Trad Gang

Per their official statement posted on facebook and their website they have decided to cancel this years show due to the controversy of their decision and the amount of venders who have dropped out.

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That's good! Looks like everyone got their point across.

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:thumbsup:    :clapper:

there ya go!  now call your congressman!

Good!!!

That sure put a big ol' smile on my face!

Who says people can't make a difference?!?  It's time for the citizens of this country to realize we are not eunuchs!  It's time for our elected officials to realize we are citizens not subjects!

Big thanks to the vendors that stood up for freedom, at their own cost, and made this happen!

Thanks again to Tradgang admin for their support of the U.S. Constitution.

And, in there statement of cancellation....they are actually blaming those that dropped out !!!!  

Making those that dropped out the bad guys !!!!

See,......its so obvious....its in their playbook !!!

Three words is all that is necessary

UNITED WE STAND

:thumbsup:    :archer:

Thanks everyone who stood up for our rights.Thanks Terry for letting us vent on this topic.

Good!
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"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views."


                             William F. Buckley

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QuoteOriginally posted by Jon Powell:
"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views."


                             William F. Buckley

I'm offended by offended people. Glad to see the boycott worked in this case.

:thumbsup:

From their Facebook page
Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show - Update Reed Exhibitions has decided to postpone, for now, the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show given the controversy surrounding its decision to limit the sale or display of modern sporting rifles (also called ARs) at the event. The show was scheduled to take place February 2-10 in Harrisburg, PA. "Our original decision not to include certain products in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this year was made in order to preserve the event's historical focus on the hunting and fishing traditions enjoyed by American families," said Chet Burchett, Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas. "In the current climate, we felt that the presence of MSRs would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests. This was intended simply as a product decision, of the type event organizers need to make every day."

"It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year's show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing."

"ESS has long been proud to participate in the preservation and promotion of hunting and fishing traditions, and we hope that as the national debate clarifies, we will have an opportunity to consider rescheduling the event when the time is right to focus on the themes it celebrates."

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When you hit them in their wallets things will change.
I say start boycotting any business that henders your personal freedoms!
Kudos's to the vendors for standing up and pulling out.
Lets find out where all business stand on the second ammendment and support only those that favor it!

We should do the dame to all vendors and other entities who wish to further degrade Americas freedoms. Thanks for allowing this post T.

There is an underlying message to us that is camoflauged by the use of "Familiy" and etc..

My message is not concealed by ambiguity.

Pi** on them!

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'Bout time American's start acting like real American's and fighting for the rights We have. Congrats to everyone who toed the line.

:clapper:     Now we need to start voting with our wallets against those companies and individuals that wish to take away our freedom.

I agree Rick

:thumbsup:  Good work!   :clapper:  


The only thing these elitists understand is $$$$

I think all those who "DROPPED OUT " will be proud to "take the Blame"   :readit:  .  It's past time but not to late  :help:   to take a stand and say " you can only take my ARMS (guns and BOWS) when you pry them from my cold dead hands"
Let us not forget that with this issue is the right to hunt   :archer:   to stand up and say NO to giving up our rights and the rights of our children who will have to live with what we do(or do not do ) to
    PROTECT OUR GOD   :pray:  GIVEN WAY OF LIFE!!!

Kudos to all those who dropped out, as well as the many long-standing attendees, me included, who planned on staying at home this year.

If this only "affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits" where's the problem. I think I jsut got a whiff of BS.  :dunno:

What happened is to many dropped out and there wasn't going to be a show.  No one is going to an outdoor show to smell candles.    
 Good for everybody that stood up for there rights.

Lexington was only a small village in new england when a shot was heard around the world.  This is only a small victory but it's a start!!

Excellent!  :clapper:

Thanks to all who are committed to preserving our rights and freedoms, for standing tall and sending a strong message to those who want to take those rights and freedoms away!

sweet...

maybe it is time to find a new venue and sponsor for all of the vendors to support that is pro CONSTITUTION and take it away from these bozo's permanently......

That made my day!!!

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Made my day too!  :clapper:

GREAT!!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by MOFISH:
If this only "affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits" where's the problem. I think I jsut got a whiff of BS.   :dunno:  

I thought the same thing.  Laying it on thick.

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Right on!  :campfire:

Before we all pat ourselves on our backs, let's keep the big picture in mind, front and center. While the outcome of this skirmish was good, it ultimately was within the hunting/gun community. The national media and some in the US House and US Senate could care less and they're moving on with their agenda.

The REAL fight is coming in the 2014 midterm elections.

Boycotts and emails are all nice, but if we overlook where the real power lies, we're chasing individual wasps, when it's the nest we need to spray.

The real power lies in the pens of those who make make the laws, not sport show promoters. Again, while this boycott worked out nicely, the real battles lie ahead and 2014 must be our D-Day, when we punish those who want to take our civil rights away, by voting them out of office. Their punishment will be that they'll have to then live under the laws they created, as private citizens, not the ruling class. After we fire them, that is.

The 2014 midterms are a "must vote" for every single gun owner in the nation.

The key is to put the real fear of losing re-election in the minds of every red state democrat Senator and then the liberals can talk about gun bans all they want, but nothing will happen. Oddly enough, it will be Senate democrats who likely block gun bans, not the GOP, because the red state Senators up for re-election in 2014 know if the vote for bans, they lose.

Really need someone to put on a show to replace ESOS so they can actually see the money they lost.

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 :nono:

Good deal

This is great news!

QuoteOriginally posted by pdk25:
Really need someone to put on a show to replace ESOS so they can actually see the money they lost.

BIG Traditional Expo East is in Kalamazoo Micigan this weekend...all the cool guys will be there anyway, everybody that was planning on PA, head on over!

Have to feel sorry for the loss of income to all of the locals because of this though. One million+  show attendees not coming, means no $$ spent on hotels, restaurants, etc.
BIG hit for the Harrisburg area economy thanks to the Reed groups attempt to be "p.c.".

QuoteOriginally posted by Stickbow98:
Have to feel sorry for the loss of income to all of the locals because of this though. One million+  show attendees not coming, means no $$ spent on hotels, restaurants, etc.
BIG hit for the Harrisburg area economy thanks to the Reed groups attempt to be "p.c.".

That is a true loss and I feel for the hospitality industry as well as the other area retailers that stood to gain.  Hopefully the message will resonate to other communities and there will be some gain from their loss.

And to tag on Mojostick's post....There are probably SEVERAL anti-gun people/groups who will look at the shutting down of the show as a "win for them."   Just some perspective...

Kingsnake

I hope this sets precedence to other big run shows, that we the people will not be shoved around. One small step for hunters, one big leap for freedom

:thumbsup:

Kingsnake,

I was going to add just what you said, but thought it may be too "hot" of a topic.

The anti-gun people are unified. With this past situation, we've got a case where hunters were against hunters and a huge hunting show was cancelled. That's a win in some anti's eyes.

Keep in mind how these people operate. During the "fiscal cliff" talks, their goal wasn't to necessarily raise tax rates, their goal was to cause a civil war in the GOP between the RINO's and the Tea Party, and they were successful.

We have to be very careful on how we proceed from here. I'm not saying shutting down the show wasn't a good thing, I'm just warning that it may be a much ado about nothing, in the real grand scheme. If the national media doesn't cover it in a major way, it's relatively meaningless, other than to illustrate to ourselves that we're all of the same mind and fairly unified.

The real fight is not closing hunting shows, but sending anti-gun liberals packing from any position of power.

Just a heads up the Mayor of Harrisburge join the anti gun group NYC Bloomberg started Maybe now he will reconsider.

QuoteOriginally posted by stringstretcher:
Three words is all that is necessary

UNITED WE STAND

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Don't relax now! The battle has just begun! Don't bask in the sunshine we have alot of work left to do. These antis be they anti hunting or anti guns are relentless. Be sure to contact your reps and the leadership in the Senate and House of representitives and let them know how you feel.

Congarts to all those venders that stood their ground and made the point for all of us.

they made their bed...let em sleep in it

QuoteOriginally posted by Mojostick:
Kingsnake,

I was going to add just what you said, but thought it may be too "hot" of a topic.

The anti-gun people are unified. With this past situation, we've got a case where hunters were against hunters and a huge hunting show was cancelled. That's a win in some anti's eyes.

Keep in mind how these people operate. During the "fiscal cliff" talks, their goal wasn't to necessarily raise tax rates, their goal was to cause a civil war in the GOP between the RINO's and the Tea Party, and they were successful.

We have to be very careful on how we proceed from here. I'm not saying shutting down the show wasn't a good thing, I'm just warning that it may be a much ado about nothing, in the real grand scheme. If the national media doesn't cover it in a major way, it's relatively meaningless, other than to illustrate to ourselves that we're all of the same mind and fairly unified.

The real fight is not closing hunting shows, but sending anti-gun liberals packing from any position of power.

The hunting industry won against a professional marketing/promotion firm from the UK, but you are right about the way it will be percieved and spun.

QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
 

QuoteOriginally posted by pdk25:
Really need someone to put on a show to replace ESOS so they can actually see the money they lost.

BIG Traditional Expo East is in Kalamazoo Micigan this weekend...all the cool guys will be there anyway, everybody that was planning on PA, head on over! [/b]

We also have the Hunting Time Expo going in Grand Rapids this weekend so you could do both.  The hunting Time expo has clearly stated that they support all legal guns and will have them there.  Just saw that on the news. I would love to go to that one also, but can't see not spending all my time at the trad bow hunting expo.

Gregg,
I'm aware of that. I just want us all to realize that this was an exhibition baseball game. The November 2014 midterm elections is the World Series. We cannot lose focus on that.

Although I'm a big believer in Mark Twain's quote the the three types of lies are: "Lies, damned lies, and statistics."  That said, here's a little quantifiable info for those who wonder about the financial impact of this decision.  Again, it can be manipulated to support whichever side of the argument you're on . .

"Roughly 600,000 to 700,000 of those attendees come for the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January and the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in February. The first is the largest indoor agricultural event in the country, generating annual economic impact of $89.2 million.

The latter is the largest sportsmen show in North America and the biggest commercial event at the complex. It boasts $74 million in economic activity, according to the bureau."

Kingsnake

dang typos...

@extrema312...one of the vendors has set up a website that is FREE to the vendors to try to do what you mention, but not sure it can really replace the live attendance and "impulse" buys...

Kingsnake

I posted the statement earlier on the Wensel post on page 13 if you'd like to read what they had to say.  They are still trying to make those that pulled out look like the bad guys though.

This is a tough situation, Reed will absorb the loss,my first thoughts went to all the vendors and the literally hundrds of guides and outfitters who rely on this show for the majority of their bookings for the year.The people who are going to suffer the most by far are all the small businesses who lost a lot of money due to Reed's actions. All of these people are in the hunting industry so this is by no means a clear cut victory. I wish there had been a way to punish Reed without hurting so many people who are on our side. By the way Reed just finished up running the SHOT show, I hope someone is making sure that doesn't happen again.

Freedom isn't free. I'm proud of the vendors who took a stand and pulled out.
 :clapper:

A great deal of hard work by many individuals and sticking together made this possible...nice to see our outdoor community stand together and a special thanks to all the vendors that put a greater cause ahead of their own financial gain!    :thumbsup:    :clapper:

I understand the reality about the locals missing out on some money but the money the locals get are from the sportsman in the first place and it is these sportsmen who are the customers of these locals so it is the customers view that matters when someone offers a service and someone else agrees to pay for that service with their hard earned money. The locals have access to the location this was being held at. Why do they need a UK company to throw a show in their own backyard. Chamber of Commerce of the city could sponsor the show next year and have the inside track on dates and bookings of the venue location. If you don't stand up for this then how long is it till a show has no guns at all. JMHO.

Puttin on and promoting a huge show isn't as simple as some may think. Professional outfits that only do such things are who would be capable of pulling off and coordinating the PR and ad buys, along with vendor needs of such a big show.
Granted, a US company would be better, but no chamber of commerce could coordinate the logistics of such a show, without major glitches.

Thanks to Terry and Rob for allowing this thread. Call it a special event if you will. I think most understand that.

They say that they want to let the air clear before the go forward with the ESOS. They say we are raising a stink over this. But I don't think that they realize exactly where that smell is coming from. Most everyone else connected with this show did!

How much you want to bet this Reed Exhibitions organizes a corporation by another name before they try to sponsor another sports show? How can any sportsmans oriented vendor trust this group going forward?    

Safari Club is here in Reno now.  The UAE jet crew tipped theramp guys a $grand.  You want to see money, gold guns and exotic hunts, drop on by.  Not my cup of tea.  The natl news did cover the "postponement" back east

Fantastic of the American People to STAND UNITED.  Anybody looking for a traditional bowhunting expo, head to Kalamazoo, MI just a FEW hours east of the ESOS that was cancelled.  It takes place staring tomorrow and runs thru Sunday.

:thumbsup:

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That STatement is a bunch of CRA_P. If they were concerend with making this a family event, why all of a sudden they change there censorship of displayed products?

They are more concerned with there "Salaries" than anything else, and missing the point that was clearly stated by the vendors that stood up.

It is unfortunate that all the families that enjoy outdoors shows will be denied all of the great displays and events these shows bring.

I hope the vendors do get their money back.  If the show was represented in a way....then they took money...and then they changed the rules just before the show, that is miss representation or 'bait and switch'.  Take your pick or both.    :readit:

Terry,

Good point, I know that 50% booth deposit is not all that uncommon for a trade show.

I agree that the "bait and switch" should result in deposits for these vendors that made a statement.

Seems to me that there are some people in that'food fight' we call our government that will think this a big win for them.  Jezz I just don't know.
Joe
PS 7 months,  1 week and a wake-up call

Win in PA!!!

Real loss for the area though - support the vendors who stood strong by taking the day you were going to the show and visit their shop!

Great to see the outdoor community sticking together.  We need to fight for others rights or there won't be anyone left to fight for ours.

I'm a little confused.... Did gun owners just get a gun show shut down??? And we think this sends a message to the anti gunners?   :confused:

I don't know guys. I've really got mixed feelings about this.  

I definitely don't support Reed Exhibitions' decision to ban certain types of firearms just to be politically correct.  But by boycotting the show, did we cut off our nose to spite our face?  There's going to be a lot of lost revenue for vendors, outfitters, and the local economy.  Also, think about the number of new memberships the NRA gain at their booth that they will now miss out on and the number of non-hunters/non-gun owners who go to the show for other purposes that might have been inspired to take up the shooting sports.  This boycot does send a message that we will stand up for our Constitutional rights, but I'm afraid the people who really won in this battle were the anti-gun and anti-hunting loby.  One of the largest sportsmans shows in the country was shut down and they didn't have to lift a finger.

I was thinking the same thing  as jsweka who really lost out in all this?

Did we cut off our nose to spite our face?

I dont thinks so...I for one am tired of the talk. Its one thing to puff up and beat our chests in defiance of injustice...its quite another to put our business and reputation on the line to stand up for our principles. Talk of freedom is fine but talk without action is just noise.

No matter how the anti's spin this you can bet the farm they are all taking a step back and contemplating just what this means for them.  Politicians notice when the public does something like this and it will put many of them on notice that to stand against the 2nd Amendment is political suicide. Lets all go to the polls in 2014 and prove them right.

its awesome, glad to see all those people take a stand.

:clapper:

I understand where John is coming from.  I know how much this show contributes (and has been contributing) to the local economy...going back as  far as I can remember.

BUT - I am happy that everyone has taken a stand.....and for once, it had the intended effect!!!

I have fond memories of this show, long before it was called ESOS and run by this Reed Exhibitions.  I recall it just being the Sportsmans Show.

I grew up about an hour south of Harrisburg.  Back around 1968, my father took me to this show to see Fred Bear.  I got to spend about 20-25 uninterrupted minutes with the man who was one of the heros of my youth.  My Dad smiled the entire time!  My Dad spoke fondly of that encounter until the day he died.

Too bad the current promoters of this event choose to attempt to make a political statement, which I'm sure they thought would end up making them look great in the eyes of the public.

I'd say that backfired on them!!!!

Thanks to the Wensels and all the other vendors who stood up for the right reason.

John & Tim,

Remember the order of occurrence: Vendors boycotted in support of a wrongful act of discrimination against lawful enterprise.  

Many of us wrote to the Promoters and let them know our feelings directly.

THEN...and only then with hundreds of vendors pulling out and scores of gate money vowing to not attend, did they choose to cancel the show, as it would have been a black eye and losing proposition!

I'd say in terms of cause and affect, ESOS promoters were the reaction and gun owners were the impetus!

Regardless, Freedom is NOT FREE and we're in some of this mess out of fear of economic  repercussions!  There will always be a cost for freedom--- and to maintain it!

If you follow the demise of this show, you will find it was just another foreign company(UK) trying to manipulate the american public. Reed Expo lost more then the proceeds from this show. They have lost the trust of a whole lot of sportsmen and the companies they support. The american people will forgive but not forget.

QuoteOriginally posted by Running Buck:
The american people will forgive but not forget.

Unfortunately,I have to disagree.Far too many people in this country tend to forget.  

The more I read about this the more I become convinced that Reed must have violated the contract it established to promote this trade show.   The fact that the show imploded is theirs and theirs alone.  I hope that the Harrisburg community, government and businesses as well as the vendors and consumers who lost money in this deal are able to collect damages from this marketing and promotional company.   When you are hired to market and promote that is what you do.  They failed .  In the common vernacular of my kids, it was an "epic fail."

I too made a few calls and sent some emails to support the Boycott. UNITED WE STAND. Keep up the good work in standing up for our rights.   :clapper:      :clapper:      :clapper:  

Randy Chamberlin

PS : I also would like to thank Terry for allowing this Post.

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QuoteOriginally posted by rascal:
Did we cut off our nose to spite our face?

I dont thinks so...I for one am tired of the talk. Its one thing to puff up and beat our chests in defiance of injustice...its quite another to put our business and reputation on the line to stand up for our principles. Talk of freedom is fine but talk without action is just noise.

No matter how the anti's spin this you can bet the farm they are all taking a step back and contemplating just what this means for them.  Politicians notice when the public does something like this and it will put many of them on notice that to stand against the 2nd Amendment is political suicide. Lets all go to the polls in 2014 and prove them right.

Could not have said it better, especially the part about the politicians paying attention to this.

This definitely sent a message. I'll bet the next promoter doesn't try to appease the libs with such restrictions on exhibitors.

Duty ; Honor ; Country   A big heart felt thank you to the administrators of this web sight and to the vendors that put personal values before personal gain. There is NO dollar amount that can be put on FREEDOM or the sacrifice of free people to keep that FREEDOM . Duty; Honor; Country : Yours is the profession of arms; the will to win; the sure knowledge that in war there is no substitute for victory; that if you lose; the Nation will be destroyed; that the very obsession of your public service must be : Duty; Honor; Country . {General Douglas Mac Arthur} I am honored to be in the presence of so many brave patriots; thank you Trad Gang

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:thumbsup:    :clapper:

QuoteOriginally posted by Jedimaster:
Who says people can't make a difference?!?  It's time for the citizens of this country to realize we are not eunuchs!  It's time for our elected officials to realize we are citizens not subjects!

Big thanks to the vendors that stood up for freedom, at their own cost, and made this happen!

Thanks again to Tradgang admin for their support of the U.S. Constitution.

Absolutly!
We the people have the power.
Let it be known.

Vote em out!!! Get the liberal sob's out of office. Remember, if you vote for a democrat you vote alongside the tree hugging, anti gun, anti hunting, anti working, handout giving farts that i can't stand. I work too hard to have some hippie tell me i can't but an ar-15 if i want to, screw em i bought one last month for the principal of the matter. If they don't want to be around our guns then tell em to move to Germany. I don't like getting political but this pisses me off what they are trying to do. I wish the vendors that backed out of that show were all booked at the Dixie Deer Classic here in NC in March, remember, Romney won in NC..

Totalitarian regimes know that the internet is their worst enemy.  Government can control the print/broadcast garbage(a la the US of A), but as long as the internet isn't censored, the truth gets out.  What's the first thing a dictatorship shuts down when TSHTF?

This is the first chance I,ve had to get on the Gang since this went down.I've been very busy.

I work fer Timberline Outfitters NM/AZ.Perry was one of the first to back out.What part of "shall not be infringed."don't these people understand.

We have been contacting clients,outfitters,lawyers,senators,congressmen,and industry insiders.It's been a busy week.

I want to thank everyone for there encouragement and support.Remember UNITED WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL.

I would also encourage everyone to support all those that took a stand of principal over profit.I know most of these guys personally and they are all great people.

Thank you Terry for keeping this up.If we loose our rights to keep and bear arms we will all loose big time.

God bless this great nation and the people who truly give a dam!

:clapper:

We locked the original thread...so I'll lock this one...and leave ya with a thought....

No guns for Benghazi either.......Hmmmmm....