VEW is now history...........post you observations

[Chris Ryser]

VEW Las Vegas 2009 closed their doors yesterday and became history.

Please post your observations so everybody can enjoy first hand reporting the day after.

[Johns]

It was a great show if you were buying, and the vendors you wanted to see actually showed up.

The Optiboard Roving Spotter team saw some sights such as aisles wide enough to put a good sized road down the middle of, vast expanses of wide open real estate on all sides of the hall, vendors sitting alone eating pizza, and vendors playing cards (at the show, not the casino).

Some vendors reported brisk sales (Leo for one), and I can attest to some of them, as I had to wait at times to be seen. Attendee traffic was way down, or they didn't stop at the booths of the folks I talked to.

Normally, we spend the majority of the first day scouting the area, making notes, and preparing to buy the next day. This takes me most of the first day, and sometimes the early part of the next.

At 12:00 I had met up with a few Optiboarders for the Vision Club lunch (nice job...thanks Professional Optical Mag!). After lunch we wandered the Galleria, and for the first time had offers of closeout and budget frames in there! By 2:00, we were pretty much done, and even did some major buys that would have normally not happened until day 2. Also, many of the vendors I had appts. with had no shows, and appts. were not really necessary.

I made some fantastic buys, and some great connections. Without exception, the vendors all commented on the lack of traffic, but even then, the people that were there were snatching up the buys. I went back on day 2 and renogotiated the prices on a 200 piece order, and upped it to 600 pieces for only about 20% more than the initial order would have cost. And it was not low-end product.

I think that this show is the beginning of an area of smaller, more intimate (ok, maybe not that small) shows. I will definitely be back next year, but will not plan to stay as long. One and a half days would be more than enough.

It was a great time to get to know some of the Optiboarders better, and that in itself is worth the trip. Sorry I didn't get to meet bblaker, and a few of the others that I heard were there, but there's always next year...

[Jana Lewis]

I felt attendance was way down, the aisles were much easier to navigate without being crushed by people.

The freebies were gone, pads, stickers...pens etc...I also noticed no floral arrangements like they usually have. Walking through made me feel like I was entering a carnival where vendors were yelling " come in here! buy one get one free!"

Most of my time was spent up in the suites buying everything I could get my hands on! :p

I would say I had a successful trip... not sure about the vendors though, many of them looked bored out of their minds!

[Diane]

Vendors were great....traffic was slow. NEVER saw any major crowds, except when Mike Tyson was there and when Paris Hilton was there. The economy obviously slowed things down....(:.

Diane

[fvc2020]

Funny you should mention Paris Hilton...I was pushed in the vision ease display to let her pass by......



Christina

[braheem24]

My VEW experiences...

1. Met John and his famous GPS.

2. Let John do all the buying next time.

3. Sleep more.

4. Help Christina get a better Paris Hilton story.

[Diane]

Funny you should mention Paris Hilton...I was pushed in the vision ease display to let her pass by......



Christina

I got moved out of the way as well. A couple of years ago, Jessica Simpson's entorage moved me....

Diane

[Johns]

I got moved out of the way as well. A couple of years ago, Jessica Simpson's entorage moved me....

Diane

Funny, I was forced to walk all the way around the booth also. Otherwise, I would have had to not only look at Mike Tyson and Paris Hilton, but I also might have risked coming in contact with people willing to wait in line to see them.

Talk about the kiss of death. If you're the celebrity at the Revolution Booth, you've hit rock bottom, or you're headed there fast.

[Now I See]

What's the "galleria" and the "suites"?

[Johns]

What's the "galleria" and the "suites"?

The Galleria is an area "set aside" for high end and boutique type vendors. Lately, they seem to be the same styles. A few examples are:

- Ronit Furst which has the hand painted frames, but only zyls.
- Axel S - Has the same styles since 2003

The suites are upstairs and the vendor rents the entire suite. They are usually the luxury lines. They usually serve champagne, truffles, and some small sandwiches.

I didn't go to the suites this year. (because I got free lunches at Club Vision!:D)

[Jana Lewis]

What's the "galleria" and the "suites"?

The galleria is an "area" on the floor that is usually higher end and is separated by "pink" carpet. The suites are actually away from the show floor up in the luxury suites at the hotel...

[optigrrl]

I saw how empty the main exhibit hall was as well and how much more of the convention center they walled off even from last year. Took no time to wander the entire thing.

The vendors did look bored or desperate, I got approached by sales reps just passing by a booth. The reps I spoke with all had good sales though for as low as attendance was this year.

The suites were split this year, some in the traditional towers at the venetian and some showing in the Palazzo towers. This year was the first time I could easily walk into all of the rooms and be allowed to view the lines (I was with some accounts). Every year before there was a wait - and champagne or wine - to see them if you did not have an appointment.

The suites at the Palazzo were much smaller than the Venetian towers, making them akward and crowded but it wasn't like they needed the room, hehe. Some of the vendors up there had commented on wanting to go back to the Venetian.

I did more business as an attendee this year as well, picking up some excellent leads and making some great appointments. It was great to see Johns and obxeyeguy and we had a great time at the Marchon VIP lounge. No drink tix needed.

I wish I could have gotten there earlier and met up with other Optiboarders as well, maybe NY or next year.

[sharpstick777]

Attendance and excitement were way way down. I miss the days Opticians would show up in the funkiest frames they could find and strut the floor with the entire office looking for frames.

I did good business and made the contacts I needed to make.

Some of the Vendors said they had the worst show they could remember. Others said it was good.

I am glad I was not behind a vendor booth and counting on those sales to support my $15,ooo rental fee for a small booth, not counting travel and other expenses.

Luxottica, Maui Jim, Marcolin, and Oakley were all no shows. It was weird without the huge Luxottica booth.

[libellule]

It was just okay for me...4th year now so the 'charm' is gone.

I was really dissappointed that they 'cheaped-out' on the coffee etc. If you didn't show up before 9 am you were out of luck for coffee. In years past they had coffee, tea and water available all day so you could stay awake during those boring CE classes!

And I blew off an appointment in the suites....I just have a problem with having to walk all over the place in order to buy from someone....if they want my business, they need to make it easy for me. I don't care if they are 'boutique' or 'exclusive'.:p They are not the only thing happening and I packed my mornings so I would have evenings to myself.

My appologies to the Optoboarders that I didn't get to hang out with...you know who you are...:bbg:

[sharpstick777]

I was really dissappointed that they 'cheaped-out' on the coffee etc. If you didn't show up before 9 am you were out of luck for coffee.

They openned at 9 am???? I never walked in before 11. :)