midwest expo experience LONG

J

JOEY

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
first off, i would like to extend my thanks to bob and eydie for putting on a great event, and for taking such good care of my family and i. it was a pleasure to finally meet them. these people really pour every ouce of time and energy in thier tourneys. they also put on a nice party for the az members. they put out a nice spread,(thank you very much). neither bob or eydie got any sleep. i went to bed sunday morning at 7am and bob was still awake. to those who bash, i challenge you to try and organize such an event. without people like this, our sport wouldnt be what it is. i think the main problem with tournaments is that there are so many that you cannot get the amount of people you would like to attend, for instance, the joss event and the canadian classic at the same time as the midwest expo. i also got a chance to meet mike zimmerman sp? it was a pleasure meeting him and his family, theyre very nice ppl. zim, sorry we didnt get a chance to shoot some, i wanted to but i guess our timing was off... maybe next time. he also has a very nice cue collection. and then theres BLUD, dont know what to say about him, he is a very nice man and down right funny as hell. hes an up front no B.S. type of guy (he just kills me). t-dog, it was nice meeting you, to bad we didnt get to b.s. some more, but you had a match coming up, ill see ya around im sure. diana hoppe was a treat too, she cracks me up, as she is camera crazy... i got a kick out of her. i also met carol whiteside and rukidding me, which were both very nice people. Bob and Eydie.... thanks again. hope to see everyone at valley forge. ZIM is also giving free lessons to anybody that would like them. hehe
joey
 
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Hey

JOEY said:
t-dog, it was nice meeting you, to bad we didnt get to b.s. some more, but you had a match coming up, ill see ya around im sure. joey
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Sorry joey we didnt get to chat more or play. As I was walking to play I felt like a dumbass, I owe ya some beer next time we meet. Nice meeting you and we will meet up again I'm sure. Later..............

Zim it was nice meeting you and sorry I missed the misses and the little one. Being so close we have got to get together sometime. good luck to you in your job and pool endevers
 
no worries

t-dog, dont sweat it.... you had a match to play. if you go to valley forge, the brew is on me.. joey
 
I have to agree with JOEY, the MidWest Expo is a good event. Yes, there may be some kinks to be worked out, but that's exptected. Bob and Eydie and putting a lot of time, money and heart into this event each year. I understand that some players are upset about the payouts, but the field was a little short of full. I don't know much about this part, so that's all I have to say. The Expo went well, IMO! There could have been more vendors, but it's a learning curve for all of us. I do have to say this about cue makers and vendors out there. If you're going to set up at an event that is primarily an Amateur event and the APA is present, why do you insist on displaying cues that range from $1,200- $4,500? What kind of money do you think the average player has to spend on cues? I think Jacoby and Dominiak had the best available for the price.
AZBilliards members....WOW!!! What a good group of people we have here! John Barton, Fury/Instroke, is a riot! I talked to him every chance we had, even if it was a short conversation. He even threatened to pull my "blud pole" ticket (I think he actually did) haha!! He's a great guy, full of knowledge and stories. I spent some time talking to JOEY, his girlfriend and daughter, another good guy! He's a charactor to talk to as well. (still no free lessons, sorry) T-Dog showed up at the party also, late by 2 hours, but still showed! There were several other members there that I can't remember the names of, to you all...I enjoyed the conversations we had and thanks for catching me. Blud is quite the man! Talented with the lathe, stubborn, set in his ways, but again...a great guy to talk to and share a conversation with.
Bob and Eydie...THANKS! You made my family and I so confortable and felt welcomed the entire time we were there. You both lost a lot of sleep during the week, but did your best to attend to each and every vendor and player that needed you. I will remember everything that you did for me and my family, the AZ members party, and everyone else there. Don't worry about the negative comments, things will be straightened out over time. Rome wasn't built in a day! As long as I'm not living overseas next year, Zim's Rack will have a booth at the 200 MidWest Expo!
Thanks to all that came up to me and introduced themselves. I really enjoyed meeting each and everyone of you! (that doesn't mean you'll get free lessons, JOEY) haha!!

Zim
 
Zims Rack said:
I have to agree with JOEY, the MidWest Expo is a good event. Yes, there may be some kinks to be worked out, but that's exptected. Bob and Eydie and putting a lot of time, money and heart into this event each year. I understand that some players are upset about the payouts, but the field was a little short of full. I don't know much about this part, so that's all I have to say. The Expo went well, IMO! There could have been more vendors, but it's a learning curve for all of us. I do have to say this about cue makers and vendors out there. If you're going to set up at an event that is primarily an Amateur event and the APA is present, why do you insist on displaying cues that range from $1,200- $4,500? What kind of money do you think the average player has to spend on cues? I think Jacoby and Dominiak had the best available for the price.
AZBilliards members....WOW!!! What a good group of people we have here! John Barton, Fury/Instroke, is a riot! I talked to him every chance we had, even if it was a short conversation. He even threatened to pull my "blud pole" ticket (I think he actually did) haha!! He's a great guy, full of knowledge and stories. I spent some time talking to JOEY, his girlfriend and daughter, another good guy! He's a charactor to talk to as well. (still no free lessons, sorry) T-Dog showed up at the party also, late by 2 hours, but still showed! There were several other members there that I can't remember the names of, to you all...I enjoyed the conversations we had and thanks for catching me. Blud is quite the man! Talented with the lathe, stubborn, set in his ways, but again...a great guy to talk to and share a conversation with.
Bob and Eydie...THANKS! You made my family and I so confortable and felt welcomed the entire time we were there. You both lost a lot of sleep during the week, but did your best to attend to each and every vendor and player that needed you. I will remember everything that you did for me and my family, the AZ members party, and everyone else there. Don't worry about the negative comments, things will be straightened out over time. Rome wasn't built in a day! As long as I'm not living overseas next year, Zim's Rack will have a booth at the 200 MidWest Expo!
Thanks to all that came up to me and introduced themselves. I really enjoyed meeting each and everyone of you! (that doesn't mean you'll get free lessons, JOEY) haha!!

Zim
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I had no idea you were there and I completely forgot the party....had to attend family stuff anyway but I sure blew it off.

Which booth was yours?

I completely agree that this event would have been extremely difficult to organize and put on. I saw people putting in a ton of hours but remaining very helpful and friendly.

I had a great time and was there every day except Sunday....again, family stuff to do. It was great to watch the pros from just a few feet away. I hope more exhibitors will committ to trying to make this event work. It'll will take a few years for the word to get around to the average player and it will take more sellers of average price cues etc in order to entice the league player to spend money. Attending this event is an investment in the future. It could be made almost as big as Hopkins thing.

SUPPORT THEIR EFFORT!!
 
I didn't have a booth this year! After seeing what was available to the "average" player, I'll set up next year! (unless I'm overseas) I think cues between $150-$900 will sell well, along with Porper, Instroke, Action cases and some accessories. My wife Eva and I have already been brainstorming for booth ideas. I'm going to set up sales and cue repair at a tournament in Pocahontas, IL this coming January.

Zim
 
Zims Rack said:
I do have to say this about cue makers and vendors out there. If you're going to set up at an event that is primarily an Amateur event and the APA is present, why do you insist on displaying cues that range from $1,200- $4,500? What kind of money do you think the average player has to spend on cues?
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Zim,
I have to disagree with you on that point. Look at the Hopkins Show. It has mainly Amatuer events with a Pro event and an Open event. They have a good mixture of vendors dealing in cues in different $$ range. Not everyone that attends the Midwest open is a player. Some are collectors. It sucks for them to see only 2 vendors were custom cues vendors, Joe Salazar & Cue 'n' Things. Me, I collect and play at the same time and I was dissappointed in the custom cue vendor turn out. From my conversations with them, the custom cue vendors sell on the average 10 cues per day at the Hopkins show. Are there more people with money out in the east coast? Or maybe the Hopkins show just attracts more buyers....
-Erik
 
NO BODY mentioned Zim's gorgeaus wife Eva and their great new baby and their great looking kid. Zim, FAIR WARNING, if you ever break up with Eva I'm coming after her :-)

Everybody I met from AZB was just super! What a great bunch of folks. I truly have NO CLUE how Bob and Eydie stayed awake for ten days. Unreal.

I wish we could have had an AZB tournament but the timing wasn't there. These events have their own rhythm and everyone get's caught up in their own things, such as minis and main events.

Aaron Dominiak is a jam-up dude with jam up cues. He has a starter cue for like $245 that is SWEET. Great guy to party with. Met St. Randi, Randi Matthews, Grady's wife. Very nice lady. I'll tell you what people, I am very proud to be associated with you all. Good people and good pool.

John
 
There are a lot of people in the Chgo area, no argument there, but there are a lot more in the area of the Hopkins thing....a lot more! I don't think that the Midwest Expo can ever hope to rival the VF expo but that doesn't mean we can't have a successful expo here...just that it can't realistically hope to be as big as the one on the east coast....imo.

I think we need vendors at all price and quality levels.
 
John- You wont have to worry about Eva and I splitting up, ever! She's a great person, dynamite personality, great looks, attitude, VERY supportive of my business and one hell of a mother! I still think you pulled my name out! haha!! Maybe next year we can get a time/location for an AZ tournament, with some guidelines of course. Aaron Dominiak really is a great guy! Their starter cue starts out at $225, called the Sweet 16! It comes with Irish linen wrap, radial butt sleeve, forearm, natural/black/white phenolic butt cap and joint, a Dominator shaft with a Moori tip...NOT BAD AT ALL!! For $70 more you can get some inlays in the butt sleeve and forearm.
John- great guy! Looking forward to our next visit!

Zim
 
zim, john got us.

hey zim, i think it was a conspiracy. john didnt mention it to me, but i think my ticket was also pulled. i think pelican might be john's alias and that was the only ticket in the hat. im j/k i think it was a great idea and you azb members are great people. Zim, you know im just bustin your chops... haha. i wish the best for your family and your business. if i need anything i know who to call. hey john, great job on the raffle. ppl like you dont come along that often. it was a great turnout. joey
 
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JOEY said:
hey zim, i think it was a conspiracy. john didnt mention it to me, but i think my ticket was also pulled. i think pelican might be john's alias and that was the only ticket in the hat. im j/k i think it was a great idea and you azb members are great people. Zim, you know im just bustin your chops... haha. i wish the best for your family and your business. if i need anything i know who to call. hey john, great job on the raffle. ppl like you dont come along that often. it was a great turnout. joey
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I think you both don't understand the raffle thing. The problem wasn't that John pulled your tickets out of the can the problem was he left them in the can along with mine unfortunately.

PatH...knowing the $$ are going for a good cause
 
I had a ticket in that drawing too. I guess I didn't win either. I didn't know Pelican was there. Do you guys know him? I've wanted to meet him and Hemicudas. Sam
 
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