Nashville Pipe Show Cancelled

[georged]

Something just doesn't quite add up for me in the show's statement...

I imagine it's because most established pipe shows do well if they break even, and new ones have to absorb a loss for the first few years while hoping for growth down the road.
When staying the course suddenly became even more difficult (expensive) than expected by a significant amount, continuing wasn't a realistic option.

 

[lonestar]

I'd like to know what someone who supports him or her self through pipe carving, plans to do

Keep on Truckin.

I will be pissed if/when they destroy what so many of us have worked so hard for. But I'll be damned if rumors based on poorly written legislation makes me fold.

I have to agree with others that some who have left already had underlying issues leading them to their decisions. The Nashville show has been uncertain for some time, this was maybe just a convenient answer, or maybe the straw that broke the camels back. Either way, most in the industry just plan to weather the storm as best they can, and support as much opposition as possible along the way. No matter how it shakes out, this whole thing is disgusting to American value.

 

[scotties22]

I'll be around to the bitter end! Having the Deeming ruling come out and state a whole bunch of scary things and them actually being enforced are 2 different things entirely! From a legal standpoint my product is the EXACT SAME THING(down to the size of the airway and chamber and materials used) that has been produced for well over 100 years. It doesn't matter WHEN I produced it. And that's what I will tell the judge if/when it ever comes to that.
In all reality, I don't have near enough money for a government agency to pay me any mind when it comes to enforcement, so I'm really not worried about it at all.
Something else to keep in mind: Those little glass pipes have been around for decades with a little piece of paper in the bowl saying "for tobacco use only". If the governing bodies have left that industry alone why in the world would they waste time and money coming after us for making a product for a LEGAL product to be smoked it? Just sayin'.

 

[papipeguy]

Good for you, Scottie; that's the exact way to approach this silliness.

The next thing you know the FDA will declare backyard grills restaurants and require regular Board of Health inspections. It never seems to end.

 

[voorhees]

Ryan and Scottie. Thanks for posting your thoughts. Exactly what I wanted to hear from real artisans such as yourselves.

 

[pipestud]

I am personally very disappointed by the way the Southern Fried Pipe Club "passed the buck" regarding the cancellation of their pipe show. Reality and perception are two different things here. The FDA, from what true industry insiders tell me, had absolutely nothing to do with why the show could not go on as planned, or, in this case, as poorly planned. Issuing such a letter with the verbiage they included was NOT supportive of our hobby at all and shame on them.
As for the LONE individual pipe maker on this forum who has chosen to spit the bit; if that individual is not inclined to cowboy up and come back with guns blazing like Scottie, Ryan and all the others, well, that's his right and I have no problem with that. I am just mighty pleased to see that we don't have any other tuck tails in the group. You've heard the old saying folks, and it goes something similar to this, "Evil takes the advantage when good folks stand by and tremble in fear."

 

[jguss]

whether it's the whole story or not is moot since the show is gone regardless of our speculation, but the press release was quite clear that the proximate cause of the cancellation was essentially lack of money: not enough sponsorship and not enough vendors. they blame the fda as the root cause, but outsiders can't possibly know if that's right or if it was poor planning as steve suggests. god knows there's enough of that to go around pretty much everywhere.
what is clear is that shows are almost always economically dicey propositions; so much depends on raw estimates of future things like foot traffic and auction proceeds. almost everything else is known in advance. i was told that even chicago was in the red the last two years before 2016. so launching a new show and getting enough revenue to cover costs is a daunting project; i know of at least one proposed show that was abandoned in the earliest planning stages.
as far as running scared of the fda, while i think the reaction is premature and probably excessively cautious, on that one i'm a bit more understanding. while it seems unlikely that the govt will pursue carvers, the fact is that it has the money to do pretty much whatever it wants, and like most bureaucracies it can be and often is petty and vengeful. and all on the taxpayers nickel.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

I have organized conventions before, so I know it can be a daunting task and a gamble. Getting sponsorship support is a very difficult part of the process. "How much foot traffic, exposure, etc before I give you money." It's a hard sell when you just don't have that answer.

while it seems unlikely that the govt will pursue carvers, the fact is that it has the money to do pretty much whatever it wants, and like most bureaucracies it can be and often is petty and vengeful. and all on the taxpayers nickel.

Yeah, and when they do put out whatever registration, application fees, etc. that they decide to impose on pipe manufacturers, it may be an issue. Since they haven't and don't intend to in the foreseeable future, stopping now is COMPLETELY without cause.

 

[sablebrush52]

Thanks Scottie and Ryan, makes me even happier that I own pipes you both have made. Damn good pipes at that!
Jon, where I disagree with you about "mootness" is the perception that the organizers send out to the community. It fans the flames of fear, and that serves no good purpose. I'll go with Steve on this and say "shame on you" to the organizers for the way you handled this.
I look forward to the WCPS! See you all in Vegas!!

 

[pipesmokingtom]

I've never been to a pipe show before. I see they'll have about 100 vendors and special room rates. Guest speaker sounds good. Do they do anything else in the way of Q&A's, panels, etc?

 

[jpmcwjr]

Damn! If I were 25 years younger, I would start making pipes, damn their eyes!
Yes, let's meet in LV and with some luck, celebrate some forward progress.

 

[jguss]

hi jesse,
all i meant by "moot" is that no amount of post-mortem will uncancel the show. i do agree that perceptions are important and affect future behavior.
i would also say this to anyone reading this thread: if you've thought about going to a show but never pulled the trigger, now would be a great time to do so. there are still wonderful shows all over the country. support 'em and enjoy 'em. you'll not only have a lot of fun, you'll help maximize the chance that they're available in future years.
jon

 

[sablebrush52]

I've never been to a pipe show before. I see they'll have about 100 vendors and special room rates. Guest speaker sounds good. Do they do anything else in the way of Q&A's, panels, etc?

Chicago has panels and other activities. WCPS doesn't. But you do get to meet a lot of really cool people, share a brew with some fine pipe carvers and talk with them about making pipes. You will have the opportunity to choose from a large assortment of pipes and accessories and talk to the people who make them. Hopefully some of the blenders will be present and bring along stock to sell and you will have the opportunity to talk with them about blending. There are also those who sell vintage tobacco. I've found some really good items at good prices.

It's just a lot of fun, buying pipes and tobacco, schmoozing over the world's problems, swapping stories and a few well placed lies. I've no doubt this FDA business will provide for lively discussion

The last couple of years a group of us go out to dinner at a couple of great restaurants. Hopefully we'll gather at that terrific Indian restaurant again. Besides, it's Vegas, which is something of a surreal environment all its own.
Jon, we are in agreement!

 

[pipesmokingtom]

See you in Vegas.

 

[cigrmaster]

Ryan, I wouldn't go worrying until some jag off from the FDA comes to your work shop and tells you that you are doing something wrong. I honestly do not see it ever happening. You should continue to do business as usual and not worry about anything. Make your pipes, sell your pipes, go to shows who have the balls to stay open and have fun.

 

[lonestar]

Oh yeah, they'll have to drag me away kicking and fighting. It is what I love, and what I plan to do as long as I am able. There may come a day it's just not possible, but that day isn't today. Like I said earlier, I'll be pissed if they ruin what so many good people find joy in. I would miss having the oppurtunity to work for such great people, and have something I created become a small part of their lives. Right now we still don't have an answer. No reason to jump ship unless you just like to swim.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Well said, Ryan and Jesse. I really enjoyed the LV Pipe Show, as much for good fellowship around pipes as the pipes and tobacco themselves.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Despite all of the promotional stuff coming out of Nashville, I've only ever heard from my friends here that it was full of cliques and drama queens stirring up drama. I've only heard positive things from a handful of pipemakers. And, I trust both sides. The show was probably a great experience for some, and it was probably a dramafest for others. Of course, this is hearsay, but my closest pipe buddies that have been say that it was a waste of time, so I've never felt compelled to go, even though it's just a short car ride. I am weary of just blaming the FDA on closing the show. Maybe it had a small part, but from what I have heard, I'd speculate that more was going on behind the curtain than is being said publicly. Just my $0.02.

 

[iamn8]

Cos, that was more like a nickel, but well spent.

 

[drunkblowhard]

I've also never been to a pipe show but often thought about attending. Guess I'm making the drive out to Vegas for the WCPS this year. Both to enjoy the show and as a small act of protest!