Gary Katz - Festool Road Show comments
- Thread starter PeterK
- Start date
I signed up for Gary Katz's road show in Ft. Collins, Co on 08/03/09 about a month & a half ago and just got the call yesterday that they have room for me. I am really psyched to go, especially after looking at the lumberyard's website.
They not only have the standard lumber and sheetgoods, but they also stock exotics, tools and supplies. Nice to have everything all in one place. The only problem is that it is 93 miles from my home.
After the presentation, they will be offering an optional tour of their manufacturing facility which is about 2 miles away.
I inquired about reclaimed lumber. They do not carry any but they do have some kiln dried beetle kill pine which sounds interesting.
Neill
They not only have the standard lumber and sheetgoods, but they also stock exotics, tools and supplies. Nice to have everything all in one place. The only problem is that it is 93 miles from my home.
After the presentation, they will be offering an optional tour of their manufacturing facility which is about 2 miles away.
I inquired about reclaimed lumber. They do not carry any but they do have some kiln dried beetle kill pine which sounds interesting.
Neill
Well....I've been driving since Wednesday, July 15, when I left Los Angeles, and I've finally made it to Boise, ID, where I'll pick up a plane and fly to Denver, meet Tom, then drive up to Fort Collins. So two hours doesn't sound like too far...but then, along the way, I went fishing and camped in Oregon for over a week (caught a nice steelhead on the Umpqua!) So two weeks doesn't sound like too long on the road either!
I really look forward to seeing you guys at the show in Fort Collins, or whatever show you're going to. You can't imagine the fun I have teaching and meeting other carpenters (and woodworkers). I pinch myself several times a day. But all of us are lucky to be 'making' things either for an occupation or a vocation ("occupation"?, what a word...yes, carpentry 'occupies' me).
As for marketing/sales, no, I'm not much experienced at that. Sometimes I forget to even mention my own DVD's at the shows. But the Roadshow isn't about sales, it's about education. Still, I do try to support my sponsors in return for their support: I try to get the host locations on board as much as possible, to carry the materials and tools we use. After all, the products WE have decided to use at our presentations are some of the best materials and tools in the industry. Most carpenters would agree. Most carpenters would love to use Stabila, Festool, and Kreg tools, to own Clam Clamps and Collins Clamps and etc, to use WindsorOne Moldings, etc. So making the decision to stock the things we demonstrate should be easy, right? But it's not. You can't imagine how many lumberyards balk at the decision. Often they don't understand until 'after' the show. Sometimes it takes customers asking for the products to convince the dealers to bring them in. Believe it or not, that is so common that marketing folks have a word for it: pullthrough. Some say that pullthrough is the best kind of marketing because it's honest and sincere demand. Which is all good. But the point is to help people enjoy the craft more, and for professionals, that means improving productivity and making more money, too.
Gary
I really look forward to seeing you guys at the show in Fort Collins, or whatever show you're going to. You can't imagine the fun I have teaching and meeting other carpenters (and woodworkers). I pinch myself several times a day. But all of us are lucky to be 'making' things either for an occupation or a vocation ("occupation"?, what a word...yes, carpentry 'occupies' me).
As for marketing/sales, no, I'm not much experienced at that. Sometimes I forget to even mention my own DVD's at the shows. But the Roadshow isn't about sales, it's about education. Still, I do try to support my sponsors in return for their support: I try to get the host locations on board as much as possible, to carry the materials and tools we use. After all, the products WE have decided to use at our presentations are some of the best materials and tools in the industry. Most carpenters would agree. Most carpenters would love to use Stabila, Festool, and Kreg tools, to own Clam Clamps and Collins Clamps and etc, to use WindsorOne Moldings, etc. So making the decision to stock the things we demonstrate should be easy, right? But it's not. You can't imagine how many lumberyards balk at the decision. Often they don't understand until 'after' the show. Sometimes it takes customers asking for the products to convince the dealers to bring them in. Believe it or not, that is so common that marketing folks have a word for it: pullthrough. Some say that pullthrough is the best kind of marketing because it's honest and sincere demand. Which is all good. But the point is to help people enjoy the craft more, and for professionals, that means improving productivity and making more money, too.
Gary
Wonderwino
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I'll be at Lincoln Hardwood & Tool (Festool Junkie) in October. That's 4-1/2 hour drive on 2-lane roads for me. Not a problem for a great program!
Wonderwino said:
But it could be problem if you are a Wino!
Wow, what a great show Gary and Tom put on. Not much to add to Peter's original post. I had a great time. As a hobbyist and diy'er, I thought I would be out of my comfort zone. Not so. I sat in the front row. Gary does make eye contact with everyone. I even won a Stabila level.
One thing that did not surprise me was how much I have to learn. I was surprised at how much more I knew than I thought I did.
I will be checking in on Gary's website a lot for advice and to get some of his videos. As has been stated often in this thread, if you have the chance to go, do yourself a favor and go. You will not be disappointed.
Neill
.I was on the right, behind the guy with the cowboy hat, inline with the TS outfeed table. Got some sawdust in my space. Was sitting all alone in that row towards the end of the day since no-body else was tall enough to see around it and they all moved so they could get a view. I don't look like I'd fit in with the ZZ top boyz.
I was at Gary's Road Show in Goleta, CA last year. As it happens the building we were in was about fifty feet from the railroad tracks, and every so often a train would come through with a deafening roar, shaking the entire building. On the upside, no one was caught snoozing all day. ;D
I had a great day, learned a lot, and I will attend any Road Show within striking distance in the future.
I had a great day, learned a lot, and I will attend any Road Show within striking distance in the future.
Neill said:I was just wondering when you are gonna take your show on the road?
Neill, as a matter of fact I'm heading a few hundred miles North next week to build some cabinets for my daughter. Thank God for my Festool collection, the only way to work when away from the shop.
