[Deptheads] Dealer Room Update

Wed May 12 18:27:05 PDT 2010

Eric I should have acknowledged your phone call and concerns. 

I’m sorry that I forgot to put that in. 

But to tell you the truth, this forum is how I thought we were suppose to communicate our ideas, solve problems, and pro-actively anticipate potential issues. 

I really don’t know any of you. I expect most of the staff lives in the LA area and have years of history together and that is what makes this a cohesive group. 

I on the other hand I live in Northern California and only know 7 staff members that I can put a face and a name together. And some of them, I don’t even know what they do for the con, or who has real decision making power. Other than Eric of course. 

It was my understanding that this forum is the equalizer. This is how all the department heads and staff communicate. 

I expected to see some post going back and forth saying, OK lets a lot RPG, and who ever runs the werewolf games $XXX dealer dollars and here’s an idea on how to distribute them. What does everyone think? 

Eric, I didn’t know if you had the authority to make such decisions and didn’t see any post to Mike asking him what the best course of actions would be. 

I’m sorry but if I don’t see discussion, options, and an eventual course of action laid out in writing on the best form of community communication (this forum) then I assume the topic is dead. 

As for the fliers, I wouldn't know what to put on them, I've never played Werewolf, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 or 4e, never been a part of the RPGA and really don't know what would motivate them other than getting dealer dollars into there hands. 

I know it probably sounds awful but since we started the company I really don't play games anymore. 

Steve ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric D" <luckyguyca at yahoo.com> 
To: deptheads at strategicon.net 
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 5:33:40 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update 

Steve, 

As we discussed the RPG department will be having dealer dollars to distribute at the next convention. I thought that after you and I talked that was made clear to you, sorry if there was some misunderstanding on that. 

During our discussion we also discussed having a special "Werewolf" flyer to hand out to the late night gamers. Is this something that you would like to make or would you like me to put it together and distribute it? 

Another thing that helps address this specific concern is making flyers for the dealers room specifically for the RPG and RPGA departments. When you and I discussed this it was unclear whether you wanted to make these or wanted me to put them together. Again, this was something we discussed and I wasn't sure whether you wanted to make these or have us put them together. Let me know if you would like me to do this and it will get done. 

The points you raised in your previous post were valid and that is why I contacted you immediately after and we want to take concrete steps to try to draw those people into the dealers room. 

Eric 

--- On Wed, 5/12/10, stevenong at comcast.net <stevenong at comcast.net> wrote: 

From: stevenong at comcast.net <stevenong at comcast.net> 
Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update 
To: deptheads at strategicon.net 
Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 12:39 AM 

Today I got authorization to cut the prices of Gryphon and Eagle Games, so the guest should see some good deals from me. 

But I'm waiting for a response from my prior post. 

I've seen post on the easy things like signage, maps and fliers but haven't seen anyone take up my challenge. 

Is this Strategicon Taboo? 
Is nobody suppose to talk about it? 
Is it a dead a buried subject? 
Did I open an old wound? 

You asked me what I thought would make a difference and I answered with my own observations and a challenge. 
(see below) 
Industry statistics say 20% of a stores gross comes from RPG's. 
I doubt we're getting half that, and if anyone would like, I would be happy to ask the dealers. 

I've listed what I think would make a difference, where it is in the budget and why you should start a program. 

Tell me why the Dealer Dollars are discriminatory given to only certain events and not spread among "all" the guest events? 
Doesn't everyone pay the same amount to get in? 

Tell me why I'm wrong. 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: stevenong at comcast.net 
To: deptheads at strategicon.net 
Sent: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 12:23:27 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Dealer Room Update 

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 
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