Where do you want to see a big PBE/Nationals level show?

[Eric Schrader]

I had a loosely related question for the powerful @Eric Schrader, I'm wondering if it makes sense to push the expo back by 2-4ish weeks next time around? Simply to try and get some more awesome fall color.

I have it on good authority that we'll be pushing the 2026 expo to the last weekend of January of 2027. We'll see as it's also dependent on the venue's schedule (e.g. venue TBD as of now, even if it's Kaiser again we have to sign a contract)
I was the one that initially pushed for a fall date. And while we like a fall show, the weather cooperating is a major wild card in terms of fall color. In two shows we've only had 2 trees with good fall color show up. I think second or third weekend in November is closer for us Bay Area folks - but we were hoping for some Oregon-Washington color this time and didn't get it. Nao's stat analysis shows the results of deciduous trees being shown in leaf - not good results. Two of the best deciduous in the room for 2024 were in leaf for the show and it was very hard to really appreciate them.
Not 100% certain, but if you have a strong preference for fall versus winter - enter it in one of the survey questions.

E.

 

[yenling83]

I have it on good authority that we'll be pushing the 2026 expo to the last weekend of January of 2027. We'll see as it's also dependent on the venue's schedule (e.g. venue TBD as of now, even if it's Kaiser again we have to sign a contract)
I was the one that initially pushed for a fall date. And while we like a fall show, the weather cooperating is a major wild card in terms of fall color. In two shows we've only had 2 trees with good fall color show up. I think second or third weekend in November is closer for us Bay Area folks - but we were hoping for some Oregon-Washington color this time and didn't get it. Nao's stat analysis shows the results of deciduous trees being shown in leaf - not good results. Two of the best deciduous in the room for 2024 were in leaf for the show and it was very hard to really appreciate them.
Not 100% certain, but if you have a strong preference for fall versus winter - enter it in one of the survey questions.

E.

I can get down with a Winter show, I'd love to see some Ume in bloom. I don't hate the idea of alternating Fall/Winter dates to get more varieties of trees at their peak. Thanks Eric!

 

[Kanorin]

I scrolled through all the pages looking for a mention of Bonsai-Central.
I believe their goal to be somewhere in the middle of the country to host a national caliber show was a good effort. They did a lot of things right.
Need improvement? Yes. But, they put out a great first round.

Thanks, John for the mention and support! With a country as big as ours and a hobby that is growing, I think there is room for a couple of big shows.

We are about 80% sure that we are going to do another Bonsai Central. And if we do, there are definitely some things that we will change to try to do it better.

 

[ForrestW]

Thanks, John for the mention and support! With a country as big as ours and a hobby that is growing, I think there is room for a couple of big shows.

We are about 80% sure that we are going to do another Bonsai Central. And if we do, there are definitely some things that we will change to try to do it better.

I think that Bonsai Central has a lot of promise in location, venue. I think the main problem of not having as much attendance was in part due to the other big shows right before and right after it that probably had bonsai folks picking what is closest. I really hope they do it again!

I am also encouraged that the Carolina Bonsai Expo may slowly make a comeback over the next 5+ years (or at least in some version)

 

[Sansokuu]

Thanks, John for the mention and support! With a country as big as ours and a hobby that is growing, I think there is room for a couple of big shows.

We are about 80% sure that we are going to do another Bonsai Central. And if we do, there are definitely some things that we will change to try to do it better.

If Bonsai Central happens again they really need to lower admission or sell workshops separately from admission. I heard the price tag was a huge deterrent and shopping only admission was advertised much too late.it was also too close in date to a show in texas.

 

[Kanorin]

If Bonsai Central happens again they really need to lower admission or sell workshops separately from admission. I heard the price tag was a huge deterrent and shopping only admission was advertised much too late.it was also too close in date to a show in texas.

Agree 100%

 

[Sansokuu]

Agree 100%

Also, maybe reduce the number of vendors unless you can get guaranteed attendance of 1000+ . I heard the attendees were happy, but vendors not so much. And a lot more advertising ! Social media pushes, email blasts to bonsai clubs, etc.

Unrelated, I think reddit is a little bit of an untapped advertising space. A lot of people on the bonsai subs there seem unaware of large events, and many are local to said events. It seems more likely to get locals to come out to shows they live near.

Any other sources to spread show advertising? Is there a bonsai dischord I don’t know about?

 

[MaciekA]

Unrelated, I think reddit is a little bit of an untapped advertising space.

Also, we (mods of the sub) will pin / highlight upcoming / currently-happening / just-happened shows if it helps them get more visibility (nudge me here or there if I can help someone like @Kanorin do that in the future).

This was harder in the past but I've lately discovered that we could have more than 2 pinned posts because of the relatively newer rebadging of this functionality to "pin as highlight". So for PBE2024, we were able to juggle a couple pinned PBE-related posts simultaneously with the pinned beginner thread. Now we can highlight more stuff. Bigger regional shows (either pre-show or post-show) are good highlight content.