Suggestions for Events

[bplvr]

That design was VERY good for busy gun shows . The business card should have something about the 501-C-3 status and the address for donations. I rescue Golden Retrievers from shelters and our card makes it easy to donate.

[wildhawker]

Originally Posted by bplvr

That design was VERY good for busy gun shows . The business card should have something about the 501-C-3 status and the address for donations. I rescue Golden Retrievers from shelters and our card makes it easy to donate.

Calguns is not 501(c)(3); The Calguns Foundation is a separate non-profit organization.

We mights be able to have a "front side" for Calguns and a "back side" for CGF with this info, but the cost to print 2-sided color may be prohibitive.

[Can'thavenuthingood]

Originally Posted by wildhawker

We have produced just such a thing, but are always looking for ways to improve. We have ~800 of this design left, so when we burn through them we can replenish with the "latest and greatest" version.

Hey, that's a pretty neat card. When did we start giving those out?
What else is there for show stuff?

Vick

[soopafly]

Hell, why not...if you guys want, I can design the CGN business cards also. Who do I talk to about that?

If this keeps up, CGN will need a dedicated advertising/marketing department. The graphic design ninja(http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=167453) has no problems taking the reigns as creative director.

[wildhawker]

Originally Posted by soopafly

Hell, why not...if you guys want, I can design the CGN business cards also. Who do I talk to about that?

If this keeps up, CGN will need a dedicated advertising/marketing department. The graphic design ninja(http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=167453) has no problems taking the reigns as creative director.

PM sent.

[blackberg]

dude, havent I said I can do super awesome pricing for CGF related stuff?
most of the time I can do 2 sided biz cards for the same price as single sided.
-bb

Originally Posted by wildhawker

Calguns is not 501(c)(3); The Calguns Foundation is a separate non-profit organization.

We mights be able to have a "front side" for Calguns and a "back side" for CGF with this info, but the cost to print 2-sided color may be prohibitive.

[wildhawker]

Originally Posted by blackberg

dude, havent I said I can do super awesome pricing for CGF related stuff?
most of the time I can do 2 sided biz cards for the same price as single sided.
-bb

This community is awesome.

BB, let me do some checking this weekend on how to approach the 2-org cards and we'll touch base on this next week.

[Mrs.Wildhawker]

After the Cow Palace show, we came up with a few ideas for attracting folks to the Calguns booth and I'm curious what others think...

I think trying a small 'bake sale' at the booth may be a good way to attract people (instead of them running away thinking we're trying to sell them a gimmick). The food at the venue sucks, so I think it would attract people to the booth and give us a chance to give them some info on Calguns, all while collecting a few dollars from them. Probably won't be a huge money-maker, but may be a good traffic driver. This may also be a good way to get something for the kids.


In the interest of putting together something other than calguns shirts and hats some ideas are:

Aprons with a good line like:
"Calguns Foundation: Burning bad gun laws since 2008". (or "cooking up..." "smokin'..." "grillin'...")
A pink camo apron with an evil black rifle (maybe a kitten too?) =)
Some sort of comic or joke related to gun ownership not necessarily relating to calguns (so that non-calguns folks may be interested in throwing down money for it)

Coffee mugs with a calguns logo or a cute saying:
"I like my coffee like I like my rifles" (again to attract non calguns folks... but could put the calguns logo on the back so we get the advertisement spot)


Any thoughts? I'm more than happy to sew up 10 aprons or so for the San Jose show just to see how they do... but I need some help with ideas on the print.

[bplvr]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Wildhawker

After the Cow Palace show, we came up with a few ideas for attracting folks to the Calguns booth and I'm curious what others think...

I think trying a small 'bake sale' at the booth may be a good way to attract people (instead of them running away thinking we're trying to sell them a gimmick). The food at the venue sucks, so I think it would attract people to the booth and give us a chance to give them some info on Calguns, all while collecting a few dollars from them. Probably won't be a huge money-maker, but may be a good traffic driver. This may also be a good way to get something for the kids.
=========

The ladies of our Civil war re-enactment used to do this but ran afoul of the health dept. for permits and stuff like verifiable handwashing during baking ...etc. To bad .Home made cookies were a big seller. Any foodstuffs need to be ...how would you say 'Tylenol proofed"
===============

In the interest of putting together something other than calguns shirts and hats some ideas are:

Aprons with a good line like:
"Calguns Foundation: Burning bad gun laws since 2008". (or "cooking up..." "smokin'..." "grillin'...")
A pink camo apron with an evil black rifle (maybe a kitten too?) =)
Some sort of comic or joke related to gun ownership not necessarily relating to calguns (so that non-calguns folks may be interested in throwing down money for it)

Coffee mugs with a calguns logo or a cute saying:
"I like my coffee like I like my rifles" (again to attract non calguns folks... but could put the calguns logo on the back so we get the advertisement spot)
===========
We used to do coffee mugs at work and people would order stuff and say "if I buy another $10,000 worth of product how many mugs can I have" .
We paid $1.43 with our logo and phone # . I think they cost us $400.00 and sold $500,000 worth of product. They were "no -spill "and shaped like an upside down "Y". Made of plastic. If I can locate them I will send you a link.
This was the best promotion we did

I have a check here for CGF and I need 30 + OLL books [all pre-sold}

Please advise
Sincerly, bplvr
=============


Any thoughts? I'm more than happy to sew up 10 aprons or so for the San Jose show just to see how they do... but I need some help with ideas on the print.

See message above

[wildhawker]

Bplvr, PM sent.

[bwiese]

Brandon,

I'm more than willing to contribute a coffee pot (the big office-style West Bend percolator) and a buncha coffee for the Bay Area shows, and send a similar pot down to float around in SoCal, appropriately schlepped around the SoCal shows by the good folks helping down there (and some $$$ for coffee down there). I'd expect that a volunteer or two could help with sugar/creamer.

As long as there's electrical at the shows "come see Calguns for a cup of coffee" may be a nice draw - I know it'd grab me.

Possible issues: conflict with the show organizer or showgrounds cafe/canteen, contractual "no unpackaged food sales by vendors" agreements etc.

[Bowser]

I suggest we have a SHOOT-N-Q at CHABOT SOMETIME SOON!

[domokun]

Originally Posted by bwiese

Brandon,

I'm more than willing to contribute a coffee pot (the big office-style West Bend percolator) and a buncha coffee for the Bay Area shows, and send a similar pot down to float around in SoCal, appropriately schlepped around the SoCal shows by the good folks helping down there (and some $$$ for coffee down there). I'd expect that a volunteer or two could help with sugar/creamer.

As long as there's electrical at the shows "come see Calguns for a cup of coffee" may be a nice draw - I know it'd grab me.

Possible issues: conflict with the show organizer or showgrounds cafe/canteen, contractual "no unpackaged food sales by vendors" agreements etc.

There's ways around this especially with bottled drinks. Mainly it's just slap a sticker with your "brand" on it and give it away as a promo item?

[sorensen440]

Originally Posted by Bowser

I suggest we have a SHOOT-N-Q at CHABOT SOMETIME SOON!

that sounds like a great idea

[wildhawker]

Originally Posted by Bowser

I suggest we have a SHOOT-N-Q at CHABOT SOMETIME SOON!

PM me to discuss- can you head this up?

[command_liner]

The NRA Members Council of Huntington Beach, in co-operation with all
SoCal Members Councils, is marching in the HB July 4 Parade. This parade
is the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi and gets lots of press
coverage.

All NRA members are invited to walk. The more, the better. We
will have a single vehicle for those that cannot walk. We have paid the
entrance fee and will be marching, so come along. Bring children if you
have them. This is a morning event, so the rest of your day is free.

The event takes a few hours. Walking in the parade is done at a slow pace.
Lots of waving and smiling are encouraged. Wear your NRA gear, but
wearing firearms will probably bring excess grief and a stay in jail. HB
is like that, especially on the 4th.


We could have a brief, or long, after-parade meeting down on the beach.
Getting one or more parking spaces right on the sand is an exercise in
patience and early morning driving. No guaranteed location is
possible, so I cannot say "meet here".

Is anybody interested in attending? We could co-ordinate through this
thread, or perhaps through hbnra@yahoo.com, or perhaps through some
other method. We are open to all suggestions.

Locals interested in learning more are welcome to come to our meeting
tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7PM at Old World German Restaurant.

[wildhawker]

Some things I have been hearing quite a bit of support for and see as possible next steps:

* Ventura
* Vallejo

On the radar for 2009 that we'd like to make happen but need some feedback (and volunteers):

* Roseville/Sacto
* Northern Cal
* Big Reno Show

Some stretch goals for 2010:

* Big Reno Show
* County Fairs (Alameda, LA)
* Outdoors & Sporting Conventions/Trade Shows

Thoughts?

[Matt C]

I think it would be cool to have a calguns charity ride (motorcycle).

[DocSkinner]

Originally Posted by sorensen440

that sounds like a great idea

would love something like that!

Wildhawker -
if you can help me with connections, I have time, if none if the other posters have time to lead it!

[wildhawker]

Originally Posted by DocSkinner

would love something like that!

Wildhawker -
if you can help me with connections, I have time, if none if the other posters have time to lead it!

Shoot me an email and we'll get to work.

Originally Posted by BWO

I think it would be cool to have a calguns charity ride (motorcycle).

Sounds like fun- email me (combspm@gmail.com) and let's see how we can help make it happen.

[FastFinger]

If the goal is to spread the word and encourage people to visit CGN doing so in target rich environment gun shows is the way to go. But there is the "preaching to the choir" aspect to consider.

Over the short span of this project it sounds like the CGN message presentation has been developed and fine tuned - maybe it's time to expand our turf and reach out to the great unwashed?

With the recent dramatic increase in firearm and ammo sales it's a safe bet that a lot of folks who were on the fence re: 2A are coming over to our side, and no doubt there are many more who aren't yet fully enlightened, yet may be more receptive to our message now than at any other time.

Among our ranks we represent a good cross section of the general public, for that reason we should strive to be seen and share our vision and mission at general public events.

Which is why we should consider putting 2 or 3 general public events on the booth calendar. Which ones? In better economic times an RV/Boat show would make sense, but probably not now. To get the most bang for the buck - and resources - we should consider large fairs - Los Angeles, Santa Clara, and the State Fair. The downside to them is that they run at least a week and it might be difficult to man-up volunteers for that long a duration, realistically 2 or 3 day events are more manageable.

Car shows, street fairs, music festivals, farmer's markets... If there's a good crowd, and the price of admission isn't too steep, we should consider it "booth worthy."

On Saturday 23 the Los Angeles Times had an article about how Air Shows were becoming very popular. They're fun for the entire family, and inexpensive. Certainly the crowd wouldn't be fervent gun grabbers. Mather Airport has a show on 9/12-13 in Sacramento, and Miramar in San Diego has a show 10/2-4.

[TheCilician]

Yeahhhhhhhhh.....but:

I had to search many a forum to find CG. The difference with us is that we don't just take anybody. Imagine if we had "forced" members to join our ranks and spill beans on what other members carry, or dilute the Q&A part of this great site where you are almost always guaranteed to find a legitimate answer to your questions....

I disagree, on the car-show, music, farmers market booth ideas.

Let's stick to gun-shows and anything related, like Air shows, where the presence of firearms and the military are prevalent and people might be inspired, in such an atmosphere, to join us.

[krushem2000]

Vallejo show should be excellent show since I was sent an email by promoter code of west. They are agressively promoting this show trying to make it the biggest show in northern ca but not in size proportion compared to reno. they are attempting to do this on a regular basis when weather is nice because of lack of venues they are losing over time due to politics/laws/controversy like cattlepoop in daly city, etc. it would be nice to see a calgun booth for one show a year to keep touch with calgunners than just the cattlepoop show. thanks for all you do is protect calgunners rights in ca.

[wildhawker]

Well-articulated points gentlemen- this is the thought-provoking feedback we love to read. Please keep it coming!

[Liberty1]

Originally Posted by command_liner

Wear your NRA gear, but
wearing firearms will probably bring excess grief and a stay in jail. HB
is like that, especially on the 4th.

Lots of groups (color guards, re-enactors) carry arms in the HB 4th of July parade. I say go for it tastfully! How about an OLL color guard?

[pullnshoot25]

One of my next OC outings is going to be a farmer's market or an art show. I will let you all know how it goes.

[sorensen440]

We need someone to setup a shootNQ at Chabot in the near future

[KevMorris]

Is there any kind of organized event where a bunch of shooters each bring a few different guns and each walk around and shoot with other shooter's guns?

I'd love to be able to bring a few and be able to shoot a dozen or more of other people's guns for a few rounds in each just to see what they shoot like.

Does anything like that ever happen?

[lorax3]

Originally Posted by KevMorris

Is there any kind of organized event where a bunch of shooters each bring a few different guns and each walk around and shoot with other shooter's guns?

Like a Potluck of Firearms.

[Gator Monroe]

How bout a CGN night at the Magic Castle (Hollywood) with our own table and special food just for us and front row seats for the Magic shows !

[gucci pilot]

I noticed that Wildhawker mentioned the Reno show in August. Has Calguns set up a booth there before? If so, I seemed to miss it. Count me in for the next one, though...

[wildhawker]

This would be the first year for a Reno event- a huge show with lots of potential to spread the good word. As soon as we can nail down a few logistical issues I'll be posting more details.

[gucci pilot]

Dumb question. Does Nevada have an equivalent to Calguns? If so, do they have a booth at Reno?

[Liberty1]

I'd like to see a Calguns.net / Foundation out reach booth at this Orange County CCW / NRA get together: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=192628

maybe the powers that be can do lunch and see it as a win/win.

[wildhawker]

Originally Posted by FastFinger

If the goal is to spread the word and encourage people to visit CGN doing so in target rich environment gun shows is the way to go. But there is the "preaching to the choir" aspect to consider.

Over the short span of this project it sounds like the CGN message presentation has been developed and fine tuned - maybe it's time to expand our turf and reach out to the great unwashed?

With the recent dramatic increase in firearm and ammo sales it's a safe bet that a lot of folks who were on the fence re: 2A are coming over to our side, and no doubt there are many more who aren't yet fully enlightened, yet may be more receptive to our message now than at any other time.

Among our ranks we represent a good cross section of the general public, for that reason we should strive to be seen and share our vision and mission at general public events.

Which is why we should consider putting 2 or 3 general public events on the booth calendar. Which ones? In better economic times an RV/Boat show would make sense, but probably not now. To get the most bang for the buck - and resources - we should consider large fairs - Los Angeles, Santa Clara, and the State Fair. The downside to them is that they run at least a week and it might be difficult to man-up volunteers for that long a duration, realistically 2 or 3 day events are more manageable.

Car shows, street fairs, music festivals, farmer's markets... If there's a good crowd, and the price of admission isn't too steep, we should consider it "booth worthy."

On Saturday 23 the Los Angeles Times had an article about how Air Shows were becoming very popular. They're fun for the entire family, and inexpensive. Certainly the crowd wouldn't be fervent gun grabbers. Mather Airport has a show on 9/12-13 in Sacramento, and Miramar in San Diego has a show 10/2-4.

Excellent points, a few thoughts:

* Fairs (especially LA) are almost impossible to crack as a "pro-gun" entity; that said, they are a stretch goal.

* We seem to be able to man 2-3 days in some locals; Costa Mesa and Del Mar are both areas served by an active Calguns membership. Bay Area is good but touch and go, other locals have intermittent interest. Ideally we will grow our infrastructure this year to accomodate some of the more labor-intensive events next year.

* Farmer's markets are interesting animals- super competitive (I think moreso than gun shows, craft fairs and the like) but political demographics differ drastically even between neighboring cities. I have some contacts in this arena, a card to play at some point possibly later this year.

* Outdoors orgs (motorcycles, bicycles, hikers, fishing, etc.) and their trade shows/events are a nice mid term goal for us; not too far out into the unwashed for our resources but far enough to gain exposure in a largely-untapped group of (many) sympathizers.

* Air shows are a great idea; lots of military and patriotic people, it would anecdotally seem to be a step away from the gun show audience but close enough to make some immediate impact. Anyone with contacts or experience in this arena?

[glockwise2000]

Originally Posted by uclaplinker

BBQ at Kestryll's.

+1

[spectr17]

2 huge events in Socal that Calguns should be at.

Bass Pro's Fall Classic in Rancho Cucamonga. I PMed Eric Mayer the point of contact there who gives us our invite for our booth. Aug 17th through 23rd. Booths can be manned all week if you want but most do just Fri-Sun.

SCI's Youth Safari Day in Norco at Raahauges July 18th 2009. Lots of new kids and even adults who've never held a gun before. Great place to spread the word and recruit new gun folks. SCI is good folks to work with too. I have a POC for this also if anyone wants it.

http://www.youthsafariday.com/index1.html

One last minute event.

This Saturday there is a big Hunter Ed class at San Jacinto Wildlife Area near Lake Perris. This has grown to be quite a soiree' with 70+ folks in the hunter ed class, a big BBQ on the patio, vendor booths, tours of the wetlands etc. Lots of parents, wardens, DFG, VIPs and other hanging around all day to talk to. Eric is sending me some Calguns info to hand out but if someone wants to come and help out that would be even better. Calguns can have their own booth even if you have the horsepower, you just need to let SJWA know before Saturday if you want a booth.

http://www.sjwa.info/

Farmer's markets are interesting animals- super competitive (I think moreso than gun shows, craft fairs and the like) but political demographics differ drastically even between neighboring cities. I have some contacts in this arena, a card to play at some point possibly later this year.

Cross Redlands' Market Night off the list. They banned us because we talked about knives and guns, oh my. I'll check with the other market nights around here to see how they feel. Most are not gun friendly as noted above.

[Eric Mayer]

Got it Jesse. That might be a good opportunity for a seminar from someone knowledgeable about OLL's.

I'll shoot the info to Brandon as well.

Thanks!

Eric

[spectr17]

The COHA car will be racing Saturday June 20th at Infineon Raceway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Sears Point CA. COHA will have a booth there too. I have a contact with COHA if anyone wants see about a booth next year at the race.

http://www.outdoorheritage.org/

Check out their car. Maybe get CalGuns to be a sponsor and get the CalGuns logo on the car? What's a better place to recruit gun owners than a turn left race with a bazillion people? There is also a huge Nascar race down here in Fontana where a booth would work. I have no POCs for Fontana NASCAR yet, working on it.

[Crusader]

Calguns Auction/Fundraiser. We could have members donate anything they wanted to, and all proceeds could go to the Foundation.

If someone has a large house or a bit of land, we wouldn't even have to rent a space.
Then we could do a huge Calguns lunch or something afterwards.