150 people or so, that would work to. A person not able to make it could be represented; every entry would need to be present. Likely, if things are going well – decisions, voting on the basics would need to occur.
Find out if the rubber ever meets the road.
Click to expand...

Dan_B,
I agree with you that there has to be a meeting at some point but right at first I wouldn't think so. I think before you get a bunch of people together that might want to be investors you had better have done some homework and have things laid out in steps as to how this thing would happen, how things are done, who is going to get paid, when they are going to get paid etc. You would undoubtedly end up with a few people on committees doing footwork and expending resources and the bulk of the investors showing up for meetings to hear about how things are going. I still like the idea of a group of like minded people throwing a nice event.

I think you have to go at it as if you are going to get nothing given to you in sponsorship's and hope for the best.

The expenses for something of this nature would be huge and in order for it to make money you have to have a lot of people come through the door plus sell a lot of booths.Pool Player these days, you can only charge them so much for admission and you need.....All of them there..... Yes it will make money but will it eclipse the amount of money spent when you are talking about adding a large amount to the pot?

There are a lot of questions to be answered....a lot.

I would think you might have to have some preliminary meetings and planning done before any type of public forum. Before that happened some industry people would have to be interested enough to be willing to sit down and talk about how to best proceed. After all this would be a way for them to promote their brands and they might be interested in it being a success.

Yes this is a business venture that may profit or take loss but its also a huge public relations event or it sure could be.
 
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There are a lot of questions to be answered....a lot

Is the large pot for the upper-class or to play and traded with the masses, you’re “wanting” to do a trade show, correct? The master’s will show to show.
 
A large Diverse Field

The size of the Pot many times dictates the amount and quality of players you attract. If you are in the business of selling admission, that might be real important to consider.

The substance of the tournament itself is another subject. All Open Events can be entered by anyone with an entry fee. Entry fee, field of players, length in days of tournament, who is entering, is something considered by the players when figuring in whether or not they have chances to cash. If amateurs want to enter that is up to them. For that event they are considered professionals. A larger added money can be necessary to the health of the event and worth a lot of discussion. The expenses of the event obviously come first or the event does not happen. You do not count on the door to make sure everyone gets paid. When the doors open everything you have obligated yourself for should be paid. In fact you should be ahead already if you have sufficient spaces for vendors. If you don't, then you didn't plan very well and you are counting on the door to make up for too much.
 
This is the perfect opportunity for all Behrman-bashers to show us how it's done.

BTW, assuming the company will be some form of limited liability corp., expect to pay cash-on-the-barrelhead for everything. Vendors do not extend credit to limited liability companies with no credit history; especially your lawyer who you'll need to pay before Day One.

I don't mean to throw cold water on the idea, and I'd love to see it happen. But you're not putting on a skit for the neighborhood here. The biggest disasters occur when everyone is focused on the fun stuff: prize funds, sponsors, how to distribute the profits (LOL), wine, women and song. Focus on the downsides; solve those and everything else becomes possible.
 
bdorman said:
This is the perfect opportunity for all Behrman-bashers to show us how it's done.

BTW, assuming the company will be some form of limited liability corp., expect to pay cash-on-the-barrelhead for everything. Vendors do not extend credit to limited liability companies with no credit history; especially your lawyer who you'll need to pay before Day One.

I don't mean to throw cold water on the idea, and I'd love to see it happen. But you're not putting on a skit for the neighborhood here. The biggest disasters occur when everyone is focused on the fun stuff: prize funds, sponsors, how to distribute the profits (LOL), wine, women and song. Focus on the downsides; solve those and everything else becomes possible.
Click to expand...

I would genuinely love to do something like this its a great challenge and curiosity of mine and yes its a sideshow of sorts like most everything else on here. Its all a bunch of talk until people start writing checks which is unlikely quite honestly.

Could it happen? Yes it could, a step at a time, it could. Focus on the downside? Definitely...in writing.

Will it show people just how much profit there is in Professional Pool and Trade Show Promotion. Absolutely!
 
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