Tying shows, like Tony says, are different in how they handle tiers and vendors
and selling. Here's my short history:
I've been tying at Casper shows since the early 80's, so expenses were no big
deal, and I could sell to my heart's content.
The 1st out-of-state show I was invited to tie at was the Internat. Sportsman's
Expo in Denver in 1995, by Pete Parker. One $$ 'bennie' at that show was a
nice personalized ExOfficio Fishing shirt, and the ISE logo on it was a calling
card at shows that one had 'arrived' at celebrity status. It was explained to
me that tying in the video theater there was a status symbol in the front range
arena, and wearing the shirt was your 'badge'. The second benny was my free
private tying table, where I could sell anything I wanted (sold lots of flies
and took orders). Led to another benny:
Ed Rice, the owner, saw my flies at the table and invited me to tie at the San
Mateo Show a month later- all expenses paid, plus a free booth (not table) for
me to tie and sell, and Cheryl to assist me. I earned it with five 12-hour
days on the job. Sold tons of Fantasy Flies and took a lot of orders and met a
lot of folks. Pete told me that was the only time he had ever seen Ed pick up
tier expenses for any show. Another neat benny for the Denver Show is that
I've been featured twice in the Denver Post Sports section at ISE time. Great
publicity for my Fantasy Flies.
The next show I was invited to was the next year FFF conclave at the Outlaw Inn
in Kalispel, MT. Assistance - block of cheaper rooms and lunch tickets. Sold
lots of flies there too. And met a ton of real celebrities, one of whom was
Lefty.
After that, the Green River Fly Swap had me tie at their show for 7 years
(after which they lost their city funding), paying an appearance fee ($$),
mileage, and picking up the room. Also got a free double booth as the main
co-attraction along with (different years) Jack Dennis, Mike Lawson, & Gary
Lafontaine. Got to sell boucou flies. Got free concession food and drinks,
coffee, etc. Plus the red-carpet treatment.
Have tied at the Denver ISE every year since. Get a new shirt each year and
free entrance for me and Cheryl. Last year they gave Cheryl an honorary shirt
just for being stuck with Buggs. So what's that- about 14 ISE shirts now? LOL
Different shows come with different bennies. Chuck gave me me the front door
booth for the first year, and then a double tying table each year after that.
He usually gets good room deals, and Cheryl gets free entry. I like tying for
Chuck as he realizes how important the tiers are to his show. He has a special
low price for his show shirts. I have about twenty fly-show fishing shirts
now, way too many to wear.
The West Denver TU years ago (2001+/-) gave me the celebrity booth with Tom
Whiting and paid expenses for me to tie until the locals got upset, and so I
quit that show- too much politics. Made a lot of good friends there, tho.
I've tied across the country from Florida to Cal. to New Orleans to New Jersey
to Holland - dozens and dozens of shows of all kinds in between. It's all been
good- no complaints really- just burned out. It's always a decision made
freely to tie or not to tie. The show I'll never forget was Holland, and the
hospitality and generosity and comradery and...
If I accepted every show invitation and was fabulously wealthy like Mark R.,
I'd be doing a show every weekend too, and fishing my way in between. Wait...
Cheryl just said "No way, Hose' ".
So I've decided now to stay at home, tie, and drink beer with Buggs and Dr. D,
and make DVDs. Buuuuurp!
DonO
----- Original Message -----
From: Anthony Spezio
To: vfb-mail@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 6:32 PM
Subject: [VFB] Re: Show tying and sales
I stand corrected on Shows and Conclaves. To me they are all shows., I
have been tying at shows since 1989, Conclaves 1994. Doing demo tying since
1987. Have tied on and off from 1945 to 1988.
Tony
--- On Mon, 11/16/09, Mark Romero <markflie...@hotmail.com> wrote:
From: Mark Romero <markflie...@hotmail.com>
Subject: [VFB] Re: Show tying and sales
To: "virtual fly box" <vfb-mail@googlegroups.com>
Date: Monday, November 16, 2009, 5:50 PM
Tony, if i remember right Jeff said you could have a "conclave"
without tyers............not a "show." But either one without tyers wouldn't be
worth my time and trouble to attend........he's right, you could hold a
conclave without tyers.....but you'd never get anywhere near as many people to
attend. And what's a conclave with out a show anyway.........it's the show the
drwas the people, and the tyers that make the show..........for me anyway. i've
been goin' to the shows since '92 and tyin' at them since '97.....and i'd never
go to a show that didn't have tyers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:34:24 -0800
From: bambot...@yahoo.com
Subject: [VFB] Re: Show tying and sales
To: vfb-mail@googlegroups.com
Chuck,
At every show that I have been Tying Chairman including
Conclaves, I have always made that same announcement, "If it were not you
tyers, we would not have a show." The Sowbug happens to be a "Tying Show" the
Conclaves a "Fund Raising" show and the big shows mostly "Vendors" selling
shows. The tying show is for tyers that want to demonstrate their tying
methods, strictly voluntary, no one is paid to come. At the Sowbug we do give a
free meal to the tyers and spouses. At the smaller tying shows, we have free
refreshments. The Conclave is a "Fund Raising" tyer invited show and a vendor
show. There is usually a paid known name celebrity that is paid to attend. This
is a drawing card for non tying members. The tyers volunteer their time for
the cause of the FFF. We feel that we want to help to have members attend to
see us tie. We also try to show new ways of tying some flies. It is also
educational, with the classes that are held. The Conclaves that I have attended
have always given you at least one "Welcoming Party meal" The Commercial shows
are for "Selling" We tyers are there for show. I have attended a lot of them
and it always cost me more from my pocket than I cared to spend. I never got as
much as a sandwich at a commercial show but paid as much as 5.00 for a hot dog.
Tony
--- On Mon, 11/16/09, chuckalexan...@hughes.net
<chuckalexan...@hughes.net> wrote:
From: chuckalexan...@hughes.net <chuckalexan...@hughes.net>
Subject: [VFB] Re: Show tying and sales
To: vfb-mail@googlegroups.com
Date: Monday, November 16, 2009, 2:05 PM
Don: Don't those ppl realize that without tiers there would
be NO show??? Geez, Chuck
Please see our fly fishing hand made furled leaders at:
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/you_wear_it_well_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_ipgZ
----- Original Message -----
From: Don Ordes
To: vfb-mail@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:42 AM
Subject: [VFB] Show tying and sales
Mark et al,
Got my invite again to tie at the Oregon Council FFF
conclave. As in the past for this show, there's a specific, hilited note in
the invite letter that tiers are forbidden to sell materials or fly-fishing
related items at their tying tables. If you want to sell such items get in
touch with so-and-so for information on booth space.
No mention of ANY accomodations or assistance for
travelling tiers- no block of rooms reserved (BTW, no expense to council- only
motels), no free lunches or tier coffee-stand, no comp. banquet tickets, and
shirts are $35. each. How do I say this...nah! I'm surprised that they aren't
charging the tiers the door entry-fee. The do come around asking for free
flies for show-plate auctions, tho.
My motto now: "If I have to pay, I go to play."
If I'm going to drop a couple grand to head that way, I'm
going fishing and will pop in at the show once or twice, pay the door fee,
cruise the isles, and say hi to those I know.
Guess I won't be making this show. Rather go fishing in
Baja.
DonO
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