Re: [Harp-L] Vendor Fees at SPAH

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Jul 4, 2007, at 4:17 PM, Tom Baehr wrote:

> Unless there is a selection process, comped/free vending space  
> would be a nightmare.

Do you mean logistically Thomas? Why a nightmare? Aren't there people  
who comprise work schedules which involve a multitude of people  
working different shifts and yet, they are shuffled so that  
everything works? Aren't there people who make out train bus and  
plane schedules which are tantamount to a nightmare of planning?  
Aren't there people who put together high school basketball  
schedules. It takes a planner.

As for a selection process, Yes. First come, first served, and it has  
to be harmonica related. As to how deeply related, that's up to the  
panel to decide. The criteria would be something like (but not  
limited TO): How does this benefit the harmonica player? Not spah,  
not the manufacturers, the membership and all other harmonica  
players. Not guitar players, not dulcimer players. The membership.
> Vendors expect to be charged a table fee; it's part of the price of  
> doing business. At our event (Cranberry Dulcimer & Autoharp  
> Gathering, cranberrydulcimer.com), the only free space is for  
> workshop leaders, and they only get about 18 inches of front space.  
> This is a smaller event than SPAH, but everyone else who vends buys  
> table space, $70 per table with a two table limit.

Ok, see already you have given a more apt fee. The fee YOU speak of  
could be considered a 'token' fee and only necessary to weed out  
those who aren't as serious about vending.
> If we, or SPAH, were to give away space, everyone with some sort of  
> harebrained item would be vying for space with vendors who rely on  
> their tables of a living, or a substantial part of their gross  
> income. I don't think that's fair.

I don't think it's fair to give space to people with hair brained  
ideas either, but then hair brained ideas have to go through the  
panel. Your reasoning assumes that no one will monitor this.

smo-joe
> Tom
> On Jul 4, 2007, at 2:54 PM, Joe and Cass Leone wrote:
>
> > I feel that there is a difference between sponsors & vendors.  
> > Vendors should not be charged. Vendors are doing a service for the  
> > membership just by being there. Spah is supposed to be about the  
> > membership. You can't advance and promote harmonica without  
> > members. Ergo: they should be comped for the space/table   
> > whatever. The vendors should be grouped like a flea market.  
> > Possibly in the ante-room of the conference halls.
> >
> > Since spah comps/perks other people, why not the vendors.
> >
> > Just my opinion, no acid tossing please...... smokey-joe
>
> !DSPAM:5614,468c007394018288620651!