Southwest Trade Show 2019

[bruce johnson]

10 hours ago, Rbarleatherworks said:

Thanks Bruce... will do.

Hey it sounds like you have been there before.  Do you know what people usually do ... can a person fly right into Prescott and rent a vehicle to get around or ???

I ask because I was looking into Sheridan but it doesn't look like you can even fly there so I wasn't sure.  Tips of the "Trade Show" are most welcome to the newcomer

Thanks

Regan

At Prescott people fly into Phoenix and either rent a car or take a commuter bus to Prescott. I'm not sure about any puddle jumper flights to Prescott. I'm not sure about the bus schedule either, but I know several have done it. Once you get to the facility, it is handy. It is held at a casino/conference center/resort on the edge of town. A few dining options right there, trade show and classes in the same building. Being a casino, there are usually waiting cabs at night for a run downtown. Nightlife and restaurants in Prescott, or over the hill to the east Prescott Valley. 

Sheridan. Until we started exhibiting we always flew. Billings mainly and rent a car. One time I checked out other options and Rapid City was a fair bit cheaper to fly into. The cost difference for the two of us paid for the rental car. Longer drive to Sheridan but we made a week out of it, spent a few days in the Black Hills first and it was a good way to do it for us. 

Tips of the Tradeshows -

Sign up for classes you want early. The hot ones always fill. Don't sign up for classes the whole time and miss the trade show. Last year they started keeping the trade shows open an hour later on Friday, but that's only an hour. Between lunch and an hour at the end of one day, it can still be tight. 

Most everyone is very approachable. There are some top dogs teaching and some just showing up to hang out. They are regular folks. Gotta question, ask it. Just want to introduce yourself and meet and greet, that's cool too. There are a lot of people walking around just like you - they like to talk leatherwork and you can BS with a lot of neat people.  Prescott also has big comfy chairs in the hallway. Great place to meet new people. 

Trade show - you can learn a bunch there too. See a tool you don't know, ask about it. Don't see a tool you are looking for, somebody likely will know where to get it. Ask about different leathers, hardware, machines - it is all there. You will see stuff that you didn't know existed. You can pick up all kinds of info. on a side note - I know a guy who gives away rulers and stickers, and has a pretty well stocked candy dish too. 

I just asked my wife what her advice would be to someone going to their first show. She said "Tell them shows are a kick-ass good time and to bring money!" Yeah, that too. 

 

[Rbarleatherworks]

18 hours ago, bruce johnson said:

At Prescott people fly into Phoenix and either rent a car or take a commuter bus to Prescott. I'm not sure about any puddle jumper flights to Prescott. I'm not sure about the bus schedule either, but I know several have done it. Once you get to the facility, it is handy. It is held at a casino/conference center/resort on the edge of town. A few dining options right there, trade show and classes in the same building. Being a casino, there are usually waiting cabs at night for a run downtown. Nightlife and restaurants in Prescott, or over the hill to the east Prescott Valley. 

Sheridan. Until we started exhibiting we always flew. Billings mainly and rent a car. One time I checked out other options and Rapid City was a fair bit cheaper to fly into. The cost difference for the two of us paid for the rental car. Longer drive to Sheridan but we made a week out of it, spent a few days in the Black Hills first and it was a good way to do it for us. 

Tips of the Tradeshows -

Sign up for classes you want early. The hot ones always fill. Don't sign up for classes the whole time and miss the trade show. Last year they started keeping the trade shows open an hour later on Friday, but that's only an hour. Between lunch and an hour at the end of one day, it can still be tight. 

Most everyone is very approachable. There are some top dogs teaching and some just showing up to hang out. They are regular folks. Gotta question, ask it. Just want to introduce yourself and meet and greet, that's cool too. There are a lot of people walking around just like you - they like to talk leatherwork and you can BS with a lot of neat people.  Prescott also has big comfy chairs in the hallway. Great place to meet new people. 

Trade show - you can learn a bunch there too. See a tool you don't know, ask about it. Don't see a tool you are looking for, somebody likely will know where to get it. Ask about different leathers, hardware, machines - it is all there. You will see stuff that you didn't know existed. You can pick up all kinds of info. on a side note - I know a guy who gives away rulers and stickers, and has a pretty well stocked candy dish too. 

I just asked my wife what her advice would be to someone going to their first show. She said "Tell them shows are a kick-ass good time and to bring money!" Yeah, that too. 

 

That is great information for a new comer ... Thanks so much Bruce I really appreciate it.

Still would be nice to connect with others that are going, and if anyone would like to split a room, I am thinking I will be there on Wed, Thurs, Fri. 

Let me know

[Rbarleatherworks]

Well.... I just booked my Flight and Rental Car

Since I have not won the lottery ...yet.... Still hoping I might find a roommate to share the room cost.

I will be arriving in phoenix at about 6pm, renting a car and driving to Prescott on Feb 26th.

I am looking forward to the show and meeting many fellow Leather Workers

Regan

[wydfuqnopn]

I am excited to attend my first show too. I have friends in Tuscan but I dont know about the 4 hour drive from there after I have already driven 7hours from southern California. Since I have turned my living and dining rooms into a leather workshop complete with sewing station for my consew 206rb-5,  stamping/tooling station, cutting table, and I have 45 hides hanging from the ceiling I figured I had better go if it is this close. been working with leather for 8 months now. Picked it up and ran with it after my girlfriend of 11 years passed on and haven't looked back. love leather as a medium and it allows my creativity to flourish. hope to see you all there. I will be the 6'7" dude with the s%#t eating grin who is acting like a 1o year old at his first baseball game.

Edited February 16, 2019 by wydfuqnopn

[Rbarleatherworks]

Yayyyy ... another wide eyed leather worker

Looking forward to meeting you. 

6'7" .... hard to miss !

Regan

[bruce johnson]

Ok, look for the tall guy, Got it,