All, As a show dealer I expect certain criteria to be met by the
promoter I am paying to put on the show. This applies both to clubs
and professional promoters. In club promotions everyone associated
with the show is an employee of the promoter. Following is a list and
expectations within that list.
- Security - I expect 24 hour, trained armed security at the show
from the time the show is open for setup until the last dealer leaves
the loading area. That does not mean a part time employee of the
promoter. It means a person sanctioned by the state with the power
to arrest and inflict deadly force if necessary.
I expect the show to close promptly at the closing hour and the
promoter to clear the building as quickly as the last deals are made.
I expect the promoter to know the background of all their employees.
A lot of the robberies being committed are inside jobs set up by
employees of the promoter. I expect the promoter to provide a secure
loading area. That means good lighting and guards. I expect the
promoter to ensure that all the alarm systems and exits to the
building are fully operational.
-
Advertisement: I expect the promoter to advertise the show and
bring in a crowd of people wanting to purchase items. This means the
promoter does not advertise solely to retirement communities and
within the rockhound community. The people I need at the show are
middle aged, middle class, with money to spend. The ideal income to
market to is the $75,000 - $150,000 per year in each household. -
Contracts: I expect the show to be set up in a uniform manner and
the rules for dealers to follow fully spelled out in the contract.
Any dealer violating these rules without the promoters permission
should be made either to comply or ejected from the show. I expect the
promoter to provide air conditioning or heating within the facility
as required or the lack of spelled out in the contract. -
General - I expect the agreement between the promoter and the
dealer to be binding and not subject to change at the whim of either
party. Others could add to this list, but you can see where I am
coming from. I am a full time manufacturer of gemstones and custom
jewelry made of some stones. My inventory can go to as high as
$500,000 at a show or as low as $10,000. I am to the point of
shipping by Brinks or Wells Fargo to ensure security. In the future
my inventory will even more valuable. I need to know all the above
facts before I sign for a show. Sometimes I compromise these
requirements because there is no way the promoter can provide them.
If the promoter tells me up front then I can adjust my inventory and
be reasonable safe. If they do not tell me the truth or mislead me
the situation can become dangerous, both to life and property. Many of
my acquaintances in the business have dropped out of shows
altogether. They tell me the stress and danger of being on the road
are too much for the amount money they take in. Many others of my
acquaintances have been robbed in a matter of minutes. Some have
been beaten and robbed. Some have been shot, beaten, and robbed.
Most of these people are no longer in the business. To sum it all up.
One of the most dangerous places for a gemstone dealer is the show.
We hire promoters to ensure our safety and provide a selling
atmosphere.
Gerry Galarneau