There is talk of a lawsuit.
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/08/1469887/some-weg-vendors-threaten-to-sue.html
No surprise there.
Most of the regular KHP vendors you see all year balked at the 10k+ price and the off the beaten track locations (that were disclosed early enough) they were offered for that-plus not being allowed use of the campground or staying in their trailers as they normally do. The premium space went for big bucks and mostly to the large corporate types. Again, no surprise.
No surprise the cowboy hats and boots are flying off the shelves though with all the Europeans there-that is not something they can easily get at home.
Lawsuit does not have much chance unless something spelled out in the contract was incorrect. The usual vendors seem to have understood it-and stayed away.
The problem is that in the very beggining they anticipated 1,000,000 spectators. That certainly makes you think twice about attending! After the inital deposit, the numbers began to dwindle. You could withdrawl without a refund, so as far as I was concerned, I was already stuck!
The original plans have an entrance and exit, very misguiding. You are lead to believe that everybody who enters would flow thru the trade show to the main events and would have to exit thru the trade show to leave.
Upon entering to set up for the trade show, I was sent thru an unneccessary bomb search because I was guided to the wrong area of the park. We set up, and all during these days there were no, I repeat NO signs to indicate that we were the trade show. Those signs were finally hung up with 4 days left for us to exhibit!. We were asked to stay open late until 10pm on 9/25 and on 10/1 all the event traffic was routed away from the trade show and we were told to leave at 9:30 pm.
Every vendor has every right to be extremely annoyed with the way this show has been run. The vendors shouldn’t have to file lawsuit, we should just be compensated for their poor planning and handling of the vendors for this event. The management here realize how poorly they handled the situation, otherwise they wouldn’t have made constant changes throughout the show to correct what was grossly wrong!!
The bathroom situation is disgusting! We have no hot food located near us, the list could just go on and on. We have to park approximately 1+ miles away from the show ground and walk in, or wait for the shuttle? I think it is the space shuttle. We were told absolutely no motorized vehicles!!! I could have brought my scooter, golf cart, or my battery operated scooter to make my life easier like everybody else here! I guess rules are only for some?
I realize we are here to present our products to the public, we can’t force them to buy. There is always some risk, but a show of this magnatuide has to have this area marked to the public well in advance of the opening of the games!
Maybe, after this and Stonleigh admitting they had charged too much for entries
and vendors, the prices will come down to encourage more visitors at future such events. Can’t sell stuff to people who are not there.
Suit has legal standing
In the United States the legal precedence is hugh.
- Fraudulent business practices
- Misrepresentation
- Business fraud
- False advertising
and many more violations.
What is embarressing for us Americans is simply that members of USEF and the State of Kentucky were major players in the WEG Foundation who is the legal organization responsible for WEG. Each individual within said organization does have a legal liablity as well.
The individuals in red have a legal fiduciary responsibility
Administration Jamie Link Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Spears Chief Financial Officer Leon JohnsonIT/Facilities ManagerJanet Rivers Executive Staff Assistant Jennifer LewisAdministrative CoordinatorChelsea Douglas Accounting Coordinator John Johnson Technology Coordinator
External Relations Mary Wathen Director of Community Relations & Protocol Erin FahertyDirector of Volunteer Services Amy Walker Public Relations Manager Melissa Gamble Volunteer Services Manager Louise Bowden Public Relations Coordinator Jason Snider Community Relations & Protocol Assistant
Operations Rob Hinkle Vice President/Chief Operations Officer Scott Lowery Operations Manager Sean Doane Venue Manager Brooke Goodwin Trade Show & Sponsor Pavilion Venue Manager Justin Miller Operations Coordinator Hollis Sherman Operations & Logistics Assistant
Sales & Marketing Terry Johnson Vice President of Sales & Marketing Ruth Mason Director of Ticketing Kim Bennett Director of Hospitality Programs Danielle LandoltSponsorship and Marketing Manager Debbie BlairTrade Show Manager Resa BrowningPromotions ManagerMaggie DanielsEquine Relations/Hospitality Coordinator Matt Reiter Marketing & New Media Coordinator Marilee Meyers Trade Show Coordinator Jennifer Isaac Sponsor Sales & Fulfillment CoordinatorSally Baugh Ticketing Coordinator
World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc.
2010 World Games Way
Lexington, KY 40511-2010
Phone: 859.255.2010
Toll Free Number: 888.934.2010
Fax: 859.254.0179
E-mail
Administration Jamie Link Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Spears Chief Financial Officer Leon JohnsonIT/Facilities ManagerJanet Rivers Executive Staff Assistant Jennifer LewisAdministrative CoordinatorChelsea Douglas Accounting Coordinator John Johnson Technology Coordinator
Competition Kate Jackson Vice President of Competition Sherry Frank Asst. Direction of Competition Susan Reynolds Competition Equipment Manager Hallye Griffin Competition Assistant Carrie Everett Competition Department AssistantAmber Walker Equipment Assistant
External Relations Mary Wathen Director of Community Relations & Protocol Erin FahertyDirector of Volunteer Services Amy Walker Public Relations Manager Melissa Gamble Volunteer Services Manager Louise Bowden Public Relations Coordinator Jason Snider Community Relations & Protocol Assistant
Operations Rob Hinkle Vice President/Chief Operations Officer Scott Lowery Operations Manager Sean Doane Venue Manager Brooke Goodwin Trade Show & Sponsor Pavilion Venue Manager Justin Miller Operations Coordinator Hollis Sherman Operations & Logistics Assistant
Sales & Marketing Terry Johnson Vice President of Sales & Marketing Ruth Mason Director of Ticketing Kim Bennett Director of Hospitality Programs Danielle LandoltSponsorship and Marketing Manager Debbie BlairTrade Show Manager Resa BrowningPromotions ManagerMaggie DanielsEquine Relations/Hospitality Coordinator Matt Reiter Marketing & New Media Coordinator Marilee Meyers Trade Show Coordinator Jennifer Isaac Sponsor Sales & Fulfillment CoordinatorSally Baugh Ticketing Coordinator
Funny, when I was JUST THERE, the vendor area was hopping. Entry traffic goes right through the heart of it, the remainder is near the food areas or the main arena.
Now, if you are selling $500 hats, $5000 fur coats, and $$$$$ stall doors, I can see why sales might be low. The Ariat store, Breyer store, etc. all seemed to be doing business hand over fist. Many vendors got my business, and even many with items or services I was not interested in at least got a walk through and some questions.
Give me a fricken break. Sales are NOT guaranteed anywhere!
If the Italian horse clothing company mentioned was the tent in Walnut Grove selling these clothes:
http://www.horseconnection.com/site/pdf_docs/HC_Sept_Oct_2010.pdf
then Yup, that is what I went there to buy… NOT.
Ponyfixer;
I do not know anything since I have not been there. Just posting predicated upon liability of representations made to the vendors.
If the original published representations to the vendors were not met as to visitor flow, food and bathroom locations, etc., then there is a legal conflict. If the operations were changed and did not route the visitors as promised there is a legal problem, even if it may have been corrected at a later date.
Where you there from the beginning? Seems that there have been alot of comments here and else where regarding visitor flow, etc…
I think the vendors that are so upset are the ones who are in the TENT, not the outside vendors. From the sound of things, it appears they were told that visitors would have to go through the TENT to get to the exit. That was not the case. People had to go through the “fair” (outside vendors) but could easily bypass the tent.
If this is indeed the situation, I would certainly want some compensation. I hope they got it in writing.
Funny, those in the big tent seemed pleased as punch when it was rainy and cold and they were laughing at the “outside” vendors.
People, you can’t please 'em.
I have no idea, OF COURSE, about promises made. But COME ON–it’s SALES. OF MOSTLY LUXURY ITEMS IN AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. Give me a break.
I’m not sure I understand the complaints. I’ve attended seven days of the games and each and every time I’ve been through the trade fair it has been a mob scene–both the indoor and outdoor parts. Many vendors did fabulously and had a lot of trouble keeping enough inventory around. And the Italian clothing company had a premium spot, but I took a look in there and sorry, their stuff was very nice, but I feel like I could have predicted their stuff wouldn’t sell well… Let’s face it, some products are going to be “hot” and some not. But you know what, they got their name out there and maybe the advertising will pay off for them in the future.
I am a vendor here in the outside area in what I consider a premium spot. I have been here since Thursday the 23rd and have seen it all. That surpasses your 7 days. So if you haven’t experienced the facts that I stated in my earlier post, you can’t feel the frustration of the vendors. They closed off the trade show and routed the traffic directly out after the posted hours for the trade show were until 10 pm.
We had customers packages because they are not allowed to exit and re enter the park? They finally offered a package holding area to eliminate that problem. Unfortunately it took over 1 week to fix some problems to route more traffic thru the unmarked trade show area and provide seating for customers to at least eat! As stated before they hung the trade fair sign just 2 days ago!!! That should have been in place long before our arrival. There is no excuse for that poor planning. Unfortunately we were all paid up in March, they had our money, all we vendors ask is that we have signage, traffic, and everything in its proper place to give us the best chance to showcase our product.
I have a good friend who is a vendor at the “International Equestrian Festival” at the convention center. She has plenty of complaints.
At the outset there was NO advertising on the WEG grounds proper directing people to the IEF. Few even knew it existed. Right now she is hoping she might make enough to cover the cost of expenses.
Everyone seems to have figured out that the organizers of WEG were climbing a steep learning curve. And there are plenty of others dangling off the cliff along with them.
They rely on vendors and demonstrators to fill out their horse show and make it look like it’s really a big deal. What would Devon be without vendors ? Empty. Because without the extra attractions no one would be showing up to watch a horse show in the middle of the (sort of) city ( well, not exactly a rural paradise, anyway.)
Yeah, my friend is not happy. I don’t think it’s fair to just say “suck it up and take your chances,” though. The organization was just lacking, to say the very least.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;5147981]
If the Italian horse clothing company mentioned was the tent in Walnut Grove selling these clothes:
http://www.horseconnection.com/site/pdf_docs/HC_Sept_Oct_2010.pdf
then Yup, that is what I went there to buy… NOT.[/QUOTE]
Agreed. The clothing was beautiful, but $200 for a riding sweater is slightly out of my price range. Not to mention the pushy seller that rudely stomped away when she asked if I’d like to try anything on, and I said I’m just browsing for now.
I was there on 10/1, and I can see why vendors are complaining. Coming in from the parking lot, there were no signs pointing the way to the trade fair. I’ve been to KHP many times for Rolex, so I’m very familiar with the park, but I had no clue where it was. It took 30-45 minutes for me to find. I ran into other people (including one volunteer working that day) that couldn’t find it either or tell me which way it was. I will also say that I had no idea that the big tent was an indoor trade fair. The only sign on the outside of the tent said “Big Ass Fans” (love the name BTW), and it was only by chance that I went in. I thought it was a tent only for the fan company.
The trade fair did have quite a crowd while I was there, both indoor and out.
The bathrooms and seating was ridiculous. The “maps” were a joke…we finally used the bathroom inside the ASB museum, and guess what…the ASB museum wasn’t even ON the map.
I do agree also with those saying that perhaps the lack of signage wasn’t the reason for poor sales…while I enjoyed looking at all of the products there, much of it was very expensive and not necessarily horse related. Even if signs had been plastered everywhere, I do not know if some vendors would have been more successful. JMO.
Caitlin
I don’t think you can really compare Devon and WEG.
Devon has been held on the same spot for many, many years, and it’s a well-known annual event that benefits a local hospital. Some of those boxes in the stands have been in the same families for generations. I don’t think the Devon show is standing room only on Grand Prix night every year because of the little row of shops and the ferris wheel.
I’m not saying WEG shouldn’t have done things differently, particularly as I was not there for it. But comparing a one-time stand alone event against a show like Devon with more than 100 years of tradition behind it is an apples and oranges situation.
If I sued every show I ever did that didn’t deliver on crowd numbers and/or sales, I’d be in court all the time.
Vendors who cannot make nearly enough profit by selling inexpensive items will never be able to recover from the vendor fee! I can’t imagine covering that amount! Guess these venues only want the really big dealers; no smaller unique types! I do feel for those guys-I know how hard it can be.
[QUOTE=lindsay.anne;5148258]
Not to mention the pushy seller that rudely stomped away when she asked if I’d like to try anything on, and I said I’m just browsing for now.[/QUOTE]
I hate when the salespeople are pushy and follow me around! Don’t they realize that being so aggressive makes me want to not buy anything even if there are a few things I really like just because I don’t want them to think they “sold” it to me and I don’t want them to get a commission because they bugged me more than they helped me!
That’s what I thought months ago when I heard the vendor fees. You’d have to sell an awful lot of T-shirts to break even! And that’s before you factor in travel, hotel, etc.
