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I was wondering about other people's thoughts on Iowa Gas this year.
I was not interested in the auction on Wednesday so I arrived Thursday morning to start looking for the items I needed.
I seemed to be a good show but was starting to die down before noon and people had packed it in early afternoon. Looked like most people had packed up and left early Friday morning. I realize that the heat played a part in people leaving early but for the guy taking a couple of days off of work to go to the show and only get a little over half a day was a little disappointing.
I talked to a few people and they said they were selling some stuff as early as Tuesday night. I love coming to Iowa Gas and looking for some things to finish projects of items to start a new one but it seems like I'm always a day late.
I don't have the time to show up a couple of days early to wait for every trailer to roll in and check everything out even before the vendor has time to unpack.
I don't mean to complain but it just seems the nature of this show. I really don't know if it can be changed. The new format this year didn't seem to help much. It is just the nature of the beast I guess.

Mike

the format was as confusing as ever. the optimism for the new change in format was short-lived due to the last minute change in the setup schedule. something has to be done to correct the schedule, and i think everyone knows it, including the promoters.

the heat did play a factor too... I was setup outside all day Thursday and hardly did any shopping because it was nearly 110 heat index out on the asphalt. It also seemed that overall foot traffic was down a lot compared to last year, but the heat could have been a factor.

I stuck around and setup for a little bit of Friday, but I shouldn't have... there was just no foot traffic at all. I saw maybe 10-20 people roll in.

As soon as setup is allowed, vendors are going to sell and shoppers are going to buy... so trying to control that is impossible. Peotone and CTO both manage to have auctions and still control a schedule, so Iowa Gas should be able to as well.

I look forward to seeing what next year brings! (I dont envy the promoters) I just hope it results in moving it more towards the weekend, instead of taking up valuable work-days.

It was the worst show there in the last 15 years. This year was poorly planned.
But for me even thou it is 8 hours longer drive I believe that with new ownership that The Check The Oil show will become the best show in the country

I'm good with weds auction Tuesdays set up Thursday should be last day.just don't tell me set up is weds afternoon,and change it two weeks before the show. Three day show,in the middle of week leaves the weekend to go to street rod show or the 127 etc.

This is all very disappointing to hear.
I can't believe it was the weather,as this has always known to be hot show each year,and still people/vendors show..
And X2 on other shows like CTO & Peotone policing & controlling their format.

What was Iowas room to room trading like this year?

Here's a schedule:

- Parking lot opens at hotel check in on Friday (usually 3PM?). People can then park and start setting up. The show is 'on' until dusk - or later, if there are lights in the parking lot. Might be better at night anyway, since it would be cooler. Never seen buyers complain that it's too dark in the morning to shop, so it should be fine in the evening as well. Room-to-room that night.

- Show (inside and outside) continues Saturday at dawn. Auction Saturday night.

- No pack up allowed until Sunday morning, at the earliest.

That schedule allows for those who can't take off a week from work to attend.

Promoters: set the schedule and stick to it. Vendors: attend the show and follow the rules.

If you think about it, a gas show is no different than a trade show: you have vendors/exhibitors, and buyers/attendees. There's a schedule, and anyone who wants to participate follows the schedule. It's as simple as that. For some reason unique to this hobby, some vendors feel they can show up/set up whenever they want, and break down whenever they want. All of this criticism, and sympathy, for the promoters - think how much easier their job would be if the attendees/vendors made it easier for them by following the rules, instead of trying to be first to arrive, and first to leave - all the while posting snarky comments on social media, and trashing the promoters in other media.

There are many annual conventions for other hobbies/hobbyists, several of which are much larger and better attended than Columbus or Iowa Gas, i.e., the Comic-cons in San Diego and other cities comes to mind. I'm pretty sure they don't have people showing up two days early, wanting to set up - nor trying to break down their wares and truck them out of the venue while people are shopping - or people showing up on the day advertised for the show, only to find a half-empty venue.

One last thought: too hot in Iowa in August? Maybe it's time for an indoor venue. I would think, being Iowa, there would be some sort of agricultural complex suitable; maybe not.

Wow, I knew this thread would come about at some point.

First the place was packed with venders both inside and out (see the photos I posted) even with all those that decided to do a "wait and see deal". Yes the show was a mess but if anyone of you took time to talk to Ron Or John you would of known that they know the changes they tried could not of turned out worst. It all imploded from every direction and they will make changes for next year. I went there planning to stick to the new rules but once I arrived found that those who always come early and leave early had made up their minds to not follow the new rules.

The best part was I was one of the few who set up on Friday and the weather was great. Foot traffic was low but I was still able to sell $1000 worth of stuff so I cannot complain. I talked to Tommy Buckles out front and he even said he had done about the same.

My biggest gripe to all you guys who didn't set up on Friday and left was we talked to at least 6 different people who came by because the swap meet was advertised through Friday and were very disappointed that only a few of us stuck around. Who knows how many that stopped didn't say a word?

I think a lot of what went wrong with this year falls on the ones that did what they wanted and didn't care about the new rules. Ron needs the show to be there certain days due to his contract with the Holiday Inn and the sales permit on the property. Also that is what he advertised so next year once he figures out the schedule to all you that don't like it, please stick to it or stay away, because the schedule is set by the promoters and not by what days you want to be there.

I think myself that they may have to go back to the fenced in airport parking lot because then they can control the start and end of the show like it should be!

This is just my opinion so don't hang me but as I said (as did Mark) This is the promoters show and he should not have to change the rules just to suit anybody else's schedule.

It was down a bit but still a lot of goodies to be found.

Plus between Dan Matthews room and the new bar there was a bit more of night life to enjoy...LOL

If people broke the rules and went against the promoters initial plans by selling too early,why doesn't anyone name them publically on here?
Lets start holding people accountable and curtailing this.

Is that too much to ask?

Good Thought on that subject. Too far for some of us to go just to find out we were either too late or just wasting time.

One thought on preventing vendors from leaving early is to get a deposit from the vendors refundable at end of the event.

My paperwork said no selling until 6:30 Wednesday night. After the auction.

'Set up' allowed Wednesday. Of course, if you set out all your signs/cans/globes/etc. somebody will buy something.

We have the most difficult spot to occupy in the entire lot (IMHO). We are clear down in the back corner with J U S T enough clearance to pull the big Dodge Ram and the 24' trailer in - if no one is already there. Previous years we have had to ask other vendors to move some of their inventory or even their trucks to give us clearance.

We arrived late afternoon Monday just so we could get in without the hassle.

That's 5 nights of hotel costs + food and beverages for one day of actual sales.

We did not set anything out on Wednesday. We set up early Thursday and had fairly decent sales until about 1 PM, then the heat killed any further foot traffic.

Of course by then, over half the vendors were already gone - or packing up to leave.

We set everything up again Friday morning - and probably had a total of 40 people walk by all day. Some even went out of their way to thanks us for actually being set up. Of course by noon, we were only one of about 5 vendors still set up in the lot.

Since there was absolutely NO FOOT TRAFFIC by 1 PM Friday, we closed up, packed everything and headed out for a long lunch.

I understand this was a 'trial' schedule. But if the show continues to go as it did this year, there won't be hardly any spectators at the show - only vendors selling to vendors.

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On a related note. I talked to Ron and another big sign collector in the Ballroom on Saturday. Their consensus was the lighter sales had a lot to do with all the BIG DOLLAR auctions that have happened this year. Something like 20 Million dollars of Petrolania has changed hands since January. They thought that limited the funds available for items at the show.

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Whatever the problem - too hot, too many auctions, no vendors on Friday - whatever, something has got to change or this show will die a slow death.

Jim

This was my 20th year for Iowa and I thought the show was GREAT. I bought nice items, met with old friends, enjoyed the new bar, really enjoyed the room to room swap and had fun. I can't control the high prices, hot weather, or the start or stop times. I just adjust my schedule accordingly. I come to the show because I can and love every minute of it. I can't wait till my 21st show next year!

I did not arrive until Wednesday morning around 10 with the plan that I was not going to set up until after the auction with everybody else. I arrived to find that the show was in full swing and had been for at least a day. I felt like I followed the rules to try to help get the show on track and was given the finger.

Word on the street was that one of the promoters sold a sign well before setup time and everybody outside followed suit. I am not sure if this is 100% true, but I did hear it from about 10 different people. I also heard that many of the indoor vendors were upset as outside vending was a free for all and inside was on lockdown. I am not sure how true this is either, as I was not setup inside. It would be nice to hear from one of the promoters on these two subjects.

I also heard from many vendors that they will not be returning, which is really disappointing.

I think the show itself was good even though it was ultra disorganized this year. I saw alot of people walking around with purchases and many of the vendors stated that sales were very good.

I dont know what the answer is for this show. I can tell you that in my opinion, changing the start time and date, only to lay down and let it go on early was a poor decision. There were alot of ***** people walking around. I am not trying to be a Monday morning quarterback, I would probably run the show much worse.

All in all, a show of this caliber is alot of work. I commend the promoters for putting on a good show, and thanks for all the hard work that is done so that we can all enjoy it! See you next year, on Sunday, LOL

Well your always going to have winers and complainers so it hard to win! But I arrived Tuesday afternoon and was thrilled the show was started! I did very well buying and thought the auction format on Wednesday was perfect as those who didn't have any interest in the auction could go out side and buy! Buy the way I was at the first 15 Iowa gas meets including the first one and this show has survived very well with the ups and downs of the hobby! Thanks John and Ron can't wait till next year!

Had a great show...buying and selling...met a lot of great people from Oldgas and Facebook and socialized with some old friends...no matter what the promoters do, some people are going to bitch and complain. I look forward to next years show no matter when it starts and ends. If you attend this show and don't have a good time it's on you, not the promoters...plenty of positives to out weigh the negatives....

Dennis,

I agree completely! Very well said. That is my thoughts exactly. I had an absolute blast again this year. I cannot wait until next year.

I'm not trying to complain to much. Just trying to let my thoughts out in the open. I'm just your average 40 hour a week, 6 pack Joe that gets 2 weeks vacation a year. I take a few days out of my 2 weeks vaction to attend this show.
It's hard to figure out which days to show up to get there early to try to find some good deals. We all are trying to find a deal and get a bargain. We all agree that the prices are getting out ragous. I like most everyone on this site have bills to pay and good jobs aren't what they use to be. So getting to a show hoping to get a good start to try to find so deals just to find out that people started 2 days before you got there at the advertised time is avervating. To walk around for 1/2 to 3/4 of a day just to look at vendors selling $1200 to $2000 pumps and asking $1000 to $4000 for beat up porcelain signs is a bit of a let down. I can't afford those prices.
I found and bought a pump for $450 and was happy with that. It wasn't the condition I was hopeing for but I can work with it. I love looking for the parts(it's the hunt that's fun)I'm glad I didn't wait to long to think about it though. That vendor was packed up and gone shortly after that.
There has to be a better way for the average guy that only gets a few days off to get to Iowa Gas to experience more of it.

Not a horrible idea...

I have never been to the Iowa show, but it sounds similar to other shows I've attended in having issues.

The first thing I believe is odd is having the Auction take precedence over vendor selling being the 'first' day of the event. An auction should be a culmination or collaboration of an event, not a kick-off since it tends to gobble up the available money pool. Further, plenty of vendors likely want to bid on items so if they've had a chance to sell it means they'll have more money to bid with at auction, a win for the auction venue. However the Auction should not be the focus, vendors are the backbone of these shows and if they want to sell during the auction it is reasonable especially for people who may not care to bid on items currently being offered at that time of the auction, thus they could walk around and buy from vendors.

Promoters have the right and responsibility to police their event. If someone is selling early when the rules stipulate otherwise that seller should be removed immediately, period. Yes some vendors will be mad for being kicked out and say they won't come back, but if they are causing the problem then really is this an issue? Let them put on a show and have people cause issues.

We all know a lot of pre-selling and delivery occurs during these events. To reduce confusion 'pre-sold' items should be picked up during the event time rather than delivered onsite prior to start time. Exchanges well distanced offsite are of no concern. It's the use of the event 'out of event hours' that may cause rumors of selling when prohibited.

Weather is fickle, heat, rain, wind, etc; it generally effects the casual browser more than the diehard. This year it has been hot and that has had the effect on every venue I've attended since May.

Personally, mid-week shows are odd to me, and therefore a terrible idea for hobby shows where much of the participation is from blue-collar working people. It's fine if there are 25% able to take time midweek, but that means that 75% have to weigh the cost/benefit.

Most successful big auto shows I go to Wednesday is setup/vend-vend sales, Thurs is vendor setup/public sales, Friday is Vendor sales and Auction.

In the final analysis, if the promoters don't hold the vendors feet to the fire it doesn't matter how you rearrange the schedule.

People were posting buys on the Facebook pages as early as Monday! Tuesday was even worse, some even saying they were bought out and leaving Wednesday. Not the promoters fault if people don't obey they rules, and they don't own the site! They could however have somebody patrol the site, and if seen selling or even displaying, throw them out FOR GOOD! Ask people who screw around with Chip Flohe, he catches you it's BYE FELICIA!!

Apparently the show has to have a city selling permit which specifies the days that vending is allowed. Since the promoters won't crack down on the early vending, maybe it's time to get the city to do so?
Or the promoters could do as Blair suggests and toss out those that break the rules.
Everyone is talking about the vendors and promoters being at fault. Don't forget the buyers that arrive days before the show is supposed to start.

I'd love to see the show go back to the Thursday-Saturday format with the auction either Thursday or Saturday, and no early vending.

I missed the show this year. My first time at Iowa Gas was in 2003, think this is the second show I missed since then. That first year for me, I remember waiting until they moved the gate and let people into the parking lots to set up. They had the hotel parking lot and the one lot across the street with vendors. No one set up until the gates were open and people were let in. (People did complain about having to wait when they were there and ready to set up) Back then from what I recall, the auction was after the show, it was not cataloged or on the internet. If you had something to sell, you could give it to the auctioneer the day of the auction and they would sell it. Somewhere along the way, they started letting people in early, people showed up sooner to find the deals and it turned into what we have now. It is easy to make rules, harder to enforce them. You have to have dealers to have a show, bottom line. Kick out to many and the show will fail. From what I see, there are a lot of new/ younger collectors/ dealers/ pickers/ flippers in the hobby right now. This is both good and bad. If a show gets to heavy handed, people will stop going to sell.

The Peotone show is nice because the gates do not open until the promoters open them. You can pretty well plan on knowing what time to be there. Iowa and Columbus are nice because they also have the room to room vending and an on site place to stay overnight.

I always enjoyed the Iowa Show, got a lot of stuff there over the years. Just had to figure out what day to get there..

I have been to Iowa Gas only once and thought it was a good show. Chip's Dixie Gas is my favorite and when I can be there, I abide by his rules. They are for the benefit of the public. I was at Chip's a couple of years ago and it was the day before we could open. I was looking through his barns and found some parts that I needed. I drug them out to Happy, his Dad, who sternly told me that I couldn't sell that stuff....I was a day too early! When I told him that it was Chip's and I just wanted to pay for it.....he said..." that's OK then." LOL! The very best show of the year in the Fall AACA show at Hershey, Pa. Oct.5-8. There are 9000 vendors who set up on Tuesday morning and most stay until Saturday morning. With this many sellers, no-one should complain about not seeing the stuff they came for. The show is open from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M. on those days. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

I agree, it was a disappointment to see that when i showed up Wed. morning, that selling was already going on and some stuff already marked SOLD. I as well had heard that promoters were selling stuff early as well, don't know for sure, but heard it. I think it would be nice if they let vendors set up Wed. afternoon, and let vendors trade amongst themselves(only if they display a vendors badge,no public selling) that evening as well. Open to public Thurs. morning to sell all day, Fri. all day with an auction on Fri. afternoon(allowing vendors to consign anything they may want to sell). This allows the average Joe to attend the show the same time as the rest of the general public and only burn two vacation days to boot! I am not a vendor, but believe they should have a slight advantage as they are paying to be there anyway.I bought a lot of neat stuff and will attend again, but FIRMLY believe, if you say your going to do something, you should do it. I think integrity says a lot of who you are and what you stand for!!!

there are three ways to get in the parking lot. Have the show start say 7am wed. morning. No one is allowed in lot until then. Pay a kid to move a bracade (there already there.) at 7am. start selling then on setup. If any body sells off site who cares that's out of everybody hands. The show ends when the vendors are gone. Problem solved. By the way when I went outside wed. morning everyone was selling and they shut down the ballroom for 6 plus hours and said it would open back up at 630pm. But they changed that to and reopen at 530 pm

Haven't been to Iowa in a long time, not that I didn't want to go, work seemed to always put the brake on the adventure. As a guy in the cheap seats looking in at this problem it is as old as me. I feel bad for everyone, especially for the guys that have to burn vacation days to attend.

This has been going on since someone started a "swap meet". Do I have any suggestions, hell no! I'm just glad we have these things be what they may be. But, the more you guys and gals talk about it I'm willing to beleive change will be done or at least tried. Nuff said.

Personally .... I think all shows should be Friday and Saturday. Most working guys can't make a Wed/Thurs show.

My 2cents, this year was my first time at Iowa Gas, I had a great time, took some things home, happy as a clam! Largest show I have ever been to, the room to room was an awesome new experience. I went to most of the auction but didn't end up with anything. Humidity and distance from home are a bummer.

x2

not sure why they always choose to have them on weekdays... the retired folks and full-time dealers can travel and attend regardless, so why not cater to the M-F working folks?

...agreed...

Just a guess but it may have something to do with the hotel, insurance and the rates? But I agree that it would be sweet to have it on the weekend.

I completely agree..
But if I recall years ago & when DB was alive,this particular issue was hashed out many times.The consensus was back then that this show puts the vendors first,the spectators second.
The Majority of the vendors were/are retired and could come during the week.
Organizers subtly suggested without vendors,there is no show.So the vendors got to set up early and trade amongst themselves when they wanted to.
Anything that came afterwards was gravy.

I agree. On the other hand I manage to find more globes and signs than I could ever hope to buy without going to Iowa Gas so I don't feel I'm missing anything by not going.

Guys, I haven't read all of this but the promoters themselves were selling from the ballroom on Tuesday afternoon.
The original plan, NO setup or selling until Wed evening would have worked well and everyone I know was on board for that. Many rooms were open on Tuesday evening and not many more on Wed evening, I was disappointed with that. It's the promoters fault for changing everything at the last minute

How would you like to go to the Super Bowl, only to find out the teams decided to start the game several hours early and you are walking in during the 4th quarter?

What happened at Iowa Gas was NOT right. The promoter's participation and failure to act was a breech of faith and is a poor reflection on their integrity. Wisdom is knowing the right path to take. Integrity is taking it!

Good example about the football game, so true.

[quote=Speedracer][quote=Mills]One thought on preventing vendors from leaving early is to get a deposit from the vendors refundable at end of the event.

I Agree with the deposit idea , I remember the first time I went to Dixie gas it was on a Saturday and I walked thru in a few minutes and was so disappointed . Since then I go on Thursday or Friday .

Yep.

...then they could just as easily come on the weekend - their schedules are the most flexible...


...an excellent analogy...

Here's an Idea. If the show stars on Wednesday then you get there no later than Monday Noon. You get Business cards from the dealers the year before and call all of them before the show. Find out what they have that might interest you and ask when will they arrive. Be sure to keep an eye out for people parking out front who just bring items to sell but are not registered. At your spot on the field bring items and price high prices to meet new contacts. This is how it's been going on for years. If you notice it's always the same group of people who show up early and they don't sell Cheap.

I have never attended Iowa Gas for the main reason it has been during the week. Up until just this year, I worked a Mon-Fri(Sat) job and hard to burn vacation unless I burned a whole week for Iowa Gas. My time was better spent buying at swap meets, auctions, and private sales. I feel for folks who cant make Iowa Gas or go just to find out that the promoters broke their own rules by allowing sales to start early. If the promoters really want to increase sales and attendance, move Iowa Gas to a Fri - Sun schedule. This is a win win solution. I would much rather burn 2 days of vacation (Thur and Fri) than 4 or 5 days of vacation and I would have attended Iowa Gas in the past. Also have the auction Sunday afternoon, vendors who have sold items have more money to spend on the auction and those who just come for the auction will not have to burn vacation at all unless they happen to work that weekend. If heat is an issue which sounds like it is year after year, then hold it indoors or move it to the Spring/Fall of the year. IF you move it indoors, then you control the early buying/selling except between vendors and that is almost impossible to stop. Thats just my opinion for what its worth.

...worth quite a bit - at least it attempts to solve the problems, instead of just shrugging and saying 'if you can't beat'em, join'em'...

You would have to have a huge building to get everyone inside.

Confusing or not I sold more stuff in volume and dollar amount than ever before. I also bought several super items. There will always be a post Iowa Gas thread with issues to discuss.

You don't see a post CTO,Peotone,It's A Gas!,Mason Dixon,Mo-Kan or Dixie Gas thread with issues to discuss.

This was my 22nd year at Iowa Gas. I've always sold and bought a lot of signs. If anyone wants to run the show, just ask Ron Hoyt to sell it. You have to learn to make the best of a show, regardless of where it's at! Most everyone I talked to, did good. I'll always make the show, until I can't!!

Curious to how much a gas show goes for these days?

Not sure. CTO was sold this year. Peotone was sold several years ago. I know I wouldn't want one, if you gave it to me.

I'm with ya on that one.