For those who advertise in the PFHA Farm Directory-A ?

[Abejita]

Where do you expect the directory to 'go'?
To people who write the PFHA asking for more info?
Do you expect the PFHA to send the directory to Regions doing demos and Expos when it is requested (so it can be handed out to thousands of potential customers)..Should the Regions or the PFHA be responsible to pay for the shipping of these materials?( average cost is about $20.00 a case)
If The PFHA sent OLD Directories out to these Regions instead of current Directories, would you feel it to be ( beside a big mistake..why even keep them..send them to be recycled) unfair to you?


The Board of Directors at their last meeting curtailed all funds for
Tradeshows for 2008......I would be happy to send them, but as funds for tradeshow postage are no longer available at this time your Region would have to pay the postage.

[CarolU]

Funny that you ask!

We just got a case of 2004 Farm Directories. :( We already had a case of 2006 directories, so didn't need any more. The things that go fast are the coloring books and bumper stickers. The Farm Directory does us no good locally, since no local people can afford to advertise in it (Lynn G had a proposal for a cheaper listing inside for small farms and members...it was rejected). Most people will not drive out of state to look at a horse, or buy one sight unseen.

It is pretty and they did a nice job with the pictures, and some nice information. They do a nice job on it.

[SandyMM]

So the money to pay for a listing goes entirely towards the printing of these directories, but not a penny to distribute them to 'outside' potential customers at the largest events? Smart.... Who voted on that?

If you live in these regions - it is my understanding that _your_ representatives were responsible for voting _against_ the Rec committee being a 'standing committee':
Florida, California, SW, Ozark Empire.

So - the Rec committee is currently an appointed committee - pretty much at the mercy of the 'powers that be' - which is fine while there is a supportive President and other BOD members - what happens if that changes? IF you support the existence of this committee - especially if you are a member of the 4 regions that voted it down - you might want to make your concerns known (loud and clear)!

If your region doesn't represent you, perhaps you should consider throwing your vote to a region that does... or independent voting....

[stella]

Gee, they mustve REALLY spent alot to buy CJ out of his contract, to have to nickel and dime so much now....but I'll live with that! The postage is relatively a drop in the bucket compared to the printing.

I've advertised in the Directory pretty regularly since they started it, and you have to figure, selling just one horse, or getting one for training, or a regular riding lesson client, will pay for the cost. People do save them, and they may not buy that year(or even come)but might even a few years down the road....they do send them to anyone inquiring about the breed, and it does get results. People tend to keep it and pass it on, too.
And, I think that in areas where there are very few Paso Finos, people feel better and are more apt to consider the breed when they DO see the number of farms that are listed throughout the country. Just knowing there is somewhat of a support system and plenty of websites to investigate to be able to later make an informed decision, is encouraging. Then, they have a better idea if they do go look around at local horses that arent listed, as far as having some sort of comparison.

I agree with Sandy that its a good idea to keep up with how your rep votes. I have, in the past, joined more than one regional, and opted to vote with the rep that better represented their membership and whose ideas were more similar to my own, and it wasnt a regional I actually lived in, so it can be done.

[Abejita]

As far as keeping them yr to yr yes I am sure that happens but that kind of misses the point..I think handing out the old directories (04/05) in 2008 is a disservice to those who have paid to be included in the current ones (06/07) plus it also doesnt look good to be handing out something that old IMO .
Yes the Regions paying the postage isnt a large issue BUT when you do not get what you request ..and instead are just sent something else without being asked if that is Ok..that extra 40-80 dollars or more shipping ( yes we can go through 3-4 cases of coloring books a day and 2-3 cases of Directories at the PA Expo) could be spent on printing cost for your own 'Regional Directory' ( which we do print)Now I can see not sending materials to just any member that asks..but when a REGION is doing something like this large Expo..well I feel it is dropping the ball to not support them.We used to be able to get a display board..then they were all being used at the Houston Show and FL Strawberry festival and it was suggested that the region purchase their own ( which we did) Now I am one of the first to stand up and say "Hey Regions have to support themselves" when people are saying "Why doesnt the PFHA do this and why dont they do that" I think my main surprise is that they are pushing the new farm directory right now..yet are they telling potential advertisers exactly WHERE it will go? I mean if Regions decide not to pay ..how much advertising are you actually getting for you rmoney?
Now I feel the coloring book is kind of a double edged sword..and am not keeping them in the booth this year.Yes it is a very nice product BUT most of the people that take them ..the majority just walk into the booth and grab it and walk out..good PR yes but does it really grab the attention of a potential Paso buyer?