Well, if the show is at Gillette next year, this will have been the last year I attend this show.
1. We arrived around 0915 hours to meet and greet, as we have done in the past. Upon meeting many friends, we decided that we'd wait it out inside the warmth at around 0930. First we were greeted by some moron security guard sayind we were parked in the handicapped parking area and if we don't move, we'd received a ticket. Lemme tell you, fella, the lot was not marked as per Mass general law. That's first and foremost. He was a total jerk! Gillette's fault, not MSBA
2. Upon entering the building, we were greeting by a nice lady who promptly asked if we were volunteers. "No" we replied. We were most politely advised
that the show did not start until 10 and we were to leave immediately. When asked if our elder could use the bathroom, we were advised, "I said the show does not open until 10. No you may not" Again, Gillette's fault, not MSBA
3. The show was missing many vendors/people, Hatteras, CMS, Gibbs just to name a few. Was kinda dissapointed about this. They were vendors I grew to appreciate! Oh well, not MSBA's fault.
4. The quarters were cramped, not as in last year. Last year was great....plenty of room, we were warm and had bathrooms at our disposal before the show and even had turning going on. With all the talk about turning, the only place I saw turning was in the heads of anglers. Probably not MSBA's fault
5. How can someone get a 10 foot rod in that place??? The ceilings were only 8' tall at max! This prevented testing newer rods and getting a feel for the new equipment!
6. The empty booths....what gives? Someone forget to pay their bills? Really empty!
I enjoyed seeing people I have not seen around lately but I felt that the show lacked something, yet I can't put my finger on what! The large outfitters, Hatteras, CMS, were not there. It seemed to be missing. The promised turning did not happen, at least according the "red shirts" which we were told to ask. They knew nothing about any "Turning."
I enjoyed seeing people I have not seen, Salty, Mike, Habs, etc. but fear that this was my last.
Everyone has their own opinions and this is mine. To each his own.
Go ahead....crucify me now....I don't care. This is my observation. Msba had a great thing with the inside location but the "Comfort" factor exhibited by the Gillette staff was ridiculous! They should be spanked with a wet noodle for their BS! MSBA should probably tell them that there were many unhappy people with the attitude. It felt like a herring pulling day with 100 people and 7 herring!
Just my opinion...MSBA is a great organization but the Gillette people brought it down!