Timonium Arms Conference Conflict

Rick · 22nd February 2009, 02:34 AM

It just might be time to organize a true ethnographic show and conference at a different time of year in a different place, eh ?

(Yeah, I know, Mr No Show is talking )

Mark · 22nd February 2009, 10:02 AM

We have been discussing this for a couple of years now (even before the auction came on the scene), without a clear resolution. The Louisville show is a logical alternative venue, as was the idea of having it move among a few venues year-to-year, but the idea was met with a lukewarm response.

We did lose some people to the auction last year, but on the other hand, I think a few people dropped by who would not have otherwise. The biggest disruption was people going in and out to monitor the auction progress. We have tried to build in time in the program for breaks, and to not have it run too long. I think the auction ended at about 2 am last year, so there was plenty going on after the seminar was over.

We also tried a two-evening program one year, with the main event Friday night. I think attendance was good overall, but the final impression was that Friday created too much pressure on people's real-life schedules. We can certainly continue the discussion this year. The seminar attendance has been waning a bit in recent years, so finding a way to reinvigorate it would be excellent.

Mark · 22nd February 2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

It just might be time to organize a true ethnographic show and conference at a different time of year in a different place, eh ?

(Yeah, I know, Mr No Show is talking )

PS: I personally like the idea or organizing an "official" society and holding an annual event, but it would mean it being a pay-for-registration event, as our benevolent sponsor, Oriental-Arms, would likely not be available.

rand · 24th February 2009, 05:09 PM

Have never been to the Louisville show but have heard only good things about it, to me this is an idea worth considering.

On another note, are there any collectors attending to the Baltimore show that are interested in meeting for dinner on Friday night?

rand

Lee · 24th February 2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

It just might be time to organize a true ethnographic show and conference at a different time of year in a different place, eh ?

Several of us had pretty much agreed that this would be a direction we should strongly consider taking in the long run. We might have well tried this year had the economy not gotten sick.

I just got back from attending the annual Arts and Crafts Conference with a friend in N.C. and I was impressed with how well the organizer had coordinated lectures, workshops, exhibits and multiple sales shows over a Fri - Sun time span. I had had a lot of theories in my head and it was nice to see someone actually doing it so well in practice. I'll be carrying the program with me to Baltimore...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

I personally like the idea or organizing an "official" society and holding an annual event, but it would mean it being a pay-for-registration event, as our benevolent sponsor, Oriental-Arms, would likely not be available.

Obviously, I got license to study this move from Artzi (before the economy caused me to drop the ball), but, yes, an expanded conference would likely entail a registration fee for participants. There would be some revenue from dealer tables and likely an allowance from the conference hotel towards function room rentals depending upon how many rooms were taken by participants, but, the 'free ride' would likely be over. I think every attempt would be made to hold down the costs as much as possible while still having a quality event. I'll be happy to discuss the topic there in Timonium or continuing on in this thread...

ward · 25th February 2009, 03:20 AM

The preview and auction are being held in just one hall at the Crowne Plaza this year, rather than two. This should reduce traffic and noise in the hallway considerably.

Rick · 25th February 2009, 01:30 PM

Still, the conflict is there ..

Oriental-Arms · 25th February 2009, 02:16 PM

Oriental-Arms will gladly continue to finance the meetings including invited lectures, presentations and display tables. We strongly support the ides of a stand alone meeting, one or two evenings but we are concerned that a stand alone meeting not linked to a gun show will not attract enough participants.

VANDOO · 26th February 2009, 07:20 PM

SOME OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS I BELONG TO HAVE A CONFRENCE/GATHERING ONCE A YEAR. IT IS HELD IN DIFFERENT PLACES EACH YEAR AND HAS DIFFERENT SPEAKERS AND SUBJECTS EACH YEAR AND SOMETIMES THE FOCUS IS ON SOME SPECIFIC ITEMS.
PERHAPS IF ORIENTAL ARMS ATTENDS SOME OTHER SHOWS EVERY YEAR SOMETHING COULD BE WORKED OUT AROUND THAT.
AS MENTIONED THE LOUIVILLE SHOW IS A GOOD ONE AND HAS MORE OF WHAT WE COLLECT THAN THE SHOWS IN TULSA OKLAHOMA EVEN THOUGH TULSA IS A BIGGER SHOW. ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS THE BIG ETHINOGRAPHIC SHOWS IN AUGUST IN SANTA FE NEW MEXICO THERE IS A LOT TO INTEREST OUR GROUP THERE AS WELL. THE BALTIMORE SHOW IS STILL VERY GOOD AND THE AUCTION DOES GIVE US MORE ITEMS TO LOOK AT AND POSSIBLY BUY SO IS ACTUALLY A PLUS. I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE AUCTION SO DON'T KNOW IF IT IS DONE WITH AN AUCTIONEER OR IS PERHAPS A SILENT AUCTION. I THINK SOMETHING CAN BE WORKED,OUT OF BENEFIT TO BOTH WITH A LITTLE FINE TUNING. A SILENT AUCTION THAT ENDS AFTER THE CONFRENCE WOULD BE ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION AND THE BREAKS DURING THE CONFRENCE IS ANOTHER IDEA THAT MAKES SENSE.

Rick · 27th February 2009, 01:34 AM

Whatever falls out; it would seem in no ones' interest to have the two events run concurrently ...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

22nd February 2009, 02:34 AM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	It just might be time to organize a true ethnographic show and conference at a different time of year in a different place, eh ? (Yeah, I know, Mr No Show is talking )

22nd February 2009, 10:02 AM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	We have been discussing this for a couple of years now (even before the auction came on the scene), without a clear resolution. The Louisville show is a logical alternative venue, as was the idea of having it move among a few venues year-to-year, but the idea was met with a lukewarm response. We did lose some people to the auction last year, but on the other hand, I think a few people dropped by who would not have otherwise. The biggest disruption was people going in and out to monitor the auction progress. We have tried to build in time in the program for breaks, and to not have it run too long. I think the auction ended at about 2 am last year, so there was plenty going on after the seminar was over. We also tried a two-evening program one year, with the main event Friday night. I think attendance was good overall, but the final impression was that Friday created too much pressure on people's real-life schedules. We can certainly continue the discussion this year. The seminar attendance has been waning a bit in recent years, so finding a way to reinvigorate it would be excellent.

24th February 2009, 05:09 PM	#4
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 539	Have never been to the Louisville show but have heard only good things about it, to me this is an idea worth considering. On another note, are there any collectors attending to the Baltimore show that are interested in meeting for dinner on Friday night? rand

25th February 2009, 03:20 AM	#6
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	The preview and auction are being held in just one hall at the Crowne Plaza this year, rather than two. This should reduce traffic and noise in the hallway considerably.

25th February 2009, 01:30 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Still, the conflict is there ..

25th February 2009, 02:16 PM	#8
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Oriental-Arms will gladly continue to finance the meetings including invited lectures, presentations and display tables. We strongly support the ides of a stand alone meeting, one or two evenings but we are concerned that a stand alone meeting not linked to a gun show will not attract enough participants.

26th February 2009, 07:20 PM	#9
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	SOME OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS I BELONG TO HAVE A CONFRENCE/GATHERING ONCE A YEAR. IT IS HELD IN DIFFERENT PLACES EACH YEAR AND HAS DIFFERENT SPEAKERS AND SUBJECTS EACH YEAR AND SOMETIMES THE FOCUS IS ON SOME SPECIFIC ITEMS. PERHAPS IF ORIENTAL ARMS ATTENDS SOME OTHER SHOWS EVERY YEAR SOMETHING COULD BE WORKED OUT AROUND THAT. AS MENTIONED THE LOUIVILLE SHOW IS A GOOD ONE AND HAS MORE OF WHAT WE COLLECT THAN THE SHOWS IN TULSA OKLAHOMA EVEN THOUGH TULSA IS A BIGGER SHOW. ANOTHER POSSIBILITY IS THE BIG ETHINOGRAPHIC SHOWS IN AUGUST IN SANTA FE NEW MEXICO THERE IS A LOT TO INTEREST OUR GROUP THERE AS WELL. THE BALTIMORE SHOW IS STILL VERY GOOD AND THE AUCTION DOES GIVE US MORE ITEMS TO LOOK AT AND POSSIBLY BUY SO IS ACTUALLY A PLUS. I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE AUCTION SO DON'T KNOW IF IT IS DONE WITH AN AUCTIONEER OR IS PERHAPS A SILENT AUCTION. I THINK SOMETHING CAN BE WORKED,OUT OF BENEFIT TO BOTH WITH A LITTLE FINE TUNING. A SILENT AUCTION THAT ENDS AFTER THE CONFRENCE WOULD BE ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION AND THE BREAKS DURING THE CONFRENCE IS ANOTHER IDEA THAT MAKES SENSE.

27th February 2009, 01:34 AM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Whatever falls out; it would seem in no ones' interest to have the two events run concurrently ...