Re: [Harp-L] SPAH the money maker

[Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Matt - you're right - the fees are high enough to make it difficult  
for many of us to participate. The harp player market is very small,  
which is precisely why very small companies like me can compete in  
the first place. But it also means we're not rolling in surplus cash.  
Believe me, if there were much of a market for in-line volume  
controls, HOSA would tool up and manufacture 100,000 of them and put  
me out of business with prices WAY lower than I could compete with.  
But the nature of this market is that it excludes most of the big  
companies - and allows little guys like me to compete. I would love  
to sponsor SPAH (I'd love to attend too - SPAH - bring it to the west  
coast!!!) - but I can't, at least not this year. I know several other  
mic builders, gasket makers, amp makers - who are in the same boat.  
Most are in the business because we love it. But I also understand  
that SPAH is not a cheap event to put on, and they have to try to  
offset their costs. For now they'll have to get by on my annual dues.

/Greg

http://www.blowsmeaway.com
http://www.bluestateband.net




> From: "Matt Smart" <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>
> Date: July 4, 2007 6:00:37 AM PDT
> To: Harp <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] SPAH the money maker
>
>
> Does anyone know what the costs are to be a sponsor at this year's  
> SPAH
> event? $1000-$5000!
>
> This is really dissapointing.   Hetrick Harp cases was going to go,  
> but
> there is no way we can afford that.  It is really dissapointing  
> that their
> fees are so high.  That pretty much edges out any little guy trying to
> make a quality product.  The only vendors that would pick that up  
> are Hohner
> or Suzuki...
>
> Charging that much seems contrary to the purpose of the event.  I  
> would
> think they would want a nice array of harmonica sponsors to get a  
> sense of
> the different products that are out there.  I would like to see Joe  
> Spiers
> with a little table talking about his custom harps, or how about  
> Jim Mcbride
> talking about his microphones or Bryan Purdy with his killer amps.   
> These
> ridiculous sponsor fees pretty much guarantee that the best harmonica
> products in the marketplace won't be represented.   What are your  
> thoughts?