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07 August comments
Wow!
What a concept to ask people what they want.
I love the ease of travel from airport, love the connected hotel, like the facility.
Would love for the isle ways to continue straight through.
I may only be coming once a year now (probably Aug only).
I will never go to Florida (would have been nice if they would have asked us first)
I am so sick of the market wars, and moving all the time, pick a spot and stick with it.
I have really enjoyed the Richmond market, thank you.
Linda
Glisant Saddlery
Hi-
The Market is in a good location and I will be at your next market there.
Noreen Cothran
The Farm House
Overall this was a very good show. There were enough exhibitors that we couldn't even cover it all in the three days. We do like to see the new smaller vendors who don't have reps who can visit us. It's important to keep bringing in new ones. The seminars were very good and I appreciate having them before the show starts in the morning. Suggestions for improvement would include having WATER readily available on the floor.
Several water stations with cups would be greatly appreciated.
Carey Smith
The Paddock Saddlery
I really was pleased with the Richmond Market. The vender turn out was very good and i was able to order everything that i need and plus more. The exhition hall was set up very well and the busses system was done well. I sure would like to see the market stay in Richmond. The Hotal and Bus Drivers where also so helpful, and nice.
Ruth Creel
Riding Habit
Jim,
We did enjoy the Expo. There was a great mix of vendors and we made several purchases for our shop.
We REALLY like the Richmond location. It is close for us and was very easy to get in and out of Richmond.
We will definitely be back.
Thanks!
Carol Jordan
Sesroh Tack Shoppe
Jim –
We are new to the industry as of this July & the chance to attend your Expo came at the right time. There was a great selection of vendors present, and we were successful in finding some that will fit our needs at this time.
The only item I will mention is that I think we did miss seeing some of the booths because of their layout. We were only there the one day – Sunday , so didn’t have the choice of doing another run through the next day. (it also could be because we were so overwhelmed by the number of vendors present)
Anyway, it was certainly worth the trip down and we hope to be able to attend future Expos.
Thank you,
Brenda Smith
Smith Tack Shop
Yes to all of the questions!
Steve Winick
Bits and Bridles Saddlery
Yes it was a very good show for us.
We found many new items for our shop
It was easy to get to. Airfare could have been less, next time we wouldn’t rent a car, so close to the airport and the hotel shuttle took us to restaurants and shopping! Can’t beat that. Hotel was a little high but we stayed right there. Would do that again.
We rarely go to the seminars, can’t sit still that long. Hall was great, receptions were nice, could have used more tables to sit at.
We will come back if that’s where all our suppliers are. It does us no good to have them split between a number of shows. We can only go to 1.
Having a large majority of our vendors in one location works for us. Not being in an expensive location works for us. Having nice restaurants close by works for us. Being in a safe environment works for us.
Suzie Cook
Spectrum Saddle
Yes, I would come back. It is in a great location for us. I don't want to have to travel too far north.
Thank you,
Wendy Proffit
Acredale Saddlery
Jim,
The IEBA Expo was right on the mark. I gathered a lot of vendor product information and have begun ordering new products for the shop. I was so excited to hear that this forum was in Richmond and definitely will attend every time it comes to town!
For me, just having purchased "Changing Reins" ..... this event was a fabulous opportunity!
Anne Heflin
Changing Reins
Was the IEBA Expo Richmond Market a good show for you and for Blue Sky Equestrian, LLC?
Yes!
Was it worth the time and trouble for you going to Richmond for IEBA Expo?
Yes!
Was Richmond a good city for your experience: friendly, convenient, not too expensive, OK hotels and prices?
Excellent City-please keep it there.
Do you have suggestions for improving the event? Was the exhibition hall OK? Were the shuttle busses OK? Were the seminars OK? Were the fashion shows OK? Were the receptions OK? Were there enough exhibitors?
I was pleased with everything. I would like to see us having meetings where retailers and vendors can discuss global ways to grow our industry. There doesn’t seem to be an appreciation of the fact that we help people get into riding every day. How can we continue to grow the pie?
Will you come back?
yes
Tell us what you think, tell us what worked for you, tell us what didn't work for you.
Your expo is such an improvement over Stanley. I am very pleased with what you were able to do in 1 year. I think you might make the courses on a separate day,perhaps the afternoon of the first day. This will allow us to be more focused. I was so focused on the vendors and mobilizing my team I did not have a chance to attend. We also need a way to share best practices amongst the brick and mortar. I am sure that we can share ideas for growth. (By the way, I am a professional meeting facilitator and do a lot of public speaking in the pharmaceutical industry I would be happy to run a round table discussion gratis.)
I think you are going in the right direction. The industry really needs to grow and mature. As you look at future show try moving toward ideas on how we can grow the industry over all. There is plenty to go around, we must work together.
Thank you for solicitation our feedback. It says a lot about you.
Dr. Michele Wilson
Michele Wilson
Blue Sky Equestrian, LLC
Hello Jim,
I found everything about the show to be perfect. I stayed in the Marriott next to the convention hall. They had all that I needed, restaurant, bar, taxis to the local restaurants if needed. I could not have been more satisfied.
The hall itself was big enough with plenty of venders. I say good job. Hope to see the show stay in Richmond. It is by far more convenient for me than the northeast. Thanks
Dene Masengill
The Horse Habit
Talbott, TN
Hi Jim,
Thanks so much for sending out this email.
I loved your expo! I drove down in the morning from my little shop which is near West Chester, Pa, did my buying and came home the same day so I can't comment on hotels, shuttles, etc. However, I can say that getting to the location, parking, etc. were a breeze! I would rather drive all the way to Richmond (4 and a half hours) and be able to park my huge dually truck that easily than drive an hour and a half to Atlantic City and fuss with all that traffic and poor parking.
I picked up alot of new vendors and will absolutely be back again to your show! Thanks for working so hard to make it a success.
Cindy Dawson
Fox Hollow Saddlery
Dear Jim,
The tradeshow was a good show for us. We were able to see all the vendors we needed to (except Weatherbeeta).
The convenience of the trade show to the airport and the hotel to the convention center were excellent.
We just want all the vendors – both large, small and new - in one place.
Rebecca Minard
SmartPak.com
Dear Jim,
The Richmond show was a success. I for one am happy with location and hope that it stays there. Too bad Hopper has come back into the picture with yet another show to confuse the buyers. IEBA had promised one show, twice a year and that's what we buyers hoped for. How else can we connect with all our vendors? They can't afford to go all over the east coast to showcase their wares and neither can we go all over to shop.
Personally I will boycott going to any show until there truly is one show for our industry. Nothing else makes any sense at all.
Rita Overton
Tack on Wheels
Clemmons, NC
Dear Jim,
I thought the show was great-the hotel was WONDERFUL and I've never been surrounded by so many nice people! Honestly, in Phil., I hated the airport, wasn't treated all that nice in the city. In Richmond, everyone was great. The show was nicely run and I met some new vendors, so it was well worth the trip.
Hope that helps-can't think of anything I'd change
Jo
Mobile Horse Supply
Hi Jim,
We like coming to Richmond since it is so easy to get around! We are in favor of keeping it there!
Suzanne Gwyn
Charlottes Saddlery
Hi Jim,
Great show, looking forward to the next one. Great location & facility. Easy to get to and Richmond is a great place to stay.
Marla Nemoytin
The Tack Room
Harrisonburg, VA
Mr. Herbert,
It is nice that you care enough to contact each person looking for suggestions.
The show and the vendors offered to us - was better. It is a good show in that respect.
The layout is not, however. The aisles are all broken up and uneven and very hard to traverse. My recommendation is to put the large vendors that take up several aisles on the walls allowing a straighter up and down aisle for the regular vendors.
Jill Byers
Winning Touches
Dear Jim,
The expo worked very well for me... I was able to find the things I needed and a few I didn't need but wanted anyway.
I was worth the trip. The hotel and exhibition hall were great and the location is perfect.
The only problem I had was the fashion show sound system on sat night was a little muffled... It maybe just me but I could not hear it very well.
Other then that it was a very nice event
Sharon
Mounted Patrol Supply
Hello Jim,
The only thing we were not happy with was the discussion of the shows going to Orlando and/or Baltimore.
We were happy with all aspects of this show and the city and plan to be back as long as the show is back
Steve
Victory Canter
Dear Mr. Herbert,
LOVED THE TRADE SHOW IN RICHMOND
found everything we wanted and more
easy access, good directions, didn't stay in hotels but i know the pricing is affordable compared to other shows we attend in new york, chicago and baltimore
we did not have any interest in the fashion shows - after a long day walking the show, we just were not interested -- why don't you have them during lunch?
seminars didn't interest us... some more horse related seminars would have been far more interesting, like natural hoof care, holistic stuff, etc.
enough exhibitors, but we could always see more - seemed like the floor was not crowded so i hoped the exhibitors took enough orders to make it worth while
we'll be back
THANKS
Patricia Boden
Animal Connection LLC
Jim,
Was the IEBA Expo Richmond Market a good show for you and for ann becker gifts?
yes it was
Was it worth the time and trouble for you going to Richmond for IEBA Expo?
yes it was
Was Richmond a good city for your experience: friendly, convenient, not too expensive, OK hotels and prices?
yes it was
Do you have suggestions for improving the event? Was the exhibition hall OK? Were the shuttle busses OK? Were the seminars OK? Were the fashion shows OK? Were the receptions OK? Were there enough exhibitors?
I would like to see more gift vendors, but that is the nature of my business
Will you come back?
yes I will come back as long as all my vendors are there
Ann
Dog Goneit Gifts
Hello Jim,
I thought the Richmond show was great. It had more vendors than the last one-even some well known western suppliers, and of course I will return. I did not attend the seminars. I think maybe they should be throughout the day instead of early A.M.. I did attend the Friday night fashion show. The food was great, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves, but the sound system for the fashion show needs improvement, and I really think you need a narrator. If you talked and lost your place, you then had no idea which vendor was being represented.
Linda Warner
Champion Saddlery
Dear Jim,
I enjoyed the show very much and will be back next year.
1 thing I could ask for is if you could possibly get more gift vendors to attend, Christmas and all.
Thanks,
Debi
Chaar Saddlery
I really enjoyed the Richmond Expo and much preferred it to the Atlantic City show.
Please keep it in Richmond.
Sandy Guido
JLG Saddlery and Apparel
I enjoyed the Richmond Market and only wished there were more Western manufacturers there. Richmond was convenient, easy to get to and out of the city. The facility itself was extremely nice and the food court was terrific! I remember the KOP in PA and the food was terrible! It was worth our trip - we got some very good deals and picked up some new products.
I'm a bit concerned over the split again with the Eastern Shows. If it continues, we will probably just spend the extra money and go to Denver. They have been stable for a long time and should be an example of a successful show! Non profit is what it is about, like the WESA Denver Show.
We went to Baltimore when there was the Hopper Show when the shows split - we were NOT impressed with the facility, the location, getting in and out of the city, etc. and would not even consider going there next year. It was too expensive and a hassle just trying to get there.
As far as going back to Richmond, it depends of the exhibitors that will be there.
Thank you,
Rich Ulrich
4 BAR W Inc.
Was the IEBA Expo Richmond Market a good show for you and for Horse and Hound?
Yes
Was it worth the time and trouble for you going to Richmond for IEBA Expo?
Yes
Was Richmond a good city for your experience: friendly, convenient, not too expensive, OK hotels and prices?
Yes
Do you have suggestions for improving the event? Was the exhibition hall OK? Were the shuttle busses OK? Were the seminars OK? Were the fashion shows OK? Were the receptions OK? Were there enough exhibitors?
The fashion show was not great, but that is not really important to me.
Will you come back?
Yes, unless there is a huge split with 1/2 of the exhibitors going somewhere else, then I won't go anywhere. I definitely will not be going to Orlando. Good luck.
My only complaint would have been the shuttle service. The buses were to infrequent, and way to large. The time to load and unload felt like I was getting on and of an airplane.
Other than that, it was a wonderful show. Far improved from the past.
Travis
Travis Perkins
Foxwood Saddlery, Inc.
Hi,
I am happy to give you feedback about the Richmond Trade Show.
From the western US there are no direct flights to Richmond, so with the time change and plane changes it takes about 9 hours to get there - this was the only negative. The Airport was small so very easy and quick to navigate, the trade show was only a few minutes drive away which was convenient. The Hotel and Convention Center were great. All the major vendors which I do business with were there which was very important. I am very disappointed that there will be a continuation of the "trade show wars", with multiple conflicting trade shows for January and August '08.
All the major vendors I do business with were at the August Show.
I will have to make the decision about what trade shows to attend next year by which shows the vendors I do business with are attending.
Jayne Hickey
Greenway Saddlery
Jim,
We are from the Omaha, Nebraska area and really enjoyed the Richmond Show.
The town is easy to get around in and the people are delightfully warm and friendly.
We have very little free time after the show and enjoyed the fashion show & the seminars.
I was happy to see most of my vendors attended the show along with a few new ones. Please keep it simple because we are really here to find out about the newest, prettiest, best made, best priced, and best products for our customers.
Thank you
Cheryl Matranga (SAM)
REGG & WALLY'S TACK
Dear Jim,
I think the expo was very good and really liked the convenience of hotels and resturants. I have no suggestions for improvements. I have been going to Trade Fairs since 1993 with Ricks Heritage Saddlery. Everyone I have asked, has very positive comments. I hope that some venders who have been waiting to hear the feed back decide to come next time. Like G, Sipp Silks and Barnstable Riding. Keep up the good work. Lots of us are behind you.
Thank you,
Sheila Whaley
Horse N Hound
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