[QUOTE=TheSpecialist]For the amount of time they had, I thought they did a wonderful job. Part of the problem with not letting people use the bathroom early was probably due to the fact that they were all upstairs, and I am sure that the stadium would have been facing a liability issue had they let anyone in early. CMS was there as I bought 2 Fluke rods from them and Mike P bought a custom 1209, so there was room for 10' rods to be displayed. Was the show perfect? Probably not, but it felt alot warmer, more comfortable than years passed. One thing people seemed to complain about was the fact that the ticket price was higher, what they do not take into consideration is the venue is more exspensive, and the vendors paid more without complaining.

Every other show I go to, I pay through the nose for parking!!!

the show was great!!! how about all the pats pictures on the walls,,, i just wanted to stuff some of them under my shirt on the way out...hehehe

This was my first time at a MSBA show and I was very pleased with it. I go to all the fly shows but hadn`t been to a all round show in a while. Now to address some of the problems, 1.. the attendant at the door let everyone in at 9:35 so we wouldn`t freeze, we were the first inside,the lobby was packed by the time tickets went on sale. 2.. the cielings were plenty high on the side where most of the rods were, we flexed a number of 9 + 10 ft. against the columns there to get a feel. 3...CMS was there, there will always be some empty booths, chit happens. 4..I didn`t mind the subdued lighting, thought it added ambiance. My only complaint is that I thought it would be bigger. Oh and the food prices! $15 for a cheesburger and a beer! I was there for 5 hours and thouroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Next time I`ll chow down before I go.
Slinger

I am glad most everyone had a good time today. Personaly, it is a pain of sorts to put together a show as a "vendor" even though I wasn't "vending" stuff :hihi:

I also really appreciate the help from everyone, Mike and Bill especially for all the help today, plus the MSBA volunteers that helped out in most every way possible...

Yes, the Gillette staff was a little heavy handed. How much of that is from handling 66000 people instead of 2-3000? Not sure.

Of course, I am going to bring some bottle caps in tomorrow :hihi:

All in all, thought it went pretty stinkin' good for the first time at this location.

As far as people having a dissenting voice? I am not going to squah someone's fair opinion
and would encourage others to allow people their opinions. Some had a differing opinon than most but we respect that here (usually :hee: )...

Great to see a lot of old hands and meet a few new ones today too :btu: . I will say S-B was WEEEELLLL Represented today!

Bob thomas - I didn't see you there did I :huh: ?

Very good show.My girlfriend and I were very impressed.

Got my Salty's Patriot needles and one each of Pt.Jude Joe's Black Knights.Gotta a scrip for OTW finally.I'm happy.

The place is so nice I can see why the beers are $7 bucks a whack,they gotta pay for that place somehow!

The Harpoon UFO is delicious but the other one was nasty.

Hopefully, those guys impersonating CMS will just take the cash and run and not bother putting thru all the credit card receipts :rotfl:

Bob--please don't take this as a knock, but if you came down via 495 you must have passed that Dunkin' Donuts about a mile south of the stadium on Rte 1. If someone had to make a piss call at 9:30, there was plenty of time to head back down, grab a coffee while your friend relieved himself, and get back in time for the doors to open. Also, if you didn't see CMS and thought the ceilings were too low, I'm thinking you missed half the show. The east side of the hall---where CMS was---had celings high enough for them to display 11' Arra rods with ceiling room to spare.

My only complaint is that the concession stands would not sell coffee to the vendors and their reps a second before 10 :(

I've been going to, and occasionally working at, these shows since the Braintree Armory days. I think this was the best show yet for the number of vendors and the amount of goods.

As far as Gibbs not being there---they don't sell retail at the shows, and they haven't come up with new plug models in a couple of years. Charlie from CMS had all the Gibbs you'd ever want (no Canal Specials, however). Plus you had numerous smaller builders there---Habs, #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, RI Popper, Bliz, afterhours, Al Gags, among others and Charlie even had some Beachmaster needlefish and Atom Jrs. I know guys from NY who are probably kicking themselves on reading this for not coming down and loading up on Beachmaster needles. Some booths had some nice looking plugs I've never seen before. Mike sold out of those Hogy rigged sluggo-type lures, and had some nicely priced stuff from a company called Rhode Island Lures. At times, the line at his register was 20 deep, so I think a lot of people enjoyed it. I wish I had the time to go back tomorrow.

I thought it was a great show. Just MHO.

Basswipe, I saw you and then turned and you were gone I wanted to say hi, I also got the needles and knights, I scored a sweet spook to. thanks salty

When I lived in Germany they had a "drink" called IIRC, a Radler, which was 2/3 Heffeweizen like that UFO and 1/3 lemon-lime juice. Nothing so smooth as that on a hot summer day :cheers:

His line was a conveyor belt when I stopped in!And his wife(I assume she was his wife) took the the time to answer my question when it was very busy and I truly appreciate that.

I had a great time today. Good to see lots of people from the site, I think Cal was the only one I did not bump into. I found deals too, got some youzuri mag darters for $5.50 each what a deal!there were also some for 8.99 which is still less than normal and considering the price is going to jump above 14 bucks each very soon since wholesale is going to be more than 11 I think.
Got some rubber from canalman and his plugs are a bargain. got some plastic from CMS, hooks and rubba from MikeCC
Jenna got a sweet autographed plug from the Habs guy himself :D Jenna says thanks again John :wavey: She was bored because it wasn't in a mall :rollem:so I took her home.
The #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& and McKenna seminar was very good.
I had a great time talking with Big Ed, I listen closely when he speaks kinda like when I listen to Stan Kuzia. Stifftip got a chance to razz me, and VB had some incredible stuff :btu: along with Flaps' stuff and Marty's stuff.
It didn't seem like some of the bigger places were there but the others that were there certainly took up the slack. I missed the Salt Water Edge, Hatteras Jacks etc, but I understand not all can make it every year. I think Patrick did a fine job along with all who helped him get a show to even happen in the short amount of time the club had to find a place.I'll be back in th e AM to help out

I'm a plain true blue Bud drinker but that UFO was just damn good.Bought a rack on the way home.

uhh
 

The Mall was free :usd:

Remember - tha beer has much more KICK than your Bud :hihi:

What would really top it all off would be to win that custom Arra Lami that was next to the S-B table!

MikeP..Afterhours wasnt there...:conf: :bc:

I have been pretty low key for a while now so it was nice getting out and seeing some of you guys. I had a great time & if it wasn't that tomorrow was my only day off this week(must spend it fishing) Id go back to see the rest of it.

Really enjoyed the show and thought the venue for it was excellent. We got there a bit early and hung out, outside (after hecking nib as we drove passed him in the lot). Hung out for a bit spk/w Freak, then went in. Found that it was very cool, because there was enough space so that no vendors were backed into a corner or anything where they couldnt display their stuff, plenty of room to shoot the chit etc, the lounges were cool because if you ran into a few guys you hadnt seen since last spring etc, there were couches etc where you could sit and shoot the %$%$%$%$. The entrance fee at first I thought was a bit steep, as I had expected to pay to park, but there was no charge to park so that evened that out and I found the entrance fee a bit easier to accept. Would I pay the fee again yes. It was great seeing everyone at the show, its always good to get in a few hours around fellow addicts.. umm anglers. I told Patrick a few times during the course of the day that the venue was great and they had done a great job putting it together. Prices for food and frosty beverages are on par with any event held in such a venue, but I'm pretty sure I work for or own Harpoon brewery now... :buds: Good stuff MSBA excellent show and you pulled it off very well, as anything a few things to tweak here and there maybe a port o potty outside for the early birds but all in all the show F'in rocked. Scotty, and I were there from the opening til Close and the way it was setup it wasnt like a death march to get around the place, very comfortable atmosphere, very relaxed not the wharehouse effect you get at some shows..Excellent job MSBA, great showing of SB guys there today. It wont be long now guys! :buds:

Surf Asylum sold out of BLACK before I got there!!! :tear:

One thing that stands out from today was an "older" gentleman with one tooth hanging out by the concession who was absolutely fascinated
with the idea that my girlfriend striper fishes.This guy was cool and we all three conversed for awhile.

Did you guys see anyone tailgateing cause I was thinking about doing it,, and yes I will take a leek in the parking lot.

Ya I saw one group doing so.

Again..There was a porta potty in the main parking lot...Pretty close to the entrance...If I saw it everyone should have..:whackin: ..If one needs GPS co-ordinates e/mail me..:grins:

One of many pissers.There is no way you could miss that one.And there were many more if you didn't mind takin a short walk.

girls +gentlymen i workedthe show today. w/on the water u know me as dave laporte,desperate one,or capt. cupcake.every one has thers opinion god bless america;;;now,sign says open at 10 am not pizz call @ 945 .security is security. and they dont know us. i was helped and welcomed at the venders door.helped w/ flaptails and my old plugs and goodies no problems,msba staff was great. was it crowded YUP. but not as bad as in the past locations,i think the admission to the stadium and free parkin was worth in.lots of happy faces,fisher people buyin and sellin all good deals,shows and seninars ten hrs of fishing.etc.you get out of it ,what you put into it...Ihad a ball ,saw all the vendersand shows i wanted ..MSBA <<OTW<<ETC.ETC deserve a high five.lots and lots of hard worki was proud to be part of it...capt cupcake p.s. did you see all those old plugs????to die for.

Was great to meet you stiff tip!You were one of the only guys to make the connection with the shirt and my screenname.

PS.Can't wait for that 1st(actaully second) issue!

I just noticed I spelled "actually" wrong.I guess one to many Harpoon UFOs.

thanks b w the pleasure was mine also. for me it was agreat day,all the players were there.not just us, but you guys made it ..you know this show is for fishermen/woman..to see new products, ideas and fishin goodies..il be there tomorrow sayin hi

I enjoyed the show today. I wasn't there for the venue but the show itself to score on some goodies and see some familiar faces. It was good to see some of the members I've met over the last couple of years and meet some new ones. Met some builders and got some sweet wood (Chumbucket (Matt) a small wonderbread surfster (sort of), PNG (Chris) a couple of large and small Nikes, Canalman (Dave) and F18 (Dave) several different plugs, all out of black rubber at that point but I'm sure I'll get some before it's time to use 'em) also scored a squid beachmaster danny and some needles from CMS. Got to have a laugh and speak with the guys from OTW and check out the Striper Cup. Jay was also nice enough to pose for a picture with the cup with me and my girl. Saw lots of real schweet vintage pluggage. Oh yeah and met the other Dave LaPorte AKA Captain CupCake lol (sorry Dave had to throw that in).

its,,had a good time with you and MY name ,wear it proudly,its a good honnest name around hear.i think i,ve had it longer, but i dont mind lettin you use it ... keep in touch {the cupcake} i love it ???

Me too, too funny!!! :jester:

Do the vendors take credit cards or is it cash only?

some of both Mugz

Well.... Let's see now. Some liked it and some didn't. To each his own. First off the stadium is impressive to say the least. The help in getting my chit to the hall was 1st rate all the way between the MSBA people and the stadium staff. I do think forethought would have been a good thing on those who had to relieve themselves and showed up early. Lesson learned. The hall was nice, kinda on the dark side on the side the museum was on though. Putting on a gig like this is a tremendous undertaking and those who squawk usually have not the faintest idea of what stress and pressure the people putting it on are under. One thing to think about is that a. you look forward to it and b. if it were not for the same nucleus of men and women who year after year step up and accept the challenge of putting it on, no matter how big the MSBA Organization is, it would not happen and that would be a shame. Patrick Paquette, even though he looked like he had been run over by a truck, kept his cool and was professional dealing with the small problems that popped up all day. Kudos to him and all the volunteers who run this great show. Stand tall and proud, you all earned it.

Now as for the ner' do wells who stopped by to say hi, it was great! I look forward to seeing all the S-B.COM folks and to those who are staying away and boycotting for various reasons, well your loss not ours. Too bad it has to be that way. I enjoyed being part of the show if only for one day, of course VB's, Eric's and Marty's stuff just shames my pitiful collection and was honored to be able to be aside of theirs. Those guys are preserving history and those who didn't see it missed something very very special. Big Ed, Stan Kuzia ( my hero), Chumbucket, Stiffy, Slip, JohnR, Charlie Cinto, Bob Larson and my old buds at OTW made the day complete as did the rest of the bums I fish with and have met over the years, and you know who are, thanks for a special day.

Some of the treasure I brought home tonight

Boy I started a @$@ storm here, huh!

You foks were right and I was wrong...it was the best show in the world. I can't believe I allowed my opinion to stray from everyone elses. I promise I won't let it happen again! :huh: :huh:

As for the "What part of doors open at 10 am don't you understand?" Every other MSBA show I attended, we stood in the mall waiting in line. Warm, covered and facilities. Perhaps I was spoiled by last years show or lack of sleep and the wonderful attitude of the Gillette people just set me off....it does not take much!

John, I was there early and did not see you there...I don't think. There was a crowd of people there, none of which I recognized.

Look...I've never organized a show, never partook in "vendoring" and can only compare it with years past. I'm sure it is a difficult undertaking. Cudos for those that worked on it and worked as volunteers. I offered my opinions so that some of the issues could be worked on.

Last year was fantastic...we spent about 5 hours there. Maybe I was spoiled by that one. The 2 years it was in the basement, we went BOTH days, even though it was hot and the light kept going out and the one in the mill was real nice as well. However, I did not get that feeling this time.

Now...as for the free parking, PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG, I have no problem paying $15 for a show and I don't think I was complaining about the cost (was I :huh: ) but for a carload of 4, the Springfield was $45, Worcester - Same but MSBA $60. Again, I have no problem with that but somewhere along the lines (I'd have to find the post) it appears someone thought I did. I'd GLADLY pay $15 for last years venue.....again, perhaps I was spoiled last year!

That is all...flame away!

my thoughts exactly
 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
that harpoon ale i had for lunch.....gave me "quite the BUZZ"
i was glad i only had one.... :)
the lighting was a bit dark on the one side... but it was nice and bright on the other side...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
next year ...i'll bring $500 dollars instead of fifty.... :D
my only wish ....would have been for a "mini" S-B peel and stick
sticker...so as to show the crowd...the power of SB...in numbers

as i am still making new friends, and can't always put faces to names. I think maco joe crushed my hand ....:rotf2:....

I had a great day.Basically from the beginnig to end.Was a long day.The stadium was very cool.Neat very clean.I didn't know u could go outside by the fireplace to have a Smoke.I would Go down the escalator an back up didn't mind I am used to being a outlaw smoker.made a walk to see the freaks Flag on Salty's van.Very cool in person.(Looks Like there is till some work to be done?).Of the vendors some where Very nice.Like the Roberts lure doods an the guys from Larry's Tackle on the Vineyard.Salty,Bliz, showcased some nice stuff.Spent bout 150 in Mikes booth.he musta cleaned up there.Good to see Johnee Habs there he's still the best.Got a beautifull Canalman/Assylum pencil popper.No hess bros.this yr??Patrick?...O yea there was a lot less Basic Patrick.60 lbs less,he says he eats corn muffins instead of donuts now?I got some very kool colored pork rinds pink green an purple.can't wit to put em to the test.Some fellow S-B guys where very good to me.Freak gave me a beatifull White gold flake 40.an a pencil I think he stole back:tm:when i come up in the summer i wanna do some tuna.an puke.I bought a Salty Bug lure.so we'll see how the foto comes out.I met the legend TLAP.We should fish together some time this yr.This past summer i was in ur footprints quite a few times.At one point Slip,Jenna an I had lunch in the celebrity room.:D:Tobias came up wit this great box o Nice hooks so I traded him a NIB needle for some.He is a super nice guy.Got a chance to talk to Karl Johansen,I wish to be as esteemed as the Angler when I grow up.Stan Kuzia another treasure.Mike DitchJigger.He likes tree poppers.Spent some time goin over the museum lures an trophy's wit Flap.Not enough time for that.Some kool stories of Old Schaefer trophy's in the attick or basemant or both.I should have a tape recorder goin I don't remember as much as I used to.Seemed every time i went by there VB was gone.(Beerstand?)i wanted to talk to himsome.he had some GREAT Stuff there.Stifftip, Captain Cupcake was a blast also.He must be fun to fish wit.IntheSurf Dave was there at the end.See u this yr also.Gone fishing talk who got one o my pencils in a swap.next time in the ditch i will look u up.Kadir an His running mate from LI.Sorry I don't remember his handle.good to see them as Joe an His brother from Point Jude lures.Good to see them.
All u guys wit the new big rubber this yr.U need to get some of those big swim plates he has for em trust me on this.I will be tearing up ur waters wit some of my own this summer.that chromiumed one looks real Kool.Saw some seminars to get some rest.zzzzzzzzzz.Its Not just u Flap.#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& I thought did very well an u can see where Stevie McKenna gets his energy from.Seems he loves talkin bout fishing as much as fishing itself.Nice talks.If anyone has some youngsters they wanna get inot the sport. I would recommend they hear this tandem speak.Vic,trowin Timber an his buddie Scott.Scott had this big bag o lures.nice stuff.Not sure why i didn't get my hands on one o them.Good to see fellow Clubmates Chumbucket an Arnie.Matt had some kool stuff for cheap.Hope u got in on some..Some regulars every morning at the ditch.Paul PFF an Bobby Samuelson.Hope u feel better this yr bobby.An of course John an the guys from the booth like Specialist.good to see them..So as u can see it was a long day enjoyed the end of the day as much as the beginning less people around more time to talk.I'm pretty sure thats it.Hope I didn't miss anybody.I missed Dave-MAC an his little buddy Tagger not being there.(Everyone like ur new NIB plugs i was carryin around).an Capesams that sucked.:( Even though their was no plug turners there :( It was Well worth the trip for me.Can't wait for next weekend at the Riisa show.see ya there.Friday an Sat.
Bring me some plugs..:hihi:

I think i made one mistake.Flap gave me the forty that freak had gave to him. Freak HAD givin me a pencil.When he had seen I hoed in good taste a smudged freak pencil from Slip. He took it back an gave it to Flap.So I got nothing from freak:tm: an a beautiful freak frorty from Steve. Thanks steve i owe u one..Thanks for nutin Freak.Only kiddin he has been good to me an I understand he only had so many plugs to go around.But u gotta keep ur eye on him he's one o those slight o' hand guys.Maybe thats why he paints so good.

Altough i have never met Bob Thomas.What I have read from him on this an the other place.He has proved to me to be nothing but a gentleman.He simply stated some things he tought could be worked on.Where he had some problems.I think he went out of his way to be pollite about it.If u make someone unhappy in the beginnig of something it is hard to turn them around.i think this is what happened.It is unfourtunate that when he Simply Stated his opinion some have to take it persoanlly. I don't think it was ment that way.Perhaps next yr some minor tweeking of things will go on to make it better.I'm sure it will.
Please lets not turn this thread into a flame war on admission fee's or toilets.
Leave the toilet humor to me :hihi:
Thank U

slip,
there he goes, the notorious NIB AKA "THREADKILLER"

:wavey:

Pissing is important
 

It probably has to do with our insurance policy. It doesn't allow entry until the advertised time for cost reasons. I think most everything went as well as could be expected for the first year in a new venue. The lighting on the feildside of the venue was a little low. And there was quite a bit more room on that side. The only person who couldn't stand up his custom rods was MIKE CC, which was too bad, but afterall Mike blew away the competition in the overall sales department, because as usual the first fifty people through the gates went right to his booth. Like Bigfish said some of the vendors cancelled for what ever reason. Next year I'm sure the place will be wall to wall vendor wise, because the vendors will soon know the date for next year and they'll know where it is. :rtfm: As far as the bar being more full than anywhere else that only occured around noontime time. Before noonhour and starting around 11 a.m. people started eating, and the bar gradually became busier until it started slacking off after one. It wasn't anywhere that became someplace to sit and drink alcohol for the sake of drinking alcohol. I am sure Pat and all of the executive committee will read every word here seriously, not lightly. We care what people see and want from our club. :kewl:

Ity wa you that crushed my hand first!! I just crushed back :wave:

U couldn't wait.
Ur too funny
Its gonna be "NIB The Little Jimmy FishKiller".
Comin to a town Near U
:hihi: