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Photo Info Booth

Photo Information Booth For 16 years the Photo Information Booth, sponsored by PMDA (the PhotoImaging Manufacturers & Distributors Association), has been traveling the country, setting up at boating, sport and ski shows in major metropolitan areas. The purpose of the PIB is to bring the word about photography to outdoor, hunting, fishing and boating enthusiasts, in other words, to people who should be carrying cameras along with their outdoor gear. Article rating: 8.50

Art Netzer is booth manager, and he’s been in charge of the traveling road show for the past ten years. The 2006/07 season once again starts in September at the Norwalk International Boat Show then Chicago SkiDazzle, LA SkiDazzle, New Orleans Boat Show, Philadelphia Strictly Sail, Chicago Strictly Sail and ends up at the Northwest Sportshow in Minneapolis in April 2007

Art Netzer manages the Photo Information Booth at outdoor enthusiast shows throughout the country

The purpose is to take products of the booth’s sponsors and show them to the general public, promote photography in general and educate during the transition from film to digital cameras. The Photo Information Booth doesn’t sell products, doesn’t take orders and doesn’t endorse one piece of equipment over another. What Art and his wife, Gloria, who has been on the tour for the past 7 years, do is demonstrate products and answer questions. We have about 75 or so digital cameras, lenses and accessories to show along with a couple of film cameras for those who haven’t yet made the move. Because most sportsman use binoculars we have a variety of binoculars, which are always popular at these shows.

In order to have equipment displayed, manufacturers must be PMDA members, then they sponsor the booth with dues based on the number of pieces of equipment they want to display. This season booth sponsors are Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Samsung, Pentax, Olympus, Tamron, Fuji, Epson, Popular Photography and American Photo.

So why do people attending a sports show stop at a camera booth? People want to know what to buy, and they’re not getting a clue from their visits to Wal-Mart and other retail outlets. Ten years ago it was almost all film now digital makes up about 90 percent of the questions we answer and conversations we have. At the booth they can see the newest products and usually learn something. Newcomers to digital can learn about pixels, zoom lenses, etc and learn the basics to purchase their first digital camera. Second and third time buyers learn about new features like anti-shake, large screens, zoom features, high MP’s and the small size available of sponsors products to help them determine how much they want to spend. In recent years much if the conversations are about SLR cameras and lenses. The smaller, lighter SLR's are most appealing and getting a lot of attention. Although the main objective is to show sponsors equi pment we often get questions on so ftware, printing, and how to transfer on to the computer. Very often we are asked to explain to people with new cameras how to use the features. At first people are skeptical about stopping because they really didn’t come to a sports show to buy a camera, but after they find out nothing is for sale they usually get right into it and leave saying "what a great manufacturing courtesy"

The booth also supplies sponsors literature, various travel and photo imaging guides as well as complementary issues of Popular Photography and American Photo.  Show attendees can fill out a short questioner providing PMDA with buying habits and trends giving attendees a chance to win donated sponsors gifts for daily and show prizes.

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Dear Art & Gloria, I will be exhibiting at the Chicago Boat Show in January and we have a product I believe you would be very interested in testing. It is a Personal Battery Caddy and we began selling it to pilots, however, many photographers have been purchasing them for their events and trips. Our product is also perfect for travelers. It is a new invention and a unique way to store and carry batteries. They come in four styles and we just began selling a new slim line of caddies. One of our special features is that in addition to various color options, the caddies also come in a glow in the dark material which is especially helpful when boating, camping and rving. I would be more than happy to provide you with the AA Slim Line caddy as a giveaway at your seminars. In addition, I would send you several caddies to use. I would then appreciate any opinions you may have on the caddies. Our website is www.toolsaviation.com. Feel free to contact me via email or phone (630) 377-7260. Thank you. Posted by: Shawnta Mateja Nov 14, 2006 @ 12:53 PM EST

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