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Is Frame Fest still a go?

P

Pat Kotnour

Frequent Poster
Messages
174
Loc
Hastings, MN
Company
Attach-EZ, Inc
I have been trying to contact someone about the show. Since Decor is down for the count I thought that I would use the money that would have gone to that show for Frame Fest but I haven't been able to find anything about it. Is there a web site or someone who I can call to get info on tables and cost? All of Cathy Coggins numbers come back as either not a working number or that her mail box is full. Even the number on her web site doesn't work. Is she still around or did she close her doors?
 
It sure is. I believe they have doubled the exhibitor space for this year, as well as the classes.

The plan is for the new registration site to be active by mid month.
 
Urban Ashes was at Frame Fest last year and will be there again this year. Last year was, in our opinion, a tremendous success, especially given it was their inaugural year. A serious group of volunteers put this baby on to keep costs down for all, that is the deal again this year. Ultimately, both the vendors and the attendees win with the much lower costs. Yes, we are passing on the big fancy showroom floor, massive booths and other bling but in return we get nuts and bolts down to business, face to face interaction at a much higher and productive level. Obviously as a vendor, we recommend you attend. However, the reason we are attending is that we feel that the smaller more intimate event provides a much more productive engagement for both sides. Kudos to all of the folks putting this baby on again this year.

We look forward to seeing you all in September.

enjoy,

paul

Urban Ashes
Founder
 
Paul, I owe ya a hug for that glowing review!! Wowza that was nice.

And Pat, thanks for the signup, we look forward to you using that influence of yours to get the word out.

And we are super excited to be putting on an event that we, the framer-creators of Frame Fest, are longing to attend.
Just wait until we announce our class line up!!! Holy Socks and Underwear we have quite a lineup! The instructors and the classes! WooHoo serious fun!!

Here's to making the framing industry MORE!
 
Three Stars over Texas demonstrated and proved that you don't need big fancy booths to have a great show. That show was all "pipe and drape" and tabletop and had as much energy as any show I have been to. There were big tubs of free soft drinks and bottled water at the end of each isle (hint hint), lots of great food (a real Texas BBQ) outstanding education and terrific attendance. The social aspect was wonderful. So looking forward to FrameFest '15.
 
!Re: Is Frame Fest still a go?

Rob Markoff said:
Three Stars over Texas demonstrated and proved that you don't need big fancy booths to have a great show. That show was all "pipe and drape" and tabletop and had as much energy as any show I have been to. There were big tubs of free soft drinks and bottled water at the end of each isle (hint hint), lots of great food (a real Texas BBQ) outstanding education and terrific attendance. The social aspect was wonderful. So looking forward to FrameFest '15.
Click to expand...


I have heard NOTHING but great stuff about "Three Stars". Nothing. But. Great.

Frame Fest last year had free Coffee all weekend. FREE COFFEE. At a trade show. I know what my own coffee budget is for Vegas. Frame Fest ...Free coffee. And lemme tell ya, when it came to writing the check to Embassy Suites, that coffee wann't free!

BUT, Frame Fest also had Chickie's Chocolate Chip Cookies! And they were also free.And home made, with butter! AND they were made with love! You don't find that at just any trade show!

September 18-20 folks, making framing...just, MORE!:love: Bring your own milk folks!
 
Could I make a suggestion? Make sure there are at least three MCPF continuing education classes available. Personally I'd love the opportunity to knock them all out in one go, and I bet a few others would too.
 
David, I believe that is in the mix, but I will have to confirm. Getting a Hat Trick may be difficult though as we are running two classes at a time the whole show. We will be firming up the class selection and schedule today and tomorrow.
Rob, there will be goodies and water is a good idea.
The venue supplies water bubblers in all classrooms and at the Vendor Showcase. Bring your canteen and fill 'er up. Chickie and I need to confirm the coffee availability, but there will be generous amounts of both high test, decaf, and hot water for tea on Saturday and Sunday at least. It's amazing how quickly 14 dozen cookies* disappeared!
The Hospitality Suite will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings for get-together, some snacking, and liquid refreshment.

*Home made Chocolate Chip with extra Chickie love in each.

PS: Remember the Breakfast that is included with the stay at ES. They have good sized to go cups for coffee (24 oz. I think), so you can have your coffee in your classes in the morning.
 
David Lantrip said:
Could I make a suggestion? Make sure there are at least three MCPF continuing education classes available. Personally I'd love the opportunity to knock them all out in one go, and I bet a few others would too.
Click to expand...

David - I know that at least one of the classes FrameFest is considering to have me teach is MCPF certified and there were two others I suggested as well. Still don't know the final selection but they are listening!
 
I want to go, but won't be able to make that decision until much closer to the date of the event. Is this a limited event? Would you be able to deal with last minute sign ups? (if I can find airfare and hotel of course by that time)
 
Ylva, you, just you have to commit right now! LOL:playful:

We are just finalizing the pricing, right now, and we have no idea how fast some aspects of this will sell out. We will make every endeavor to accommodate you. AND, I want to meetcha!


Did ya'll see our neato banner!!! It's right above us, I love working with great visionaries! Cool stuff. COOL STUFF is happening at Frame Fest this year.

Oh, and just a teaser, we have selected 4 classes from Jim Miller....one of them MAY BE "Calligraphy for Framers". If I gets my way! Wally wants it too so I think that would be a cool offering! What do you think? Hands on, great pens, excellent mat selection, and learning from that Maestro of FineNess, Jim Miller!
 
Wally Fay said:
David, I believe that is in the mix, but I will have to confirm. Getting a Hat Trick may be difficult though as we are running two classes at a time the whole show. We will be firming up the class selection and schedule today and tomorrow.
Rob, there will be goodies and water is a good idea.
The venue supplies water bubblers in all classrooms and at the Vendor Showcase. Bring your canteen and fill 'er up. Chickie and I need to confirm the coffee availability, but there will be generous amounts of both high test, decaf, and hot water for tea on Saturday and Sunday at least. It's amazing how quickly 14 dozen cookies* disappeared!
The Hospitality Suite will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings for get-together, some snacking, and liquid refreshment.

*Home made Chocolate Chip with extra Chickie love in each.

PS: Remember the Breakfast that is included with the stay at ES. They have good sized to go cups for coffee (24 oz. I think), so you can have your coffee in your classes in the morning.
Click to expand...
Wally, if you are running 2 classes at a time during the whole show, when will the attendee's have time to come to the show floor?
 
Wally Fay said:
Have you never attended a trade show where the Education ran against the Vendor show before? I think history is on my side when I say it works.
Click to expand...
I have been doing trade shows and table top shows for PPFA for 14 years and was asking because what works for the education part of a show doesn't always do the same for the vendors. It's been my observation that when the classes are running, especially at Table Top shows, the show floor empty's. I was just wondering if you have any time scheduled during each day where there won't be classes?
 
Pat, The short answer: all of Friday.
Don't put Frame Fest in the same catagory with a typical table top show. There will be more Attendees there than seats available in the classes. There will be Attendees who come only for the Vendor Showcase just as there will be Attendees who come only for the Education. There will Attendees coming specifically to see you, and you will more than likely pick up new accounts.
We had Vendors last year that said they made their weekend in the first 4 hours of the show during the soft opening on Saturday afternoon. There are Vendor reps that are paying their own way without the help of the Vendors because they had such a successful show last year.
We currently have 27 Vendors signed up and are expecting some more to sign who have already been in contact with us, and we are calling new ones every day. None of them have expressed any concern about Education cutting into Vendor sales. As a matter of fact, some were very specific in asking about Education, knowing that the educational component of a show such as this is critical in drawing Attendees.
I understand your concerns but think they are ill-founded.
 
Wally Fay said:
Pat, The short answer: all of Friday.
Don't put Frame Fest in the same catagory with a typical table top show. There will be more Attendees there than seats available in the classes. There will be Attendees who come only for the Vendor Showcase just as there will be Attendees who come only for the Education. There will Attendees coming specifically to see you, and you will more than likely pick up new accounts.
We had Vendors last year that said they made their weekend in the first 4 hours of the show during the soft opening on Saturday afternoon. There are Vendor reps that are paying their own way without the help of the Vendors because they had such a successful show last year.
We currently have 27 Vendors signed up and are expecting some more to sign who have already been in contact with us, and we are calling new ones every day. None of them have expressed any concern about Education cutting into Vendor sales. As a matter of fact, some were very specific in asking about Education, knowing that the educational component of a show such as this is critical in drawing Attendees.
I understand your concerns but think they are ill-founded.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry if it sounded like I was being critical. That was not my intent. I only asked about the education schedule and how it works to better understand what I need to bring for display samples, product to sell there on the show floor, and demo materials. If you have ever seen me at a show you know that I have a lot of samples and can't bring everything when there is limited space to work in. With the classes running at the same time as the show shops will be coming to me on the run and I will try to show them everything they want to see in a way that is comparable to speed dating. It happens at every show and after every show people will call to ask for the show specials because they didn't get to the show floor at all because there was no time. It is the reason that I was hoping there would be a little time each day set aside for just the show floor. I have heard good things about the show and am really looking forward to it.
 
Cathy Coggins said:
Ylva, you, just you have to commit right now! LOL:playful:

We are just finalizing the pricing, right now, and we have no idea how fast some aspects of this will sell out. We will make every endeavor to accommodate you. AND, I want to meetcha!


Did ya'll see our neato banner!!! It's right above us, I love working with great visionaries! Cool stuff. COOL STUFF is happening at Frame Fest this year.

Oh, and just a teaser, we have selected 4 classes from Jim Miller....one of them MAY BE "Calligraphy for Framers". If I gets my way! Wally wants it too so I think that would be a cool offering! What do you think? Hands on, great pens, excellent mat selection, and learning from that Maestro of FineNess, Jim Miller!
Click to expand...

LOL, believe me, I want to meet YOU!!!! And so many others who I know will be coming. We are finalizing the purchase of a building for our businesses and simply have no idea what the time line is on that right now. Have been on the phone with lawyers, banks, etc etc most of the last few weeks. So much to handle, it's crazy.
Frame fest might be right when we do our remodeling of the space, so simply don't know if I can make it. Certainly not commit at this point. We'll see. Will keep you posted!
 
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