FaunaClassifieds - View Single Post - STEEL CITY REPTILE EXPO! September 12, 2009!

08-26-2009, 03:34 PM

I wanted to take a moment to address the issue of "exclusive" vendors at our shows.

When Ben & I decided to do a show and created our business plan, we discussed that we wanted to have a show free of exclusive vendors of a specific item.

We then solicited vendors face to face and asked them to consider vending at our show. In the initial days of contacting vendors, the question of "exclusives" came up in regard to frozen rodent sales. When asked this question, we answered by saying that we did not want any exclusive arrangements.

After a short time of promoting the show, we were approached by Casey of Rodent Pro. Casey wanted to vend at our show but Rodent Pro has a stipulation that they only vend at shows where they are the exclusive provider of frozen rodents.

At this time, we told Casey that another vendor, Vince Clemens, had already submitted his application and table fee. We told Casey that Vince would be attending this show no matter what Ben & I decided about exclusives and that I would get back to him.

Ben & I struggled with this decision for several days. On one hand, we had told people that we weren't having exclusive arrangements. On the other hand, Rodent Pro brings a large customer following with them. Rodent Pro had also agreed to email their contact list (over 35,000 people) to inform them of their appearance at our show if we would let them attend as exclusives.

At that time, we only had solid commitments from Vince Clemens and Rodent Pro. At that time, we decided to do what was best for the show. We made a business decision to allow Rodent Pro to be exclusive. Any good business plan has to be constantly revised.

Inevitably there will be some personal feelings hurt, even though this was purely a business decision.

When Deb's husband John called me on the phone, I explained all of this to him. I'm very sorry for hurting your feelings with this decision.

Sincerely
Paul Wyble
Ben Corcetti
Steel City Reptile Expo Ltd.

08-26-2009, 03:34 PM	#87
wyblep	I wanted to take a moment to address the issue of "exclusive" vendors at our shows. When Ben & I decided to do a show and created our business plan, we discussed that we wanted to have a show free of exclusive vendors of a specific item. We then solicited vendors face to face and asked them to consider vending at our show. In the initial days of contacting vendors, the question of "exclusives" came up in regard to frozen rodent sales. When asked this question, we answered by saying that we did not want any exclusive arrangements. After a short time of promoting the show, we were approached by Casey of Rodent Pro. Casey wanted to vend at our show but Rodent Pro has a stipulation that they only vend at shows where they are the exclusive provider of frozen rodents. At this time, we told Casey that another vendor, Vince Clemens, had already submitted his application and table fee. We told Casey that Vince would be attending this show no matter what Ben & I decided about exclusives and that I would get back to him. Ben & I struggled with this decision for several days. On one hand, we had told people that we weren't having exclusive arrangements. On the other hand, Rodent Pro brings a large customer following with them. Rodent Pro had also agreed to email their contact list (over 35,000 people) to inform them of their appearance at our show if we would let them attend as exclusives. At that time, we only had solid commitments from Vince Clemens and Rodent Pro. At that time, we decided to do what was best for the show. We made a business decision to allow Rodent Pro to be exclusive. Any good business plan has to be constantly revised. Inevitably there will be some personal feelings hurt, even though this was purely a business decision. When Deb's husband John called me on the phone, I explained all of this to him. I'm very sorry for hurting your feelings with this decision. Sincerely Paul Wyble Ben Corcetti Steel City Reptile Expo Ltd.