Suggestion, and Help With It

First, the suggestion.
SUGGESTION: CoinTalk members wear a badge at shows to identify themselves to other CT members.
I'm sure I've walked right by other members without even knowing it.
At least one I'll now know since they're a dealer.
If you agree go to the second part.
If you disagree please post a reason (security, etc.)

If you'd start your response with "Agree" or "Disagree" that would help.

Second, what should be on the badge?
"CoinTalk" or at least a logo.
Posting name?
Real (first) name?

Third, could someone design one?
If it's a common design it will be easier to recognize.
I'm artistically challenged.

 

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I've been to a few conventions for other hobbies and one of the fun things that we have done in the past is create pins or badges. Each member designed their own badge and then exchanged them when they met another member. It helped to identify people you may have never met in person and gave you some incentive to meet all the members that came to the convention. It is fairly cheap to get 50-100 made and shipped and that should last you for a fair while for coins shows anyways.

The only thing about this is that these were once a year national conventions so the cost and fun was good for a one time event. For coin shows, since most people will just see people in the same area at many different shows, it might be better to go with a single design that can be shipped out to people who want them.

 

I am going to play Devil's Advocate here, and say I don't care for this idea for a couple of reasons which you may or may not agree with.

1) Many Dealers might take an unfair position with Members identified with CT. All Dealers are not strong advocates of this forum and the internet itself, from a purely profit margin position.
2) Many of our members are young and may not posses the knowledge or expertise to compete with the dealer along those lines. However there is the flip side of the coin too! No sense in arming your adversary.

 

Disagree

DISAGREE:

• This badge would be seen by dealers who might think the person they are talking to dealing with knows a lot about the coins being bartered over for a talk down price, potentially.

• I personally don't like wearing labels and branded things on me regardless of what it's for.

• Wearing a badge is a bit militant... A CT Militia at a Coin Show! LOL!!!

And now for a suggestion:

Perhaps contacting the venue or show administrators in advance to request if a public area is available for such groups to be able to meet to identify, even if this means they print CT on a sheet of paper and tape it on a wall in a lobby, then members could set up times during the day when to meet and greet one another. no badges necessary.

JUST MY 2¢

+++

Also, I have the ability to do design work.
I am a Graphic Designer and Art Director by career.

There are a lot of options that could be explored as to what to place your designs on: Reuseable canvas bags (for putting pamphlets, books and purchases at the show into), t-shirts, buttons, or any customizeable things you find such services for online.

 

I agree with coinman and krispy.
But I did like the suggestion that krispy mentioned about a private meeting location or the pamphlets.

 

LOL! We can all wear those Grouch Marx glasses!

 

Agree

I'm going to agree with the op question. I did this very thing at the MSNS show in Dearborn MI last Spring. It worked well, as far as dealer impact, it did generate conversation, positive conversation. As far as dealers attempting any unfair action, that is easy to address, Just look at them and say "Thank You" and move on.

I got to meet several CT'ers and we took a group pic. You can see it in my album.

Here is a jpg of what I used.....

 

LOL works for me GD!

 

mmmmm I think a "Proof of Purchase" coupon off a box of General Mills Cereal, pined onto a hat would be neat. Traci

 

done and done.

Just tape it to your shirt. lol

 

That's the sort of thing I had in mind.
Nice font too.

 

http://www.cointalk.com/t42894/
I have one of these pins I wear. If I'm ambitious I throw on the T-Shirt.

 

Krispy, I have a question that is a bit off topic and don't want to hijack this thread, but since I can't pm you, would you please pm or email me charmy@thepennylady.com. Thank you.

 

thanks - I actually took it right from the logo :whistle:

but I see Snaz's post now... it'd probably be better to buy Official gear :hail:

not to say that we couldn't redesign it though

 

Mag, you're the Man! Nicely done! As a dealer, I'm not too crazy about wearing more badges at a show, and we've sort of had CT meetings at my table at the last ANA, though only a few were able to show up at a time. But it definitely has been fun meeting/seeing the faces of the people we get to know here on CT, so I will go along with whatever the group decides, including wearing at CT "badge."

 

I think Peter should make buttons and have them for sale in the CT Store. :thumb: They should say:

Do you
CoinTalk?​

or

Let's
CoinTalk!

​

It doesn't say you're a member but if one of us see's it at a convention, we'd know they were a member.

Ribbit

 

Only for you Doug!