MSBA Show

[lurch]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I'm just a chump too, but I couldn't agree with you more.

I also think the food prices are keeping people away. If you take your kid to the show, he's going to want lunch. You have to figure $30 for the two of you to eat. Add that to the $15 you paid to get in and the $5 for him, you're 50 clams down before you ever spend a dime on gear.

It's a very nice, prestigious venue. But there are negatives associated with it, for both vendors and patrons. I forgot how much I was told it cost for a fax or internet hookup for vendors to take credit cards, but it was substantial. Very few vendors were accepting credit cards. For better or for worse, people expect to be able to use them. Plus, the main hallway is dark, and I was told there was also an additional cost for the Stadium staff to hook up auxiliary lighting.

Could not agree more. The show was AWSOME at the mall in Kingston. I do not understand the reason why the show was at Gillette, maybe someone can explain?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by lurch

Could not agree more. The show was AWSOME at the mall in Kingston. I do not understand the reason why the show was at Gillette, maybe someone can explain?

I don't recall all of the particulars but the Kingston and Cordage locations became no longer available so Cordage not available spawned Kingston which when no longer availeble spawned Gillette. One of the advantages of Gillette is knowing you can get it on an annual basis because you can book it well in advance.

I agree with some of the issues mentioned, finding the best location for everyone is indeed very difficult.

But Kudos to the folks at MSBA for doing their darndest when the odds were stacked against them

[fishsmith]

first off msba is a great club, I'm not a member but have been to most of their shows, and these guys/gals have always put their hearts and souls into the shows.

I didn't make the show this year because I wasn't thrilled with the venue last year and $15 is to much spend when you're going to spend anyway. The food prices at gillette are criminal.
imho Kingston Mall (bestbuy)was the best MSBA show i've been to.

[BigFish]

I can tell you first hand as I have been the show co-chair under Pat Paquette for the 3 years in Kingston and an ardent supporter of the show the past 2 years. The Kingston location did become unavailable unfortunately and Patrick, myself and many other club members turned over every rock, called about every hall, location, empty storefront such as the Bob's and Filenes locations in Kingston were and we could not find a suitable location to meet our needs in particular a large space and one we could make a permanent home for the MSBA Show! We continue to make improvements though it gets more difficult all the time! In regards to scheduling conflicts with the RISSA show....may I say with the exception of this year.....MSBA has had its show the same weekend in March going back at least 10 years and RISSA is only in its 4th year? MSBA has been having shows for a considerable time longer than the 10 years I speak of and we did move our show weekend back a week because of the conflict with the other show! All I can say is RISSA plopped themselves down close to the MSBA show.....what can ya do? So we moved it a week! We also have to take into consideration other similar shows in the area such as Worcester and Springfield to name only 2 of them. As far as food prices....what are the prices like at the Rissa show in the Civic Center?? No bargain I am sure but when you move into these larger venues......things change and MSBA has tried its best to keep the show intimate, all fishing and consumer friendly! The parking for instance we always try to make sure you don't have to pay for it! You would all be amazed at what goes on behind the scenes running these shows and the minute' details we have to attend to to make it a success! Unfortunately with the weather we had on Friday we had 11 vendors cancel at the last minute and there is not much you can do about that.....you carry on and try to make it the best show you can with what you have and I bet you Patrick was on the phone Friday night trying to fill those empty slots......talk about a tall task. I do hope folks enjoyed themslves and MSBA does listen to all the feedback both positive and negative and we strive to make the necessary improvemnts each year. The club is meeting this week to get the ball rolling early for next year so stay tuned and stay supportive......we work hard at MSBA to put on a great show for the fishing public!

[BigFish]

Just to reiterate.....Patrick, myself and others investigated over 65 locations before resting with Gillette......school gymnasiums are not large enough! We checked them all....name a place and I can tell you it was on our list!

[lurch]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Just to reiterate.....Patrick, myself and others investigated over 65 locations before resting with Gillette......school gymnasiums are not large enough! We checked them all....name a place and I can tell you it was on our list!

Did you call Lowell High School, the field house is massive! I know it is bigger than the area at Gillette. If you have been to the Tsongas arena you probably have seen the Field House at Lowell High School as it is the octagon shaped building across from the arena.

You may not have all of the creature comforts like internet access but from what I can see no one wants to afford the access anyway.

Was it too far north? How many folks came down from the north to go to Gillette?

I also know that there was a fishing show at an Arena in Wilmington...but that may be the same cost as Gillette.

Also I know this is way far north but the Race track in Salem, NH is enough to hold the vendors at the MSBA show...but again the cost may be the same and it may be WAY too far north for some folks.

Just some suggestions for maybe next year.