Keep in mind there was a 1st annual Austin Audio Fest
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/rivercityaudiosociety/conversations/messages/1930
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/rivercityaudiosociety/conversations/messages/1930
Personally, I'm not opposed to moving the show, but think we should change one thing at a time. That way we know with a little more certainty where to concentrate our efforts if attendance starts to dwindle again. If we concentrate on advertizing/reaching-out for 2015, we can see how much good it does. If not enough, then consider changing locations for 2016, or consider another approach.
I feel like we are trying too hard to "change" something that has worked fine in the past and that we are missing the obvious.... All we gotta do is promote it better... Updating the website I think is a must but I honestly think if we keep the info available and just keep the idea of lsaf2015 trending and actually do our part in inviting people... It will fix itself!! Just my opinion
This is the most important by far. We need to keep the idea trending in their mind. Right now they don't even THINK about the show for 11 months out of the year so they don't block out the weekend.
We need to get to a point with newsletters, facebook, and website updates to where people are anticipating the show's arrival.
There are plenty of things that could happen to attract new people. Besides, there are hundreds of rooms that are never rented out for the show. If you double attendance just by advertising better, it still leaves a lot of stones unturned. RMAF is the standard of regional shows, and now supplants CES as far as I'm concerned. RMAF has lots of records, SACDs, DVDa, gadgets, gizmos, programs, etc.. They also have seminars. As it is, LSAF is a low-budget, free show, that draws an eclectic group of people. It's a little DIY and a little finished product. In the past there were guys showing test equipment. I supposed I'm in the minority. I import, distribute, sell, service, modify and build. It's all interesting to me. All of it. I like all of the "audio ****", as it is sometimes called in my house, by my wife.
This year's show was the same weekend as the Dallas Guitar Show. Many of the folks who I expected to see at LSAF simply weren't aware of it. The did make time to go to the guitar show. I see two possible solutions to this. One is to deliberately avoid other shows in the area (wherever it is). The other is to leverage other shows. I know that folks came into Dallas from all over to attend the guitar show because it has commercial backing and the resultant publicity.
It (LSAF) would likely have appealed to a great many of the folks in town if they only knew about it. Heck, the two shows were only about fifteen miles from each other.
It (LSAF) would likely have appealed to a great many of the folks in town if they only knew about it. Heck, the two shows were only about fifteen miles from each other.
One thing I struggled with this year was a proper TIME to do the seminars. Middle of the day didn't seem like the best time. I think we should alter scheduling a bit.
Friday
Make this day start a bit earlier. Most of us come in Thursday night anyway. For those that travel far they are there fairly early on Friday so there's no need to waste Friday. If we extend hours here it will be a true two day show.
Saturday
Do the seminars in the morning after breakfast. Breakfast is free and we all need to eat so do them shortly after then before the show gets ramped up.
Sunday
We shouldn't advertise this as a show day. It's a joke. No one shows on Sunday. It's a packup day. This confuses the hell out of attendees.
Friday
Make this day start a bit earlier. Most of us come in Thursday night anyway. For those that travel far they are there fairly early on Friday so there's no need to waste Friday. If we extend hours here it will be a true two day show.
Saturday
Do the seminars in the morning after breakfast. Breakfast is free and we all need to eat so do them shortly after then before the show gets ramped up.
Sunday
We shouldn't advertise this as a show day. It's a joke. No one shows on Sunday. It's a packup day. This confuses the hell out of attendees.
The Friday and Saturday extension is a great idea.
Having the seminars on Friday between 4 and 6pm, and open the rooms afterward between 7 and 8pm might work? That way the attendees can come after work too.
Then on Saturday from 9am until 11am have the rest of the seminars, slightly delaying the start of the show days might be a great way to do this! And maybe everyone, even the people working the rooms can go rather than closing the rooms down if they want to.
I would LOVE to attend the seminars myself, but always have to stay in the room because our company is so small. Driving all the way to Dallas is kind of a chore for a single day show. And why are we not advertising that we are showing rooms from 9am until noon on Sunday and get with the hotel to allow a 3pm late checkout? That way it offers those that cannot make the Friday, or Saturday part of the show an alternate on Sunday. Most of us are still there Sunday anyway?
We had people in our room until noon on Sunday anyway, and the hotel had NO problem allowing us to pack up and leave at about 3:30. But this is just a discussion. I am in no way proposing to take over... I'm just throwing it out there! I just want LSAF to become something that people will want to come to again. It's pretty obvious that it is not currently on most people's schedules anymore. Let's try to put it back.
The vinyl room will be a massive hit and will need a large downstairs room. Headphones and headamps will be a hit with the younger crowd, drawing them up into the other rooms.
And throwing some guitar amps in one of the larger rooms, maybe down behind the pool where the guys can jam louder will also attract some - if people just know about it. Allow them to bring their guitars! Remember that most of those rooms are going to be Churches on Sunday though. Saturday would be perfect for that.
Foot traffic is essential for this show to thrive. Sure, we all like to see each other and get together, but that is for after the show with beer or whatever in hand, right!?
Having the seminars on Friday between 4 and 6pm, and open the rooms afterward between 7 and 8pm might work? That way the attendees can come after work too.
Then on Saturday from 9am until 11am have the rest of the seminars, slightly delaying the start of the show days might be a great way to do this! And maybe everyone, even the people working the rooms can go rather than closing the rooms down if they want to.
I would LOVE to attend the seminars myself, but always have to stay in the room because our company is so small. Driving all the way to Dallas is kind of a chore for a single day show. And why are we not advertising that we are showing rooms from 9am until noon on Sunday and get with the hotel to allow a 3pm late checkout? That way it offers those that cannot make the Friday, or Saturday part of the show an alternate on Sunday. Most of us are still there Sunday anyway?
We had people in our room until noon on Sunday anyway, and the hotel had NO problem allowing us to pack up and leave at about 3:30. But this is just a discussion. I am in no way proposing to take over... I'm just throwing it out there! I just want LSAF to become something that people will want to come to again. It's pretty obvious that it is not currently on most people's schedules anymore. Let's try to put it back.
The vinyl room will be a massive hit and will need a large downstairs room. Headphones and headamps will be a hit with the younger crowd, drawing them up into the other rooms.
And throwing some guitar amps in one of the larger rooms, maybe down behind the pool where the guys can jam louder will also attract some - if people just know about it. Allow them to bring their guitars! Remember that most of those rooms are going to be Churches on Sunday though. Saturday would be perfect for that.
Foot traffic is essential for this show to thrive. Sure, we all like to see each other and get together, but that is for after the show with beer or whatever in hand, right!?
What if we had the first year for the Vinyl room paid for by all of the exhibitors? This way we can get a Vinyl vendor to commit to coming the first year when they don't really know if it will be worth their time. Then, after it's a BIG hit (and I'm sure it will be) they pay their own room NEXT year.
And I like Dave's idea for the headphone/head amps in the vinyl room. Throw some cheap turn tables in there so they can demo the vinyl before they leave with it. I'd imagine most of the gear is stuff a Vinyl vendor has already.
Going a step further here....we should make the Vinyl room THE room that attendees go into when they first walk in. Make that the registration, information, and greeting booth. If we use the Grapevine room (or another large room) this should be plenty of space.
And I like Dave's idea for the headphone/head amps in the vinyl room. Throw some cheap turn tables in there so they can demo the vinyl before they leave with it. I'd imagine most of the gear is stuff a Vinyl vendor has already.
Going a step further here....we should make the Vinyl room THE room that attendees go into when they first walk in. Make that the registration, information, and greeting booth. If we use the Grapevine room (or another large room) this should be plenty of space.
I'm all in with vinyl room, and will also help whoever you can get load the room as I always show up Wednesday setup Thursday morning and always have dolly/cart in hand. Moving vinyl is a task but think with added promo will be a hit.
If you have any doubts read link below
Nashville's United Record Pressing Expanding With Sixteen New Presses | Analog Planet
If you have any doubts read link below
Nashville's United Record Pressing Expanding With Sixteen New Presses | Analog Planet
There's no need for vendors/attendees to cover the cost of the vinyl room. Vinyl vendors are used to paying a fee per table. In Austin, it's $150 (or $180). If you charge just enough to cover the room, they'd be happy. $10 per table per day should cover it, and leave a little left to advertise it some. The record show people that do it for a living charge the vendors a heap of money, and charge admission too. If they see what we have going on, and we do all the right things (like submit the event to the various sites that keep track of record shows around the country), we can fill a full sized room with software.
Thanks for the link. I had no idea they were pumping out that much product. It's mind boggling.
Perhaps we can charge $15 per table, and hire some workers to move vinyl. It's not a task, it's a soul-sapping death march. I have 7,000. I think when it's time to move, we just list it as a music library and sell the whole thing as-is.
Perhaps we can charge $15 per table, and hire some workers to move vinyl. It's not a task, it's a soul-sapping death march. I have 7,000. I think when it's time to move, we just list it as a music library and sell the whole thing as-is.
Well we didn't make it a full month before the conversation died off to nothing. I hope that we can pull it all back together before next year and we don't wait until the last minute again to try to do something to boost this show back up.
One thing is for sure. If we have a show that is worse than 2014, the only people that will be at LSAF is the DIY'ers and a very few Manufacturers, and almost nobody off the street. Now for some more interesting news...
Regardless of what the magazines tell you... Newport was also a bomb. You could roll a bowling ball down the halls at some points throughout the weekend! And that show used to be on par with RMAF. And that brings us to RMAF... even that show was more than 30% off from the previous years. And CAS was barely worth the drive.
It seems that the only show that did well and had a flood of people was Chicago. And that was no doubt because it was the first one in that city in 20 years. What's going on? The prices, the same boring locations with bad rooms year after year, and... the cost... the cost - the cost. It's ridiculous actually!
But our show is cheap and fun as heck... so why is it dying along with the others????
Do those of us in the industry have to be at shows like RMAF, Newport, THE Show?... simply, YES we should actually. If not then you miss the chance to get into all of the publications, print and online and that generates interest and sales. At least it has for us!
One thing is for sure... the important industry publications do not come to LSAF anymore. Can we get them back? I haven't the foggiest idea. It costs.
Lot's of questions to ask ourselves. But one thing we should never do is allow our little show to completely die. But die it will if people like Danny Richie, Dave Schlegle, and the dozen of so more that we lost this year never return. The vinyl and headphone ideas have the potential to bring back the foot traffic. Let's not forget to keep this thing going and try to talk a little more about it for the next 10 months.
I for one would truly hate to think that LSAF is gone for good. Even at 60 I hate to see a good party like this one bite the dust. But if all of the indications are correct... we have a problem. Apathy!
One thing is for sure. If we have a show that is worse than 2014, the only people that will be at LSAF is the DIY'ers and a very few Manufacturers, and almost nobody off the street. Now for some more interesting news...
Regardless of what the magazines tell you... Newport was also a bomb. You could roll a bowling ball down the halls at some points throughout the weekend! And that show used to be on par with RMAF. And that brings us to RMAF... even that show was more than 30% off from the previous years. And CAS was barely worth the drive.
It seems that the only show that did well and had a flood of people was Chicago. And that was no doubt because it was the first one in that city in 20 years. What's going on? The prices, the same boring locations with bad rooms year after year, and... the cost... the cost - the cost. It's ridiculous actually!
But our show is cheap and fun as heck... so why is it dying along with the others????
Do those of us in the industry have to be at shows like RMAF, Newport, THE Show?... simply, YES we should actually. If not then you miss the chance to get into all of the publications, print and online and that generates interest and sales. At least it has for us!
One thing is for sure... the important industry publications do not come to LSAF anymore. Can we get them back? I haven't the foggiest idea. It costs.
Lot's of questions to ask ourselves. But one thing we should never do is allow our little show to completely die. But die it will if people like Danny Richie, Dave Schlegle, and the dozen of so more that we lost this year never return. The vinyl and headphone ideas have the potential to bring back the foot traffic. Let's not forget to keep this thing going and try to talk a little more about it for the next 10 months.
I for one would truly hate to think that LSAF is gone for good. Even at 60 I hate to see a good party like this one bite the dust. But if all of the indications are correct... we have a problem. Apathy!
As I said before, didn't even take a month before the chatter stopped. Uriah and Dave are right on the money. You have to structure and organize as potential attendees. I'd love to come to next year's show as the timing hasn't worked for me since my son started college. I'm not a vender, but myself and maybe a couple of others might Be able to do some free freelance photography for a few of the publications. That way we get some exposure and they won't have to pay someone to do it?
I love the LSAF. It has been a great show in the past. But it just doesn't make sense for us to exhibit at a show that is not promoted and that no one (few) are coming to.
Things have to change. How we do business, market, promote, etc.
After so many years we should recognize the LSAF concept isn't working, and there's no reason to believe it will work anytime in the future. The show hasn't been able to achieve a critical mass, where there are enough potential buyers to attract a critical mass of vendors, who would in turn attract a critical mass of visitors. And the numbers are headed South, with some of the more desirable vendors telling us they can't build an economic case for participating. I doubt any "patch", like aligning it with a record show, will make enough difference.
I would love to see a successful audio show I could drive to from Houston in four hours or less, but I don't think it will be a LSAF type show. The potential isn't there. I believe the only way a Texas show could be successful is if somebody who has the financial clout, industry insider connections, and show organization experience decided it has the potential for success and made it happen. But with the proliferation of new shows since the LSAF began, this isn't very likely. It's too bad, because the Houston / DFW / Austin / San Antonio area has a large population of people with discretionary income, and with the demise of brick & mortar audio shops, these shows are the only venue for sellers to show their equipment.
I would love to see a successful audio show I could drive to from Houston in four hours or less, but I don't think it will be a LSAF type show. The potential isn't there. I believe the only way a Texas show could be successful is if somebody who has the financial clout, industry insider connections, and show organization experience decided it has the potential for success and made it happen. But with the proliferation of new shows since the LSAF began, this isn't very likely. It's too bad, because the Houston / DFW / Austin / San Antonio area has a large population of people with discretionary income, and with the demise of brick & mortar audio shops, these shows are the only venue for sellers to show their equipment.
Record Show Set
Henry Heier lit a fire under my ***, so I edited the web page, went by the hotel, did some stuff, talked to people, and we decided to make it Saturday only, this year. It will run 8A-8P, and tables will cost $60, which is in line with pricing for other record shows. The price is calculated to pay for the Mesquite room. I signed a contract with them and reserved the room. If things work out, we can add a day. That depends on feedback from dealers.
I moved the page from here: http://mockingbirddistribution.com/lone-star-audio-and-record-show-2015/
to here: Lone Star Record Show 2015 - Mockingbird Distribution LLC
Admission is free, obviously. We can change to a larger room if enough people sign up, and we can also spill out into the commons. There's something like 16,000 square feet available, right now, so the sky is the limit.
A good thing: the girl I'm talking to at the hotel is interested in vinyl (she's from Cali), and has a friend with a record store in Ft Worth, so she's excited by the idea.
Here's what you can help me do: if you know any regional tube or audio guys, with tubes or equipment to sell, let them know. I don't think the tables will handle stacks of boat anchors, but some turntables, tubes, PAS, Eico, PIO caps, and so on. There will be enough DIY'ers present that they'd start making money quickly.
Read the page and let me know what you think. I've started contacting radio stations today, to get on their event calendars, and I'll do this systematically (radio stations, then TV stations, then colleges, and so on).
Henry Heier lit a fire under my ***, so I edited the web page, went by the hotel, did some stuff, talked to people, and we decided to make it Saturday only, this year. It will run 8A-8P, and tables will cost $60, which is in line with pricing for other record shows. The price is calculated to pay for the Mesquite room. I signed a contract with them and reserved the room. If things work out, we can add a day. That depends on feedback from dealers.
I moved the page from here: http://mockingbirddistribution.com/lone-star-audio-and-record-show-2015/
to here: Lone Star Record Show 2015 - Mockingbird Distribution LLC
Admission is free, obviously. We can change to a larger room if enough people sign up, and we can also spill out into the commons. There's something like 16,000 square feet available, right now, so the sky is the limit.
A good thing: the girl I'm talking to at the hotel is interested in vinyl (she's from Cali), and has a friend with a record store in Ft Worth, so she's excited by the idea.
Here's what you can help me do: if you know any regional tube or audio guys, with tubes or equipment to sell, let them know. I don't think the tables will handle stacks of boat anchors, but some turntables, tubes, PAS, Eico, PIO caps, and so on. There will be enough DIY'ers present that they'd start making money quickly.
Read the page and let me know what you think. I've started contacting radio stations today, to get on their event calendars, and I'll do this systematically (radio stations, then TV stations, then colleges, and so on).
Start Spreading The News
Pick 2015, click "go", and scroll down. First listing (many more to go):
Listings Date Main Page
Pick 2015, click "go", and scroll down. First listing (many more to go):
Listings Date Main Page
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