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 :btu:

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.

Pretty much all retail shows like this operate the same way. Complete robbery and it's part of the reason dealers eventually get fed up and decide it's just not worth it. Costs are simply obscene. You have to have epic sales to cover all the costs associated with the weekend. This is partly a function of the scale and location of these shows; those who organize them (RISAA and MSBA) really have no control over it other then the choice of venue.

We didn't go to MSBA, but here's some utilities/set up numbers for RISAA. Right off the bat, you've got to cover your booth cost. Electricity is approx. $90 or more for the weekend. Internet access? Only option is a T1. For $500 the first day, $250 each additional. (For other vendors who read this, I've found I can generally catch Wi-Fi in some parts of the Convention Center floor). Telephone? $165 or more... No wonder vendors don't offer credit card. Between that and cc processing fees you're generally out 4% or more on every transaction.

If you're never wrestled heavy booth pieces and and bins of things like Andrus bucktails and Point Jude Tins up and down the stairs you probably haven't noticed what was wrong with Kingston.

Also, the power going on the fritz all weekend and frying our computer/cash register wasn't the greatest either. We were ringing up sales on a calculator we bought from the Radio Shack in the mall that weekend.

ANY show isn't easy though, no matter what the venue. I have complete respect for any vendors that attend and especially those who organize these shows and feel the wrath of vendors (and the public) when things don't go perfectly. There's a lot of hard work from everyone to make these events happen. :kewl:

First, I'd like to thank MSBA for putting on the show. I schedule it every year, keeps me sane till the fish show up. I met the two guys who run this fabulos web sight which was very cool. There were not a ton of vendors, but I managed to walk out with a lighter wallet. The Gillette food was awful and expensive. Next year I'll eat before or after.

The people that run the show for MSBA ( Patrick , Chris and all the others that I don't know their names) do a GREAT job. I have been to the last 3 shows with my brother (pt . Jude Joe). They always do a great job getting you into your booth and out the door when the show is over.

So THANK YOU for all the The MSBA does.

Jeff

:cheers:

My comments were in no way meant as a slight to MSBA, those people are first class. :claps:

The food is a problem though I spent 12.00 bucks on three pepsis in two days. Thats a hit for 3 mostly ice filled drinks.

I know The Kingston Mall was hairy. I remember the electricity problems.

I miss the old Armory and the sausage/pepper/onion subs but that venue was too small. I know Gillette appears to have some prestige but there has to be somewhere like U-Mass Dartmouth or soemthing along those lines.

Also, if it is at Gillette next year ( and I will go because I haven't missed the show in ten years or more now) how will vendors feel with Bass Pro being open right next door?

Again, the MSBA folks are tops in my book but I can't shake the feeling that there might be a better time and place for the show.

The show needs a permanent home at a better time slot. They are too close to RISSA and that's some serious competition. Some vendors just cannot do both that close.

I too had a good time at the show....spent some serious cake....not only on fishing stuff but on the $7.50 budweiser.

"2 Budweisers Please"......I throw the guy a $20 and get $5 back...:shocked: :gu:

Why not a school gymnasium for the show?

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!:btu:

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!:wavey:

The help at MSBA is world class. I've traveled to and set up at way too many fishing shows and for sure they set the standard.

I also remember it being close to 100 degrees at times in that hell-hole. Even with the cheap foodcourt upstairs and down the hall, it was too much to bear. I don't miss Kingston.

And I'll echo Flap. I don't mean in any way to belittle the efforts of the guys who work hard to organize this show. And it won't stop me from attending in the future. It's nice to sit by the fireplace and look out over the stadium, and if you know what to expect in the way of food costs, you budget for it (though Harpoon's absence this year put a crimp in it because I was expecting to wash down that $7.50 cardboard pizza with a free sample beer ;) ). I'm just relaying the feedback I get from others. Patrons and vendors alike.

I just wish there was a place on the Southcoast where it could be held that was available. UM-Dartmouth would be ideal, but if it isn't available, it isn't. I also understand the need to have a place booked far enough in advance to make it a definite "go" for the time frame--you can't just wait and hope that some factory outlet mall somewhere will fold on February 1 so you can have it there in mid-March.

I guess having a home after scrambling for a location for so long isn't the worst thing. Too bad you can't cut a deal with the Pats to let patrons brown-bag it :D

I would just like to say thank you to all that came out and made the expo special. :claps: :claps: :claps:
I am proudly the President of MSBA, with very good reason.
Seeing so many people give so much of thier time to the club for almost nothing in return is amazing.
Thank you all for the countless hours the committee puts in from the very begining to the last minute when we pull the MSBA trailer away.
Not one person in MSBA is compensated for thier time. The club just has to ask for help and the members always stepup, no matter what the odds. This years show (put on within 4 months of approval) was the most well organized show we have done to date. It is all thanks to the MSBA members that step up.

MSBA will continue to strive to improve, as we have done since 1950.

Again, thank you to all the volunteers, vendors, and public for coming out and supporting MSBA.

Anyone that is not a member of MSBA, should be. Then you would get a sense of the pride its members take in wearing the colors...

Chris Lincoln
Proud member and President

Chris we know it and we appreciate it believe me, no one can ever say anything bad about you and your people in my presence, I know how hard you worked and continue to work at it. Hats off to you all at MSBA.:cheers:

One thing though, if Parick ever realizes he has a talent for doing the public announcements and visits Hollywood, your screwed! He could be that guy you here on the previews on DVD's!!!!!

Chris, Slingah and I were commenting on Patricks perfect radio voice and how he should get on the radio somewhere.......then we could turn him off at will!;) :bl2:

He does have a great "on air" voice!:kewl:

Hmmmmmm....I hear Jay Baver is leaving OTW to go back to the mountains and his family. Maybe there is an opportunity here....lol

Basic Patrick = the next James Earle Jones :btu:

I wonder if the Krafts will have some stipulations added to the show once their mega mall with a BassPro is finally open??

Patrick - notice they said RADIO and not TV :bshake:

Yeah Patrick....radio voice does not translate to TV face!!:bl2:

You guys do put on a great show, althought I couldn't attend this year, have gone in the past few years and it is excellent - for a small entrance fee, a bunch of great seminars, lots of great fishing talk and great vendors as well ... there are a ton of shows during the winter, seem to be more than ever, but not all very good. MSBA puts on a great show ... so thumbs up to everyone involved, you guys provide a great service to all of us.

Video Killed the Radio Star......just look what MTV did to Joe Jackson

Now that is some funny chit right there...see you Memorial Day weekend my friend.

I have a big problem with the mass show..
It's too damn far..
Guy's spending 2-3 hundy on fishing equipment complaining about food prices are funny.
Patrick could play some guy getting snuffed in a Scorsesse film.
It would have to be the big screen..

I thought the show was great. I don't look at it like my $15.00 doesn't buy me anything. It's a show......a show usually means it has an entertainment value. And that's exactly how I view it. And with 11 vendors not being able to make it I thought it was still a great show.

As far as food and beer prices go what can you do. The boat show the food was outragously priced as was the beer. But American Legions and VFWs and gun clubs alike raise the beer/liquor prices for hall events. It happens.

But I don't go to the boat show or the fishing shows to eat or drink. If I can get a burger and a beer at the event it's all the better.

I met a few people from here and from the MSBA and had a great time. I also met some of the guys on here who have business which gives me new places to acquire my equipment.

My friends and I look forward to the show every year. We never leave empty handed.

Great Event and Great Job by ALL invloved!!!!!!

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.

Many patrons don't spend anywhere near that. Many spend less than $50.

I can't speak for all of the folks who complain, but I think what rubs them the wrong way isn't the cost--it's the fact that they're getting boned. $7.50 for a piece of carboard with a ladle of sauce and a handful of cheese spread over it--rubber burgers--4 oz of soda in a cup with 12 oz of ice for $4. I think if the quality of the food was better, you'd hear fewer complaints. Plus, the stadium security people are downright militant about bringing in outside food/drinks--even with the vendors who come in early to set up before they can even buy a cup of $4 coffee.

My friends and I walked in with coffees from the outside and nobody said a word. Then after the show we went to the outback for burgers and beer. $20.00 a piece for a burger and two beers each. They were 12 oz. beers. I think the stadium has 16oz. beers? Do they? They do for the games...

But the burger and fries were very tasty.....

I bet all who saw you were envious.....cause that "Dunkin Donuts" coffee inside sucked!!! Thank Gawd my buddies went out both days and got me the real McCoy!!:gu: :kewl:

It does suck in there. I had the coffee at a game last year. It was horrible......