Gary Katz - Festool Road Show comments

[PeterK]

In the most recent SysNotes from Festool, they mentioned the Gary Katz traveling road show as being sponsored partly by Festool. I signed up as one was in Alexandria, LA - about 2 1/2 hours away. The show was yesterday. It was primarily focused on professional home remodelers and had trim, baseboard, crown, door and window installation as the topics. He also covered in detail building columns and pillars. There were people from Houston but mostly locals. This was the finish carpentry show and they also do a rough carpentry show.

First, Gary is incredible. What a nice guy and so full of info, tips, ideas and an excellent speaker. I am just a hobbiest but went just to learn anything. It was a free show with food included and held by a local lumber yard and tool supplier - Tarver Building Materials. As I said, there were many professionals there. The guys next to me from Houston only work on multi-million dollar homes and they took copious notes during the presentations and they remarked on many of Gary's tips and techniques as being new to them. Tremendous amount of info in a very short period of time. There was absolutely no sales pitch during the show. Started at 7:30 and ran till 2:30.

Products used were Festool, Kreg, several crown and trim tools - Clam Clamp and Collins foot,  WindsorOne trim boards, Stabila. The Festool items used were the CT22E, CTMini, Domino, OF1010, Kapex, Jigsaw, MFT1080, C12 and TDK15.6, TS55. The Kapex was on a SawHelper stand. The Kapex was definitely the star of the show and really got a work-out. The dust collection was incredible - IF the vacuum was given a chance to spin up prior to cut. A really quick cut spit dust but with the CT22 up to speed and the 1 1/2" hose there was absolutely NO dust visable. Gary really recommended the Domino and Kapex to the audience and was the closest thing to a sales promo. I did not know the Collins coping foot would work on the Festool jigsaws.

At the end there was a drawing for stuff - a Sortainer, Kreg kit, levels, DVD set, other smaller stuff. No, I didn't get picked.

Sadly, there was no Festool representatives or dealer sales there. A huge missed opportunity. The only Festool owners in the whole group were me and the guys from Houston. None of the rest could understand the pricing and benefits. Don't know why Festool would spend so much money on the show paying travel expenses and such and not try to benefit from it. Gary said that Festool is using the shows to start focusing on the building trade industry but they sure missed the mark by not setting up a booth. Maybe they rely on local dealers to do that but that makes no sense here as there are only 2 dealers I know of in the whole state that stock anything and they have very little in the stores.

Anyhow, I highly recommend the show if you get the chance to go. I purchased 3 of his DVDs - even that I had to ask if they were selling them as they never said anything about selling stuff. His miter saw usage DVD is 2 1/2 hours long! The DVDs were 1/2 price.

Pete

 

[nickao]

Yes Gary has some good methods for cutting crown and base I have used them myself. He is a good instructor too!

 

[Jimhart]

Peter,

great overview. I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to sort out who's spending money, who's making money and who's leaving money on the table.

My first thought, sponsor or no sponsor, is that anybody who travels across the country, puts on a 7 hour free seminar, serves food and doesn't at least tell you that you can buy their information and the stuff they just used is a complete sales/marketing knucklehead.
I'm not talking about the bogus financial seminars where they feed you and try to sell you stuff for a solid hour. I'm talking a value packed session where you learn what you actually need to know without buying their stuff.

I have mixed thoughts on Tarver companies role. Sounds like Festool could have set up a Gary Katz Festool booth where Tarver got a percentage or something. If I were them, and I sold competing brands but not Festool, I don't think I'd be too open to a local Festool rep setting up shop in my store.
On the other hand, they just used their facility, and probably invited their customers, to a seven hour demo that prominently featured tools they don't sell.

The value chain is definitely broken, for everyone involved. As an attendee, i would welcome the opportunity to buy what i just saw used and demonstrated. And my desire for it would probably be highest for it while I'm still in that room.

Jim

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Peter,

.....

The value chain is definitely broken, for everyone involved. As an attendee, i would welcome the opportunity to buy what i just saw used and demonstrated. And my desire for it would probably be highest for it while I'm still in that room.

Jim

Peter,  I second Jim's comments as to your good overview.  Makes me want to attend a Gary Katz seminar and buy some of his DVDs even though I don't have much need for the skills of a trim carpenter, and am not likely to ever again install crown molding.

Jim, I wholly agree with your broken marketing model statement.  That format seems bizarre, especially in today's tight economy.  In every show/seminar I have ever attended I was surrounded by the products being demonstrated and enthusiastic sales representatives ready to help me choose what to buy.  I expect the same when I go the Hartville Tool's show/sale two weeks from now, and to date, they have never had Gary Katz or anyone so well known teaching at their shows/sales.  But they do have plenty of manufacturer's representatives, including someone for Festool.

Dave R.

 

[PeterK]

Thanks guys for the compliments.

The show was held offsite in a convention center at a local hotel. Tarver was there and talked VERY briefly. They are not a Festool dealer and I have never been to their store to see what competitive products they sell. Gary Katz and his sidekick make their money directly from the sponsors - I asked them about that. They refuse to be sales people and strictly focus on teaching. Don't know what Tarver paid for but suspect they paid part or all of the food and location charge. Don't know for sure. The only manufacturers there were Stabila and WindsorOne both with very small single table displays. No tools offered or shown at all.

It was tremendously worthwhile for me to go as I just don't do trim except in rare situations at home. Learned so very much and I love to learn for the future. I could just scream at Festool for not getting anything out of their investment. Bet not one tool will be sold as a result of this show - - well maybe one as I am really craving a Kapex now!!    As to Tarver, I got the feeling that they thought everyone would be their normal customers so they did not need to do any sales talk or product showing.
Pete

 

[nickao]

After thinking about this I do think it makes sense.

You mentioned this was for PROFESSIONAL remodelers. I know if I signed up for an instructional seminar as a pro I do not want be force fed and sold any items at the instructional. It seems they had a lot of class by giving the pros free instruction and counting on them to purchase  in the future. In another sense they are treating their current pro's right by offering this just giving them another reason to buy more at a later time. Think of it as a service for the pros from the store sponsoring it . I mean their is plenty of selling at the stores and if you want the hard sell just go to a wood show. This was an instructional and they kept it that way.

As hobbyists maybe some wanted to see all the gadgets and things for sale. To a pro who signed up to learn something that might seem tacky in a way. Like hey come on in to see more stuff you can buy as opposed to hey look at this free service we offer to teach you how to use tools because we appreciate your business.

I think it is a neat idea and really do not know why you would be mad at Festool Peter unless you wanted to buy something yourself or were just anticipating the wood show type format. I think from a professional point of view who signed up  to learn something they kept the time focused and not wasted on trying to sell us more and more. It was probably appreciated by most of the Pros. A pros time can be valuable and being tricked into an instructional that turns into nothing more than a sales pitch can be aggravating. I have gone to things and thought, boy that was nothing more than a spiel to buy their products. It sounds like this was an honest to goodness instructional without all the pressure to buy something.

I bet the pros took whatever Gary said at face value because he was not pushing anything on anyone literally jamming it in their face as he did each operation. That kind of lecture carries a lot more weight in the end, especially to a professional that tends to keep purchasing a certain amount per year, every year they are in business, as opposed to a hobbyist where a lot of the purchases are once in a lifetime.

I think they may have hit the nail on the head if this was geared to professionals and contractors. Sounds like a great free service and more than a store sale.

Just a thought.

 

[Jimhart]

Pete,

I admire Festool and Gary's 'education only' approach to these seminars. There is an element of product branding and positioning taking place when a highly talented and visible professional like Gary gets up there and does outstanding work with your tools. As you mentioned, most of the people in the room didn't have Festool equipment.

That said, branding activities that don't directly sell are going the way of the horse and buggy. The very famous Joe Green commercial for Coca Cola ran for only six weeks....because it failed to increase the sale of the product. While this is true of traditional media, it's true tenfold when you go to the expense involved with populating a room of 50, 100, 200 people to personally see a traveling expert. The sales yield per seat has to be very good to sustain this over time.

I can understand Gary not wanting to carry around a bunch of Clam clamps and the coping attachment. Traveling with just his tools has to be a big enough PIA. He could simply pass around a clipboard and tell people to put down their email address and check the boxes for the products they are interested in. They could also check a box to be added to gary's list and the Festool Sysnotes list, if they chose. They would be sent a 'show special' one-time email from the appropriate vendors (festool might have to come up with an offer that doesn't directly constitute a discount, heaven forbid. Maybe a set of Gary's DVD's with a kapex.). Gary should get a percentage of those sales. He would also control the email list, to ensure the vendors don't misuse it.

I know some of you will yell 'spam'. I would trust Gary and Festool to be responsible with my info, and I would welcome relevant emails based on what i signed up for.

I started using this basic technique at my speaking engagements about 5 years ago and now have an email list of almost 1100 people. The people I'm speaking to are professionals, typically at conferences they have traveled to and paid to get in to. I do no selling whatsoever during the presentation. Signing up is a low key way to find out who wants to stay in touch and who might be interested in more.

Contrary to popular belief, professionals don't mind being sold once you've earned their respect and you aren't putting it in their face. In fact, they expect it.

Most of my contact with my list is useful ideas at no cost to them. On several occasions, I have offered something of relevant value to my list and have come away with what I once would have considered to be several months income within 24 hours of sending out the email. My goal when speaking is to educate, entertain.....and to come away with at least 90% of the audiences email address. If they like what they hear and see, and you keep it relevant to their profession, they will want more.

Jim

 

[PeterK]

Nick - very valid points. I viewed it as a hobbiest - not a pro making a living at it. Sorry for that. Some attendies were laborers, some were business owners. They had Continuing Education credit forms to be filled out for them as I believe Louisiana requires continuing training to keep licensed. Guess my view was at this event, this was probably the ONLY time these guys would ever have to see, touch, learn about Festool equipment and it sure felt like it was a missed opportunity. The sessions were broke up with 1/2 hour breaks in between where product demos could have been performed easily without affecting the training. No direct sales attempts were needed at the show but demos I think would have been a good idea. Again - excellent view point Nick.
Pete

 

[sw1211]

Gary might have a say about the format of these roadshows.  His website has quite a bit of great info, for free.  

http://www.garymkatz.com/

 

[Brice Burrell]

I went to Gary's Roadshow this week here in Pittsburgh, I had a great time. Festool along with Windsor One, Kreg, Anderson, Azek, and Stabila had reps and small tables setup. Festool probably had the biggest setup, a Kapex, MFT/3, TS55, T15+3, couple of sanders, a Sortainer, a SYS 1 box and a large pile of catalogs. The mid Atlantic sales manger Jordan Haire was there demoing the tools. Seemed to be mixed impressions from the onlookers at the Festool table. For the most part the Kapex was the star at the table.

The lumber yard where the event was held just recently became a Festool retailer. This yard is one of the larger in the area and they sort of cater to the higher end contractors. The manger after finding out from Jordan that I'm an avid Festool users was excited to get all the feedback he could from me on his Festool stock and what I thought would sell. I could tell he was both excited and nervous about carrying the line.

What was interesting is that this yard doesn't carry any of the products of the sponsors except Azek and now Festool. They make their own moldings so they aren't going to sell Windson One, they carry Marvin windows and Festool are the only tools they sell. Seems direct sales from this event are going to be fairly low. Maybe the cost of the Roadshow is low and the yards pick up some of the cost.

I've followed Gary's work for a few years now so very little of the show's content was new to me, I never the less had a good time. It was nice to meet some the contractors at the event and to chat with Jordan. If you've not seen much of Gary's work or DVDs you'll be in for a real treat seeing him live. He's very approachable and he'll talk candidly about almost thing you can ask him about. It was a pleasure meeting him and watching him live. Highly recommended! 

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

What was interesting is that this yard doesn't carry any of the products of the sponsors except Azek and now Festool. They make their own moldings so they aren't going to sell Windson One, they carry Marvin windows and Festool are the only tools they sell. Seems direct sales from this event are going to be fairly low. Maybe the cost of the Roadshow is low and the yards pick up some of the cost.

Sounds like my kind of yard.

Gary is coming near me in October, looking forward to that.

 

[Rob Z]

Many years ago, Gary read something I wrote at JLC and he emailed me for more information.  We exchanged multiple emails and I thought nothing more of it.  Later, I bought one of his books, and he quoted me by name in the book, detailed how he made use of my "tip", and included me in the credits of his book.  What a class act he is....

 

[honeydoman]

yes I have seen several of his road shows and they are excellent.  
also if you have not signed up for the magizine do so now it is free.....  www.thisiscarpentry.com

I still think people want to buy the tools that pros use and watch at shows.  lots of us go to woodshows and buy stuff due to demo etc.  even though this is a learning and  training show, which is excellent.  products could still be nearby to view and the ones I was at did have some products to look at.

 

[Neill]

I went to Gary's Roadshow this week here in Pittsburgh, I had a great time. Festool along with Windsor One, Kreg, Anderson, Azek, and Stabila had reps and small tables setup. Festool probably had the biggest setup, a Kapex, MFT/3, TS55, T15+3, couple of sanders, a Sortainer, a SYS 1 box and a large pile of catalogs. The mid Atlantic sales manger Jordan Haire was there demoing the tools. Seemed to be mixed impressions from the onlookers at the Festool table. For the most part the Kapex was the star at the table.

The lumber yard where the event was held just recently became a Festool retailer. This yard is one of the larger in the area and they sort of cater to the higher end contractors. The manger after finding out from Jordan that I'm an avid Festool users was excited to get all the feedback he could from me on his Festool stock and what I thought would sell. I could tell he was both excited and nervous about carrying the line.

What was interesting is that this yard doesn't carry any of the products of the sponsors except Azek and now Festool. They make their own moldings so they aren't going to sell Windson One, they carry Marvin windows and Festool are the only tools they sell. Seems direct sales from this event are going to be fairly low. Maybe the cost of the Roadshow is low and the yards pick up some of the cost.

I've followed Gary's work for a few years now so very little of the show's content was new to me, I never the less had a good time. It was nice to meet some the contractors at the event and to chat with Jordan. If you've not seen much of Gary's work or DVDs you'll be in for a real treat seeing him live. He's very approachable and he'll talk candidly about almost thing you can ask him about. It was a pleasure meeting him and watching him live. Highly recommended! 

Brice,

As a hobbyist and honey-do-list kind of guy, do you think I would benefit from Gary's Road Show?  I have watched his video on the Kapex, and he is great.  He does not come off as some kind of Mr. Know-it-all but rather as just another wood guy.

Thanks for you input.

Neill

P. S. I have watched some of your videos too and read your reviews.  Always a great job!

 

[PeterK]

Guess I fit the same description as you. In my lengthy review earlier in this thread I talked about how much I enjoyed his presentation - even though I am not planning to do crown. He did cover several topics. Since it is free, and if it is a reasonable drive, it is a no-brainer to attend. I drove 2 1/2 hours each way and felt I learned plenty for my time investment. Some of his tricks will work for other applications. Go if you can.
Pete

 

[Neill]

Guess I fit the same description as you. In my lengthy review earlier in this thread I talked about how much I enjoyed his presentation - even though I am not planning to do crown. He did cover several topics. Since it is free, and if it is a reasonable drive, it is a no-brainer to attend. I drove 2 1/2 hours each way and felt I learned plenty for my time investment. Some of his tricks will work for other applications. Go if you can.
Pete

Peter,

Thanks.  I did read your post and appreciated your comments.  I just wanted to get a professional's point of view.

Neill

 

[Brice Burrell]

Neil, Peter's opinion may be more valuable to to you than mine. If there is a show in your area and you don't have too much trouble getting a day off of work I'd say go for it. Sure the show is geared for professionals and there is some of the content that will be over your head but don't let that stop you. Gary has a lot of good information and ton of little tricks that anyone can benefit from. If you (or anyone else for that matter) decides to go, do yourself a favor, go in a little early and get a seat right up front so you can see everything up close.

If you are a moderate to serious DYIer talk to the manager of the lumber yard holding the event and look into setting up an account there. The material are going to be a higher quality than what you can get at Home Depot. Some places will only sell to the pros but some don't care who they sell to. With the economy recovering slowly the most manager are hungry for new customers. Buying from a professional lumber yaer is a bit different that a home center, you don't grab a cart and start pulling stuff off the shelf, be sure to ask the manger to explain the process to you. Oh, and don't forget to get his card and don't be afraid to call him with any question you might have.

I'd also recommend any of Gary's video or books.

 

[Neill]

Brice,

Thanks so much for your input.  It was exactly what I was looking for.  I already did sign up.

Like Peter, the lumberyard's location is not that close to me but I would not mind going out of my way for a facility that provides for my needs and is patient with my simplistic questions.  Maybe far away would be good.  Not as easy to drop my paycheck.

Neill

They are going to have start calling Pittsburgh "Titletown".  ;D

 

[ForumMFG]

Is anyone going to the road show on Monday, October 12 - Carter Lee Lumber Co. - Indianapolis, IN?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Is anyone going to the road show on Monday, October 12 - Carter Lee Lumber Co. - Indianapolis, IN?

I am!  I am!   Dave, I think you will see several of us from Festool at this event since it's in our backyard so-to-speak.