Been going 15 years and my favorite part is seeing the people that I only get to see once a year that also make the trip.
I've only be vending the last 2 years and other than a few large presold items, I only bring about a dozen items but sold most of them so even though traffic seemed light people were buying.
Parking has always been the same problem but considering that before I vended I just parked next door in the Airport overflow parking lot (5$ a day) and always made walking trips back and forth or had venders hold items I bought till I left so No problem for me.
Early bird get's the worm to me is BS because I found some awesome deals on a pump and a number of Signs as I do every year Thursday afternoon. And there were still a few vending during the auction on Friday Morning.
It also was announced during the Dinner that the show is going to go back to policing early vending so that the show will have a solid starting time.
The Room to room at Iowa has always been great as it's such a nice venue see a ton of stuff and sit and chat making new friends each year.
As far as the auction goes I don't think there were any more issues than at any other I have been to. Rich and his crew did a nice layout displaying the items beautify and there were plenty of his crew to help out if needed. So for this being his first year hosting it, I think it can only get better. Was also nice to be back to the 10% fee!!
I think you can see in all the photos that Wes and I posted that the show had plenty of stuff for everyone looking. As a vender, I would always love more foot traffic and I plan on sharing a few ideas with Ron and John from the Car show / swaps I have helped run. But when I looked up and down the side streets on Wednesday morning they were full of vehicles and trailers so all looked good.
My final thoughts is that the show will go on and every year will have good and bad points as every sway meet does.
The Hotel as always did a good job even with all the construction/improvements going on.
The Vending spots were totally filled almost completely around the building which provided some amazing stuff.
The ones that come early and leave early do that by choice and that should not make or break the schedule of the show.
4 floors of room to room swaps that go from Monday thru Thursday evening is awesome providing great stuff and conversation.
So as I have said before, the show is scheduled to Run Wednesday thru Friday. If you only come for one day that's your choice but don't use your opinions on that to make it look like the shows over before it starts. There was a good crop of younger buyers this year which makes us feel great for the future of our hobby and lets let them make their own opinions out on when they want to come or can come to the show.
Oh and by the way, please take a look at my Buys of the week on Sunday night and what you will see is other than a few pre bought items (Tiolene and Koolmoter signs), a bunch of items a guy bought by sleeping in each morning (never hit the show before 8:30 am) and purchased right up to the end for my individual collection.
Thanks to everyone I got to see again this year and to the new friends I made, I look forward to seeing you again next year!
Last edited by Mike M.; Sat Aug 08 2015 11:36 AM.
