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Shows & Events Since these are such a big part of our business, it is appropriate that we discuss them from a business perspective.

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Old 01-19-2006, 09:04 PM   #1
Gino
Tampa Show Wars

Hi All,
I was my intention to not speak publically about the show wars between Tony and Alex.
Tony has sent an E-Mail detailing his plans to file legal action against the March Tampa show. It is clearly intended to scare folks away from that show.
He mentions my name. He claims Alex signed a document agreeing to stay 200 miles from Tampa with his shows. I was indeed mediating between the two.
Although a document of this nature was drawn by myself Tony and Alex had a reconciliation of sorts and the document was never signed.
I know this to be fact.
If Tony intends to produce such a document it called to be signed by Tony, Alex, and Myself.
The document called for a joint public apology that, of course, never happenned.
This is further proof the contract was discarded BEFORE anyone signed it.
I am in procession of the original and it remains UNSIGNED.
I attempted for almost 2 years to broker peace between Alex and Tony.
It has been a sometimes rewarding and sometimes frustrating job.
If you think things are bad now you couldn't imagine how bad things were on the brink of at several junctures in the last 2 years.
I provided this service because I believed then, and still do believe, that this kind of public infighting is bad for our industry. I never asked for compensation. It has actually cost me money to do. I never spoke out publically for either in an attempt to maintain my neutrality.

I am sorry for this ramble on. I decided it was time to set the record straight.
Feel free to ask whatever you want. I will be as open and honest as I can be.
Understand I would not be writing this if my name had not been mentioned in Tony's E-Mail.
Those of you who know me, I hope, consider me honest and honorable.
I have no intention to involve myself in the bashing and will not personally attack anyone.
Let's try and keep this civil or we all will lose out.
Thank You,
Gino
Lost World Reptiles
 
Old 01-20-2006, 08:41 AM   #2
bigsnakedaddy
Congratulations Gino! It takes more than a little bit of intestinal fortitude to come forward and print the truth on this forum especially when it involves treading on sacred ground. I believe this forum was designed to tell/investigate the truth to enable people to make intelligent, thoughtful choices on whom to do business with based on reputation as evidenced by facts. In this capacity no one is immune from criticism. It does however continue to amaze me at the number of people who are not dedicated to the truth but are dedicated to their own self-serving interests. Some people who post are hypocritical in that they hold people who print the truth on this forum to a different standard than those who print outright lies on their website or in vendor newsletters and emails to all. The fact is that all this truth does hurt the industry somewhat by exposing an often naive public to the undesirable part of our industry but this forum should be no less effective or is no different than any other method of public viewing on internet such as websites, etc....... One could argue that reptile dealers and promoters represent the industry equally and the public deserves to know the truth about both. I believe it is that spirit of searching for the truth that endears this forum to many and makes it a nightmare for some. Surgery can be beneficial to what ails and sometimes incisions must be made to get to what ails. To some this forum is merely words displayed on a computer screen for all to read just like any other website. To others it is a tool to save them aggravation, time, and money. I believe this forum can be useful to all. This forum should uncover the truth not conceal it. These things must be done delicately and carefully. We have to look after our own industry. The fact is some people don't care about the truth and defend indefensable positions stated by people who put money in their pockets. (Sound like another forum) There comes a time when that consideration should be secondary to the truth. Understandably many people don't wish involvement, turn and look the other way, patronize both attacker and attackee assuring both that they are on their side in order to protect their money. Fine. To each their own.... Some will get themselves all worked up about a post on fauna if someone points out wrongdoing because it affects the "so called industry" (their cash cows) and yet stand by silently while another's business they derive benefit from is unjustly slandered and lied about in other public forums/websites. This type of hypocritical stance serves justice to no one and enables the stinkers to feed off our profession but do little to advance it. Remember silence indicates consent. Again Gino thanks for having the guts to print the truth. Shame on all the cowards and hypocrites who criticize the purveyors of truth in the light of evidence and whose mouths are mysteriously sewn shut when they fail to exercise that same criticism objectively against those who print less than the truth, those who do not represent the best this industry has to offer, and to the detriment of us all.. I hope all will attend all the shows and help our industry grow and prosper. I believe every vendor and patron has the right to attend any and all shows regardless of promoter or promotion. I do however believe in honor and truth. To that end I urge everyone to email the promoters, let them know whether you agree with their business tactics and respond to them verbally (phone and in person) and by email ensuring they know your stance/position so that they as promoters can better serve you the vendors (the life blood of this industry) and the people whose trust you have earned and serve. To patrons/attendees of shows. The majority of promoters are standup people. Like all professions you occasionally get a stinker. Remember even a stinker can have great vendors/breeders at their show. Honor the vendors as they deserve your hard earned patronage. Give feedback to the promoters so they can grow and serve you better. Again hat's off to you Gino for having testicular fortitude and I'll see you at "The Tampa Show....
 
Old 01-20-2006, 08:43 AM   #3
bigsnakedaddy
Please attach to above.


Best regards to all,
Roark Ferguson
Roark's Reptile Safari
 
Old 01-20-2006, 08:48 AM   #4
audrypayne
Yes, thank you Gino. Roark is right. It's good to know that someone in the industry is still honest and courageous enough to post the true facts. I was viciously attacked when I spoke out about the dishonesty a show promoter. Thanks again.
 
Old 01-20-2006, 11:14 AM   #5
WebSlave
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gino
Tony has sent an E-Mail detailing his plans to file legal action against the March Tampa show.
I must have fallen off of Tony's mailing list. Could someone post that email here for me? I would like to read it.
 
Old 01-20-2006, 11:25 AM   #6
audrypayne
Greetings!

There is a lot of information in this vendor newsletter pertaining to the Florida International Reptile Show set for April 22 & 23 and September 23 & 24, 2006. There are several very important issues I am discussing in this newsletter, so please take the time to read it in its entirety.



As I promised in the newsletter sent right after Christmas, the Florida International Reptile Show's website was updated last weekend and vendor registration is now open.




NEW HOME
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
REPTILE SHOW & THE REASONS WHY

Every year our lease at the Florida State Fairgrounds had increased nominally. Of all the venues in the five cities where we hold shows, the weekend lease at the Florida State Fairgrounds was the most expensive and we were paying $13,000 for the weekend prior to our October 2005 show. When the fairgrounds changed management last summer, rental fees were drastically increased. The bill for our show at the fairgrounds last October was just over $19,200. When I was informed at the end of the summer of upcoming increases, I was forced to increase the admission price to attendees. The increase admission attendees paid at the door, even though only $1, affected attendance and ticket sales were down. We conducted a survey at the show asking attendees for their thoughts/comments when they filled out the door prize entry form, and after the show had many emails complaining about the increase in the admission cost, which when compiled with a $4 parking charge per day at the fairground (which is going up to $5), it was apparent it had become an expensive proposition to attend the show.



In addition, the Florida Fairgrounds informed me mid November that the annex hall next to the Entertainment building would no longer be available because that hall was going to be used for a permanent display for the State Fair.



The fairgrounds also informed me of a new policy that vendors would no longer be allowed to share electricity. Even for one display light, a vendor would have to pay full electrical fees in order to do so and the electricians will check the booths I was informed.



I had been struggling to find a way to be able to operate the show paying $19,000 in rental fees and not have to increase the vendors fees. When informed that we would not have the annex hall available to us, which was such an important issue to myself, many vendors and attendees, what allowed us to keep the reptile portion of the show completely separate from the exotics and the petting zoo, I realized that the Entertainment Hall at the fairgrounds was no longer suitable for our show.



Immediately after the Atlanta show, I began, with the help of several vendors, a search for a new facility to hold the Florida International Reptile Show.A the end of December I found an ideal new home for the show, the Harbor View Center.a modern state of the art facility just over the bridge on the waterfront.



With the lease of the new venue being 1/2 that of the Fairgrounds, we are able to;



INCREASE ADVERTISING



LOWER BOOTH COST TO VENDORS



LOWER ELECTRICAL HOOKUP FEES



PROVIDE VENDORS & VIPS A DINNER CRUISE WITH DINNER & DRINKS INCLUDED.



LOWER ADMISSION TO THE PUBLIC



OFFER FREE PARKING



For all these reasons, I am very excited about our new venue and about the Florida International Reptile Show as we enter our 11th year.


Florida International Reptile Show


New addition to the show

SLITHERING NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE


I spent the day yesterday on the phone inviting manufacturers with any new products lines to showcase their products with a free booth at the show and received tremendous positive response to this concept. Why am I doing this? Another perk for our attendees, to be able to see new product 1st hand, ask questions, learn about what these new items. The concept is of value to the consumers, to the manufacturer, adds value to our show and is good for our industry. Some manufactures and feed companies will be offering product samples to the attendees. The only stipulation for manufacturers wishing to showcase their products is that since we are doing this as a public service to our industry, these booths are only for showcasing, not for selling products. If a manufacturer wishes to offer their product for sale at the show, we will still extend to them one booth to showcase their products and the company can purchase booth(s) to sell their product (s). Slithering New Products Showcase will be featured once per year at this spring show and at the Virginia Reptile Expo.



VIVARIUM CONTEST

I began this contest last year and the vivarium contest will continue every year. The live vivarium contest with $500 cash in prizes is open to show participants and vendors. The vivariums will be on display in the atrium pre-function lobby of the show.



A sponsorship opportunity is available for this event. COntact Tony for full details on all the benifits of sponsoring this event.

Rules for the vivarium contest


LUNCH, DINNER, DRINKS & CRUISE FOR VENDORS & VIP'S

On Saturday April 22, Reptiles Magazine and the Florida International Reptile Show are hosting a dinner cruise. All vendors will receive as many tickets to the dinner and cruise as the number of name badges ordered! This will be a fun fellowship evening and includes;



6:30pm Bus transportation from hotel to the dock.



Admission aboard the cruise, 7pm we set sail.



Dinner buffet as soon as we set sail.



Two drink tickets.



Live music



Full casino with 200 slot machines ranging from nickel slots to $100, Roulette, Craps, Blackjack, Poker and mini Baccarat card tables.



Karaoke



We return at 12:30 and buses will be waiting to return us to the hotel.



A big thank you to Reptiles Magazine for hosting this special evening and helping make this special event happen.



I have advertised that the 1st 200 VIP's to order advance tickets also receive this dinner cruise package. For the $10 cost of a VIP show ticket, they are in addition also receiving this $20 + tax dinner cruise package! At 10am today we already had 118 VIP tickets sold, over 1/2 of the number of VIP's that attend the show, in our 1st 4 days of sale. For this reason I called the cruise company this morning and reserved a second cruise so we will be able to offer this incredible show package with dinner and cruise to all VIP's as well as all the exhibitors! Please be sure that you have ordered sufficient name badges prior to the show so everyone will have a dinner cruise ticket. A very big thank you again to Reptiles magazine.

DINNER CRUISE: APRIL 22
TIME: 6:30pm
COST: FREE


VENDOR REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
LOWER BOOTH FEES, LOWER ELECTRICAL FEE
LUNCHES & DINNER INCLUDED!

Vendor registration is now open and with our new venue that is not charging exorbitant prices, we are able to increase advertising and lower vendor fees! The price of additional booths are lowered from $125 to $100 and electricity is now $45 instead of $65 at the fairgrounds that now longer allows vendors to share power. At the Harbor View, vendors are welcome to share power.



In the vendor packages at checkin will be corresponding lunch tickets for both days and the dinner cruise and drink tickets per the number of badges ordered.



The exhibit hall floor layout at the Harbor View is very similar to what we had at the Entertainment Hall and I will honor previous booth locations but keep in mind that booth placement is based among several factors, in the order reservations are received and preference is given to those vendors that support and help promote the show in various methods.



Several other important reasons to register early are



1) In our full page color ad in the next issue of Reptiles Magazine, we will be listing all the exhibitors that have registered by the close of the next issue, February 4th.



2) On February 4th we will also update and publish the exhibitor list on our website which now offer much more publicity for vendors that help promote the show. The new format rewards and promotes vendors that help promote the show.



Vendor that have the show banner on their home page receive a banner on the exhibitor page and in addition to being listed by company name, their contact information, URL and phone number is listed as well..



Vendors that promote the show on any of their webpages other than their home page are listed by company name, URL and phone contact as well but without a banner.



Vendors that do not have a website or choose to not help promote the show are listed by company name only on the exhibitor list.

CHECK OUT OUR 1ST AD FOR THE SHOW

WHICH WILL APPEAR IN REPTILES MAGAZINE IN THREE WEEKS



EVENT SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

We currently have two event sponsorships available


1) The vivarium contest sponsorship.


2) Tote bag sponsorship.


Contact Tony Cueto for details on these two event sponsorships.



PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES



On our website, under vendor information are three inexpensive programs for companies to promote their business before and after the show.


1) Our show website is consistently receiving high number of daily visitors. This week our highest hits in one day has been 1,151 hits, today we have 716 hits and we average 656 visitors and are ranked 58 today on Fauna Topsites. Website banner advertising at the top of our webpages are only $20 per month or $50 for three months.


2)Show program advertising. We are printing 3000 show program books and advertising ranges from $25 to $300.


3) Tote bag insert program for the VIP's. Participation in this program is free or $20.



See our Vendor Information page on our website for full information on these programs.



Reptilian Encounters with Jeff Mohr

Jeff Mohr will be presenting Reptilian Encounters with Jeff Mohr on stage twice daily at the Florida International Reptile Show. Jeff presents a fascinating, educational Reptile Show which at our Columbia show every time he was on stage, had every seat filled and hundreds watched in standing room only space. Reptilian Encounters with Jeff Mohr will be at noon and 4pm both days.




Law suite filed against Alex Russell

As I said earlier in the newsletter, I am very excited like never before about our upcoming Florida International Reptile Show April 22 and 23 and September 23 and 24. I am equally saddened and disgusted that Alex Russell, after having signed a legally binding agreement that was drafted by Gino Sassani, agreeing not to have a show within 200 miles of our shows has plans to do a show in Tampa and continues to be deceptive and state that our show has been canceled. Just this week he continues to make these false statements as he did to Glades Herp even though we have paid the Harbor View Center and are listed on their website. Alex like anyone can for a brief period make misleading statements and temporarily deceive the public... Anyone can temporarily plagiarize our website, using some of the pages, verbatim, word for word on his website...This past year, history in Columbia South Carolina again proved the obvious, that a market can not support two shows in the very same area. And for the individual to be Alex Russell, who I tried so hard to work together with, and now to have had to hire an attorney, for the 1st time in my life be forced to sue someone for damages and to enforce his agreement not to do a show within 200 miles of our show is very disturbing. I am asking any vendors who Alex has told that I cancelled this show to please contact me so I may forward the information to my attorneys as they prepare the law suite and injunction.
 
Old 01-20-2006, 11:38 AM   #7
bigsnakedaddy
You got it. You can also see some of it on his website:

"Law suite filed against Alex Russell

As I said earlier in the newsletter, I am very excited like never before about our upcoming Florida International Reptile Show April 22 and 23 and September 23 and 24. I am equally saddened and disgusted that Alex Russell, after having signed a legally binding agreement that was drafted by Gino Sassani, agreeing not to have a show within 200 miles of our shows has plans to do a show in Tampa and continues to be deceptive and state that our show has been canceled. Just this week he continues to make these false statements as he did to Glades Herp even though we have paid the Harbor View Center and are listed on their website. Alex like anyone can for a brief period make misleading statements and temporarily deceive the public... Anyone can temporarily plagiarize our website, using some of the pages, verbatim, word for word on his website...This past year, history in Columbia South Carolina again proved the obvious, that a market can not support two shows in the very same area. And for the individual to be Alex Russell, who I tried so hard to work together with, and now to have had to hire an attorney, for the 1st time in my life be forced to sue someone for damages and to enforce his agreement not to do a show within 200 miles of our show is very disturbing. I am asking any vendors who Alex has told that I cancelled this show to please contact me so I may forward the information to my attorneys as they prepare the law suite and injunction."

At any rate no one is attacking either of these fine people. But either Tony or Gino is a teller of untruths.........How's that for neutrality. LOL!
 
Old 01-20-2006, 11:46 AM   #8
Gino
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigsnakedaddy
You got it. You can also see some of it on his website:

"At any rate no one is attacking either of these fine people. But either Tony or Gino is a teller of untruths.........How's that for neutrality. LOL!
Not sure what that means but I hope it's not an implication I am lying.
If I am lying let Tony produce the signed paper.
That would clear this up very quickly.
Gino Sassani
 
Old 01-20-2006, 11:59 AM   #9
audrypayne
I'm not attacking anyone either. But I'd put my money on Gino being the honest one.
 
Old 01-23-2006, 09:26 AM   #10
bcherps
Retraction?

I recieved a new email from Tony on Friday and it was the same email as before but the paragraph with the lawsuit statement/about Alex is gone.

Maybe Gino's statement took the wind out of Tony?


Thanks
Ben Cole
 

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