From The MSBA Expo committee and the MSBA membership

[mikeg]

I perfer to think of it as constructive observations.

We knew there was going to be a problem when the whole set up went nuts in the last week and we were taking booth reservations the day before the show opened, the final layout was being changed at 11 PM Thursday the night before the show and we were waiting for certain other info which needed to be confirmed

It was a problem we were aware of but the general consensus was that it would be better to post no information rather than bad information. I'm sure you'd agree that the first is defense able but the second unforgivable to someone who had laid down the cash to see something in particular only to find it wasn't there.

Sometimes it is just the nature of the beast and you do the best you can with what you have.

MikeG

[BigBo]

Understandable Mike. But to be honest, the answer you just gave me was the best I've gotten to date (too little, too late though). When the question was raised before the Expo, the answers were very vague to say the least. Had I got the answer you gave, I might have taken the chance and gone. As a result, I decided that I'll go to the RISAA show instead.

[Back Beach]

I've personally been to the show for the last 15 or so years and have never been disappointed. Even with the mentioned issues at Gillette I still enjoyed it. A lot goes into the shows and it’s impossible to get everything perfect. I took my 3 1/2 year old son on Sunday. The guys working the door were courteous as always. I had to make it a real quick visit as the little one has a short attention span, but the show was great, spread out, and a lot of new, creative stuff to be seen and heard. Great job MSBA.
My son was disappointed that there were no live tiger sharks, but he enjoyed the hamburgers.

[hardcore from shore]

We only want to build on what we hear. We could have given more info on who we knew was coming as vendors with "many more not yet confirmed" we could have listed our speakers with "more speakers and detail to follow". We can get better.

As for the front door crew- awsome as always and I am sure they tried to make the 3 1/2 year old accepted. I had a great time during my stint as ticket taker and door prize schill and front door guy reminding people to buy raffle tickets.

As kindly mentioned above we always put on a great show. Always have great speakers and no repeats. Thanks to John and all of you at Striped-Bass.com for your support and great speakers.

We will try to get more info out sooner next year. We do strive to create the type of show where it is so well known for quality that just based on the fact that it is occurring means quality and that you should take the day off and attend, like an ol Dead Concert, or like that ball field in Iowa in Field of Dreams we will build it please come. Fact is we are already starting planning for next year. Based on the positive feedback we have received and the constructive observations it will only get better.

I want even more attendees next year to hear our speakers and inspire them to take it to the next level and to take part in the hands on activities and get great deals fom the vendors and keep them happy as well. The MSBA EXPO needs to be the start of the fishing season.

Bill
President MSBA
and really proud of our 2008 EXPO

Again, thanks to Mike and his Show Committee, John and the great fisherman at Striped-Bass.com.

[numbskull]

Seems to me that Gillette put a stake in the heart of the MSBA show, the move to Stonehill gives you a fighting chance. Compared to RISSA, however, the manufacturer turn out was thin. Hopefully that will improve as the new location breathes life back into the show.

[Clogston29]

I agree with Numbskull. Need more manufacturers and dealers or its just not worth going. Hopefully they'll be able to build it up in the coming years. Probably tought to compete with RISSA though when the two are so close together. I think I covered the place in about 10 minutes and was like now what. Took and ride over the Burgess B&T and hung out with Phil for a bit while down there though, which is always a good time, glad to see him doing well. The fact that he had some "goods" stashed away for luds and I didn't hurt either