My Opinion of the Glass City Open. Fans perspective..

Gco

Tom,

I attended the event a few years ago and me and my partner had a vendors booth. I had a great time at the show and enjoyed the show between Hillbilly and Keith over the Sardo Rack.That was something i will never foget. But the vendors had such a bad show that many went home on saturday and didn't even stay for the final day. We however did stay and ended up ok after doing some business with a few of the other vendors. I am sure plenty of Marketing was done. But that aside buyers just did show up with money. I had one buyer drive to three different tellers to get money and the low limit on the machines, especially the one in the motel, seemed to hinder the few buyers that wanted to buy but couldn't. I know this is beyond your control but it was a problem. I agree that the cost of some of the more collectable custom cues are high but what about lower priced cues. Even those were not selling. All that aside that is part of being a vendor. These shows are a gamble that we either agree to take the risk or we dont. I had had a good time and enjoyed the show. Thank you for all the hard work.

Now suggestions: The year I was there there was a local APA tournament going on in the mian lobby and there were vendors that had setup. Unforatunately this took what little buisness there was away from the vendor down the Hall way. Maybe a large sign telling everyone that there was a professional tournament and other vendors would have helped, maybe not. Its just a suggestion. Also a table or two for the vendors would have been nice. Most buyers want to roll or hit with a cue before buying it. Lastly, why doesn't anyone have one of these tournaments earliers in the year towards the end of summer. I mean within just a few months you have the Windy city open,the GCO, The us open, the DCC, and the Superbilliards expo. Fans can only take so much time off and with these shows so close together how does one choose which to attend.

I have no answers and do not pretend to think I do. I just felt like saying that I know you guys are working hard to provide a fun and entertaining event. I had a good time and enjoyed the show. Thanks for all the hard work.
 
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tinpin90 said:
Tom,

I had one buyer drive to three different tellers to get money and the low limit on the machines, especially the one in the motel, seemed to hinder the few buyers that wanted to buy but couldn't. I know this is beyond your control but it was a problem. .
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be a problem if you yourself got a credit card machine. They make them for small vendors/businesses like yourself.
 
tomgearhart said:
I have read each of the comments made in this forum and I will take some time to address the issues.

SUMMARY: While our venue isn't perfect, the prices are one of the highest in the country, and the seating isn't the greatest....we manage to produce a high-quality event that the top players and most fans love coming to.

Tom Gearhart
Click to expand...

Tom,
Excellent response.I am glad to see your post and equally glad to see that u addressed all the concerns raised by the spectators/your customers/pool Fans.In the past I never saw a promoter providing decent response/explanation so well to the concerns raised by the customers.The only other promoter who addresses the concerns of the players is the owner (CEO) of the BCA League.
With so many tournaments going on,it is not going to be easy to find the sponsors.A buisinessman can become a sponsor only when he or she makes profits.With mushroom like growth of manufacturors of billiards products,the profits are diluted.This causes difficulty in finding a sponsor to promote the tournament.Pool players have to wake up and think about this.
Good work Tom.Take care :cool:
 
Last message to all:
I have read all the plusses and minuses about our tournament and have taken some with a grain of salt as suggested and others noted as constructive criticism I've taken to heart. However, I am at a loss at some of the comments and wonder what tournament they were at as our venue was packed every night and was up over the past three years; we had a credit card machine at the ticket booth; we provided free padded stadium folding seats to anyone that asked (and yes, they were displayed); the amateurs ALL had weeklong passes built into their tournament package and were in the arena; and there is NO room for an extra pool table or two for the vendors (or for that matter, practice tables for the pros) as the space is VERY limited.
As noted in my last posting, we give away 1,000 FREE passes for Wednesday and Thursday to bring in spectators and to help the vendors, ran three different commercials on TV and radio to attract spectators for attendance and to buy holiday presents for their loved ones from the $1,000,000 worth of billiard items the vendors have; and we bring in 200 amateurs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to help the vendors as they are the ones more likely to buy from them.
Our efforts have resulted in packed attendance EVERY night. But one thing we can't do is force them to open their wallets and buy the vendor wares....that's their job. Two vedors, Joe Salazar and Dennis Coulter, told me they have had four bad shows in a row and felt the economy, high gas prices, and the internet have hurt their sales. We usually raffle of 12 to 15 custom cues during the Glass City Opens. We had attractive women doing the raffles and were only able to raffle two cues. THAT tells me something.
I want to thank all who've supported our tournaments and a special thanks to Jim Wyant for the room design. I will know tomorrow how we came out financially and whether or not there will be a 2006 event.

Best regards......Tom Gearhart
 
I think one of the ladies said they were trying to sell $1000 worth of chances on a $400 Muecci.That might have had a little do do with low sales?
 
Tom

Thanks for sharing your side of the story.

I don't think anyone knows all the problems and hard work involved in staging a event.

From my own personal experiences of chairing events for charities, and faternal oganizations there always seems to be more people critisizing than willing to step forward and help. Although some of the criticism may be helpful most is geared toward their own benefit. The prices do seem high but where else can you go for a full day of entertainment for $30 to $75. and be so close to the players? People will pay $50 to $300 to see a concert, ball game etc and not even get a chance to talk or meet any of the stars.

I hope the event continues because it does offer a chance for locals to see the top players and even compete against them.
 
OldRoller...
That $400 Meucci was acturally a $495 Meucci with Jim Rempe's actual signature on it and they only sold $380 worth of tickets. The other was a $695 Jacoby custom cue and racked up $420 in ticket sales.

Tom Gearhart
 
Tom,


If you say you have been losing money over the last few years holding this event, maybe you should limit the entries in the 9-ball event and add a one pocket event to the venue with limit entries. This could bring in more players and fans. Also, as one person suggested, lower the spectating fees so fans can buy more than just one day worth of viewing. I know the last couple of years I would have purchased a multi-day pass if it was more affordable.

I think that having a mulit event will attact more players who do not like to play 9-ball tournaments. Also, have the tournament on a 4 day schedule (thurs, fri, sat & sun) you'll get most of the fans on the weekends. Plus, make the food and drink more affordable (if it is under your control) its like paying MOVIE going prices. You need dollars in quantity and bulk not limited. Thanks for reading.
 
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