Richmond, VA.. CORPS news

[docwatson]

Just received this message:
CORPS News Bulletin: (August 28, 2014)

The executive committee of the Conclave of Richmond Pipe Smokers announce that this 30th annual Pipesmokers’ Exposition and Celebrationwill be our last expo. We have worked tirelessly over these years to provide the pipesmoking and pipecollecting community with what has become known as the ‘don’t miss show of the pipe year’. Ours is the longest running continuous annual show in the world, and to many people, ‘simply the best in the world’.
This decision has not come easily, as you can imagine. We have discussed this at great length over many months. In spite of the fun and great camaraderie that we local members have enjoyed for so long, our show requires exhausting work by many people and we for several years have discussed ‘taking a break’. We believe that now is the time.
We thank all of our many supporters from around the entire world for their 30 years of support. Without you the show would not have evolved to become ‘the best’ in the world. We are so humbled and so grateful for all of your contributions to the world of pipesmoking and pipecollecting and for being with us here in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
We will continue to be an active local club (you’re welcome anytime!)and look forward to attending and supporting the other pipesmokers’ events around this great world of ours, as you have supported our events.
We invite you to come and be a part of THIS 30th Celebration(October 10, 11, & 12, 2014),to gather one last time with our pipe smoking friends and to be a part of this momentous event!
R.B. Metcalf, President

 

[ssjones]

That is pretty significant. The Richmond show is the biggest event on the East Coast. I'll be there in October, but this is only my 3rd show, so I'm sad. I can only imagine the effort required to pull of a show of this magnitude, I guess it gets old after 30 events.

 

[ocpsdan]

I've always wanted to attend the Richmond show, it's been spoken of in only the fondest of terms. Sorry to see it go, this pipe is dedicated to you hard working gents and the hopes of a happy retirement.

 

[pipestud]

Kudos to all the Richmond folks for keeping such a great show going for so many years. I know that putting on great shows year in and year out can wear the organizers out without solid back-up support year in and year out.
I sure think pipe shows are part of our connective life blood and the loss of any show from the yearly schedule is unfortunate news. I do hope that maybe it's just "a breather" for the Richmond folks and that they'll re-start their engines in the future.
Pipestud

 

[kcghost]

It is amazing that the Richmond Show could continue for 30 years. Kudos to the guys that did this.
The sad thing is this could be the signal of the beginning of the end for pipe shows. Just about all the big shows revolve around a cadre of guys who aren't getting any younger and are being faced with total indifference on the part of the younger members to get involved. While this problem is pretty much the province of those who live in the area of the club there is another problem that lies on everyone's front door. MONEY. I will wager diamonds to donuts that the number of people who visit this forum and actively support a pipe show isn't 2%. And there is no excuse for this. This will surprise some people but pipe shows are not cash cows. I can tell you for a fact that one year we put on a show that made exactly $40. Not exactly great seed money for the next year.
I can tell you that the people who attend the shows as exhibitors/vendors are amazingly generous in donating product to the shows. When you see a carver who makes maybe 50 pipes a year donate one of his pipes to your show you can be nothing but impressed. The sad part is that items donated to silent auctions and raffles rarely realize a 50% return on the value of a donated item.
No matter where you live you need to help support at least one pipe show. Ideally it would be great if you could attend whichever show is nearest to you and spend what you can afford on raffle tickets or silent auction items. Or donate something. A decent estate pipe or some nice tins of tobacco would be great. Even if attending a show is is out of the question you can always contact the local club to make a donation.
And don't try to dump this off on the other guy. This is everyone's job. You need to keep up your end of the deal to keep the piping community strong. If we all quit buying from the sponsors of this website it would be gone in short order.

 

[daveinlax]

Sad but not surprising news.

Just about all the big shows revolve around a cadre of guys who aren't getting any younger

KC, your take is spot on I couldn't agree more! The only addition I would make is finding a affordable hotel and hall is getting harder every year. 8O

 

[ssjones]

We just started a pipe club in Winchester VA and have talked about emulating the CORPS group. The efforts required to put on a show of this magnitude are truly daunting. But, I guess they started somewhere small.

 

[wcannoy]

Because of financial restraints, I've only been able to attend one show for the past couple of years. I've had to choose the Chicago show because of its importance from a business point of view. I have attended the Richmond show in the past, although it has been a great many years ago. Those guys put on one hell of a pipe show, and I've longed to be able to return to it. I am sad to see it go.
C.O.R.P.S. Pipe Show 2001

 

[condorlover1]

I shall be going to the October show and staying in Richmond which is one of my favorite towns to visit!

 

[condorlover1]

I shall be going to the October show and staying in Richmond which is one of my favorite towns to visit! I wonder if I can spend that Confederate $50 dollar bill I have……..

 

[kcghost]

This thread was started 22 hours ago and features a momentous bit of news for the piping community and yet only 7 people have responded. Clearly this forum is becoming a waste of time if you have something of note to report.

 

[condorlover1]

Thats a bit severe old boy. The day before labor day has everyone away from their computers and enjoying the exceptionally pleasant weather we have been graced with for the weekend. Relax, have a Condor suppository or something as everyone will be back in the same sand pit when they days grow shorter and colder! I will be at the Richmond Show, how about you?

 

[northernneil]

I have never been to a pipe show, but in general, I feel trade shows are becoming less popular. Trade show are a great way to introduce new products to your customers. However, with the availability of the Internet, new products can be released to a greater audience with ease, making the trade show almost obsolete. Add on smoking restrictions and it is no wonder after 30 years these guys are throwing in the towel.

It sounds like it was an amazing show, and great for the pipe community. I'm sure it will be missed by many.

 

[ssjones]

The Richmond show is much like an old-school show (from what I've read) in that the hobbyist collector is well represented with new vendors, artisans and estates equally available.

I've bought a few pipes from that "Pile" John Eels always brings!

For example, the upcoming show in Nashville only has artisan makers - no estate pipe vendors are permitted. They have taken a bit of flack for this stance.

My world sure was rocked by this news. This is truly the premiere event on the East Coast (from my travels).

To get there for one day, I leave Maryland by 6 AM and usually get home around 9 PM. Keep in mind I drive 50,000 per year and very rarely feel compelled to drive to almost anything else. (ask my wife..)

Their notice was posted on the clubs Facebook page which has already been shared quite extensively.

 

[jitterbugdude]

I went a few years ago and thought it rather lame, but then again I have never been to any other shows. I'm going to go this year to pick up a few odds and ends... and the fact that it is the end of a 30 year old tradition

 

[oklansas]

I never made the trip, Richmond is a little far away. But, since this is the last year, I will need to make the journey - at least to see it before it's gone.

 

[newbroom]

I owe my son a visit. He lives in Blacksburg. I think that's about a half hour away. hmmmn. I guess I'd drive up from Ocala so I could get back and forth. I'll look into flights though.

 

[JimInks]

I'll be there Saturday and Sunday. Too bad my first CORPS show will be my last.

 

[porshcigar]

This announcement from Richmond is tragic. The pipe world is losing one of its great shows, and we are all very sad to hear it.
Pipe shows are not just a place to buy, sell and trade. Pipe shows are also a place to meet, see old friend, meet new friends, and smoke pipes together.
The loss of a pipe show is a loss to our community of pipe smokers. The loss of a thirty year old show must be seen as a harsh warning to the entire pipe hobby. Pipe smokers must become more involved in shows to keep our community alive. Attending a show, and buying pipes and tobacco at a show is one level of support. Working for a show is another level. We cannot just rely upon the "old guys" to keep them going. Younger pipe smokers must become more involved in the running of pipe shows, and they must become more involved in working at shows. Every show needs more help. We need new ideas to keep shows fresh. We need new volunteers to work for and at pipe shows so that the burden of work and responsibility is spread among many, and not left to only a few.
Please help the pipe hobby by volunteering your ideas and your time to keep pipe shows in our hobby.
Craig Cobine

 

[tbradsim1]

I have never been to a pipe show. The news about Richmond is sad, comments about it being lame tears at my heart because a generation who only pounds on text keys does not know the value of real face time. You got to look a man or woman in the face to get a measure of their character, the Internet hides a lot. Going off the pipe show venue, we Cajuns are loseing our Heritage, Bourdain the Chef came down to St Landry parish to see our reserection if the Bouriche, getting the most out of a pig. He was amazed at small children cutting onions, bell peppers for to put in rice dressing. You learn by doing. Residents had a bouchire day to pass on the tradition to the young people, my job as a child was to keep the fire going on the crackling pot. Now back to the pipe show, you got to talk to people, like the women who checked the Walmart receipts going out, a chance remark by me saying it was cotton picking time opened a treasure trove by that women ofKentucky tobacco days, when shows like that go away the winds won't bring it back. I"ve never met an IPAD, Iphone or computer that will glaze my eyes as a good story from a human being.! Young people treasure the spoken word, the fellowship of gatherings, there's nothing like it.