Resurrection
or
The Chicago Sword Show for Fun & Profit
Sleep no more, Macbeth hath murdered sleep. But, Marc, like surgeon skilled, did breathe life anew into fast expiring corpse.
And then along came Jones. Jones, who with kind heart and earnest effort did free entombed Lazarus and revitalize that which had been assumed a decaying cadaver.
I had given up on the Chicago sword show some years ago as a boring waste of time and money. I had watched this once premier show dwindle and shrivel from neglect to an event --- no, event is too good a word, to an annual occurrence that was as exciting as watching paint dry and dust settle, and as lucrative as flushing money down the toilet. It had been years since I had either attended or had a good word for it.
So even though I had promised Mark Jones, that since he was taking over the show, I would attend one last time, when came the scheduled day of departure, I could scarce get myself to get out of bed for my morning flight. In fact, although the plane, hotel, and show table had already been paid for, I seriously considered just writing them off and staying home. Why, I reasoned, since I have already lost the money, should I waste the weekend as well? But a promise is a promise, and since a couple of others were attending because I said that I was, I did not dare stay home. Now I am enormously happy that I didn’t.
All I can say is WOW! Mark Jones did an incredible job of pulling the show together. Despite its recent history and reputation, he managed to nearly double the attendance. The show was sold out, and he had to turn away people who wanted tables. He and his family were right on top of everything. Mingling with exhibitors and inquiring if there was anything that they could to do for them. This, a complete 180 degree turn around from the past events.
Beyond making the show work, there were unexpected perks, like snack bags with bottled water, cookies, and munchies on every table. He negotiated a 20% discount at the hotel restaurant for exhibitors. Mark also hosted the exhibitors in his room with an open bar Thursday and Friday nights.
Business was being done, both large and small. New materials were brought in by the public, some of interest, some just dreck, but new materials came in. Of particular interest was a three barreled matchlock pistol, which unfortunately, did not find a new home.
The AB/NBTHK’s seminar on comparative evaluation of tosogu by Mike Yamazaki played to a packed room, and had to be extended.
Much more than the physical turn around, of what had in the past become a dreary exercise of boredom, people had fun. The entire mood of the show was upbeat. This, along with San Francisco, Tampa, and the Dai Token Ichi, is now on my list of must attend shows. I can not recommend the new and improved Chicago sword show strongly enough. Kudos to Mark!