Fun and successful Clearwater Beach Florida Convention

[Mark Saiger]

I have been to this convention a number of times. As a Northerner, it didn't matter how many were here, we came here to get some sun and fun....

With that being said, I have seen the past shows. They have been good and have been successful, BUT....

This show just really felt good and very positive....

And, there were a lot of people in attendance and we were all having a great time!

It was so great, that it was hard to get the time to talk and share and be with everyone.

I am leaving so renewed from everyone and everything!!

So proud that I was able to participate and be just a small part of the experience.

And I am so sorry I didn't get more time with everyone!

So much going on... But so much good.

I got the time to do what I like to do.....spend time with all these great people in our industry.

Thank you everyone! You were so awesome to be around. I am renewed and fired up to go home soon and see how I can improve my business...

You are all so amazing! Every one of you. I am so glad the time I did have with you and the more beautiful things I learned about all of you.

Thank you... Thank you!!!

Mr. More than Happy

 

[dealtimeman]

Thanks for the kind words mark. I am glad I could help.

 

[Desk Jockey]

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and the more beautiful things I learned about all of you.

Thanks for the kind words mark. I am glad I could help.

Whudd you twos go on a moon light walk or whutt?

 

[Mikey P]

The outside activities were just part of the successful buzz of this show.

Our speakers were fantastic and really brought a whole new feel to the Experience

Having Mark, Jim, Lockhart and myself out side assistung shoppers try out new gadgets really made an impression on non MBrs too


The Experience staff were extremely helpful in assisting us and deserve a huge thank you from all the vendors and us..

 

[dealtimeman]

Whudd you twos go on a moon light walk or whutt?

Are you jealous you didn't go?

 

[Desk Jockey]

No, I've been on that walk with you and I didn't like how it turned out.

Yes I'm jealous. I wish I would have but all in all its good I didn't.

Wife has been down and out since Sunday, thought it was the flu but it may be kidney stones. I took her to get an X-ray yesterday, so we will find out soon. BUT had I been out of state my goose would have been cooked.

 

[dealtimeman]

No because she would of been down here with you. And I am sure she would of loved the beach.

I hope all turns out well, hope your wife recovers quickly.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

No...thank YOU Mark.

Your presence at the event added to it, both as a speaker and as an ambassador of goodwill to all.

I've gone to shows since 1976 (yeah...I'm THAT old...) and its easy in the afterglow to say a show was "the best ever", but the more I think of it, this one has to be close. Credit has to go to Mr Cooper and his staff of course, but if you look at the agenda and speakers, and subtract the MB contribution of venue and speakers, well you just don't have much of a show, do you?

For those who contribute or lurk but didn't know, these people made that show happen:

Mark and Shari Saiger
Tom and Karen King
Meg and John Burdick
Dave and Michelle Gill
Joe Appleby

And of course Mikey as the man who got you all together, made it happen, and worked out this unique relationship with Mr Cooper and the Experience that earned him criticism and even loss of friendships along the way.

Its not always easy to see the end from the beginning, but Mike did, and with his own vision and energy gathered all of you to make this show what it was.

Am I unbiased? Absolutely not. I'm proud to say Mike's one of the best friends I've ever had. But I in closing on 40 years of trade show attendance, I also know what I'm talking about.

This show would be an "also ran" without the speakers Mike brought along, as well as the hard work he did throughout the show as a host.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Wife has been down and out since Sunday, thought it was the flu but it may be kidney stones. I took her to get an X-ray yesterday, so we will find out soon. BUT had I been out of state my goose would have been cooked.

I hope not Richard...that is an agonizing condition...I hope they get her better soon.

 

[TomKing]

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I am leaving so renewed from everyone and everything!!

So proud that I was able to participate and be just a small part of the experience.

And I am so sorry I didn't get more time with everyone!

As usual Mark you say what we would like to. Thanks for your time.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I hope not Richard...that is an agonizing condition...I hope they get her better soon.

Unfortunately she is used to it some. She has had 10-Lithotripsy's over the last 25 years. She just makes stones.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

10???!!!!

She needs a water softener installed in line somewhere in there buddy

Wow....

 

[Desk Jockey]

Yea I think he doctor has no answers for her. He gave her to a specialist a few years ago but here we are at the same place. She is just good at making rocks, too bad it wasn't diamonds she produced!

 

[Papa John]

Im So Glad I went to this convention! !
It was great meeting Steve of fittlebug, Larry, Bawb and Mark Seiger And many others.
Joe Appleby's talk was informative And Dave Gills speech was inspirational!

Whenever I saw Mark Seiger I had the urge to act like Mike Meyer's character Wayne and bow down on my knees and say " we're not worthy! "

The money I saved off Show special prices, paid for the trip. I guess im "All In" on this Encap process cuz Im spent over $3500 on toys at discounted prices.. reg price would be closer to $6k. The drought may have also help me "jump fence" to encap.
Thanks to All that made this Show and make MB a great asset to our industry!

 

[Desk Jockey]

I guess im "All In" on this Encap process cuz Im spent over $3500 on toys at discounted prices.. reg price would be closer to $6k. The drought may have also help me "jump fence" to encap.

Hack!

I think you'll see its a valuable service to offer along with HWE. Good luck John!

 

[davegillfishing]

I was totally honored to be a part of this event as well as watching shell on the ladies panel...meeting and rubbing elbows with you big wigs was awesome

thanks for having us!! my guys were really impressed and had a great time..they loved seeing shell up there but were disappointed they missed my speech...

i told them they didnt miss anything they done hear or do every day..they would have been board lol

 

[Mikey P]

Im So Glad I went to this convention! !
It was great meeting Steve of fittlebug, Larry, Bawb and Mark Seiger And many others.
Joe Appleby's talk was informative And Dave Gills speech was inspirational!

Whenever I saw Mark Seiger I had the urge to act like Mike Meyer's character Wayne and bow down on my knees and say " we're not worthy! "

The money I saved off Show special prices, paid for the trip. I guess im "All In" on this Encap process cuz Im spent over $3500 on toys at discounted prices.. reg price would be closer to $6k. The drought may have also help me "jump fence" to encap.
Thanks to All that made this Show and make MB a great asset to our industry!

Thanks for bringing your tech along too John.


Nice to have some normal Californians there along with me.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

We just rolled in, a bit tired but extremely happy with the show.

 

[PrimaDonna]

It was amazing. I wish I had more time to have spent with everyone. Very difficult to balance John and I both participating and having the kids there. The kids were troopers though. I'm so glad they were able to stay occupied while we were at the sessions. We had to give them some fun so it cut in to our time socializing. Next tiyme no kids (Only came this time because of the Disney leg of our trip).

@bob vawter - you didn't disappoint as you lived up to the creeper image I had of you in my mind. Loved meeting you.

I could have spent another 3 days with everyone so I could have had enough face time. The sessions were great, but the connections and info we gleaned outside of the sessions was really priceless.

@Mikey - I could gush about it, but I won't and will offer up a humble Thank you for the event and including us!

 

[encapman]

No...thank YOU Mark.

Your presence at the event added to it, both as a speaker and as an ambassador of goodwill to all.

I've gone to shows since 1976 (yeah...I'm THAT old...) and its easy in the afterglow to say a show was "the best ever", but the more I think of it, this one has to be close. Credit has to go to Mr Cooper and his staff of course, but if you look at the agenda and speakers, and subtract the MB contribution of venue and speakers, well you just don't have much of a show, do you?

For those who contribute or lurk but didn't know, these people made that show happen:

Mark and Shari Saiger
Tom and Karen King
Meg and John Burdick
Dave and Michelle Gill
Joe Appleby

And of course Mikey as the man who got you all together, made it happen, and worked out this unique relationship with Mr Cooper and the Experience that earned him criticism and even loss of friendships along the way.

Its not always easy to see the end from the beginning, but Mike did, and with his own vision and energy gathered all of you to make this show what it was.

Am I unbiased? Absolutely not. I'm proud to say Mike's one of the best friends I've ever had. But I in closing on 40 years of trade show attendance, I also know what I'm talking about.

This show would be an "also ran" without the speakers Mike brought t along, as well as the hard work he did throughout the show as a host.

Jim,

You nailed it. I had been to EVERY Connections event (up till the last couple of years). That's when shows simply lost their heart. Originally the Connections events were excellent. In the last couple of years - not so much. But this one was different. I attribute that to what Mike brought to the table. My hat is off to Mike. I appreciate all that you did to bring it together. I hope the merging of these two events/men can happen again. It's good for our industry. Well done Mikey! Thank you

Rick

 

[Willy P]

No, I've been on that walk with you and I didn't like how it turned out.

Yes I'm jealous. I wish I would have but all in all its good I didn't.

Wife has been down and out since Sunday, thought it was the flu but it may be kidney stones. I took her to get an X-ray yesterday, so we will find out soon. BUT had I been out of state my goose would have been cooked.

Always the bride's maid, never the bride.

 

[Desk Jockey]

actually Willy he made me wear the brides dress

 

[Mark Saiger]

actually Willy he made me wear the brides dress

Just don't do like me and trip on your skirt

 

[Desk Jockey]

 

[Danny Strickland]

It was a Love Fest for sure.

Even Larry Cooper was nice!!!!!!!

 

[doylebloss]

It was a great show. So great in fact, I hardly had a chance to come outside and spend any time watching all of the Mikeyfest activities. Trust me though - that is what we like as a vendor - a busy booth. Thanks to Mike and all of the speakers and participants who kept the positive buzz up the entire time.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

It was a great show. So great in fact, I hardly had a chance to come outside and spend any time watching all of the Mikeyfest activities. Trust me though - that is what we like as a vendor - a busy booth. Thanks to Mike and all of the speakers and participants who kept the positive buzz up the entire time.

At most shows I can visit the manufacturers who I represent and have a little time with each to either look at their new offerings or discuss "issues" in our business relationships. I was so busy, and they each were so busy, that there was zero time to do that.

That is the mark of a great, not just a good show.

Doyle, how many shows have we shared where we spend the time talking to each other because there were so few cleaners even in the room?

 

[bob vawter]

@bob vawter - you didn't disappoint as you lived up to the creeper image I had of you in my mind. Loved meeting you.

no Meg....THANK YOU!
you made an old man's final days complete......

 

[Wing It]

It's crazy not to attend these conventions. My flight, room for 3 nights, convention fee and transportation cost me $950. I saved close to $500 on the butler wand I got for $300. That makes me look at this trip as only costing $450 for 3 nights on the beach, immeasurable networking connections and valuable advice from the speakers which will make me thousands this year. The deals at the expo alone should pay for your trip. If you don't go to these things, you are missing out!

 

[Bryan S. Bennett]

It was a great show and location. Our guys and Spouses really had a good time. We won 2 nice prizes worth about $1100.

The Sponsors really deserve a big hand for the outpouring of Excellent prizes that help Anna and her Pet Rescue Mission. Anna has an incredible story and Mikey I think you should interview her on this Board so others could hear her response!

We left Jacksonville at 9 am Thurs am, drove home, arrived at 2 am this morning and had a message from OVR Equipment with another $700 prize we won.

The best part was meeting all of you for the first time and not having to type to communicate!

We look forward to this again!