[TenTec] Hamfests in general

[Jim Lowman]

I changed the subject, since there have been several postings since "the 
last word."

We could feel the impact of the Internet as far as attracting vendors to 
our convention in 2001 - that long ago.
One doesn't have to be an accountant to know that the cost of attending 
a hamfest or convention is expensive.
By the time transportation, lodging, meals, transportation of equipment 
and materials for the booth, the cost of the booth rental, setup fees 
and electricity is factored in, it adds up to quite a bit of money.

At the same time, attendance at these events is down; thus, fewer 
potential customers to introduce to one's product.
 From 1997 to 2001, attendance at the local venue of our ARRL convention 
dropped from about 2,100 to about 1,400 - a 33% decrease in attendees.

When Scott Robbins was at Ten-Tec, I asked him about exhibiting at our 
convention.  Even in 2001, Ten-Tec was pretty much limiting their 
presence to Dayton.
I don't know how many people normally attend the Orlando Hamcation, but 
I'd guess that it's in second place, behind Dayton.  Plus, it's not that 
far from the Ten-Tec factory.
And a venue hosting the ARRL National Convention is no guarantee of 
attendance, either.  Last year it was in conjunction with Pacificon, and 
it appeared to me that there were only a few more people in attendance 
that a typical, annual Pacificon.
One of the vendors at the Yuma Hamfest corroborated this, saying that 
attendance was only about 1,500.  That's a pretty sad statement for an 
national event.

As far as advertising, while not in QST or CQ, I did notice a full-page 
ad for the new Argo VI in the winter issue of QRP Quarterly.
Until the availability for sale of the Argo VI and the companion 418 
amplifier, Ten-Tec hasn't had a major new product to show off since the 
Eagle, and that's been - what - a year ago?
That's a smart advertising decision in my estimation.  The market for 
these two new products is QRPers, and QQ is sort of our national 
journal.  Plus, I'm sure that advertising cost much less than QST or CQ.

On the other hand, Elecraft has had quite a few new products to get in 
front of the buying public lately; the KX3 and KPA500, for example.  
They have been in evidence at the major hamfests and conventions for 
easily the past few years.  And, they also have prominent advertisements 
in QST and CQ, as well.  Wayne and Eric have also been frequent speakers 
at the presentations, talking about what's new and what's in the 
planning stage.  That also goes a long way toward sales.

While I'd like to see more vendors like Ten-Tec at the regional 
conventions and hamfests, it seems to me that they're putting their 
advertising dollars where they'll do the most good.

BTW, even companies that would be conspicuous by their absence were not 
present at the Yuma Hamfest; HRO and the Big Three radio manufacturers, 
for instance.
I have no idea what attendance was like, but I'd estimate it at a few 
hundred.  The XYL and I had a good time there, anyway.

73 de Jim - AD6CW