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Mr.Frank Burla
UPDATES from ASP
16APR2010
Hello,
The Chicago Pipe Show is coming along well.
The Pipe Show dates are May 1 and 2, with activities starting
on April 28th for the Pipe Making Seminar, which is sold out.
It is difficult for us to believe, that in this economy, all
of the exhibitor tables are sold out and we have a waiting list.
Last week we sent all of our administrative paperwork to the
printer’s office.
This means that we can no longer make changes in the Show Exhibitor
Directory. We will advise our guests of the names of any exhibitors,
from the waiting list, not on the original Directory and where their
table/s are located.
All of the activities are in place. The tent company is
visiting Pheasant Run Resort early next week to prepare for the
placement of our 60 x 100 square foot tent. Their biggest concern of
the tent project is setting up the 6,000 square foot floor.
We are getting e-mails and phone calls from all over the
globe from people planning to attend this Show, most for the first
time, and asking pertinent questions.
Several of these contacts have never been to a Pipe Show but wanted to
attend the Chicago Pipe Show. We have sent out many “Letters of
Invitation”, by request, to US Consulates, for individuals and company
representatives wanting to obtain US entry visas for our Show.
Many of our guests are concerned about the tobacco taxes and
wish to store up on the various tobaccos available at our Show while
they still can afford to buy them. Some have advised that they have
been saving all year long to buy that special pipe/s and they know
that they will find it/them at the Show.
Many wish to take photos with the pipe carvers that they buy
pipes from. Some are coming to meet the carvers, tobacconists,
collectors, etc., that they have only read about in magazines.
Most say that they just want to be part of the Chicago Pipe
Show social event, be with their friends and just have a good time.
Some of our guests are concerned that shows such as the
Chicago Pipe Show will become only a memory in the near future. I
hope not!
There are still some seats left for the Saturday Evening Pipe
& Cigar Dinner, at $65.00 each. Each attendee also gets a great
“goodies Bag.” Now, I have to add the second part to this; there is
no smoking at this filet mignon dinner because of the strict Illinois
Smoking Ban but we have the tent.
The Tent will be open 24/7 from Wednesday 1 PM (before the
Show) to Monday morning 5 AM (after the Show). There will be drink
and food available in the Tent, along with tables in the round and
comfortable lounge chairs.
Don’t forget our Monday Post Show, from 8 AM to 12 PM. This
activity is here to give those guests still at the resort something to
do and maybe buy before they depart for their various homeports.
Thank you for your support of our Show.
Frank
05MAR2010
We are now at 288 exhibitor tables confirmed for the
Chicago Pipe
Show, at Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, Illinois. Don’t forget to
make your room reservations at Pheasant Run and mention that you are
with the Pipe Show for your discount.
Additional 2010 Chicago Pipe Show Questions asked of me:
Q: I am a retailer coming to your Pipe Show for the
first time. To
make my task easier, can you supply me with a list of the exhibitor
names and contact numbers so that I can talk with them before the
Show.
A: No. It is our policy to only give out the list of exhibitors, in
the Show Directory, only during the Show week. We do not give out
contact information. Several of the Show exhibitors have been
contacted in the past to bring something special or unusual for a
specific person and then this person does not even attend the Show or
if he attends does not visit their booths. This has happened in our
earlier days of the Show, when we gave out exhibitor names and contact
information.
Q: I am a first time exhibitor and request a wall
exhibitor table. Is
this possible?
A: Rarely! Wall tables are at a premium. They go to returning
exhibitors who have waited their turn for the wall space.
Occasionally some may open up, due to a cancellation, and then we go
through the list of those waiting for exhibitor tables.
Also keep in mind, that if a wall table exhibitor has paid for his
tables for that year and cannot come to the Show, he/she still get the
same table/s location if returning the following year but has to pay
for the current year’s tables. We believe that this is the only
appropriate thing to do.
Q: Your Show is becoming more commercial, what happen to
the days of
the old pipe trade shows? I miss them.
A: I miss them also. I remember the days when you could sit down and
talk with a friend for 20 minutes or longer and relax, yet still see
the whole show. Those days, for the most part, are gone. You may
still find one or two of these trade shows. We are living in a
different world than the 1960s to early 1990s. Most of us remember
the Indiana Briar Friars Shows, run by Basil Sullivan, PCI’s Pipe
Shows run by Bruce Spencer, and other shows of that era. They were
mostly pipe and tobacco trading or selling of used pipes (today called
estate pipes) shows with all having a good time. In today’s world of
the bigger shows and the escalating costs to visit a show and possibly
exhibit at the show, most of the exhibitors have to try and recoup
their costs. Luckily, we are even getting some of the bigger names in
the tobacco industry to join our shows as exhibitors. They know that
these shows not only generate sales but great PR for their products.
In the earlier days, it was considered taboo for
retailers or
distributors to participate in pipe shows, for the idea was that a
pipe show would take away from retail sales and hurt the tobacco
industry. Thank God that this idea no longer exists and today we can
sit side by side at one of these shows and do our own thing and yet
enjoy each other’s company and each have a successful show.
Q: Can you explain why one year I can have a great show
and the next
year sell hardly anything?
A: If I knew the answer to that question, I could be wealthy. Many of
us have discussed this issue. There are many keys to any successful
Show, a few are, know your product, know your audience and their
wants, make your exhibitor space more appealing with color, maybe
lighting, banners, etc. to get their attention. Some exhibitors bring
great items to sell one year and then get over confident and say they
can sell anything at a specific show and then the following year bring
lower end items or pieces that they could not sell anywhere. What
makes one think that he can sell these items to the walk-ins at pipe
shows? The walk-ins, who spent money to get to these shows, do not
want to buy something that they can buy in their home community. The
show visitors are out for the adventure of the hunt and hopefully the
capture of their dream pipes.
Also keep in mind that all of the same visitors do not
necessarily
come every year but most do and if they do, their buying habits could
have changed based on priorities and their current financial
situation.
I had one vendor who came up to me and recited the
month, date and
year that I last purchased from him and that he wanted to update my
information with a current purchase by me.
Other suggestions: 1. Look at your product being sold
and honestly ask
yourself the question, would I buy any of these items? 2. Treat each
person as someone special and thank each one for spending the time to
view your products, whether they buy or not for they may come back and
buy. 3. Write down the comments that your visitors make and review
them when you get home for you may learn something to help your future
sales.
Side Bar:
Some show comments from buyers at our last Pipe Show: 1. I have saved
over the last 12 months to come to this show to buy a great pipe (he
spent $1,200.00+ on three great pipe finds); 2. I have come to this
show to learn about a specific pipe product line and bought after
learning more about the product; 3. I can’t find what I am looking for
in my home area and I knew that I would find it at this show; 4. With
such great pipe makers/carvers, tobacco blends, tobacciana
accessories, etc. at this Show, I knew I would find something special
that I wanted. 5. {I was told by a visitor after the Friday Pre-Show,
“it was a great Show so now I am returning home to Iowa”. I said to
this individual that the actual Show does not start until tomorrow.
He answered that the Pre-Show was his Show, for tomorrow we plant our
flowers and Sunday, I have to clean out the garage, for its on “my
honey do list”}.
At last year’s Show, one man came up to me with two
large cloth bags
full of new pipes. He wanted me to know that he had been through half
of the Show and had to buy these pipes. He was hoping that when he
finished going through the whole Show that other pipes that he had
looked at would be there for him to buy. I asked, how many pipes did
he buy so far, and with a smile he said 19.
TRUE STORY, all high end pipes!
Q: I read that this is your last pipe Show as Director,
is that
correct?
A: Yes, due to medical issues my doctors have said that I must end my
participation in this show and other activities. I hope to be an
exhibitor at the Chicago Pipe Show in 2011 but will not be involved in
any of the Show operations. Craig Cobine is taking over the duties as
Show Director and he will do a great job. He has a great Show staff
working with him. The only pipe and tobacco related position that I
am keeping for 2011 is the Director of the Board of Governors for the
Doctor of Pipes Awards.
Thank you for supporting our Chicago Pipe Show.
Frank
16FEB2010 2:56PM
Hello All,
We have recently finalized two more of our Chicagoland Pipe
Show seminars for 2010.
1. At 5:15 PM on Friday of the Show week, we will have Mark Ryan,
owner of D & R Tobacco and Poche’ Perique Tobacco, give a seminar on
“The Mystique of Perique”. He will talk about what Perique is, how it
is grown, processed and what it is used for. He will also be there to
answer any questions.
2. At 8:45 PM on Friday of the Show week, we will have
the Int’l Pipe
Makers
Forum; featuring the French Pipe Makers. In attendance we will have
Sebastien Beaud and Jacques Craen from Genod Pipes, Denis Blanc from
Butz-Choquin Pipes and Antoine Grenard from Chacom Pipes/Moderator
will be Rex Poggenpohl.
Further Show Information:
As of this morning, we are at 278 exhibitor tables reserved.
All six of our CPCC Educational Glass Display Cases are also confirmed
with more detail on those participating in this program at the next
update.
Questions that have been asked during the last three weeks:
Q: I am flying in to attend the Pipe Show but am staying at
a local
hotel not too far away from Pheasant Run. Will I be able to get free
transportation to the Show or do I have to find my own way of getting
there?
A: Good question! This question has been asked three times. The
answer is that if you are at another hotel, not owned by the Pheasant
Run parent company, you must find your own transportation to Pheasant
Run Resort. There are two other hotels in the area owned by the
parent company and they are the Hilton directly across the street from
Pheasant Run and the Holiday Inn Express a couple of miles away. In
the past the Holiday Inn Express has furnished free transportation to
Pheasant Run and I was advised that it would continue to do so for the
big Shows, such as ours, hosted in the Mega Center. You should make
your arrangements with the front desk at the Holiday Inn Express.
Q: How do I get tickets for the Friday evening Welcome
Dinner, if I am
not an exhibitor?
A: All those visiting Pheasant Run Resort for our Pipe Show can get
free tickets to this dinner. You can request the tickets at our
Welcome Table, on Friday, in the Mega Center or just come to the
entrance to the dinner and ask for tickets. The only condition is
that you are at the resort to attend our Show.
Q: We are a large group driving in for the first time to
visit your
Show, can we reserve a private table, in advance, for the Friday
evening Welcome Dinner?
A: No, the tables are on a first come basis. I suggest that one of
your party come early enough to get into the ballroom when the doors
open at 7PM and then save a table for your group. There will be 65
tables (of 10 seats each) available. Also keep in mind that the
dinner is open from 7PM until 10PM, so if you can’t find an open table
at 7PM you may wish to wait until 8 to 9PM to come in for dinner. The
dinner is well worth the wait. However, also keep in mind that some
of the seminars start at 8:45 and 9 PM on Friday evening. Do you plan
to attend any of those?
Q: It appears to some of us that your club is pushing us to
stay at
Pheasant Run instead of the cheaper hotels in the area?
A: True. Keep in mind that the resort is the place where all of the
activities are located, unless you have transportation available you
will have to pay for a cab. Secondly and most important, Pheasant Run
supports our smoking Show and we want to support it. Pheasant Run’s
staff is always friendly to our group and goes the extra mile to make
us all feel comfortable. The facility is immaculate; they are always
on time with the events and help us daily to work each event to
perfection. The larger the number of guest rooms, the better price
each show gets on the food, drinks, conference rooms, ballrooms, etc,
used for show activities.
You may save a few dollars being in another hotel but in reality
you may be hurting our Show, or any show, from getting its best
prices. Convention costs are in direct proportion to the number of
guest rooms one has for the event. Remember if we do not have a
sufficient number of guest rooms used, the cost for the Show will
become higher each year that the projected number of guest rooms
drops. Support all Shows, by staying at their requested hotels or
resorts. This keeps the shows costs manageable, especially the cost
of the exhibit rooms.
If the Pheasant Run Resort just doesn’t fit your budget, please
consider the Hilton Garden Inn St. Charles (1-630-584-0700) or the
Holiday Inn Express St Charles (1 877 863 4780), which are both very
close to Pheasant Run. Please tell both hotels, when you make your
reservation and when you check in, that you are there for the Chicago
Pipe Show at Pheasant Run. Since these two are both associated with
Pheasant Run, the show will get credit from Pheasant Run for your
attendance at the show.
I guess the answer is up to you as to where you wish to stay. No
matter where you stay you are always welcome to attend our Show, enjoy
yourself and feel like family.
Pheasant Run Resort’s reservation numbers are 630-584-6300 or
800-999-3319. Mention the Pipe Show for special room rates.
*Now I have to prepare for all of the e-mails that I will receive
on the above answer!
Q: Can we get the same Show special price if we stay at
Pheasant Run
past the Show dates? Our family would like to see the city but stay
at Pheasant Run for three extra nights, for their prices are less
expensive than Chicago, we do not have to pay to park and there is a
great shopping center across from Pheasant Run.
A: Finally an easy question! Yes, advise Pheasant Run when you make
your reservation that you wish to stay a few days more at our special
Show rate.
I hope to see you at our Chicago Pipe Show.
Thank you.
Frank
25JAN2010 4:54PM
Hello again,
The Chicagoland Pipe Show is coming along very well.
As of this morning, we are at 262 exhibitor tables reserved.
This will leave only 44 tables before we start the waiting list.
Also, as of this morning all six of the CPCC Education
displays, the four glass cases as you walk into the Show room and the
two antique display cases, in the antique section of our Show, have
been confirmed. As every year, these will be great displays. In the
near future we will mention the names and the collections.
We are also getting e-mails and phone calls from several
retailers, from all over the globe, including China and Russia about
our Show. We even had to send out a couple “letters of Invitation” to
the US Consulates, in order for some potential visitors to obtain exit
visas.
Now for some questions being asked about the Show:
Q: This will be my first trip to the Chicago Pipe Show. I am coming
to buy my dream pipes. As a first timer, what are the musts for me to
see?
A: Welcome to our 2010 Chicago Pipe Show. Most visitors try to see
everything, which is not always possible. Because you are on a pipe-
buying trip, I suggest the following: The Friday Pre-Show, the open
guest rooms, the seminars and pace yourself for the Show (for many of
our visitors stay up into the early morning hours, visiting with
friends, get little sleep and try to resume a normal schedule the
following day). I also suggest that you visit our Saturday Silent
Auction. A definite must is for you to attend the Friday “free”
Welcome Buffet Dinner. For many this may be their only opportunity
for a complete meal at the Show and we want all to have their salads
and veggies and stay healthy.
Q: This is my first Show and I read somewhere that last year
you had a
few people taken to the hospital by ambulance. We never think of
becoming ill; I hope that I don’t need to go to a hospital but if I
do, will my European insurance card be enough for admission to a US
hospital?
A: Yes, we had three Europeans taken to the hospital last year and
their insurance cards were accepted by the local hospital. Let’s hope
that we do not need any ambulances called for this year’s Show.
Q: I am coming to my first Chicago Pipe Show and do not wish
to use
the ATM machines. I will bring “hopefully” enough cash, exchanging my
Euros at the airport. I do not believe in guest room safes. Can I
rent or get a safe deposit box for my valuables? This question was
asked three times.
A: Yes. Many of our visitors ask at the Resort’s registration desk
for safe deposit boxes and to date no one has been turned down. I
just checked with the resort management about this question and was
advised that they have about 20 safe deposit boxes, available free of
charge to resort guests.
Q: I am bringing my camera system to take video of the Show.
Is there
a problem with that and do I need someone’s permission?
A: No and Yes! No, you do not need permission to take at random video
or a short video at an exhibitor’s table. The Yes part of the answer
is if you plan to take video and that blocks the Show aisles or
exhibitor exits. The Fire Marshall’s people watch this constantly for
they do not want any aisles blocked or any type of floor electrical
cords that can cause someone to trip and get hurt.
Q: This will be my second Show but first time to exhibit.
My question
is do I make you the end receiver for my shipping crates coming for
the Show?
A: PLEASE NO! If you plan to ship items in for the Show contact me
and I will give you the name of the individual who will accept your
merchandise and address for the receiving department of the resort.
Keep in mind that if you ship items for the Show, you probably will
not be able to go into the secure storage to select items. Once you
claim your shipment it is yours to then secure. For your information,
most of those who ship large quantities of merchandise do not go and
pick up the items, for they will automatically be put on your
exhibitor table late Friday evening or early Saturday morning for the
Show.
Side Bar: One year, without asking me, someone made me the end
receiver for a very expensive large wood crate of tobacciana. When I
came back from a meeting this large crate was blocking my access in my
guest room. I was very nervous because I did not have the capability
of guarding this item. My wife and kids took turns being in the
room. The worst part of this was trying to get the crate out of my
room for the Show on Saturday morning, when every bellman was already
in line at the Show with carts filled.
More of the general questions and answers later.
Don’t forget to make your resort reservations as soon as
possible for
our Show.
Thank you Frank
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