Frag Swap/Insight

[poolkeeper1]

Here's a little insight on the Frag Swap coming up real soon. A few of us took a road trip to Louisville, Ky to visit their Swap this past Sat. What we found was a bunch of nice people that were very welcoming to strangers from the south and we had a great time.
Now on to the point of this thread, They are a smaller club than us and had full intentions to make their swap as good as it could be, Truth turns out to be that not a whole lot of people showed up on both sides of the tables. Some of the sellers that reserved tables just didn't show up and attendance was less than they expected. The economy most likely had lots to do with these events as cash is tight and people are out of work. Let me be very clear we had a great time and will go to their swap again to help support our new friends and maybe even go as sellers to spread what we have with them.
Now on to the point of this thread, As the frag swap now has to pay a good chunk of money for the hall to have the swap it's a matter of breaking the bank if it's not a success. The amount of people that must support and do all they can to make the swap a success is vital to it's taking place and ever taking place again. IMO I would start to spread the word loud and clear that it is taking place and get the flyer's up and around where ever possible as soon as possible.
And on a side note admission for their swap was 5.00 a head and children under 12 were free i think as i had my granddaughter with me and she got in free.
Another sad note a Great old fish store in Bowling green Ky looks like they are going to close the doors real soon as there is no interest in the saltwater section that kept them going for i think 30 years, Sad as the owner was a pioneer in this hobby.
Bill

 

[Pickupman66]

Bill,

Thanks for the Insight. Looks like we have alot of work to do on our part to continue the success of ours. we wish our friends to the north the best. they are welcome to come join us this season if they are reading this.

Club Members and socialites, I hope you get from this what I have. we need as many who can attend the meetings in November to be there so we can make sure we are all on the same page.

1. Sunday November 14th at 2pm at Justin (Undercontrolj's) house off Briley Near Opryland.

2. Saturday November 20th at 2pm at Mel's (New Wave's) house in Columbia.

we need to get your ideas and help to make ours a success. I will have the flier finalized by then and we will try to get it printed for the December meeting. it will be in PDF and Jpg format so you can do what you want with it. I will also do an Avatar image we can all use in the coming weeks.

 

[SmyrnaReefer]

Which stoe in BG

 

[poolkeeper1]

Lfs

Lfs

Which stoe in BG

Fishy Business in B.G. Owened by Mitch who was keeping SPS when it was unheard of. It was Sad to see how they let it all go down hill but the clerk said that there are no more customers interested in the salt section and that the store will be closing real soon. This is what we were told on Sat as we stopped on the way back to Nashville.
Bill

 

[VandyTime]

Hate to hear that, I've gotten a lot of corals from there.

 

[nightfire]

ok well here is what i can do since me and jennifer are now on this side of nashville we can spread things out a bit....if ya guys can get me flyers done up i can get them from whomever when i go to mel's meeting so that i can pass them out, pin them up and what have you......so pickup if ya are gonna print any off try to set a good amount aside for me and jennifer as we can pass the word on to more people this side of nashville...thanks guys

 

[SmyrnaReefer]

that stinks, i went by there weekend before last and they were talking about how they were converting there old sps frag tank into a stingray tank , etc..... guess not

Fishy Business in B.G. Owened by Mitch who was keeping SPS when it was unheard of. It was Sad to see how they let it all go down hill but the clerk said that there are no more customers interested in the salt section and that the store will be closing real soon. This is what we were told on Sat as we stopped on the way back to Nashville.
Bill

 

[wku5]

i live here in bg and come buy stuff from mtrc ppl such as rhett and i just bought mvlk's solana to add to my tank collection. I used to buy stuff from fishey business alot and they used to have super nice stuff but yea it has went very down hill and i stop in every now and then trying to buy something but theres just not much there anymore. I also plan on attending the frag swap down in TN if i can get off work.

 

[poolkeeper1]

That's funny you say that, The last Frag tank to the rear of the store had been cleaned out and had one lone stingray in it! Go Figure, The rest was just broken pieces of coral that had been in the tanks for years.
The big Circle rotating tank had broke about a year ago and they just left it like that and all the coral was gone except for a few small pieces compared to what it was like before.
Just glancing at what was left i saw that the prices were very high compared to other sources for the same items. This is the problem with online stores that can sell the same item much cheaper, But this hobby cost way too much already.
Bill

 

[wku5]

yea i just stopped in there yesterday hoping to run across some zoa's because they sell em to me really cheap usually and i saw that last tank in there which was the zoa and anenome tank empty. the stingray is fake haha. the circle tank has been broke awhile and it was covered in algae, the glass that is. THe first tank has had the same stuff in it for 6 months. I honestly think the store could/would thrive if they kept stuff there that people sought after. They are alot cheaper than the aquatic critter, even though ac has a nicer setup. But cheaper doesnt do any good when theres nothing there to entice business. I wish it would still be the place it was when i started college here.

 

[fishdoc11]

Sad to hear about Mitch and Fishey buisiness. I used to go there often years ago. My black and white clowns I had for years were bred by Mitch. I'm hoping they are being bred by Matt now, last I heard thy had laid eggs

Good point about getting out the word for the swap. I've always been of the opinion that charging less than more for admission is a good idea though.

Chris

 

[poolkeeper1]

Free or less is good, What has changed is the hall is no longer free and must be a factor in making it a success financially. Also IMO a paid speaker from afar is something that may need a second look as to being a sound idea financially.
We have many people like yourself Doc that can give a great lecture on a variety of fish related topics that many would be of interest in. Hint Hint Just an alternative to a paid speaker that costs a lot of money to get them here and plus a fee to speak.
Times are tough and money tight and we may want to heed the writing on the wall so to speak.
Bill

 

[ZachB]

Free or less is good, What has changed is the hall is no longer free and must be a factor in making it a success financially. Also IMO a paid speaker from afar is something that may need a second look as to being a sound idea financially.
We have many people like yourself Doc that can give a great lecture on a variety of fish related topics that many would be of interest in. Hint Hint Just an alternative to a paid speaker that costs a lot of money to get them here and plus a fee to speak.
Times are tough and money tight and we may want to heed the writing on the wall so to speak.
Bill

+2

Tap local resources instead of paying too much to fly someone in, etc. I can't remember who spoke last year but listening to someone jabber away about stuffing some $1,000+ fish?

Yea...

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

Free or less is good

What is less than Free?

 

[poolkeeper1]

Admission

Admission

What is less than Free?

Funny, Play on words I meant that as less than 5.00 but do think that is a fair price for admission when you have great prizes avaiable to win. What's five bucks anyway a cup of coffee LOL Non Issue in the big picture IMO
Bill

 

[fishdoc11]

The hall wasn't free at the first Nashville MTRC swap (I think it was free or close to it at the first MTRC swap in Chattanooga). It does sound like they have gotten more expensive(maybe people have recognized corals as more lucrative...which is not the case it was a few years ago obviously) but the raffle ticklets have been the big earners for the club in the swaps I have been involved in so sponsorship is key IMO. I think a minimal fee like $2 or $3 for entry plus charging accordingly for member tables and then a little more for vendor tables is appropriate.
I would be happy to speak if so asked but I haven't been this year. I also think paying a lot of money for a speaker is kind of silly if we are worried about $.

Chris

 

[poolkeeper1]

+1 Agreed

+1 Agreed

The hall wasn't free at the first Nashville MTRC swap (I think it was free or close to it at the first MTRC swap in Chattanooga). It does sound like they have gotten more expensive(maybe people have recognized corals as more lucrative...which is not the case it was a few years ago obviously) but the raffle ticklets have been the big earners for the club in the swaps I have been involved in so sponsorship is key IMO. I think a minimal fee like $2 or $3 for entry plus charging accordingly for member tables and then a little more for vendor tables is appropriate.
I would be happy to speak if so asked but I haven't been this year. I also think paying a lot of money for a speaker is kind of silly if we are worried about $.

Chris

I have no control over the actual price and do not wish to, What is important is that people are getting involved as that was the purpose of this thread! I agree with all you said Doc and I'll bet you the price of admission you just may be asked to speak if i was a betting man.
In the past the raffle tickets may have covered costs, But if attendance is poor then what? Any sellers should pay for the space they need and sponsors will donate to the cause accordingly. All ideas are encouraged and hope anyone with a suggestion speaks up with their ideas as to how to make the swap better and successful.
Bill:idea:

 

[Pickupman66]

I agree with this. Truthfully, I have never actually been in to listen to the speaker. the things that did interest me were the fraging demo's we did at the last swap in goodlettsville. Gary spewing coral goo across the room with the dremel! that was a good time and in my opinion very informative. I would realy like to do $1-2 for admission. we have some AWESOME raffle items coming this year so far (yea, im privy to them). Great discussion guys. lets make sure we bring this to the meetings as well.

 

[nightfire]

well im up for passing flyers out asap and i second the no out side speaker thing also....im sure there are a few here that can speak