Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Iowa Gas - Let's hear what you LIKED about it!

Hi Everyone;

I don't spend a lot of time on Oldgas in the Summer months, I am to busy with other things. I did look at the photos as well as many of the comments about Iowa Gas as well as comments about Shows in general. Whenever there is a show if you interviewed the people that were there you would have a wide range of opinions. I guarantee that you would find people that had a great show as well as people that had a bad show, as well as everthing in between.

I just had a discussion lierally moments ago about a brand new collector, I mean BRAND NEW. He just subscribed to PCM Magazine and told Scott how excited he is about this new hobby he discoverd. What troubles me is that he also reads the comments on the Oldgas site and I think we can be honest here, whenever there are negative comments about anything it seems that the negative comments build on themselves. This new collector isn't so sure he wants to go to a Show like Iowa Gas.

As collectors and dealers we have a duty to promote and build up the shows and our hobby in general.

Here are things from my perspective. I have gone to Iowa Gas for 24 straight years and yes there is not as much stuff to be bought as there was in the early days. Most of the stuff that turned up years ago is now in collections and only comes out as a piece here or there.

Iowa Gas is still my BEST show year in and year out and the Good Lord willing I will be going 24 years from now.

Here are the facts -

Vender count was virtualy the same as last year and foot traffic was down slightly. I don't care what foot traffic is, I care about buyers. I brought less globes to sell than last year but yet sold 50% more than a year ago. Aaron sold a boat load of cans. EVERY vendor I talked to did as well and most of them better than last year. I bought 3 globes to add to my collection, and no not one of them was pre-arranged. Anyone of the 3 globes I bought could have been bought by anyone there if they happened to see them before I did.

I talked to a lot of people at the show and hear many, many favorable comments about the Show, the friendliness of the collectors there, the willingness of experineced collectors to share their knowledge, as well as the many friendships that have been made over the years.

Here is my challenge to everyone one who reads this. Lets hear what you like about Iowa Gas or any show in general. Lets hear about the friendships you have made or that great piece you found, or just the chance to see more gas stuff than you would at a 1000 flea markets.

Lets hear about the good stuff. If you have negative comments start you own post!

Thanks!

Lonnie Hop

I think this was my 14th year. Never went home without something to add to my collection, even when my first two IG visits were only 3 hours in length due to the 12 hours of driving. Every year I meet someone new, and its that contact and later friendship that adds fun, knowledge and quality items to my collecting.

Kim

I missed Iowa this year due to scheduling with work and vacation with the wife so Jarvis, Sanford and Myself decided to head to CTO this year. It was the first time I had ever been to that show and I am very happy that i went. Most of you that know me know I collect simpson oil stuff well when I first got into globes my wife had a chance to buy three different versions of the globes at an auction she bought two and let one go because it had a cracked lens by the way its the only one known. Three years later im at CTO and rounding the corner and there sets that globe needless to say its now on my globe shelf. But had I not went to the show it would not be in my collection. Thats just one of the reasons to go you just never no what is going to show up. The friendships that are forged at these shows is another some of my great friends have come from this site and people that I have met from shows. I have learned so much at the shows just from listening to guys like Lonnie and Aaron talk about globes. That is stuff like i said on the other thread ebay cant offer.

I had a great time at Iowa. Went the first time in 2003, missed one year since then. They only made so much of the stuff we collect. A lot was lost or destroyed and a lot is off the market in collections. The shows are the best place to see a lot of nice stuff for sale all in one place. Look in this weeks buy of the week section and you can see I had a great time buying stuff for my collection. You get to look at the stuff in person and dont have to wory about a shipping company damaging it on the way home or getting it and finding out the pictures didnt show all the damage or touch up. It is a nice little mini vacation for me, get to talk to a lot of fellow collectors, drink a few cold ones and eat at some good places. No, the shows are not what they once were mostly due in my opinion to the supply is drying up. Still a lot more fun than sitting in front of a computer monitor buying something and then hoping you didnt get ripped off. Peotone is next for me!

I just returned home from my 22nd show in a row and as usual, I had a great time and added to my growing collection! Every year that my family & I have attended, we have used a week of vacation and we have done so without hesatation. Over the years we have met and become good friends with many collectors who live in the Des Moines area & we look forward each year visiting these friends as though it were a "Family Reunion", like it is.

Attending any Gas Show/Swap Meet is a chance to see items up close & personal and have the ability to meet the seller and inquire all you want. The knowledge that I have aquired regarding Gas & Oil Collecting has been learned throughout the years by attending as many shows as possible. Ebay, Online Forums and Auctions does not allow for such knowledge to be learned. Friendships like no other are formed and the comradere is second to none.

As stated, yes the availability of items are down, but this is a product of collectors holding on to what they have as well as the number of venues where these items can now be sold.

Iowa Gas tried to control the setup and start times a few years ago and the sellers were not happy. Some sellers have boycotted this show since, but it continues to thrieve because it is the largest & best in the country. The CTO Show in June is now trying to control their setup the same way Iowa did a few years ago and most vendors are not happy with these types of limits. Traveling a great distance for a one day show is cost prohibitive and once they stop coming the show will fail.

If you are serious about collecting and you want to see items you have never seen before, make plans for Iowa Gas and allow yourself enough time to see it all and experience something you will not soon experience anywhere else.

I've driven 16 out of the 17yrs [missed 2009 because of a clot] I have been going so as not to be limited on size of what I buy. Also like spending time w/ other collectors I have met over the years [added 4 to the list this time, 2 were not able to attend IG].
I agree w/ mdmike it like a "Family Reunion", even the black sheep are there!
Sold or traded most of what I took or Picked on the way & hauled home more weight than I left w/.

I sold as much as I have in several years. I bought 3 globes, 2 signs and some misc. for the collection. Chase (son) got 3 very nice older toy service stations. On all fronts (buying and selling) this was the best show in years. I would have been thrilled to find one globe for my collection and found 3!!

This was my 23rd consecutive year and I thought this year's show had a very friendly, pleasant and relaxed feel. At times, IG has been aggressive and intense, this was certainly not the case this year. I would easily rate the 25th Iowa Gas in my personal top 5 best shows.

Good idea, Lonnie! Sometimes people say things that come back in a negative manner. I agree, let's stay positive here and let me explain why. I had a gentleman call me just today, who signed up for the magazine. He is very new to the hobby and is very excited to get started. He couldn't wait for his first issue and wants to buy something soon. However, he also viewed this website and the negative comments about Iowa Gas Show left him wary about gas and oil shows. He was confused. I straightened him out as best I could. I was there at Iowa and I didn't see any empty vendor spots inside or out. Even the room to room was awesome! I did quite well with the few items I brought. I spoke to several vendors, not all of course, and everyone I spoke to said they did very good! Did a couple vendors not do so well? Perhaps, and this will happen at any show. But even so, if you go to Iowa Gas and don’t have fun then you're in the wrong hobby! Nowhere in this hobby can you go and see that much gas and oil for sale, period! This was the best year I've seen in years with rare gas pumps, also many great globes, cans and signs, etc. Yes, we aren't finding what we used to, but that has nothing to do with the great show it is and how the show is run. Keep in mind that people read these comments and basically you're cutting your own throat. We do have a right to say whatever we please. But it is similar to the old cliché, "Be careful what you wish for!" Iowa Gas was a good show this year so let's promote that!

My 12th year this year I love it and cant wait till next year, My only problem is I can never bring enough money!

this is only my 4th year going to iowa.just want to say i had a blast,and as long as i can, i will try to make the show.maybe this started as a gas/oil swapmeet,but meeting all the people i talk to here on oldgas,and otherwise might never come into contact with is also a big part of it.of course lonnie sold me a globe again!!and bella even got some bologna,cheese and crackers from the maxwell brothers!!to all you newer guys,dont be discouraged,be there for the petro AND the experiance!! well worth it!

I had a great time meeting people from old gas, that I have talked to over the last couple years.
Reading all these posts I cant believe who all was there that I didn't meet.
One year we should all do a T shirt or hat with our Old Gas name on it. LOL

Only my 2nd year going but plan on making it a yearly trek.Came home with a pick-up full of stuff,met & talked to some great people,had a great time.Its so much fun seeing everything in person & being around people that share you're passion.I know my first vacation request for next year will be Iowa Gas.Already trying to work some OT to replenish my Iowa Gas fund.Hopefully see you all next year!!

Well I had to cancel Iowa this year at the the last minute.BUT it was still a good show for me even though I was not there Thanks to Lonnie bringing me some stuff back.I can't remember the last time I was Not there at Iowa Gas as it is the show to go to and I have never had a bad show at Iowa, some years I did not buy much,some years alot and other years nothing but its always great seeing whats there no matter what and bsing with friends you see only once a year, missed visiting with friends,BSing,having a few beers........or more this year out there.

I feel Iowa Gas is best of the best, we sold the most ever and most of the vendors we talked too did the same, bought some great items, like any meet you miss some things either you didn't see them or someone beat you too it, thats just how it works.
But the best part is how easy it is, you get your info way in advance, you know your vending spot and just pull in and park, no harassment, easy stuff. My hat is off to the Iowa Gas folks as I think they put on the best outside gas swap and they work hard at it.

Wonderful idea Lonnie, way to step up and lead. We need this kind of leadership much more often on this site.....great job. This was my 10th time attending since 2000 (missed in 2004 due to a death in the family). It has always been a top show for me both buying and selling, as it was again this year. Certainly worth my time and effort to attend. Loved seeing good friends and renewing those friendships as well as meeting new folks. It's one of the best parts and we never hear mention of the many people with amazing integrity that are involved in this hobby. I can't count how many deals I have been involved in or witnessed that have been done on a promise and a handshake. There are ALOT. It's easy to find the negative. There are things about this and every show that EVERYONE who attends doesn't like/wishes were different. It's human nature to see the negative so easily. But there is also so much that is great about it, I think it serves everyone much better when we look for and appreciate all that's good about it. Enough rambling, was a great event for me!!! Thank you to Ron, John and company who work hard and do a great job with the show as does Dan and company with the auction. I enjoyed the whole experience. Thanks to all who had a part in making it great.