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Got back late last night from Vegas.
One word - disaster.
As I'm sure everyone has already heard the show was dead, and not in a good way. I'd say maybe half the size of last year, tons of empty booth space, and above all, No Buyers.
I've gone on record quite a few times that for me, any excuse to go to VEGAS is a good one, so off we went. Thank God I did ok at the tables because the show was a disaster. Oh yeah, and I did get an autographed photo from Wes Craven, no line to get that, bet he was wondering what was up right along with everyone else.
Here's my biggest complaint, and I know it's been mentioned already, but the Haunt Pavillion was a joke, one big very misleading joke. Vendors, if you had a table in here, I'd be doing damage control right now. They put you on the floorplan as if you're there, and when you get there nothing but a bunch of empty booths with tables some flyers and posters. I'm sure TW did this to make the show look like it wasn't going to change, but you know what, they used your reputations to do it. If it were me I'd be pissed! I heard several people talking about it. Whoever you wrote orders with there last year, that weren't haunters, and probably didin't know what was up, I'd be on the phone pronto.
I am surprised that none of the vendors that participated in this mentioned, and I mean POINT BLANK, that this was happening. Not just that you wouldn't be exhibiting in Vegas, but that you being listed in the Haunt Pavillion meant a table and some business cards. I may not have been paying attention if you did, but my impression is that you'd have some kind of representation there. I figured they probably gave you a good deal to do both shows.
My advice to Transworld and Rubies/Houston Show (like they care, but they're gonna get it anyway), it's time for the proverbial "come to Jesus" meeting, and get this thing straightened out, for the good of everyone. Two shows = no good, one show = good, not sure if this is a rocket science equation or not. Put the egos aside for the betterment of everyone's bottom line.
Transworld will be back in Rosemont next year, and I'm certain they'll try to bring the Haunt Show with it. "A return to the glory days" right? Should we do it? I'm going to defer judgement till after the St. Louis show, but if the St. Louis show is a success, I'm starting to feel a bit like the haunt industry should give all these guys a "friendly" hand gesture and move on.
Personally, I liked the combined shows, regardless of what everyone's opinions are, they're is plenty of cross over business, and as much as some people complained about it, the setup at Rosemont with the separated shows probably makes the most sense. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not at all a fan of going back to Rosemont, but that type of setup probably works best.
So...on to St. Louis, for our industry I hope it's a huge success, hopefully it may give us some options, and put us in control of what happens, bet they never saw that coming.
I will post pictures in this post, as soon as I can get them downloaded/uploaded, stay tuned, check back.
Chris
The entrance
Is it just me or do the aisles seem kinda wide, oh good, a place to sit, hmmmm, that's a first
Um, aren't there supposed to be booths here?
Oh good, more places to sit, and throw out your trash, prominently
One word - disaster.
As I'm sure everyone has already heard the show was dead, and not in a good way. I'd say maybe half the size of last year, tons of empty booth space, and above all, No Buyers.
I've gone on record quite a few times that for me, any excuse to go to VEGAS is a good one, so off we went. Thank God I did ok at the tables because the show was a disaster. Oh yeah, and I did get an autographed photo from Wes Craven, no line to get that, bet he was wondering what was up right along with everyone else.
Here's my biggest complaint, and I know it's been mentioned already, but the Haunt Pavillion was a joke, one big very misleading joke. Vendors, if you had a table in here, I'd be doing damage control right now. They put you on the floorplan as if you're there, and when you get there nothing but a bunch of empty booths with tables some flyers and posters. I'm sure TW did this to make the show look like it wasn't going to change, but you know what, they used your reputations to do it. If it were me I'd be pissed! I heard several people talking about it. Whoever you wrote orders with there last year, that weren't haunters, and probably didin't know what was up, I'd be on the phone pronto.
I am surprised that none of the vendors that participated in this mentioned, and I mean POINT BLANK, that this was happening. Not just that you wouldn't be exhibiting in Vegas, but that you being listed in the Haunt Pavillion meant a table and some business cards. I may not have been paying attention if you did, but my impression is that you'd have some kind of representation there. I figured they probably gave you a good deal to do both shows.
My advice to Transworld and Rubies/Houston Show (like they care, but they're gonna get it anyway), it's time for the proverbial "come to Jesus" meeting, and get this thing straightened out, for the good of everyone. Two shows = no good, one show = good, not sure if this is a rocket science equation or not. Put the egos aside for the betterment of everyone's bottom line.
Transworld will be back in Rosemont next year, and I'm certain they'll try to bring the Haunt Show with it. "A return to the glory days" right? Should we do it? I'm going to defer judgement till after the St. Louis show, but if the St. Louis show is a success, I'm starting to feel a bit like the haunt industry should give all these guys a "friendly" hand gesture and move on.
Personally, I liked the combined shows, regardless of what everyone's opinions are, they're is plenty of cross over business, and as much as some people complained about it, the setup at Rosemont with the separated shows probably makes the most sense. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not at all a fan of going back to Rosemont, but that type of setup probably works best.
So...on to St. Louis, for our industry I hope it's a huge success, hopefully it may give us some options, and put us in control of what happens, bet they never saw that coming.
I will post pictures in this post, as soon as I can get them downloaded/uploaded, stay tuned, check back.
Chris
The entrance
Is it just me or do the aisles seem kinda wide, oh good, a place to sit, hmmmm, that's a first
Um, aren't there supposed to be booths here?
Oh good, more places to sit, and throw out your trash, prominently
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