MY TAKE ON TURNBUCKLE PROMOTIONS EVENTS
- 08/27/2007 (6:44:13 pm)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
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Here is the link to Mike Johnson's full report on Turnbuckle Promotions convention on the PWI website. Mike attended the event, and I did not, but I will report on my friends observations, more reports will be coming: http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=26233&p=1
Here is the link for Jason Blaustein (Promoter) myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/knicksfan23
His site is temporarily shut down, but I am told will be up again soon.
I have spoken to Steve of K & S Wrestlefest, who have run other conventions, tried very hard to help run this Turnbuckle Promotions fiasco, will be giving his take on everything as soon as he can put together an article.
I must have received at least 600 phone calls all weekend. Who was pissed, who was happy, etc. Believe it or not many of my friends found the event to be very enjoyable. But they were VIP ticket holders. Many of my friends could see the Convention was overwhelmed with being unorganized and all TRIED to pitch in and help run things more smoothly. A very special thank you to Jeanne and Anthony who I understand were the most helpful both days. And what is amazing is that Anthony was VIP ticket holder #41, but he pitched in both days. (He will be sending us an article soon)
Let me first start off by saying that Turnbuckle hired too many wrestlers for the show, one HUGE sign of problems to begin with. To run a SUCCESSFUL convention, you should only book about 10 to 15 wrestlers, you feel will bring money into your event. (BTW, many promoters tell me they would be happy, just breaking even) There were many wrestlers at this event who had no fans at all on line getting their autographs. I think that Jason got caught up in being a huge fan and just overbooked way too much. I understand that Scott Epstein tried his best to keep some control over the event but was also overwhelmed. I went out of my way to plug the event because of my long friendship with Scott. I don't even know Jason.
Now I want to put my two cents into this:
First by telling you about my involvement with John Arezzi's Weekend of Champions Conventions of the past. We all helped John who ran the conventions at the Ramada Inn by LaGuardia Airport, a much more suitable venue for a Convention. (I heard that the capacity of the venue for Turnbuckle Promotions was 150, how can you run a convention hoping to draw at least 1,000 fans in a venue that the capacity is 150?)
John called upon his family and fans to help him run his conventions. The night before the event, VIP packages were put together with everything that was promised for the package, in it. Then the VIP persons name was put on the envelope.
This way when the fans arrived, the VIP fans went in first and all their photo's, etc. were waiting for them. Saving lots of time, the day of show.
EVERY wrestler had at least TWO people sitting with them at ONE table. One to take Polaroid's and one to collect the money. Also there needs to be spaces between the tables, so the fans can walk around to have their pictures taken with the wrestler. Not one table right next to the other, poor planning.
I understand many fans took advantage of the Convention being poorly run, by getting many items signed with only one GA ticket, also taking photo's from the tables that should have been charged for. But it wasn't their fault, because the photo's were on the tables, and NOBODY was there to collect money for them. Again another mistake.
Also I was told that some merchandise was stolen, now who's fault is that? Why wasn't the merchandise under some kind of supervision.
Arezzi also had a Q & A with some of the talent, which was very well run and lots of fun. The fans love to interact with the wrestlers.
Many of the wrestlers told me that they weren't picked up on time and spent hours at the Airport, that is unacceptable. Many complained hotel reservations were also terrible and not organized. Yet another problem because of overbooking. I truly believe in my heart that Jason had all good intentions but became overwhelmed and lost control of the events.
I am also of the understanding that the hospital has not yet gotten any donation which were promised. I hope that Jason will do the right thing and sell some of the merchandise received for the Charity on eBay, and make good on his donation to the Hospital, as promised. (I am told by Jason that will happen.)
Jason, I do empathize with you, but you took on too much. Every time I turned around I was adding yet another wrestler to the list. I even asked Scott Epstein, why are you guys adding so many more people?? It is unnecessary!!!
Even the day before, Jimmy Hart was added. WHY??
Don't get me wrong, I love Jimmy, but there were already too many wrestlers on the list.
I also heard there were problems with the pay offs for the wrestlers. Some saying they were expecting more. Why weren't contracts signed with the talent fee on that contract, so there would be NO PROBLEMS.
My suggestion for anyone interested in running a SMALL convention. Book about 10 wrestlers, who you think will draw a crowd. Rent a decent venue, such as a local Hotel, who by the way, should give you a nice rate on the rooms if the Convention is run in their hotel.
Make sure you have enough people to handle all the EXTRA work that is involved. Such as making sure the wrestlers are picked up on time, getting them to the Hotel, getting them back and forth to the event, etc. I don't think people realize all the work that is involved. When it's hot, just bringing the wrestlers bottles of cold water, is a nice thing to do.
Have 10 separated tables, have two reliable ADULTS in charge of these tables, have one Polaroid camera at each table. (Not 6 cameras for 40-50 wrestlers) And have a couple of people at the door selling the tickets for Polaroid's, autographs, VIP packages, etc. Make sure the fans have one ticket for one autograph. Police this at the wrestlers tables. These are just the simple things that I believe were not in place at Turnbuckle.
My last advice is to treat the wrestlers with respect, I feel that didn't happen this weekend for some of them.
Many think this is an easy money maker, it is not. There are so many expenses incurred, it really is impossible to make a profit, IMO.
I also hope that all the mail orders will be filled, and if they can't be for whatever reason, the fans deserve a refund.
Georgiann Makropoulos [email protected]
BTW: We have a ton of photo's from the Turnbuckle Convention which I uploaded yesterday. But because of all the postings recently uploaded, they are a couple of pages back.
WAIT, Let me make it easier for you, here are the links:
Thanks for listening, Georgie [email protected]
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