Comments for The Hot Zone Online

Comment on Woman vs. Man Sauce – Tom’s Garden by Tom's Garden Man and Woman Sauces Review

Tom's Garden Man and Woman Sauces Review — Sun, 18 Aug 2013 01:40:05 +0000

[...] I notice that Linda over at the Hot Zone had a similar issue with this (and probably explains it better) — Click here to read her review. [...]

Comment on ZestFest Midwest 2013 review by Scott Owens

Scott Owens — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 06:48:01 +0000

As a vendor, sales were absolutely disappointing, yes! With all do respect to all vendors, shit happens! We are based out of Detroit and we’ve seen our share of hard times. For example, I’m an engineer in the aerospace industry, and have worked extensively on the Boeing 787 project; The ‘Dreamliner” that has had problem after problem. We collectively come together to solve the problem, and not bitch about it! I don’t think June, Greg and the Zestfest crew woke up and said, “Lets screw everybody over today.” The kinks will get worked out. I will reserve a booth next year. This new event gives start up companies,like ours, who are small and have not yet had a lot of exposure in this industry with our products, a shot at national exposure without driving, flying, and/or shipping product to Texas or New Mexico. We met the best professionals/vendors/owners at Zestfest and we are proud to be a part of this fine knit community. If anyone has a problem with that, come visit me at the next event. I’m the big guy with a cowboy hat on, under the Scotty O’Hotty sign! God Bless, Stay Hott, Scotty O’Hotty

Comment on ZestFest Midwest 2013 review by Brian Meagher

Brian Meagher — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 23:36:09 +0000

Nice write-up, Joe. You always tell it like it is, and this is the first in-depth commentary I’ve read about just how things went down at the event.

I feel sorry for the vendors – it’s hard enough for them at a successful show to make a profit, what with travel expenses, show expenses etc. Never mind the added insult of extra fees, no internet, and poor promotion.

I feel sorry for the attendees – for many, this *may* have been their first hot sauce show. Not exactly a glowing example of the shows we are familiar with.

On a lighter note, Wolf Revels did post some nice pics of the event on Google+ here:
http://hsd.to/zfmw13

Comment on ZestFest Midwest Exhibitor List is now FINAL by Dennis

Dennis — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 20:24:18 +0000

No problem, thanks. In the grand scheme of things, this was insignificant compared to the problems from that show…

Comment on ZestFest Midwest 2013 review by Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 15:29:53 +0000

Definitely a disappointing weekend. While there were a few good things that came out of it never have I considered doing cartwheels or somersaults down the isles at a show because there was so much room to do so. We enjoyed seeing our chilihead family and meeting new friends but we were all there to sell our products. Sadly, we have sold more at a one day craft fair than at this event and I know there were a lot of vendors in the same boat. Our booth also had the pleasure, along with our neighbors to be in “air condition alley” with a noticeable cold breeze blowing the entire weekend. When we had asked if there was anything that could be done we were treated as if we had no idea what we were talking about and dismissed. Customers would come to our aisle rubbing there bare arms saying, “Wow, it’s cold over here” and not stick around. The whole Comfest, Kenny Chesney, contest issues and other litany of issues have already been brought up so I’ll close by saying thanks to those that did show up. We all appreciate your support and hope you had some fun. Thank you Joe for your astute observations. To all the other vendors that were negatively impacted we hope everyone can quickly recoup the losses and rock on.

Comment on ZestFest Midwest 2013 review by Jason Nowland

Jason Nowland — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 05:49:19 +0000

Excellent analysis. Right on the money. Great insights from your readers too. I wonder if Zestfest will even read this? Seems to me pride cameth before the fall. Makes you wonder if you really need Zestfest or the pope of peppers to put on a really good fiery foods event?

Comment on ZestFest Midwest 2013 review by Renee

Renee — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 03:18:24 +0000

From a vendors standpoint this show was one of the most lightly attended shows that we have ever participated in. However, we did at least make our expenses where others didn’t come close. When the internet and cell service and ATMs were cut off at 2:00pm Saturday afternoon, it just added insult to injury. No one could process any credit cards and potential customers could not even access dollars from the ATM, resulting in many lost sales. We also arrived Saturday morning to find a good amount of product missing from our display tables. It was quite obvious that it was missing since I had reset the tables to be ready for the crowds. Although we feel that if someone had to steal then they must have needed it more than we did. We can only hope that they enjoy their spoils. That said, we still enjoyed seeing many of the people that we are proud to call our ‘family’.

Comment on Chile Pepper Magazine: how not to make a deal by Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 21:09:21 +0000

I had a rather “rude conversation with the current owner of the magazine and may I say that she is a blond B with every reference to the B.. The employees were rude as I tried to straighten out their bad.. All I got was “there were different owners” Not hoe can I make this right?? I am not impressed and my hope is failure for such a bad attitude! I love the magazine but to the people that pay for the ads? Get a new life!

Comment on ZestFest Midwest 2013 review by Aztec Emperor

Aztec Emperor — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 19:46:20 +0000

Friday @ 4 & 6:30 on Corby’s drive time talk radio show the event was heavily promoted as well as many of John’s products. The best free ad space available in town. Wrong venue. Too high booth fees. Lack of ANY recognition. Zestfest means nothing and Texas show is little more than a localized state event. There is no formula and little transferable goodwill. At least Texas, New Mexico and Louisiana have a Quantity of pepper familiar people. All other areas do not have that MASS. Previous posts about a moving number of regional shows plus more awards is foolish for such a niche industry and where will all the vendors and attendees come from if so many more are added? I know that I should “shut up”" as I was told on a recent posy as I continued to address dilution and shake outs so this event was doomed for failure regardless. Totally different animal than the intimate North Market show in cold February or the festivals in Houston or New York.

Comment on ZestFest Midwest 2013 review by Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 15:58:06 +0000

Well said Joe. All good points. As a vendor at this show with numerous travel and show expenses (as we all had), I was beyond disappointed. I think the attendees were shocked at the lack of vendors and other attendees. Nothing like paying $20/pp to shop.

Couple of notes from my perspective…

Advertising-If there was advertising on the radio or TV, then the natural connection is to feature vendors on those same stations as “soft news” to grab the attention of the people who may be listening to the radio drive time every day.

Other local events-Perhaps those of us vending at Zestfest midwest would have been better served to leave and move to Comfest… sure sounds like our customer base.
As a side note, I did hear from the promotion folks that they knew it was the same weekend as Comfest but did it anyway. I don’t understand. It would have been better to wait a year, a month, whatever to have a good show with a great local crowd than a show in June because that when we think it should be… that’s my 2 cents for what it’s worth.