Vintagers

[Kevin McCormack]

The feedback and improvement ideas need to be conveyed to BOTH Hopkins & the Vintagers at the same time, so Hopkins knows of the recommendations and concerns expressed and can react accordingly. That way, both are aware of the vendor/participant concerns and can adjust their "windage and elevation" accordingly to improve the event.

[William Davis]

My uninformed observation is Hopkins provided the facility while the Vintagers promoted the event. I thought Hopkins did a great job, equal to Backwoods, and that's saying a lot.

William

[Edwin Obrecht]

Originally Posted by Kevin McCormack

Quite a bit of vendor / participant discussion sotto voce about this, Eric. Chuck posted some pictures and elaborated on the near-fiasco with the FPC when we couldn't locate one of our Fox shooters. Concensus is he never came back to check the leader board to see if he had made the team and most likely left the premesis before the 3PM shootoff! This, after having signed up, paid $50 for the qualifiying round, and coming back to turn his scorecard in!

There were in excess of 150 shooters overall but in typical fashion they trickled in & out in small groups according to their event classes and gauges. Hopkins staff did a good job checking with vendors through the tents periodically but nothing like prior events at other locations which shall remain unnamed. You have to remember that this is year 2 of Hopkins involvement in the VC; the learning curve IMHO is still steep for them.



Having been to every one of these things since the first one at Addieville (with the exception of last year), I can tell you one of the biggest problems with these events is advance publicity. Before the first VC at Pintail Point in MD, there was exactly ONE sign in the window of Albright's Gun Shop in Easton MD regarding the event. Last weekend at Hopkins, there was NOT ONE SIGN or notice at the full-service sporting goods store (think a "mini-Cabela's") or attached restaurant and quick-stop gas mart less than a half-mile away! I bet I talked to 20 people on Saturday who had no idea that they could go there for ice, paper towels, bottled water, bug spray, etc. And this at an establishment (Hopkins) that's been in operation for the better part of 25 years! After doing these type events since the 1980's, I'm convinced the key is a 'total immersion" approach with a little bit of Chamber of Commerce connection flavor (e.g., what's nearby, etc.). Also - ads in ALL the specialty mags, nearby storefronts, and on our BBS sights many months in advance. Without advance publicity these things happen in a vacuum.

I passed this on to the management of Molly’s ( mini Cabelas). Bet you see some signage in the future.

[Mike Franzen]

Originally Posted by Eric Eis

Maybe it's me but this sure has been a "very quiet" Vintagers event... No one has said much of anything about it, no pictures, no comments on the course how many people. Just wondering but from the feedback on the different boards it doesn't sound lile something I would spend a day and a day back driving to..

If the hosts are looking for constructive feedback I think Eric’s comment is a good one. I didn’t go this year but, I can’t remember seeing any ads or promotional material about the event either before, during or after.

[Kensal Rise]

After some many years in the advertising/communications business, I can suggest that events like The Vintagers must be sure to assess and optimize two things:

Audience and Promotion.

Without a sizable and enthusiastic audience, success is difficult.

Without effective and far-reaching promotion/advertising to that audience, success is impossible.

Sadly, effective promotion and advertising cost money. And time.

I wish Vintagers great success in future years. It was once THE SxS shooting event of the season...

[Bill Murphy]

The lack of publicity for the Pintail Point Vintagers events has been a major point of conversation for Maryland shooters, since the events were held years ago. I guess thing have not changed. The confusing part is who suffered the most, George Hopkins, Gary Lacey and his Vintagers, or the visitors and vendors.

[John Truitt]

Hopefully it is a learning process and a growing experience.
Remember the vintage cup had all but be written off until last year. IMO for a second year event in resurrection they did a fine job and much larger and better than last years event. Again they made significant changes to address the issues brought up last year. They were/ are listening IMO.
It is my understanding that there is a new VGC president as the term that Mr Lacey wanted was only two years.
Perhaps we can collectively voice our concerns and give constructive suggestions to the new president of the VGC and to Hopkins.

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

After some many years in the advertising/communications business, I can suggest that events like The Vintagers must be sure to assess and optimize two things:

Audience and Promotion.

Without a sizable and enthusiastic audience, success is difficult.

Without effective and far-reaching promotion/advertising to that audience, success is impossible.

Sadly, effective promotion and advertising cost money. And time.

I wish Vintagers great success in future years. It was once THE SxS shooting event of the season...

John,
It's very true advertising is expensive, but there was very little internet chatter on the different gun boards, Fox, SS, 16ga, Upland J. etc that don't cost money but do cost time. I would love to see this shoot become what it use to be.

[Bill Murphy]

Advertising is expensive, but to miss advertising in the Summer Double Gun Journal is ridiculous.

[John Truitt]

Double gun journal
Shooting sportsman
Clay shooting USA
Sporting clays magazine
Parker pages
LC Smith journal
Double gun BBS site
the parker site
LC Smith site
shotgun world site
Trap shooters site
16 ga site
Fox Collectors site
Flyers sent out to clubs within 200 mile radius, etc
Facebook
Virginia Sportsman
shotgun classics
etc
etc

Can they advertise or get the word out during or at the very end of the Spring Southern? (I don't know if that would be appropriate or not. May not be may be I am not the person to answer this or not)