Popular Woodworking Magazine has answered the pleas from the West Coast. In addition to the regular show in Cincinnati, they're taking the event all the way to California!
I wonder how Megan's going to fit her workbench
in the overhead compartment....
in the overhead compartment....
Kari,
ReplyDeleteStop being silly. A bench should be stowed under the seat in front of you; it's far too heavy to lift.
Seriously, that sounds great on the surface, but if WIA is all about the attendees (a.k.a. extra-curricular activities), the atmosphere and attendance will likely be lessened with fewer attendees at each show.
Chris
I live in CA, and I have wanted to attend in previous years, but the cost of travel, lodging and the show has put it out of my price range. this will allow me to finally attend one of these.
ReplyDeletehaving the two events two weeks apart sounds like a major headache for the organizers and vendors.
ReplyDeleteBut a west coast event suits me just fine!
-Joe
I've got to agree with Chris here, there may be a dilution of attendees among those in the online woodworking community, bloggers, etc. I also am concerned that the "talent" (the presenters/instructors) may not want to do two shows, so there may be a dilution with them as well.
ReplyDeleteModernWoodworkersAssociation.com is doing a poll of online woodworkers to try and gauge the feeling of where the 'cool kids' are thinking of going, so as to maximize the value of 'extra-curricular activities'
Like Nathan, I've wanted to go but couldn't make a trip east.
ReplyDeleteNow I don't have to. This is such a great thing!
I'm sad that I won't get to see some of my buddies this year knowing they'll choose the west coast show. However, I am glad that people who've found it cost-prohibitive to travel to past shows will now get to experience it.
ReplyDeleteWell, diluted or not, it will be GOOD to have the show closer. The hand tool big boys ignored us here in the west at the recent AWFS show so we are feeling somewhat slighted. I never intended to attend before, but now that it will be in Cali. I will take my two woodworking teaching buddies and we will be there.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about the option, even though it means I probably won't get to meet some of the east coast woodworkers I've known virtually for years. It'll make it a lot easier for me to attend. I'm planning to make a big batch of my super-duper chocolate chip cookies to bring along to see if that tempts any of them to pick California over Covington :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that they're doing both. The west certainly has some immensely talented woodworkers, amateur and professional, who could really bring a lot to a forum like WIA who don't have the time or the inclination to deal with the logistics of trekking east. Stephen Shepherd comes to mind as someone, if asked to present, more likely to go to California than Kentucky. I don't think dilution will be a problem, either. Again there's just too much talent out there. It's an opportunity to serve the needs of more woodworkers. I wish them all the success in the world.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely saw a dilution in 2009 with 2 separate venues but the reality is that the potential audience size is much larger than any venue can hold so multiple locations is an inevitability as the show grows. Even though it is so far away I'm glad to see a West coast show as I know a lot of people out there are jonesing for a chance to go. Better exposure is good for us all. The more people buy tools from the small guys the better able they are to make cool new stuff, etc.
ReplyDeleteMcKay, I have a feeling the West Coast show will be very well attended. I'm very curious to see who the speakers will be.
ReplyDeleteJeremiah, homemade chocolate chip cookies are my Achilles Heel! Tempting, very tempting....
Bowyerboy, I expect that both shows will be excellent. Wish I could attend both.
Shannon, very well said!
Started selling the idea of a trip to CA to my lovely Bride. Hope to see you all there.
ReplyDelete