[Deptheads] Dealer Room Update & a quick marketing note
Mark K Hyman
mhyman at xcomwireless.net
Wed May 5 09:41:20 PDT 2010
Printing up a set of different color ones is no problem. But I'll need
some warning.
Mark.
Mark Hyman - VP Administration
XCOM Wireless, Inc.
2815 Junipero Ave #110
Signal Hill, CA 90755
(562) 981-0077 x11 (562) 981-0089 fax
mhyman at xcomwireless.net
Eric Burgess wrote:
> What about including a couple of dealer bucks for each kid in a family
> that buys the family pack for Sunday? Work the cost into the deal. I
> know kids well enough to know - every one of them will want to buy
> something and they will probably get something worth more. Color those
> bucks differently to see how well it goes.
>
> ...ERB
> www.boardgamebabylon.com <http://www.boardgamebabylon.com>
> www.strategicon.net <http://www.strategicon.net>
>
>
> On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 10:44 AM, Mickey Tan <mickeyt66 at hotmail.com
> <mailto:mickeyt66 at hotmail.com>> wrote:
>
> Gencon had a coupon book for various vendors. I would look at it
> and if something caught my eye, look for that booth even if I
> didn't plan on it before.
>
> How about if we have a coupon page for the vendors? It could be a
> letter-size page with every vendor who wanted to participate.
> Every vendor could have the opportunity to give away something
> small or a discount on something. We could hand out this coupon
> page to every person at registration.
>
> --
> Mickey
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From: *Eric D <luckyguyca at yahoo.com <http://luckyguyca@yahoo.com>>
> *Reply-To: *<deptheads at strategicon.net
> <http://deptheads@strategicon.net>>
> *Date: *Tue, 4 May 2010 10:06:54 -0700 (PDT)
> *To: *<deptheads at strategicon.net <http://deptheads@strategicon.net>>
> *Subject: *Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update & a quick marketing
> note
>
>
> Hey all,
>
> The biggest change that we are making for this con vs the last
> Gamex at the Sheraton is that we are going to put Demo's in the
> space between boardgaming and the dealers room. The thought was
> that would draw more people into that area.
>
> The other change is to set up the payouts in that same area again
> to draw more people to the dealers room.
>
> The major problem that the dealer's room had last Gamex was that
> there were not enough people at Gamex. Though the location and
> the signage were issues, the core issue was lack of people at the
> convention. Bring more people = more sales = no issue.
>
> We are trying to address the signage issue and are well aware that
> it caused problems.
>
> I think the issue that we are not drawing some groups to the
> dealers room is very legitmate and needs to be addressed. I think
> that we may wish to prepare a few special flyers to distribute AT
> the convention that promotes the dealers room. Nothing wrong with
> having flyers for it (with directions) at the RPG Headquarters.
> If certain dealers are bringing and selling specific (and new)
> RPG stuff it should be mentioned on this flyer. Let's talk to the
> dealers and see what they would like to promote for that kind of
> in show flyer.
>
> Mike Fryer, what is your thought on how to give it some dealer
> dollars through your department? I have some ideas but thought
> you might want to speak out first...
>
> Likewise one or more dealers may want to have a "Werewolf Special"
> and offer 5-10% off in a special promotional flyer handed out ONLY
> to the people playing Werewolf. Talk to some of the dealers and
> see what kind of interest there is in something like that.
>
> Leaving the dealers room for a minute...
>
> At the department heads meeting we discussed posting on specific
> area related websites regarding our convention. Does anybody need
> any help with copy for these postings? Also as you do them could
> you please send me the link so I can keep track of where we are
> communicating and I can try to help out in areas that we are not
> already getting the message out to.
>
> If you have not yet posted all of your events please try to work
> on that ASAP as we are now in May and people are going to the site
> to see what they want to do at the Convention and/or deciding
> whether or not to go. Hotel Registration ends in 11 days so the
> clock is definitely ticking...
>
> I hope everybody is having a great day.
>
> Eric
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- On *Tue, 5/4/10, Eric M. Aldrich I /<ealdrich at penguinlust.org
> <http://ealdrich@penguinlust.org>>/* wrote:
>
>
> From: Eric M. Aldrich I <ealdrich at penguinlust.org
> <http://ealdrich@penguinlust.org>>
> Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update
> To: deptheads at strategicon.net <http://deptheads@strategicon.net>
> Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 12:37 AM
>
> We're going to do as much as possible to utilize that space
> and drive traffic to that area. We know we blew it last time.
> We'll have to do better this time.
> Eric
>
> On May 4, 2010, at 12:23 AM, stevenong at comcast.net
> <http://stevenong@comcast.net>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stevenong@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> Before posting, I understood the decisions had been made
> and weren't changing.
> My goal of these post is to update the staff as to my
> progress and prepare them for the fallout.
> If traffic is down and sales are low you are going to hear
> from both sides.
>
> The dealers are going to complain that the positioning
> sucks and there wasn't any traffic.
> Some especially the new vendors will have to make a
> decision based on this con; do I come back?
> When I was talking to Battle Foam, Black Army and Game
> Ogre the first thing that they ask is what is the con
> population?
> Or more plainly, is it worth my time and money?
>
> Eric asked me for deeper discounts from the manufactures
> that I represent (Gryphon, Eagle and Three Sages Games),
> and I have put in the request.
> I was working off the premise of having some prime high
> traffic real estate.
> Somehow I doubt they will appreciate lowering the price
> and seeing less sales, you can't have them both or at
> least not for long.
>
> The Guest will continue to complain that the dealers are
> selling the games at close to full retail.
> And well yes that will probably be true especially if
> traffic is down, as I said before it's easy to be generous
> when your doing well.
>
> Yes, both of us believe that good signage and map in the
> con book are critical, hopefully the payout station will help.
>
> */You asked, so here is a challenge for you,/* RJ and I
> have cut the cost of the dealers room by hundreds of dollars.
> (one less room, replacing the dinner with a lunch, and no
> alcohol, for all I care you can get rid of the donuts to
> but apparently it's a well like tradition)
>
> I challenge this staff to take some of that savings and
> turn it into dealer dollars*/ but not by increasing the
> current programs.
> /*
> Drive some of the non tournament people back into dealers
> room.
>
> When I go down into the bowels of roleplaying or stay up
> to see who's playing werewolf, "I'VE NEVER SEEN THESE
> PEOPLE BEFORE!!!!"
> (or at least never in the dealers room)
>
> It's like going to someone else's con, and this is my 10th
> or 11th StrategiCon, I should have seen these people.
>
> Give DD's to the GM's and organizers, give them the
> authority to pick the best player, have a vote,
> Rock-Paper-Scissors, I don't care.
>
> I know these are the cheapest of our guest, but I think
> getting a little from them is going to be easier that
> squeezing more out of our board gamers and CCG'ers.
>
> Monitor it, put little marks on the new programs and see
> how many come back?
>
> I may be completely wrong, it wouldn't be the first time,
> but I believe that it's only fair that you give them some
> DD's, they paid the same amount to get in as everyone else!
>
> Think about it, Roleplayers are so cheap that it would
> give them an ulcer not to spend free money.
>
> Steve Ong
> Three Sages Games
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tim" <tim at stugiii.com <http://tim@stugiii.com>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tim@stugiii.com>
> >
> To: deptheads at strategicon.net
> <http://deptheads@strategicon.net>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=deptheads@strategicon.net>
>
> Sent: Monday, May 3, 2010 11:00:24 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada
> Pacific
> Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update
>
> The reason we need someone who is a dealer in charge of
> the dealer's room is precisely because that experience is
> valuable. The problem with the changing the room was that
> it meant splitting up the boardgames layout to multiple
> rooms (and increasing their staff to deal with the
> increased space). While we might make it work for Gamex,
> it wouldn't work for Orccon. Rather than moving the
> dealer's room each con, we all felt that it would make
> more sense to make the existing location work. Granted
> you weren't at that meeting and it may be inexperience on
> our part, but it would seem with clear signage and the
> payouts taking place right outside the dealer's room, that
> should keep the traffic up.
>
> What can we do to make the current location work?
>
>
> Tim
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: stevenong at comcast.net <http://stevenong@comcast.net>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stevenong@comcast.net>
>
> To: deptheads at strategicon.net
> <http://deptheads@strategicon.net>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=deptheads@strategicon.net>
>
> Sent: Monday, May 3, 2010 10:15:21 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada
> Pacific
> Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update
>
> Sorry some of my post got chopped off.
>
> The guest and people who run this con are the nicest I've
> ever met and as I told Eric that is a factor why I
> continue to come down from NorCal.
> But in the end, I'm responsible to my partners and my
> decision and I would expect other vendors make up their
> minds completely on cost and work versus profit.
>
> I don't know what Janice has said in the past, or what RJ
> will say in the future.
>
> But, I'm not a politician, I'm rather blunt most of the time.
> I'm not here to argue with anyone.
> I'm not here to change the order of things.
> And lucky for you, I'm only running the dealers room for
> one con.
>
> But some of these store owners have had a rough couple of
> years, I don't see these changes helping, and most
> importantly some of them are my friends.
>
> So as long as I'm doing this the vendors will have a voice
> stating their side.
>
> Steven Ong
> Three Sages Games.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: stevenong at comcast.net <http://stevenong@comcast.net>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=stevenong@comcast.net>
>
> To: deptheads at strategicon.net
> <http://deptheads@strategicon.net>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=deptheads@strategicon.net>
>
> Sent: Monday, May 3, 2010 9:54:00 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada
> Pacific
> Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update
>
> When I agreed to do this I was told that decisions were
> made and that they would not change.
>
> They did change, and not so much as a courtesy call was
> made, I find that unprofessional.
>
> I did not ask for anything to change, I'm stating my opinion.
>
> As for the last GameX, that really has no bearing on anything.
> We were under the impression that this was a one time deal.
> And if you really want to know my numbers and probably
> others were down with noticeably lower traffic.
>
> Not everyone has had the experience of being a dealer.
> I'm stating opinions based on my experience as a
> manufacture and dealer and as such my decision tree is
> different than most.
>
> Each dealer is different, but for the paying and potential
> new dealers, placement, traffic and the bottom line is
> really all that counts.
> Who here currently or in the past owns a game store or
> company?
>
> The opinions that I'm stating I hope are representative of
> those stores and manufactures that count the StrategiCon
> events as part of their yearly income.
> I'm sure you know that some of our dealers are not hobby
> businesses, but have you considered that this is how they
> put food on the table, pay their rent,
> or maybe the difference between going on a family vacation
> or not this year?
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robyn Nixon" <dragonladytoo at trackrecords.net
> <http://dragonladytoo@trackrecords.net>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dragonladytoo@trackrecords.net>
> >
> To: deptheads at strategicon.net
> <http://deptheads@strategicon.net>
> <http://us.mc655.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=deptheads@strategicon.net>
>
> Sent: Monday, May 3, 2010 8:33:29 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada
> Pacific
> Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update
>
> Additional security was also discussed:
>
> 1. The air wall is only goes to the Video game room.
> 2. The Video Game room is Staffed at all times it is
> open (there is too much expensive electronic
> equipment to leave it un guarded).
> 3. The Video game room will be locked at any time that
> it is un-staffed (participants MUST leave the room
> if Staff need to leave due to breaks, whether
> restroom or food).
> 4. Therefore there is either a locked door or actual
> person based security on the air wall side., meaning
> it is probably the most secure room at the convention.
>
>
>
> On 5/3/10 8:26 PM, "Tim" <tim at stugiii.com
> <http://tim@stugiii.com>> wrote:
>
> This is where the dealer's room was last Gamex. The
> airwall door was blocked by the Warhouse's rack,
> effectively preventing it from being opened from the
> computer room side. The racks hide it preventing it
> from being opened from the dealer's room side. Demo's
> and dealer dollar payouts will be right in front of
> the dealer's room door, which should facilitate their
> prompt spending.
>
> What is the problem with the dealer's room being where
> it is?
>
> Tim
>
> stevenong at comcast.net <http://stevenong@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Dealer Room Status:
>
> 1) I've emailed dealer room contracts and room
> layout to the list Janice gave me plus three
> others. I have interest from two of the three new
> vendors
>
> (1 manufacturer and 1 store).
>
>
>
> Hotel Confirmation:
>
> 1) Hermosa, Malibu and Laguna meeting rooms are
> 33 feet by 49 feet each, combined room size is 99
> feet by 49feet.
>
> 2) The Airwall Door between Malibu and Redondo
> does not lock.
>
>
>
>
> Opinion:
>
> a) I believe the new position of the dealers
> room is not equivalent to the placement at the
> Radisson, and will directly effect sales.
>
> b) If sales drop, dealers will be less
> inclined to make deals or be generous to our guest
> and staff.
>
> c) If sales drop, dealers will evaluate
> whether or not participation is profitable enough
> to justify the work.
>
> (Conquest in Northern California moved to another
> city and put the dealer room off to one side of
> the hotel, several dealers including my company
> decided not participate in the convention)
>
> d) I suggest that as much signage as possible
> be produced to offset this possible problem.
>
> e) I was not consulted on the room move so if
> anyone ask about the airwall door that doesn't
> lock, I will give the following statement.
>
>
>
> "The airwall door doesn't lock, this was brought
> to the attention of the owners and staff. They
> have decided that it's an acceptable risk."
>
>
>
>
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