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Hours of the trade show at the Symposium

D

DennisM

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Dec 4, 2004
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Washington IL - Central Illinois Peoria Area
Been working on my selections of the various demo. Boy is it hard. Pretty much got it figured out and then I realized that I hadn't left any time to attend the trade show during the day.
Trade show should be half the fun. Just think 1,500 to 2,000 dedicated turners, out of town, with a lot of wifes left home. Could well equate to 1.5 million of sales!! Or even more. And I have left any time in my schedule to do my share!

So what hours is the trade show open?
 
The trade show is generally open during the demo's:
Thur & Fri 9:00-5:00
Sat 9:00 - 3:00

I always miss some of the demo's because of the tradeshow, IG, meals, exhibitions, and visiting with friends. There's just too much to fit into 3 days for one person to do!
 
Is trade show open Thursday evening?

Is the trade show only open while the demos are going on? I would like to see thirty rotations, sure hate to miss one the trade show. :(

Bill
 
I seem to remember the Trade Show open about 1/2 hour before demo time. However if you don't want to skip a rotation your best bet is to skip lunch.
 
Are the demos at the vendors sites pretty informative? I've been told some of the same names are there and willing to answer questions as well as have you look on at their projects. Time looks to be at a premium. I too hate to miss a demo but it sounds like you get some quality stuff from the vendor areas besides new tools.
 
I spent over an hour last year at the Powermatic booth. They had just released the new 3520b lathe. I'm not a tool junkie (well not totally anyhow)...and that was a great experience for me. Plus I wrote it up and posted it here.

I found the vendors to be a knowledgeable and friendly. It's a good place to pick up tool tips and learn about equipment. There are also wood vendors and supplies like sandpaper and CA glue (superglue).

There are breaks for lunch, and the tradeshow is open at that time.
 
I purposely left a hole in my demo schedule each day, usually the spot before or after lunch to visit the trade show. Most of the large company booths will have big name turners like Stuart Batty turning in the booths to demo tools and answer questions. The instant gallery takes at least 2 hours to go through and stop a few times...to truly appreciate everything there would require almost a whole day! All this and you have to consider running across a number of buddies from the various turning websites, clubs, etc. the symposium should really be a week long event! ;)
 
Some trade show demos are as good or better than a rotation!

Mike asked:

4mikee said:
Are the demos at the vendors sites pretty informative? I've been told some of the same names are there and willing to answer questions as well as have you look on at their projects. Time looks to be at a premium. I too hate to miss a demo but it sounds like you get some quality stuff from the vendor areas besides new tools.
Click to expand...
Last year I hung out at the Craft Supplies booth in the trade show area and literally stood by Mike Mahoney's side next to the lathe (handing him tools, etc.) for nearly an hour while he demonstrated the McNaughton bowl coring system, and while he turned and hollowed a small vessel. My view of what he was doing was outstanding (...as though I was doing the turning) - I learned a lot about tool and body position, and I wasn't bashful about asking him questions while he turned. It was almost like having a class with him, while 20-30 others watched. In my opinion this was one of the most beneficial experiences I had at the entire symposium in KC. I also watched Andre Martel hollow a vessel with his special end-grain tool, and had a chance to see and talk with people such as Curt Theobald, Trent Bosch, Steve Worcester, Jerry Beall, Dale Nish, and John Jordan (for example), which one would never be able to do in a rotation setting. In my opinion, the trade show is an EXCELLENT experience and opportunity to learn, not just a place to see tools and spend money. I intend on spending at least a few hours there, and have already formed my 'must get' shopping list so I can get the tool/supplies buying out of the way quickly so I can loaf around a bit for most of the time there, watching some of the demonstrations at the booths, talking with people and vendors, etc.... you really should plan on spending some time in the trade show...(just don't stand in my line of view! ;) )

See you in Louisville!

Rob Wallace
 
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