September 9, 2012

Members & Exhibitors,

Wow, my mind is reeling with the various topics to write about for a lead-in to my normal requests about sending in your application for our upcoming NEACA gun shows. But I know most of you, as exhibitors or show goers, want only to hear about making money, saving on expenses or getting a deal!

So what, that in a couple of days the eleventh anniversary of planes hitting the twin towers will make us remember September 11th, 2001. A tragic day in American history, most of us know exactly where we were and what we were doing on that sunlit morning rivaling December 7, 1941, a day that will also live in infamy. You might ask, however, will remembrance quell my need at making a living? Probably not.

Both presidential conventions are now over and in less than two months we’ll see the outcome of our election; stay the course we are on or turn a new page in American politics. Continue with hope that things will change or change things with Romney and hope that better days are inevitable. Will reviewing the past and considering what the elections might bring change the amount of money we can bank? If Romney wins, I certainly hope so.

Or, what about reporting that shops are slow and shows are hit or miss affairs, will that knowledge make us book the next weekend event or think about staying home to save money? Some of my distributors have acknowledged shop sales are down and some show dealers have sold zero guns, not good news for us. Now what to do?

Well, I’ll tell you; dust off the proverbs and pick up your boot straps; as Americans we know how to work, we know what to do and we know how to win! When the going gets tough – the tough get going. When things look bleak the dawn always follows a storm. When you think you’ve come to the end of your rope, I say, tie a knot and hang on! We always rise to the occasion. The rest of the world may wonder why we think we are better, no, the best but we don’t wonder, we know who we are and know what to do. We are the gun loving, justice for all, freedom fighters and God fearing Americans most of the world’s people wish they were. And we are going to buy and sell guns, ammo and goodies at our next show in Clifton Park! Send me your application today!

I am writing this in the cool breeze of a sunny Sunday morning, relaxing in my hexagonal, canopied gazebo and I just looked up – over the expanse of the Hudson River flowing past – and am watching an eagle soar on high. Is it an omen or just God’s way of letting me know all will be right with the world? Whatever the meaning, if indeed this is one, it is my job to get all of you to our next show and subsequent events.

As most of you already know, the SportsPlex of Halfmoon in Clifton Park is going to be a great show. We already hosted two there in the months of May but this is our first show there in September; it should be a much better time period for an Arms Fair and Sportsmen’s Expo. I have a page on our NEACA.com website for you to view the venue and for further information. My daughter Denise is checking for motel deals and I have a helper making large new roadside signs that we will be putting up this week. Our news print advertising will begin this week also, plus we are looking into TV ads to supplement our radio ads we always have. We will get the people, will you be there?

The venue is expensive and our advertising is also costly as well as needing to rent tables and chairs. Plus we always need extra help at the SportsPlex to set-up and knock-down tables, the security and now extra gun checking and parking lot attendants and on and on ~ well, the show is a lot of work but it is our job to get it done. As I always remind you all, it is your job to let me know how many tables you need as soon as possible and get your signed applications and payments to us in a timely manner. And don’t forget to spread the word about our show and talk to your friends about setting up. We always need new exhibitors.

We have filled over three hundred tables at the last two events plus ten or so draped 10’ X 10’ booths, which are $200 with one table. If any gun clubs, re-enactors or other non-profits need a booth we do have a discounted rate, please call us at 518-664-9743. As you know, we have room for about 800 eight foot tables with large aisles, so we have a long way to go to reach our potential. The public likes the place and the parking, easy to get to within a mile of Exit 9 of the Northway, Route 87. The SportsPlex is about two hours from Boston, New York City, Plattsburgh, Utica and Pennsylvania; over a million people are within 50 miles. This will be a great show but we need more exhibitors to make it work. With each of you sending in your applications and trying to get one more exhibitor to come and join us, this show can exceed 400 to 500 tables. Please try to help your NEACA show. Our flyer for Clifton Park is enclosed, September 28, 29 & 30. Use it, copy it, post it, and spread the word.

A similar venue as the SportsPlex is our Gun Show at the J. M. MacDonald Sports Complex in Cortland, NY this Columbus Day weekend of October 5, 6 & 7. We again have lots of room, great parking, easy to get to and a motel deal at the Ramada Inn. As was the case with our first show on this same holiday weekend, there will be an auction of antique farm tools and equipment on Thursday in the adjoining fairgrounds and a horse and tack show on Friday. Literally thousands of people who came to those events last year had to see our "Gun Show – Sat. & Sun." signs. Farmers, tourists, collectors and a great many Amish folks were there and I’m sure many also visited our Gun Show. In fact, we even picked up several exhibitors from those events last year.

Cortland is a fun show; easy set-up, comfortable, well lit, plus a fine snack bar. The Ramada Inn is offering an $89 rate plus tax for a double or king room and they also boast a great restaurant, all within a mile of the show. Flyer is enclosed and I hope you fill it out and send it to us so we can order your tables. Lots to do for these shows and if you wait to the last week to let us know you are coming we can’t do our job properly. Remember, it is your job to let us know as far in advance as possible that you will be among the many great exhibitors we have at Cortland. Again, spread the word and let’s make our Cortland event one everyone will want to come to. We have a great start – let’s keep it going!

For those of you who I know will ask – no, we don’t have a date this year for Old Forge in the fall. Just not enough weekends at this time to fit in a show there in October. We will see what 2013 brings for Old Forge.

But we will be in Saratoga at the City Center this October 12, 13 & 14; always a great show place. Again, your flyer is enclosed and we are working on motel rates. Our Saratoga page on our NEACA.com website will have all the latest info on motels. If you haven’t been to our site with it’s a myriad of pages, you certainly have missed a lot. From words of wisdom, politics to new and collector gun sales, we have it all. Over a hundred thousand unique visitors view our pages every month – our site is almost worth you buying your first computer and getting into the 21st century.

We have no other shows scheduled for the rest of the year – though that may change – our next being in 2013 in Saratoga on January 11, 12 & 13. We are hoping to finish a lot of work on our house, rebuild the shop, visit other shows and enjoy the holidays. But if things change, you all will be first to know via our web at NEACA.com or my next letter for the Christmas season. Thank you all for your filled out and mailed show applications for our next three great events and good hunting out there.

Sincerely, Cathy & Dave