Roadshow 2019

[jaguar36]

The roadshow is making a stop in a month or so near me at a looking trade school, does anyone have any experiences with it?  I'm not one to go just to chat, is there any benefit to going there rather than just to a dealer?  Looks like you have to register ahead of time, is there a specific time to arrive or anything?

 

[rvieceli]

go ahead and go. There is usually some Festool swag available and a lot of hands on with the tools. Plus folks that can answer your questions.
https://www.festoolusa.com/company/roadshow

Ron

 

[RKA]

Think of it as a giant show and tell.  Most of the tools are out on display and they have staff on hand to answer questions or provide brief demos.  If it's a tool you have, maybe you pick up a few quick tips.  If it's a tool you're considering, you can get a demo to familiarize yourself with the tool in use.  These are generally better than visiting a showroom because the retailers usually don't have this much product on display and rarely do they have this much available to power on and use.  You've also got the benefit of multiple staff on hand that do these demos everyday, they know the tools better than most people working in a typical retailer. 

Given the trade school destination, I'm assuming it will be even more focused on demos for people unfamiliar with the product line.  The registration is probably just to allow them to prepare for the size of the crowd (logistics like lunch, parking and layout).  Generally it doesn't matter when you show up as long as it's not within an hour or closing (don't want to make the trip, show up late and find them taking down displays while you're still drooling).

 

[Cheese]

It's definitely worth spending the time to visit the display. At the last one I attended, there were at least 5-6 people that were available for help. Each one kind of specialized in a few areas.

I had some questions about the new hoses vs the wrapped hose and 3 of us spent 15 minutes taking both styles of hose apart and trying to interchange the fittings and hose ends and attempting to put the new flex hose into the zippered cloth wrapper. It was very informative for all of us.

It's a great hands-on experience because everything is available to try out.  [smile]

The company/facility hosting the roadshow also usually provides some type of quick lunch, hot dogs...hamburgers...soft drinks or water.

 

[Paul G]

The roadshows are an opportunity to actually use some of the tools rather than just looking at them.

 

[peter halle]

The Festool Roadshows this year have evolved, but have also stayed the same to some degree...

In years gone by the Festool Roadshow would arrive at a participating dealer's location, set up and offer an open house to anyone who stepped thru "the doors."  Attendees were given personal attention to the extent that the crowd allowed and usually that allowed interaction with some really cool people with a whole bunch of knowledge about the tools in a very relaxed atmosphere.  Then after about 4 - 6 hours they would store everything away and move onto the next participating dealer.

This year Festool USA is changing things up a bit.  As a long term member and other here I have always been amazed by the support that Festool on the other side of the ocean gave to programs that trained individuals to get into what we call here "the TRADES".  Well that effort has crossed the ocean and Festool USA has partnered up to help bring the message to particularly (but not limited to) young adults that working in the "TRADES" is a viable career path.  If you want more information about their partnerships and efforts you certainly do a google search and find oodles of info.  So a portion of this version of the Roadshow is a day or two at what I will call “an educational facility”.

Another change up is that Festool USA has listened to input from end users about dealer training and is working towards getting training to dealer employees who have not had to opportunity to go to a training center.  Let's face it, sending an employee to a training center hundreds or thousands of miles away is not a cheap proposition.  So it doesn't happen as often as we end users would like.  So, as a general rule, when a Roadshow happens this year, there is a separate day for dealer training that gives the dealers the opportunity of giving their employees the exposure to those highly trained Festool employees traveling around the county and the end result - over time of course - will be that the educational experience prior to purchasing will be improved.

So, if you are like me (a user of the tools) when you check out the Roadshow website the dates shown are the dates for us to come and interact and touch the tools and get as much individual attention as the crowd allows.

But when you aren't there the crew is working on education that will benefit potentially us as well as others.

Peter

 

[DashZero]

Thank you for the info.  I might try and go to one now.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I'm planning on attending the Media PA event this year...'never have gone previously. I'm absolutely sure that I'll find value in some way from taking the time to be there.

 

[RJNeal]

It has been said in a few post here on this thread. Hands on. So does the road show allow us the user to demo the tool now? I went to one a few years back and if you asked about a certain tool the rep would answer your question and a brief demo then put it down and ask if you had anymore questions. The way they did that seem like they didn’t want you to demo the tool under power.
Rick.

 

[sancho57]

I like the roadshows, you get a opportunity to meet your local festool rep, get demos of all their tools and theyll answer any questions you have about the set up and use of the tools.

The last one I went to was in March at a local college that has a very good woodworking program. Talking to the festool reps there, they told me that festool has changed its focus to help young people at trade schools, colleges learning the trades.
the one I went to was a 3 -4 day event a couple of days were to teach the students a basic readers digest version of the festool cabinet making course and instruction on the tools, one day was open to the public thus the open roadshow.

It was good in that I saw Alan with a small group of people going from tool station to tool station demoing each of the tools and answering all their questions, he was so wrapped up in that that i barely got a chance to talk to him. So IMO its worth going to

No bling was given out as this has a different focus then they previously did.

 

[RKA]

Thanks Peter!  Those two extra channels of education are a great way to utilize the traveling roadshow to spread the knowledge. 

 

[peter halle]

It has been said in a few post here on this thread. Hands on. So does the road show allow us the user to demo the tool now? I went to one a few years back and if you asked about a certain tool the rep would answer your question and a brief demo then put it down and ask if you had anymore questions. The way they did that seem like they didn’t want you to demo the tool under power.
Rick.

[member=3515]RJNeal[/member] , I would suggest that the odds of being able to do now that might be better than in the past.  I say that because I went to the Festool Connect Event last fall in Las Vegas.  That was the first event where users could try out a tool with a spinning blade under the supervision of a Festool employee BUT that employee had to be comfortable with the perceived skill level of those wanting to take a test run and additionally they would have to be able to supervise. 

From my understanding (as of today) trying out tools hands-on is the now normal situation at the Roadshows with those reasonable (in my mind) limitations.  I am sure that crowd size could throw some wrenches in the works at times.

Peter

PS:  I was standing in the back of the room while the Festool guys and gals were getting pumped prior to when they opened the doors to a line of people that snaked around the building and when the announcement was made about hands - on the employees went wild.

 

[RJNeal]

[member=1674]Peter Halle[/member], thanks for the update on the hands on. Looking forward to the west coast visits.
Rick.
 

 

[Bob D.]

I will be working the day of the Philadelphia show in Media, PA.
I won't be able to take the day off otherwise I would go.

 

[jaguar36]

Well I signed up for the Media, PA one, still kinda on the fence about going though.  I have pretty much every Festool already that I'm interested in.  Sounds like they're more about raising awareness of Festool now rather than education of existing users.

 

[sancho57]

[member=12048]jaguar36[/member]

They are aout selling tools thats their business. However the roadshows give you a opportunity to interact with the proc specialist they'll answer any questions you have, help you do with the tools what you bought them for, set ups usages, Alan (if hes there) helped me figure out whats wrong with a couple of my tools and showed me how to adjust them.

As I said earlier in this thread festool has changed their focus of the roadshow to educating people at the trade schools/colleges. They stop at a trade school / College that offers courses in wood working construction, spend a few days there running them through the tools, a short course in cabinet making, then the last day open the show up to the public.

I couldnt get to talk to Alan much during this one bc, there was a posse of people (students I think) following him around going from tool station to tool station asking him questions while he was explaining and demoing and discussing each of the tools at each of the stations.

But if you had a question about set up or usage of one of the tools he was discussing to the posse, then he in true Alan fashion answered thoroughly.

There were other product specialist there that could demo, help and discuss the usage and set up of the tools as well.

One great thing about the road shows is networking. Your local rep should be there and it gives you te oportunity to meet him talk to him get his details so if in te future you have any questions or issues etc, you can contact him DIRECTLY and discuss whatever it is you need.

My rep is a great guy. I have no problem giving him a ring to chat.

anyway, Ill put my soap box away now , Hope this helps [smile]

 

[Bob D.]

"spend a few days there running them through the tools,"

Sure, get them addicted to the FT green right out of the gate.
Then you know you have a customer for life.

Not saying that's a bad thing, it's a good marketing strategy.

 

[RKA]

Based on the last sentence I somehow feel like the expectation is a cabinet making class or other project based demo.  If that’s true save your gas.  It’s not “training” for the public.

 

[Cheese]

Sure, get them addicted to the FT green right out of the gate.
Then you know you have a customer for life.

Not saying that's a bad thing, it's a good marketing strategy.

That's exactly what Apple did for school classrooms.  [big grin]

 

[JFelchlin]

Yesterday, I attended the Festool 2019 Roadshow -
Which came to Colorado Springs, Colorado.
It was held at the MiLL (Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab) -
A trade school for woodworking/industrial arts.

According to the Festool team - 3 days on site:
One day for the trade school (MiLL) students/faculty
One day for Festool dealers/retailers
One day for the public (me).
(No “bling” or food/drinks on the day for the public.)

Virtually all of the Festool products were on display -
And Festool staff were on hand to answer questions or provide brief demos -
In small groups, and permitting, individually.
As well, two staff from Shaper Origin/Shaper Tools -
(Recently acquired by TTS Tooltechnic Systems/Festool) -
Were there, demonstrating the Shaper Origin -
With an opportunity for us to try using the tool “hands-on”.

Even as a 15+ year Woodworking Hobbyist -
And owner of many of Festool’s products - By spending several hours there -
I gained a lot of terrific tips/information - That just can’t be had  -
From Festool’s manuals (ugh), YouTube, or being a long time FOG member (since 2007).

Interesting Observation:
There is no doubt that Festool USA’s marketing strategy -
Is now following their European model: FOCUS ON THE TRADES.
Portable (hand) tools - Portable product platforms - Battery operated tools -
And this year > Roadshows at Trade Schools.

To test the deference - I spoke with multiple Festool staff - Individually.
With two of the Festool staff - I indicated that I was a “Hobbyist”.
Informative, complete answers; but a short time given.
With 4 other Festool staff - I was a “Tradesman”.
Same informative, complete answers - But, extended all of the time I wanted to spend.
Very evident - And no comparison between the two.
I’m not blaming Festool. The Tradesmen/Construction segment is a “mega” market -
Compared to the Woodworking Hobbyist market.
But for me - Going forward - Whether going to a trade show, shopping at a retailer -
Or talking to an on-line dealer - I’m a “TRADESMAN”.

The Kapex “Burnout” Issue:
When questioned about the problem in a group of attendees -
All of the Festool staff changed the subject - Quickly.
Queried individually, “one on one” (with some persistence) -
Three of the staff admitted that Festool understood the problem -
And told me that a solution was forthcoming.
Four of the the staff pointedly told me virtually the same thing:
That the Kapex wasn’t the problem. The failures were caused by users -
Who didn’t know how to use the Kapex - And/or abused the tool.
Two of the staff told me that the armature failure problem - Had been fixed months ago.

All in all - Definitely worth going - And I’m grateful that Festool came to my area.
Good, knowledgeable, friendly people - Eager to educate current/potential Festool users.