Orvis Sandanona Game Fair

[B. Dudley]

Harry, contact the Vintage Cup people, get on their board and make your vision come to reality.

[Harry Gietler]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Harry, contact the Vintage Cup people, get on their board and make your vision come to reality.

Brian, I am in contact with them, thru this ''Site''. What I am saying a lot of Parker guys wish would ''Happen''. The vocal ones sound off on here because
they live on the East side and don't want to drive 250 to 500 miles. They like things in their back yard. Rest assured the Vintage guys are reading this, but that doesn't mean they will change. Keep doing the same old ,same old, and expect different results. It doesn't happen.

Harry

[Cold Spring]

So I talked with August at Steve Barnett's last week who told me he had an excellent show at the Orvis Game Fair event, and part of that was the liaison lady who had frequent contacts with August and with Bill at Robin Hollow asking how things were going and what Orvis could do improve for that show and next year's event. Apparently Orvis is actively looking to return to the days when it was THE place to see fine guns in the early Fall. He also mentioned that the Vintagers timing at Hopkins was just too close to the Orvis Game Fair to justify a second road trip from/back to MS. Lastly I learned that SBFG will be moving to a new location in (as I recall) Cleveland MS that's about 2 hours away from its current location in West Point. Move to be complete right after the first of the year.

[Ed Blake]

Originally Posted by Harry Gietler

Brian, I am in contact with them, thru this ''Site''. What I am saying a lot of Parker guys wish would ''Happen''. The vocal ones sound off on here because
they live on the East side and don't want to drive 250 to 500 miles. They like things in their back yard. Rest assured the Vintage guys are reading this, but that doesn't mean they will change. Keep doing the same old ,same old, and expect different results. It doesn't happen.

Harry

Most of the guys heavily involved with leadership of the Vintagers are not on this site. If they hear about your complaints, it’s strictly hearsay and you know what that’s worth. The Vintagers have their issues, mainly the aging of members. The demographic issues have been beat to death on this and other boards. Organizations run by volunteers can be problematic for various reasons. When Ray Poudrier (sp?) ran the Vintagers it was his baby and he made money doing it. He was the central point of contact and things got done. That is no longer the case; the profit motive is not there. Maybe that’s what is needed. A change in location might help in the short term but long term prospects for the Vintagers are questionable. Your complaints are a rehash of the obvious so if you want positive change put your shoulder to the wheel rather throwing rocks from the sideline.

[John Davis]

My mother was from Cleveland, Mississippi and my brother was born there.

[Bill Murphy]

If the powers that be in the Vintagers organization are not on this site, they would be wise to change their ways. An apology from the Delany's posted on this site would have gone a long way to smooth out their poor performance at the 2023 Vintage Cup. They should be on all of the double gun forums to see how things are going. As was the case at Vintage Cups held at Millbrook NY and Easton, MD, sales of display space seems to be more important than shooting revenue or dinner sales. My vote is "Back to Millbrook" in conjunction with the Orvis Game Fair.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

If the powers that be in the Vintagers organization are not on this site, they would be wise to change their ways. An apology from the Delany's posted on this site would have gone a long way to smooth out their poor performance at the 2023 Vintage Cup. They should be on all of the double gun forums to see how things are going. As was the case at Vintage Cups held at Millbrook NY and Easton, MD, sales of display space seems to be more important than shooting revenue or dinner sales. My vote is "Back to Millbrook" in conjunction with the Orvis Game Fair.

It would surprise me if Orvis consented to a 'joint venue' because (a) they don't need the Vintagers to be successful and (b) the Vintagers weren't exactly gentlemanly when they left, and deliberately scheduled their event on the same weekend as the game fair, whose dates were already published.

[Bill Murphy]

Why would the Vintagers intentionally shoot themselves in the foot? In my opinion, it wasn't intentional, it was stupidity. I don't think the Delany's did anything intentional to destroy the 2023 Vintage Cup either. It was also more stupidity. I have no idea how the profits are shared at these events, but some agreement has to be reached to make the shoot successful. Maybe the promoters should ask the people at Orvis Millbrook and Pintail Point how they ran their events.

[Ed Blake]

Bill and Edgar make very good points. The Vintagers was successful when it was a for profit enterprise. Trends would indicate that while Orvis seems to be doing well with its Game Fair, the Vintagers need a partner. What better way than to make the Vintagers a part of the Game Fair, or at least partner with an entity who can organise and make the venture pay.

[Joe Graziano]

I always wanted to attend the Orvis Game Fair but have never made it. I would like to attend one year. Remember, these things can be cyclical. I attended my first Game Fair in the UK last year. Nearly 100,000 people turned out. I thought it was spectacular. But Brits who’ve gone for many years said it wasn’t nearly what it had been. I love SxS events and the Spring Southern is likely the largest and best in the world. I keep my guns in the UK at Atkin, Grant and Lang. In speaking one of AGLs managers, they did very well this year, as they do each year at Deep River. I also attended several VGCs at Pintail Point and at Hausmann’s. I attended once at Hopkins and thought it not nearly up to those standards. It was a bunch of guys shooting at an OK clays range. Nothing wrong with that but nothing particularly unique or special about it. It didn’t feel like an event. I don’t know what the answer is for the VGC. It may have simply run its course. That happens. Events will come and go, and change over time. I’m not going to worry about it. If VGC regroups and puts on a good event, I’ll try to attend. If not, I’ll do something else.