Thread: Timber & Working With Wood Show - Have your say, revisited

I am amazed why must it be vendors why not major companies. Major manufacturers who make the products.
When you got to Motor shows generally its the manufacturers who want their products on show/sale who are there.
I am not saying we don't have these but mainly they are smaller types such as Chris Vespa etc

The names themselves of course many more than listed.

Jet Australia
Ryobi
Hitachi
Festool
Woodfast
Nova
Vicmarc

You need to open your eyes a bit at the shows as all the below are already there.

The T&WWWShoe isn't a trade show so most are represented by their distributors as the companies aren't allowed to sell direct. If they did that they wouldn't have any distributors left who'd want to deal with them. Even at a trade show most are there to showcase their products to resellers, not sell to the public.

I am amazed why must it be vendors why not major companies. Major manufacturers who make the products.
When you got to Motor shows generally its the manufacturers who want their products on show/sale who are there. That's because it's a motor show.
I am not saying we don't have these but mainly they are smaller types such as Chris Vespa and dah U-Beaut, Leigh Neilson, Colin Clenton, Terry Norris, Wood Wizz Veezy Howard Products Gifkin Metabo Terry Gordon, Woodsmith Magazine, Woodworker Magazine, Australian Wood Review, Makita, etc etc etc

The names themselves of course many more than listed.

Jet Australia - ALREADY AT MOST SHOWS
Ryobi - ALREADY AT MOST SHOWS
Hitachi - ALREADY AT MOST SHOWS
Festool - ALREADY AT MOST SHOWS and impossible to miss with one of the snappiest looking stands at the show.
Woodfast - ALREADY AT MOST SHOWS
Nova - REPRESENTED BUT DON'T SEEM CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT AUSTRALIA ANY MORE
Vicmarc - ALREADY AT MOST SHOWS

Some can't go to all the shows but you can bet they've all given it a try at some stage and have settled for the ones that are the best value. They are all in it for the bottom line and if it's constantly in the red then they stop.

Originally Posted by ubeaut

You need to open your eyes a bit at the shows as all the below are already there.

The T&WWWShoe isn't a trade show so most are represented by their distributors as the companies aren't allowed to sell direct. If they did that they wouldn't have any distributors left who'd want to deal with them. Even at a trade show most are there to showcase their products to resellers, not sell to the public.


Some can't go to all the shows but you can bet they've all given it a try at some stage and have settled for the ones that are the best value. They are all in it for the bottom line and if it's constantly in the red then they stop.

Neil as I know the above tools are there being represented by/through VENDORS not the companies themselves. Although last years set up at Sydney was different the powertools were I believe still through Gasweld. As it was pointed out to me through this forum in the Sydney Show thread.

Even your own stand I consider a major not Vendor.

Originally Posted by ubeaut

I believe a full and comprehensive list of past exhibitors and database was never handed over to EEE by the previous organisers.

Neill,

At least for the Melbourne shows a full list of exhibitors was always published every year in the Australian Woodworker magazine. That would be the place to look for past exhibitors.


Apart from what we usually have I think retailers of related hardware would be beneficial eg Wilson & Bradley, Lincoln Sentry or Haefele. They sell items that are purchased by many woodworkers as they are often mentioned in posts here.

I would also like to see Vermec and the Sandpaperman at the Melbourne show.


Peter.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

Neill,

At least for the Melbourne shows a full list of exhibitors was always published every year in the Australian Woodworker magazine. That would be the place to look for past exhibitors.


Apart from what we usually have I think retailers of related hardware would be beneficial eg Wilson & Bradley, Lincoln Sentry or Haefele. They sell items that are purchased by many woodworkers as they are often mentioned in posts here.

I would also like to see Vermec and the Sandpaperman at the Melbourne show.


Peter.

Peter we were lucky in having Vermec at Sydney show this year part of Trend Timbers stand. With Enzo himself there along side Ozartisan doing demo's

Although the forum has many members, and most are keen woodworkers and attend show I would believe that most attending shows are not represented through this forum.
So..... How best to attract these tens of thousands of potential customers?

1. Future woodworkers at schools or Techs could be targetted through special pricing and direct promotion to these facilities.

2. Retirees are great potential woodworkers, so promotions to men's sheds, retirement villages, superannuation?? (How I don't know), NRMA, bowling and gold clubs, grey nomad clubs, caravan dealers.....other

3. General public. adds are expensive, but what about in the community papers?

4. Internet. You can go on line and promote 'What's on' with many councils and papers for free. Does EEE have a face book page? Do the 'Tweet'?

5. Flyers and mail drops. Around $100/1500 drops. Selected demographic teritories where garages and shed are possible and there are plenty of retirees.

6. Work of mouth. Hire some town criers to go around Land Cove, Parramatta, other shopping centers making a noise with someone else handing out flyers.

7. TV. Ouch, but cheap in the country areas.

8. Utilize forum members. Pay them to promote the shows in their local community areas, offer free attendances for handing our flyers to their contacts.

9. Promote through the exhibitors. They can only beneirt through assisting EEE. Ensure they all have hand-out flyers for placement in their shops/ facilities, or to mail to their customer lists with monthly statements.

10. Invite the Chinese Govt to take over the show.

11. Then tell the US what you ahev done and ask for asistance

....... Time for a mental break I think.


Greg

Vermec are usually in Melbourne. Sandpaper man and Michael Moggy both with abrasives galore now that would be interesting.

In the past they listed products available in mag not necessarily vendors and a lot of that was wishful thinking. But that could be a good starting point probably more comprehensive than what EEE were given.

Neil as I know the above tools are there being represented by/through VENDORS not the companies themselves. Although last years set up at Sydney was different the powertools were I believe still through Gasweld. As it was pointed out to me through this forum in the Sydney Show thread.

Most of the places mentioned will never do a show like WWWShow they are manufacturers not retailers and even when they do go to the shows the sales go through one of their distributors. Festool, Jet Australia, etc. are prime examples but most others are all the same. They are there help the suppliers and do not sell direct. As I said in the previous post if you want that you need to go to a TRADE SHOW but you still won't get to buy anything because they aren't allowed to sell. Besides that you probably wouldn't be allowed in unless you are a registered business.

Timber & Working With Wood Show is NOT A TRADE SHOW!

A lot of the below has and is being done.

Originally Posted by Greg Ward

Although the forum has many members, and most are keen woodworkers and attend show I would believe that most attending shows are not represented through this forum.
So..... How best to attract these tens of thousands of potential customers?

1. Future woodworkers at schools or Techs could be targetted through special pricing and direct promotion to these facilities. ALREADY DONE AND EVERYONE COMPLAINS ABOUT IT..... Friday is schools day

2. Retirees are great potential woodworkers, so promotions to men's sheds, DONE retirement villages, superannuation?? (How I don't know), NRMA, DONE bowling and gold clubs, grey nomad clubs, caravan dealers.....other

3. General public. adds are expensive, but what about in the community papers?

4. Internet. You can go on line and promote 'What's on' with many councils and papers for free. Does EEE have a face book page? Do the 'Tweet'? Shudder - But a good idea

5. Flyers and mail drops. Around $100/1500 drops. Selected demographic teritories where garages and shed are possible and there are plenty of retirees. Waste of time, money and paper. Would end up in the recycling bin with the rest of the daily dose of paper spam.

6. Work of mouth. Hire some town criers to go around Land Cove, Parramatta, other shopping centers making a noise with someone else handing out flyers.

7. TV. Ouch, but cheap in the country areas.

8. Utilize forum members. Pay them to promote the shows in their local community areas, offer free attendances for handing our flyers to their contacts.

9. Promote through the exhibitors. DONE They can only beneirt through assisting EEE. Ensure they all have hand-out flyers for placement in their shops/ facilities, or to mail to their customer lists with monthly statements. We hand out plenty of cut price entry cards and free entry cards. All exhibitors are given them. Doesn't mean they do anything more than throw them in the bin though.

10. Invite the Chinese Govt to take over the show.

11. Then tell the US what you ahev done and ask for asistance

....... Time for a mental break I think.


Greg

PS It's not all about Sydney you know.

Coluld not find any Bosch equipmment whatsoever,was looking for the gts10 saw not on show at any of the reatilers around here Makita mlt100 was there.Good selection of timber available ,but would like to see smaller gear there and better range of more upmarket gear ,stuff you cant buy in the big B.

Originally Posted by acmegridley

Coluld not find any Bosch equipmment whatsoever,was looking for the gts10 saw not on show at any of the reatilers around here Makita mlt100 was there.Good selection of timber available ,but would like to see smaller gear there and better range of more upmarket gear ,stuff you cant buy in the big B.

The WA show is run by someone else.

Food was exorbitantly priced last year. It's one thing to be the only vendor in the place, but to charge such prices because you are the only food vendor was robbery.

A moving walkway thingy like at the airport so my feet don't get so tired from walking around all day.

No I went to the Sydney show, over here waiting to sell my villa finally found someone, Perth here I come.

I would like to see Professional Woodworkers back at the Sydney and Canberra shows.
Also, a better range of turning chisels, including cryogenic tools, if possible.
I would like to commend Carrolls for their continued attendance. They are one of the few to have new products available eg, this year at Canberra the Oneway live centre kits and they seem to take the time to source some good gear.
I also wish machinery suppliers could see their way clear to have a good range of equipment for us to see and touch. It should be, sorry, would be nice if it was a venue for us to be able to compare brands and qualities before buying.
Outside exhibitors, like Logosol were missing from Canberra this year and it would be nice to see them back.
also, I am a bit disappointed that I haven't won the trailer of tools(yet).
cheers

Originally Posted by acmegridley

No I went to the Sydney show, over here waiting to sell my villa finally found someone, Perth here I come.

AHSO, I see.