Adam Gregorich

Re: From the IDEA side of EMA...Where were all of you?

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comhttp://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/ /><st1:City w:st=<st1:place w:st="on">Adrian-
You bring up some good points. I will try to address them. Before I do, I will say that your comments really should be directed towards the staff of the sponsoring sites (including this one) and EMA, not our members who attended. We had an agenda set for them and they followed it.

I read the article you mentioned while I was still at the show and Jennifer makes some excellent points. I have no idea why both HD formats met with us exclusively. I can tell you that we worked very hard over an extended period to get them there to meet with us. I can also tell you that our members let them know that they were doing a poor job of training the front line retailers who interact with and educate the consumers.

This was our first show (and hopefully your feelings won't make it our last). Neither those of us who organized it, nor our attendees has any idea what to expect. I can assure you that you were not being intentionally snubbed by us. The reason our members didn't really want to "bother" a lot of people at the show is because they recognized that they were there are enthusiasts, and you were there to conduct business, and they didn't want to interfere with that. I can only speculate that the reason we weren't in the show schedule was that our schedule wasn't locked down until a week before the show. I did see our events posted in the daily schedule in one of the two daily magazines (can't remember which).

Quote:

Yet, for whatever reason, most of you chose goodie bags and photo-ops to true advancement and advocacy for the hi-def future

While I have agreed with you up to this point I think this and similar statements you made are very unfair. Most of our members who attended advocate for a hi-def future on a daily basis through this and other forums. I understand that that you are frustrated at being slighted by the HD camps, but you don't need to take that out on our members who attended. You might not be aware of this, but we have a long term relationship with most of the studios, and every 3 or 4 years they invite us out to LA to see what they are doing. EMA was aware of this and decided to include us this year instead of us going out to LA. Additionally it was our 10th anniversary, so that is why the studios pulled out all the stops. While it is true that we got into the show for free, our members paid their way there like everyone else. Like I said earlier, if you have any criticism it should be directed to the staff, and not the members who attended.

It is important to know that we the staff and our members have the utmost respect for independent retailers. We have all been to the big box stores and know that most of the sales reps there don't know a thing, or more importantly, know the wrong things and are sources of misinformation, while the independent retailers try hard to stay on top of things, educate and build relationships with their customers.

I appreciate the invitation to our members to join your EXPO. I have no doubt that there is a lot our members can teach each other.

While I didn't agree with everything you posted, I do appreciate your candor, and I am going to send you a PM with my contact information. Please contact me off line so we can work together to not have any lost opportunities next year (assuming we are invited again). In addition we can explore ways to communicate and build relationships between our groups using this forum. Since we missed the boat (no pun intended) at EMA, maybe we can assist you in getting some HD format presence on your cruise.</st1:place></st1:City>
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<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thanks,
Adam Gregorich
Home Theater Forum
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