Super Billiard Expo 2013

[JB Cases]

Regarding hurt feet. Folks the Valley Forge site had hard floors. I have been doing these shows for 20 years and from a vendor's perspective there is no way around hurting feet except to stay off of them as much as possible. I guarantee even if you stand around on plush carpet for 8 hours your feet are still going to hurt. My advice is to get the good cushioned soles for your shoes with arch support and to sit down whenever you can.

It doesn't matter what event you go to they almost never have cushy carpeted floors. Maybe the carpet you see at some conventions makes you feel better but it's a very thin layer and doesn't really make that much difference.

I bought a really nice portable massager that was set up for foot massages. The folks selling it were at the BCA show and they were selling like hot buttered biscuits. For years I brought that thing with me to shows and it was wonderful to get a few minutes here and there with it.

As for the show itself. It is what it is meaning that it's exactly what it calls itself, a SUPER Billiards Expo. There is everything a pool fan could want, team competition, individual competition, dozens of cue makers, case makers, every gadget you could want, pool clothes galore. I mean honestly there is so much more to be happy about than there is to complain about.

Imagine it gone and then think about it.

 

[cardiac kid]

Regarding hurt feet. Folks the Valley Forge site had hard floors. I have been doing these shows for 20 years and from a vendor's perspective there is no way around hurting feet except to stay off of them as much as possible. I guarantee even if you stand around on plush carpet for 8 hours your feet are still going to hurt. My advice is to get the good cushioned soles for your shoes with arch support and to sit down whenever you can.

It doesn't matter what event you go to they almost never have cushy carpeted floors. Maybe the carpet you see at some conventions makes you feel better but it's a very thin layer and doesn't really make that much difference.

I bought a really nice portable massager that was set up for foot massages. The folks selling it were at the BCA show and they were selling like hot buttered biscuits. For years I brought that thing with me to shows and it was wonderful to get a few minutes here and there with it.

As for the show itself. It is what it is meaning that it's exactly what it calls itself, a SUPER Billiards Expo. There is everything a pool fan could want, team competition, individual competition, dozens of cue makers, case makers, every gadget you could want, pool clothes galore. I mean honestly there is so much more to be happy about than there is to complain about.

Imagine it gone and then think about it.

John,

I attended the Consumer Electronics Show for over thirty years starting in New York City hotels, then Chicago McCormack Center and finally the Las Vegas Convention Center. One thing in common. None of the display area rugs were part of the show. Each manufacturer had to RENT rugs for their booths. I've walked hundreds of miles through the various displays over the years before my retirement. If JoeBanks wants to talk sore feet, i'll go toe to toe with him anyday ! Super Billiards Expo seems to be like the weather. Everyone complains about it but no one does anything. Nor can they! Thanks Allen and crew. You folks are the best! See you in November!!!

Lyn

 

[Joe Banks]

Super Billiards Expo 2013

Someone put up pictures from the China Billiards Expo. The place looked beautiful. The dealers booths looked like a show room. Why is it like we are in the dark ages. The dealers here had fold up tables with no chairs and sings made out of paper. I'm sorry but this is just pitiful. Dealers can sell cues for thousands of dollars but can't have a elaborate booth. Try to find that post and you will see what I mean. I believe this is the reason why Predator did not attend this year. BANKS "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare".

 

[justadub]

Wow....just wow.

Work the numbers, man. Find out how much a booth costs, and then how much you have to sell just to cover expenses.

I'm not in the pool biz, but I have run a business for some time. There is a reason these folks don't dress up their display areas like one convention in China did. If these folks were clearing a lot of $$$, I expect you would see more elaborate presentations. And don't forget the set-up and take-down time, not to mention union costs for setting more elaborate fixtures and equipment. And transporting said equipment, too.... I'm sure there are a number of other relevant issues that contribute to the expense of doing these shows that we're not even noting.

Really, instead of griping about being in the dark ages, why don't you really look into what it takes to do one of these shows. Sure seems easy, reading your thoughts expressed here....

 

[calibration]

My point

Not to, but maybe to start some movement...
Did you all see the pictures from the show in China ?
The problem is definitely not with the vendors nor the show promoters. Actually we should give them high praise. The root problem is within all of us that attend..... Lets be honest only about 10 percent of us actually spend more than 25 dollars at a vendors booth. We're all tight anus's.... We are.... The sad part is all the people that go to these events truely love pool but are just cheap....stop it stop it.. Give up the dang iPhone with every app under the sun and the 200 dollar tennis shoes and spend some money on what really gives you pleasure...

Alan Hopkins and all the vendors, thank you, you have brought the facility and gathering place for all of us, now it's up to us, we the people that go to the events to give it the respect that POOL needs. No more wearing the clothes you slept in to the event.... No more dressing like your homeless... It's funny because the same dingbat that won't spend 4 dollars on the "high cost" hamburger wants to talk up the group on how he wants to only play for 20 a game minimum.

I am not saying that we all need to be in tuxedos, lets just remember that if we drop some coin and feed the system it will grow. Example do you want to go to Disney land or the corner carnival ?

Please don't take this all wrong, I understand a lot of us are under harder times than we were 10 years ago but remember pool is a game we love. Give it all you can...

 

[JB Cases]

Someone put up pictures from the China Billiards Expo. The place looked beautiful. The dealers booths looked like a show room. Why is it like we are in the dark ages. The dealers here had fold up tables with no chairs and sings made out of paper. I'm sorry but this is just pitiful. Dealers can sell cues for thousands of dollars but can't have a elaborate booth. Try to find that post and you will see what I mean. I believe this is the reason why Predator did not attend this year. BANKS "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare".

Appearances are deceiving. The booths at the GBE are more expensive. While some of the booths are elaborate most are not. You can not realistically compare it to sbe. I guarantee nearly every sbe attendee would be bored in one hour at gbe.

Plus it is so loud that it is ridiculous.

Where are your pictures of the pitiful SBE booths?

 

[boradriver]

Someone put up pictures from the China Billiards Expo. The place looked beautiful. The dealers booths looked like a show room. Why is it like we are in the dark ages. The dealers here had fold up tables with no chairs and sings made out of paper. I'm sorry but this is just pitiful. Dealers can sell cues for thousands of dollars but can't have a elaborate booth. Try to find that post and you will see what I mean. I believe this is the reason why Predator did not attend this year. BANKS "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare".

Straight from the predator rep that was at the show. They went to the event overseas because they had new product to launch there and nothing new as far as cues for the USA this year. Next year will be different and they will be back.

In Jan I setup a booth at the Bridal expo in Hatford CT and worked it for 2 days from 9am-6pm only. My feet hurt and they had carpet in all the isles and booths. So I can only image what it would have been like if I worked the same hours I did at the expo. SBE was equal to the bridal expo and sure there was many elaborate booths but most were same and basic. The wedding business is big money and those expos aren't much more than what Allen put on this year.

Most of the vendors have such a big nut to cover before they sell their first item that going crazy on extras is out of the question. Look at someone like Omega he has to travel from texas in a van towing a trailer with 2 other guys. Can you imaging just the gas and food bill is on that round trip. Then add the Hotel rooms for the week and the cost of the space of 3 booths and another employee onsite. You can't blame a guy like that for not wanting to spend any money on extras they don't need.

Your idea about moving somewhere else I think would cause more problems for the local area. I don't most people would be able to attend if it did move to a Vegas or New Orleans or similiar.

 

[RShellhouse]

The root problem is within all of us that attend..... Lets be honest only about 10 percent of us actually spend more than 25 dollars at a vendors booth. We're all tight anus's.... We are.... The sad part is all the people that go to these events truely love pool but are just cheap....stop it stop it..

And I may get flamed here but I think Allen and the crew should make a cue makers "lounge" with some tables and chairs and charge a day pass for use ...and then every guy dragging around a dealer case full of cues and selling without paying for a booth and affecting the vendors who DID pay for a booth is either told to buy a pass and show their wares in the "lounge" or leave them in the car.

I saw more people stopped in the walking areas dragging cues out to "show" someone than i could shake a stick at...

R

 

[Joe Banks]

Super Billiards Expo 2013

So it is alright with you that dealers which have a booth,have signs made of paper with there company name hand written or printed . I hope the future is not in your hands or even in people that think like you. It is to much for these dealers to have a sign made up professionally with lights showing there company name and there logo. This would only coast a couple of hundred and they can use this year after year. This would attract people walking by. Besides its good for your business to make improvements. But because of traveling expenses lets not make improvements. And as far as food being an expense, that is ridiculous. So I can stay home and not eat. I guess nobody eats when they work to save money. I just don't understand how some people think. I would like to see improvements made, to make this Expo fresh and great once again. BANKS "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare".

 

[classiccues]

Weekend in a nutshell...

Hotel: 700
Food: 500 - 700
Booth: 1100-1300 per booth space.

Now granted we were assisting in another booth, but it is a lot to layout for the weekend. The only number you can adjust is the food. Now maybe the dealers should bring 5-6 cots and we can all bunk like illegal laborers for the week.

JV

 

[boradriver]

So it is alright with you that dealers which have a booth,have signs made of paper with there company name hand written or printed . I hope the future is not in your hands or even in people that think like you. It is to much for these dealers to have a sign made up professionally with lights showing there company name and there logo. This would only coast a couple of hundred and they can use this year after year. This would attract people walking by. Besides its good for your business to make improvements. But because of traveling expenses lets not make improvements. And as far as food being an expense, that is ridiculous. So I can stay home and not eat. I guess nobody eats when they work to save money. I just don't understand how some people think. I would like to see improvements made, to make this Expo fresh and great once again. BANKS "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare".

They pay for the booth and they have the right to display their booth how they feel. So it is your opinion that lets say someone like Whitten cases that has a very basic booth should not be allowed to display or forced to have a better sign and lights? Or are you saying they are hurt their own business by not have a fancy display?

I can tell you if I'm interested in someones product I could care less what their sign says or if they even have one.

I used Omega as an example and what some of their costs are just to get to the event. You key in on one small part of what I said and missed the point. A vendor like that could be out 10k before he opens and makes their first sale. At some point you have to stop spending and start selling.

As far as the future being in my hands well things could be much worse. I have travelled all over this country to play, spectate, and work events like this. I have a love for this game as many do and may get more involved in the years to come.


Maybe some of my ideas would be great for the Expo and maybe some of yours also. But I can tell you this I will continue to attend and make suggestions but as you have stated your not going back.

For the bridal expo most other vendors are shocked when I tell them I'm not here to sell or take orders. I setup this booth just to get the name out and get people thinking about our company. Below is my setup and that Expo is open from 10am-5pm sat and sun only. I handed out roughly 3500 samples of our products each day thats 7000 samples and I did not make one sale there. So maybe I do have some strange ideas on these types of events.

 

[FAST_N_LOOSE]

Yeah it had some negatives but so what? I had a great time and played well and will be back next year for sure. But I have a question about all the custom cue makers there. Do people really buy $5-10K+ cues in today's economy? I saw some booths there with nobody ever in front of them.

There were plenty of 5k+ cues that changed hands at the show. Some makers however couldn't sell a cue if it was $5, let alone 5k. Thats more about the maker, and less about the market.

 

[Worminator]

So it is alright with you that dealers which have a booth,have signs made of paper with there company name hand written or printed . I hope the future is not in your hands or even in people that think like you. It is to much for these dealers to have a sign made up professionally with lights showing there company name and there logo. This would only coast a couple of hundred and they can use this year after year. This would attract people walking by.

This is why the "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare"?? Because dealers did not have neon signs???

I'm speechless...

 

[Joe Banks]

Super Billiards Expo 2013

Neon signs ? I am not talking about bodaygers. Don't know where you come from but I am referring to LED signs are the future. If you are prod of your booth so be it. You may not realize but these booths become a bit stale and need to be refreshed or you could say modernized. Maybe I have to explain it in detail. Here it is-- It looks like the same cues every year. I did not say this other AZer's said this. Change it up a bit. Get a new showcase some new lighting and make the booth appear like its not full with dust and with someone breathing in there. Then it may be possible to get away with the same over priced cues year after year. BANKS Yes-- "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare".

 

[calibration]

Wow, i agree, its really not right for guys to walk around with big cases. I've even seen them working deals right in front of other dealers booths. That's just not cool. They should have a rule that your not allowed to have a case larger that 4 cues without a vendor pass.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[classiccues]

That rule was in effect. Seems a certain Hoosier cue dealer stole or tried to steal a customer of Russ Esperitu and it's when the restriction began on non-exhibitors non being allowed those big cases. However it has since lapsed a bit, plus some of those guys get in on other exhibitors passes. Really hard to enforce because on one token if they are trading with exhibitors they need to bring them in, plus if they buy a few cues they need to carry them.

JV

Wow, i agree, its really not right for guys to walk around with big cases. I've even seen them working deals right in front of other dealers booths. That's just not cool. They should have a rule that your not allowed to have a case larger that 4 cues without a vendor pass.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[allen_jr]

That rule was in effect. Seems a certain Hoosier cue dealer stole or tried to steal a customer of Russ Esperitu and it's when the restriction began on non-exhibitors non being allowed those big cases. However it has since lapsed a bit, plus some of those guys get in on other exhibitors passes. Really hard to enforce because on one token if they are trading with exhibitors they need to bring them in, plus if they buy a few cues they need to carry them.

JV

Yes, this rule is always in effect. And yes, it is difficult for us to enforce. As you mentioned, buyers want to bring cases in for their purchases, and some dealers want to allow them to bring cues in to trade. Plus, people COULD sell cues out of a standard 2x2 case, it doesn't necessarily have to be a dealer case.

Anyone is welcome to bring this situation to our attention and we will remedy the situation. Typically we warn the person first, as many are unaware that this is frowned upon. We explain why it is; that vendors pay for a booth to sell merchandise, and that allowing them to come in and sell cues is potentially hurting vendor sales and infringing on the fact that they pay for a booth. Most understand and apologize. If we catch them selling cues again, we'll remove them from the show.

As you explained, it is difficult to enforce and we want everyone to enjoy the show. Some registered vendors want us to allow people in with cues to trade, others do not. It is a fine line, but we do try and protect our exhibitors and stop this type of behavior when possible.

Hope this helps explain our position a little.

 

[bdorman]

So it is alright with you that dealers which have a booth,have signs made of paper with there company name hand written or printed . I hope the future is not in your hands or even in people that think like you. It is to much for these dealers to have a sign made up professionally with lights showing there company name and there logo. This would only coast a couple of hundred and they can use this year after year. This would attract people walking by. Besides its good for your business to make improvements. But because of traveling expenses lets not make improvements. And as far as food being an expense, that is ridiculous. So I can stay home and not eat. I guess nobody eats when they work to save money. I just don't understand how some people think. I would like to see improvements made, to make this Expo fresh and great once again. BANKS "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare".

Spoken like a guy who has never paid the company's bills.

Do you have any idea what it costs just to ship, handle and ship a booth back home? You can't just drive your booth up to the door, especially in a union-shop like New Jersey.

You ship it to the Expo Services warehouse, they deliver it to the Expo. After the Expo the Services company forwards it to a shipping company who delivers it back to you. Of course, no one does any of these steps for less than $1,000, usually more. When you see a basic 8'x10' booth at a trade show, it costs the owner at least $3-4,000 just to have the nice booth.

We do 3-4 big shows a year in which we use our nice booth. For the other shows we use throw-away paper signage.

 

[Drawman623]

So it is alright with you that dealers which have a booth,have signs made of paper with there company name hand written or printed . I hope the future is not in your hands or even in people that think like you. It is to much for these dealers to have a sign made up professionally with lights showing there company name and there logo. This would only coast a couple of hundred and they can use this year after year. This would attract people walking by. Besides its good for your business to make improvements. But because of traveling expenses lets not make improvements. And as far as food being an expense, that is ridiculous. So I can stay home and not eat. I guess nobody eats when they work to save money. I just don't understand how some people think. I would like to see improvements made, to make this Expo fresh and great once again. BANKS "The Pain Was To Hard To Bare".

Joe
With respect, I do not agree with your position here. The expo was GREAT! and though it was different than years past due to the venu and location, it was every bit the event of the year for me.

You say the floors were cold and hard...I brought comfortable chairs. Barry Szamboti and his son Jimmy were on hand signing autographs and sharing their time with folks graciously. Dennis Searing, Ron Haley and other Titans of the collectable cue world were there, in good spirits and reconnecting with customers and friends.

The Superbilliards Expo put money in my pocket and there was PLENTY of traffic through my booth every day. I AM A VENDOR so your remarks about the paper signs are to me, at the very least, uninformed. Alan provided a service to promote our business that offered custom vinyl printed items. Many cuemakers took advantage of this service and the signs looked great. I played it cheap and stuck with the paper...but I had my option to do it first class if I wanted to.

If you read nothing else in my post, consider this quote, made for me by Will Prout when I complained about the lack of parking for vendors: "what if Alan decided to take 2 or 3 years off..." I realized at that moment that I had my head up my a** and all whining stopped. It is the EXPO...The SHOW...so stow your griping and bring your stroke. If it's cold...it's cold for all players so adjust and win.

The only words I can agree with from your quote follow:
"I just don't understand how some people think"With that, you're right on the money.

You're good with me Joe, I call you a friend...met ironically at the Expo...but I've got to disagree with your criticism of the Expo.

Thanks Alan...once again...for running the show that is the high point of my pool year every year. Thanks AZrs for coming out and saying hello

 

[cardiac kid]

Joe,

Couldn't agree more. As I've posted before, I spent too many years in the electronics business. Covered three shows a year for the manufacturers I represented. Think your shipping costs are way too low. Set up costs are out of sight for a "union" convention.

Like you, I have nothing but good things to say about SBE this year. If I had to have a complaint, it would be my sore feet. Nothing new about that. It's part of convention life.

Lyn