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New Reader Responses!
Posted by: BillGardner | August 5, 2008
CHA Move to Orlando
In the August 1 issue of Craftrends E-News, we asked your opinion on the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) moving its summer show to Orlando in 2009 and add a consumer event. In the September 1 issue of Craftrends E-News, CHA will explain their decision. Meanwhile, here’s what readers had to say. Comments are unedited.
CHA 2009 SUMMER…CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!
I have not attended CHA much in the last few years because it has been too far away from my store in Florida. I started attending 15 years ago but never went to Anaheim. I went to Dallas several times, Chicago and Las Vegas. I was happy when it was held in Atlanta a few years ago but being able to go to Orlando will be FANTASTIC. I hope the winter show will be held there soon.
I am not happy about the move. It think that it will be extremely hot, difficult to find lodging, and this is a peak tourist season for Orlando.
I am not sure why they have decided to include consumers. It think that they (the consumers) have plenty of other events. Is the reason for this to help vendors make more money or at least help off set costs? Most of the retailers know that the vendors do not like to come to the other side of the nation because it is more costly for them.
What they (wholesalers) need to realize is, in order for small stores, like us, can only attend one event a year and it really helps when the event is close to us and we will tend to purchase more if we have less travel expense.
Thank you for your time and inviting our input.
Why? Isn’t the purpose to bring together everyone in the industry except consumers? Who is going to be selling to them –retailers who are needing to focus on education and products? Manufacturers? If so, it probably means only the big ones because we independents can’t be everywhere at once! Okay, I’ll keep an open mind and maybe I will when I hear the details and understand the reasoning.
Just one person’s thoughts:
Although, I understand the importance of educating the consumer about craft materials and product I DO NOT THINK INVITING THEM TO A WHOLESALE EVENT IS THE WAY TO GO. I think that our overall problem in the arts and craft industry is the mixing of who can buy wholesale and who cannot. There needs to be some protection for the retail shop owner’s investment of time and dollars. And this isn’t just our industry but others as well.
I saw our shows here in Texas completely die after they began to open them to the public. I understand that they wanted more traffic but that was the wrong traffic. I know they wanted more public exposure for products, but that was not the way to go.
I’m sure there were other factors for the demise of Texas trade shows. One factor and a major one is there are not very many independents left in the market because the chain have run them out.
The chain stores have taken over the craft market and they actually do not even need a trade show because manufacturers cater to them with reps. When I was a full line art and craft store independent I never saw a rep from anyone. I have downsized and now specialize and am enjoying being out of the “rat race”
The wholesale shows should stay wholesale or change the name and guidelines.
Wholesale shows that open the doors to the public:
1) It is inconvenient for the exhibitors because they have to make sure their pricing is proper for the wholesale and the retail traffic. The end buyer does not need to see what the wholesale price is.
2) Consumers can enter a show in a pack of all their crafting friends and can easily make up the normal minimum of most of the wholesales and at least one of them has resale exempt status because someone owns a beauty shop or a gas station.
3) Consumers will not want to pay $1 for an item when they know it cost $5 or $6. a dozen and they don’t recover from that knowledge.
(example. I once had an item that I paid $1.18 and I retailed it for $1.98 and the local chain sold it on special for $.88. Well obviously no independent can do that. A customer called me, she needed that item in Black and the “SALE PLACE” was out of Black. I had black for $1.98 and that customer would not buy it. She just could not bring herself to pay $1.98 (even though she was desperate) because she wanted the $.88 one).
4) It takes away one day that shops can shop. I personally don’t want to try to place an order if the person next to me in the booth is a customer of mine.
5) And If they extend the show the exhibitor has additional expense at a show where he has to be careful about what he says to everyone who comes in the booth, plus train his employees to watch every word they say. They are accustomed to talking to shop owner not the public.
I’m now picture framing, gallery, stained glass. Much smaller location. More specialized customer base and a lot more fun. My customers come to me because they know I can take the time to give them good quality service with a great knowledge base.
I would be very disappointed if this is the direction CHA decides to go. I feel that it would be very unfair to the retailers and would compromise the wholesale show. I feel that there are enough retail shows around the country already.
Please keep this show for the retailers!!!!
I’m very disappointed that the CHA Show will be moving. That is the one time that I can actually attend the trade show since it is more centralized. I’m trying to tell myself that I’m being selfish but I keep coming back to the same realization that next year, I won’t be going and will be missing out on all the fun!
What could they possibly be thinking? At first I thought this was a joke. First, I can’t imagine the logistics of this from the vendors’ standpoint, and second, we retailers should boycott the show. Moving the show is not an issue for me, I have followed the winter show around for years. It is easy for me to go to Anaheim as I have a store in CA, but the travel is sometimes fun. I really had strong objections last year when my (single store) dues went up 50% and they couldn’t even send out the booklet with floor plans and vendor locations so we could plan out schedules in advance. They really hit the small stores hard with this dues increase. I think most brick and mortar single stores will tell you they should not be categorized with internet operations that do up to $500,000. Maybe the consumer show may be the last straw for the relationship between the small businesses and the CHA.
I think that CHA should not open it to the consumers after the trade show. We are not allowed to go home with product, we can only order. So why should the consumer be allowed in.
I think that it is a very bad idea. How are we as retailers going to benefit from the show?
Thank you for listening.
I think Orlando would be great. Much rather Visit there than Chicago. Thanks for asking us.
The move will probably put me in the position of never going to another CHA show. I’ve attended the show and the ACCI show for years but as a small business owner, the cost of travel, closing up shop, etc., will force me to not attend the show. I was very disappointed to hear about this decision. Once again, the east and west coast dictate the activity and this leaves out the Midwest.
Hi, I thought I would submit my thoughts on the move to you. I like the Chicago location and would probably never travel to Florida for the show. I like the central location of Chicago. I would prefer to drive to the shows- I like flying- there is just so much stuff to try and pack home now.
Also, I wish they would move the Anaheim show. I traveled to Atlanta before and Dallas and loved those locations, driving was fairly easy from Ohio.
As a very hard working sales rep in the South and East Coast of Florida. I have in recent weeks been inundated by customer emails and calls in reference to the ‘consumer-type’ show CHA is planning. Our retailers are very distraught over this ‘type’ event. Their concerns are that in the short term it will hinder traffic to their stores and in the long term have no advantage to what CHA feels will encourage ‘new customers’ to go out and seek their stores. Many of the stores in the territory I work, plan special events to showcase upcoming product intros, class make n takes, bring a friend night…events aplenty. If these are offered at the ‘consumer show’, what draw does this give to the independents who encourage foot traffic hosting these events.
What they feel this consumer show will do is have the existing customer base ask for products the stores are often not prepared to bring in. There’s only so much inventory to carry, and only so much per square footage a store can sell.
As their sales rep, these customers are as important to me as I am to them. We are both in a partnership and whatever affects their sales, effect mine. We both don’t move forward however small the steps if sales are affected in a negative way.
I would urge Craftrends to consider the overall opinion of these stores and hope that the publication will support them in any way possible.
I would like to see the CHA show in Orlando next year.
It would be a nice change of pace and easier traveling for us.
I have been doing consumer shows for over 35 years….I manufacture a handcrafted tool, write books, lecture, design, do MITI’s and demonstrate in my booth…Until the last two years no matter the economy I have done well…Now I see a downturn due to gas (consumers will not drive to a show) and huge increase in costs…airfare, motel, rental car/gas, booth expenses - electric, space, tables…For the first time I am not making any money….Advertising is critical and traffic to show should be in proportion to number of booths…I have also written a book on short term leasing at the time I was also doing push carts.
I am very upset at the move to Orlando. There are many reasons, but the main one is that I live in Milwaukee, and can drive down to the show in Rosemont. Since there is so much scrap and memory things there I can now do the show in one day, where in the past it was always at least 2 days. This is the 1st year I didn’t stay overnight. So I would never fly to anywhere for only 1 day, with airfare and hotel and food, there is no way it is now cost effective. So many of the large general crafts manufacturers were not even there, that I was able to breeze through the show in record time. That is NOT a good thing! I have attended the summer show since 1990 when it lasted till Monday, and I was there for most of it, enjoying every minute and loving all the new things. I took classes every night with all the other nuts and had a blast. Now the classes are either at the crack of dawn, or during the show time, which takes buyers OFF the SELLING floor – not smart. I have asked about this feature for the last 2 years and have yet to get any answer from CHA. I knew there would be changes after ACCI merged, but I don’t think it has been for the better.
Another reason I’m not happy is that with the show on the East coast and the winter show in California that leaves the entire middle of the country without an easy travel show. In the parking lot at Rosemont I made a point to look at license plates. They were from all over the Midwest and many were multiple people in the car. Do you think a store is going pay for several employees to fly to Forida, instead of getting in the car and driving to Illinois? I doubt it very much.
Another point is who on earth wants to go to Orlando in July or August? NOT ME, or any of many people I talked to in Chicago. Every attendee I spoke to thought it was a bad idea, as did many of the vendors I spoke with. It’s too hot and too humid, why do you think all the snowbirds come north for the summer, it’s hideous in Florida in summer. I know; most of my relatives live there!
I have spoken my peace/piece, and will sign off now! Thanks for the opportunity to give my opinion!
I guess I don’t know what you mean by consumer event. Could you elaborate?
I really would NOT want to have consumers a part of the event. They already know so much about product that is coming out thanks to the Internet and advance info that the magazines are supplying them. It’s hard for us to keep one step ahead of them.
Also those of us that live in the middle of the country are going to have a hard time attending the CHA shows with airline prices so high. We at least could drive to CHA in Chicago if we couldn’t make the winter one.
Thanks for letting me voice an opinion.
I just received your email and am disappointed that the summer event has been moved. Being from Illinois makes it incredibly convenient to attend the summer event. With the rising cost of running a business it is impossible to justify the expense of attending other events. I also feel as a shop owner that consumers have too much access to product information already. That is one of the issues that has hurt this industry from the beginning. There is no exclusive for the retailer. Our customers know about product at the same time we do. They are also given the same consideration when product requests are made for events so essentially we, many times, are almost in competition with our customers. It seems again this industry has chosen to support the consumer without regard to the independent retailer. In a struggling economy it is disheartening to see these changes.
I am the owner of a small scrapbooking store that is a year old. We are located in the Midwest. I was devestated to hear that the show was moving to Orlando. The only reason my store has been unable to attend the winter show is because it is so far away that there is no possible way for our store to financially justify it.
The summer show has been a godsend for our store because it is close enough that we can afford to attend. Since we are a small and relatively new store, we don’t get the attention from the vendors that the bigger stores get, so when we attend it is the best and only way we have to really get a feel for all of the different products, uses, etc. The classes send us running home with ideas for our class program and the interaction with other more seasoned store owners lets us get advice on running the store, policies, good vendors, etc. This show really has helped us endure our first year and not only survive but flourish to the point that we have been able to move to a larger location and see significant increases in new customers.
I know that Orlando is a beautiful place, but it is very expensive and far away. We couldn’t afford to send myself and our teachers to it, let alone having to close the store for quite awhile. They encourage us to bring our families and make it like a vacation, but there is no way I could feel good about being on the show floor or in classes knowing my little ones and husband are at Disney and I’m missing out on their experiences and getting pictures of it. My little ones just wouldn’t understand either.
As far as the consumer show goes, I don’t know that you would get anyone from our area, (again due to the cost of it) but for me, them being able to purchase right there direct simply takes more business away from my store. And the money they spend getting there would make them spend even less when they get back from their trip.
I hope when the decision is made, you will continue to take into account the smaller stores that are struggling for survival in our area. The Midwest has a large amount of scrapbookers and a big dedication to family, but stores are still closing at an alarming rate. Many of us will not be able to attend any of the CHA shows if they are moved, which means none of us will be renewing our CHA memberships anymore.
Thank you for your time.
7 Reasons we STOPPED ATTENDING the CHA Show.
1. Time is of the essence. Because we are also gift shop owners we had one week to attend both shows. After they started having the CHA Show and the Chicago gift show the same week, not overlapping but the same 5 or 6 days, in two different parts of the city, we decided to go to the gift show.
2. Time is of the essence! The CHA Show has many vendors that will talk to us and some didn’t, about their products (if we can get into their booth around the make and takers) but because we are small and can’t spend 2 or 3 thousand dollars for 1 or 2 new products, they send us off to a distributor rather than write an order. Several times we were told how to contact a distributor who wasn’t at the show. Most of the time this was not a print out or even a business card. By the time we arrived home and got caught up from being gone, we just gave up on the product or forgot about what we saw and how to contact the distributor, or were just too ticked off at the nonchalance of the vendor to care about the product anymore.
3. Time is of the essence!! There are so many people who attend the CHA show besides buyers.(designers, etc.) We not only had to prove that we were a legitimate retail buyer to become members of CHA. Many of the vendors wanted more information about our business as proof that we really were in business, than we felt they needed. We always paid by credit card, wore the CHA badge that said we were a BUYER, and offered references. The last time we attended the show we had at least 3 or 4 orders canceled because we refused to give them personal and banking information that was none of their business. (such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, bank routing numbers, and one even asked our race, and date of birth, on the application they wanted us to fill out) We had sold crafts, not junky stuff, for a few years, attended the summer shows, have a brick and mortar store as well as a web site, but they didn’t trust CHA enough to take their word for it or want our business bad enough to accept our references and a credit card. It was a big waste of our time.
4. Time is of the essence!!! I know the designers are important to the craft vendors, however we wouldn’t be in the craft business if we didn’t have a creative brain of our own. If this is a buying show, designers should have their time with the vendors but not the same days as the actual buyers. Many times, as a buyer, I have waited while a vendor had a long conversation with a designer about their products, and I finally just walked away.
5. Time is of the essence!!!! More than a few times, I have paid for workshops, gone to the workshops, and stayed at the workshop to do the project, but came away feeling like I didn’t know anything more than I did when I went in. A few times the sample tools given, were of enough value to cover my cost, but certainly not enough to cover my wasted time. I would have been just as happy with a free work shop where I was shown a new product, told about the product and how to use it, allowed to try it after the workshop if I wanted to stay and do so, and given printed information about the product such as: where can I buy it, is the actual distributor that I can buy it from at the show, how much does it cost, how many do you have to buy to get the product, do they have a web site with written instructions, and what products are available to complement the product.
6. Time is of the essence!!!!! I was a wholesale jewelry vendor for over 20 years and attended many, many trade shows. I have never been to a trade show where so many people filled the aisles to get some free trinket. Free food or drinks, yes. Free t-shirts, maybe. Free sample products that can be used to sell and promote with, probably. But a broach made with cardboard, foil, and a few beads, or a piece of clay the size of a quarter, never. These must be people who have lots and lots of time on their hands to waste and don’t have a store at home to run. I realize the reason for make and takes but they should be in the booth not at the edge blocking the aisles. I have to have a wheelchair and I just quit trying to get down some aisles. Most people are nice enough to move so I can get through the aisle until they think I might get ahead of them to get that cardboard broach or whatever other trinket they’re waiting for.
7. And Last but not Least, Time is of the essence!!!!!! The show directory that we received when we registered, special vendor offers could be included, should be given to all the attendees, however every employee who ever attended the show with me is still on the mailing list. Sometimes we have 8 of the same mailing to the same physical address in our mailbox on the same day, about upcoming shows and other things. Some of these people haven’t attended a show with me for at least 4 or more years. It is a waste of CHA’s money which I’m sure is figured into my membership fee. It wastes time at our mail desk. Vendors get the mailing list and do the same thing.
DID I SAY THERE WERE 7 REASONS? I GUESS IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO 1 REASON, WHAT MY TIME IS WORTH TO ME. I DECIDED 2 YEARS AGO, THAT MY TIME IS WORTH MORE TO ME THAN WHAT I COULD GET ON THE FLOOR OF THE CHA SUMMER SHOW AS IT WAS THEN. I DROPPED MY MEMBERSHIP LAST YEAR. SINCE I WAS BUYING MOST THINGS THROUGH DISTRIBUTORS AS SOME OF THE VENDORS DEMANDED. I JUST KEEP UP WITH WEB SITES AND THE DISTRIBUTORS AND IGNORE THE REST.
MOVING THE SHOW TO ORLANDO MAY GET A FEW PEOPLE WHO WILL PLAN THEIR VACATIONS AROUND THE SHOW BUT SUMMER TIME IN ORLANDO IS NOT MY IDEA OF A GOOD MOVE. TOO MANY KIDS AND FAMILIES AND TOO MUCH HEAT ARE JUST A COUPLE OF REASONS. BUT SINCE I’M NO LONGER A MEMBER THAT IS NO LONGER MY CONCERN.
I think having CHA summer in Orlando is wonderful. Orlando is a
family town and a popular summer vacation spot so it seems like a win-
win solution for small stores owners and other buyers. It’s about
time we had a show on the East Coast that is a family destination. It
makes it very expensive and inconvenient to travel to the west and
after 2 bad experiences in Las Vegas, I will never attend a show or
convention in that city again.
As for the consumer show, I am not sure how that would work. Does
that mean that the vendors at the show would then sell to the general
public? As a small Internet company and paper arts teacher, I think
it is a mistake to have the public attend.
First, CHA is the time when vendors are introducing new products that
often won’t be available for months to come. The consumer doesn’t
understand the manufacturing process and the time it takes to build
enthusiasm for new products to actually be produced.
Second, again as a small operator in a very big sea, will the vendors
be allowed to sell to the public? If so, that sets a very bad precedent for the small independents. The consumers would establish ties to the vendor and that leaves the independents out of the ever-decreasing loop. One reason so many small stores are closing is because they can’t compete with the “deals” vendors have arranged with the big box stores. I have severed all ties to a particular vendor because they cut a deal with the giant discount store. It was cheaper for me to buy from the discounter and resell to my customers, than it was to purchase direct from the manufacturer even with my volume pricing “discount”.
Third, again if the vendors are allowed to sell to the public, where does that leave buyers that are not allowed to purchase anything at CHA? Does that mean I have to extend my trip so I can stay to purchase and compete for product with my own customers?
Thank you for asking for input. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to voice my opinions on topics that effect my livelihood.
I am curious how CHA can justify being supportively ‘there’ for the independent retailers in this challenging market, and yet, completely wipe us out of the equation by having a Consumer Show direct from the Vendors/Manufacturers, whereby the consumers can purchase all the items the independent stores JUST ordered themselves.
Having worked at some Scrapbook Expos at the Orange County Convention Center, I have several comments about the move.
First of all, I think some of the attendees may see this as a great time to add a family vacation on to their trip, but they will find the parks crowded and VERY hot! That is a side issue that doesn’t really affect CHA, but may bring some marginal attendees.
I am more concerned about CHA vendors.
There is no convenient parking for vendors, and very limited loading/unloading areas at the docks. It is possible to wait in a long line to get to a space and you may need to truck everything quite a distance. There is a lot of pressure to move quickly since others are waiting to take your spot!
Set up is going to be a very warm experience, because July in Florida is xtremely hot, and the Convention Center does NOT turn on the air conditioning during set up and tear downs.
There is very little parking for attendees either, and the Center has been prone to renting out what parking area is available for such things as a huge car show, a sale of large outdoor sound stages, etc. This has caused much frustration for those who tried to attend the Expos, and had to park a long way from the Center. Even with transport to outlying parking areas, we heard a lot of complaints! People did not plan to haul their rolling carts or packages on and off of buses which came and went at different times than the customers planned to come and go.
Adding a consumer event is another issue entirely.
Based on the problems of the last several Expos, there may not be much enthusiasm on the part of the local customers to even attend, but the regional stores are NOT going to be happy about purchasing thousands of dollars worth of products at CHA to put in their stores, only to have those same things available to their customers. On the other hand, if this is set up to be an excitement builder about the “New Products Coming To a Store Near You Soon” event, they might be more supportive.
Again, this will bring interesting complications for the vendors–most of whom bring samples of some products that will be available immediately, as well as others that will not be out for a couple of months. Consumers will be frustrated to find products that are not going to be available for quite some time.
Then, products at CHA are usually sign priced at wholesale, so if there is going to be a consumer event, it will be necessary to change all the pricing for a short consumer event.
Also, we have discovered that sometimes the products that are shown at CHA are prototypes to see what will “fly.” Sometimes they don’t live up to their promises! After being introduced to an exciting new item at CHA, we purchased a large quantity of them to sell at an upcoming Expo. They finally came in the night before we planned to demo and sell them, but when we “played” with the product in preparation to doing the demos, we discovered that the product was defective in manufacturing and we had to scrap the plan completely. A manufacturer’s rep came in and was horrified to discover that all of the items were useless! The prototype was a good idea. The actual product was a flop!
It will be interesting to see what comes of this, but Chicago in July is different from Florida in July!!
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