Showing posts with label trade shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trade shows. Show all posts

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Mom's Guard Nuns

Me Pops used to travel to a lot of trade shows as part of his job. Mark, one of the guys who regularly attended shows with him, often teased him that my Mom had ways of keeping an eye on him as he moved about the country. She had spies everywhere, he told Pops, so he better be good.

Needless to say Mark got a big laugh one day as he was picking up Dad at an airport in some distant city. As me Pops walked along the hallway after departing the plane, unbeknownst to him he was being followed closely by two nuns in full habits.

They weren't following him per se, of course. They simply happened to be getting off the plane immediately after him. But Mark would have none, ha, ha, of that. "See? Your wife's got people checking up on you!" he cackled at the old man.

Even Dad saw the humor in it.

Monday, February 10, 2020

I like February

What's not to like about February? I mean it. What's not to like?

For starters, baseball begins. In my case that means pitchers and catchers report for the Detroit Tigers tomorrow. The first Grapefruit League game is against the Phillies on the 22nd. Baseball is not only America's game, it's not an overhyped game. That alone is one big plus.

Then I always get to stay a few days in Indianapolis for a trade show. This year I get to do that twice, as after this weekend's show ends I get another next week, same bat time, same bat station. Who says history doesn't repeat itself? Indy's got an active downtown, and I'll get to see old friends in a more social atmosphere, at least once the shows let out. Plus I get to make sales to good people. Interaction with customers may be the best part of the whole sales biz.

Then I get to spend a weekend with the Ohio Cosgriffs. You know, The Ohio Cosgriffs. They're good people. Well, I'm kinda fond of them.

Finally, in most years Lent begins. Now, now, now, self denial is a good thing and you know it. But at the risk of going full bore against that good and noble ideal, it also means the start of fish fry season! For me that's the 28th, when St. Francis/St Hedwig parish in Detroit holds their first fry. They're the best. Aw, who I am fooling? They're all the best: deep fried fish and fries and cole slaw and the whole works. I've never been to a bad Catholic fish fry ever. Ev-er.

So February is upon is. What's not to like?

Sunday, February 9, 2020

Day One review

I would imagine that few of us have never been inside a hardware store. At the same time, most of us likely believe that we know quite well what can be found in a typical one. Yet how many of us don't think deeply about what might in one?

Most any of us would guess rightly enough that hardwares have nuts and bolts, tools, electrical outlets and components, plumbing supplies, lawn care products, and even the drain snakes such as yours truly sells. But even I, before working the Do It Best Marketplace here in Indianapolis, never though much about what all a hardware might offer.

Many of us complain about Christmas displays in September. As something of a crank on the subject myself, I know the laments which are out there. So how would you feel about Christmas in February? There is a large area of Christmas trees, ornaments, yard decor and whatnot here for the store owners to consider. For this, I'm not upset by any measure. I get the point: any company which offers something a hardware may sell is here. And I've seen Christmas tidings in many hardware stores over the years. Still, Christmas in February, even in cold, wintry Indiana, feels kind of weird.

There are seasonal items beyond Christmas of course but those aren't as prominent. Toys and games are more visible than I would have expected. Yet I think what really surprised me is the amount of snack foods represented at the show. They are many and varied. Popcorn, pop, chips, breads, candies; a lot more than I'll bore you to name in this missive. Yet one which I do like is Iowa Smokehouse beef jerky and its other meat snacks. They are in an adjacent booth to mine, and have been pretty good about passing samples around even to us other vendors. They have good stuff, and as always, my blog, I can promote what I want. I simply would have never thought about a hardware offering jerky, that's all.

Funny thing is, I suppose that we've all seen such variety in our local hardwares. But how often do we think about it? Until you're swimming in them, what do you actually notice?

I'll notice Iowa Smokehouse whenever I'm in a Do It Best, I tell you what. And Electric Eel. Tell your local Do It Best that you want Electric Eel in their rental department.

My blog, my rules. And Electric Eel is the best.

Saturday, February 8, 2020

I like Indy

Indianapolis. I really like it.

It has an active downtown with lots of restaurants and activities. From my hotel I overlook Victory Field, where the Indianapolis Indians play. They're Triple A baseball, in the same league as the Toledo Mud Hens if that helps you to know what I mean. I really gotta try to get down here in the summer and see the park from the inside.

I get to stay here twice this year. After this weekend's trade show I do another one the week after next. My current hotel is a block away from the Indiana Convention Center, where the show is being held, so it's an easy walk.  And it has an underground parking garage, so finding somewhere for my van to sit until Monday Noon was a breeze too.

Now if I can just sell a lot of Electric Eels in the next two and half days it will be a real smash. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Guard nuns

Me Pops used to travel to a lot of trade shows as part of his job. Mark, one of the guys who regularly attended shows with him, often teased him that my Mom had ways of keeping an eye on him as he moved about the country. She had spies everywhere, he told Pops, so he better be good.

Needless to say Mark got a big laugh one day as he was picking up Dad at an airport in some distant city. As me Pops walked along the hallway after departing the plane, unbeknownst to him he was being followed closely by two nuns in full habits.

They weren't following him per se, of course. They simply happened to be getting off the plane immediately after him. But Mark would have none, ha, ha, of that. "See? Your wife's got people checking up on you!" he cackled at the old man.

Even Dad saw the humor in it.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Check this out Pops

Hey Pops, how are you today?

I'm here in Indianapolis for the WWETT trade show and let me tell you, the thing which would most impress you is not the show.

I rented a van to bring the machines and what all, and get this: it has a rear camera which displays a picture right in the rearview mirror! It's cool. It looks you have nothing but a regular old rearview. Then you go to back up and there's a picture of what's behind you. It has lines to help guide you too. Wow!

Not that us Cosgriffs need it of course. We've backed our share of welders into place with perfection without fancy technology. But it's pretty neat just the same. I think you'd like it.

Anyway, I'm going to meet the guys for breakfast and then the show starts at 9. Wish us luck!

Until next time,

Marty