<html><head><style type="text/css"></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV>I just looked at the list on the website, and it's the same list that was posted early in the year, even before we received the hard-copy brochure in the mail. Personally, when I need a tool or supplies, I look in the catalogs and order it. If I want to see or feel it, I check with other techs and get input from their tools.  I have never gotten bad information from someone who liked or disliked a certain tool preference. After a few years of ordering tools, I know that some suppliers offer better quality than others. For instance, I have a really cool screwdriver that I bought from Jurgen that wasn't offered from other suppliers. It was expensive, but I use it daily and it was worth the money. (Speaking of Jurgen, I believe he posted a note here a few weeks ago that he'll be in Rochester with a fresh load of goodies from Europe.)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I attend conventions/conferences/seminars with the express purpose of continuing education and networking with other techs, rebuilders, and piano manufacturers. If I did not benefit from continuing education, as it appears some don't from the responses I've seen, then I would spend the registration and hotel money on plane fare to visit the suppliers at their head offices. Surely they don't bring their entire inventories to the convention. And speaking of money, after I've purchased plane fare, hotel room, food, and registration fees, I don't have much of a tool budget left. I guess that puts me in a different category than some, so maybe my views aren't pertinent to this conversation. Okay, never mind.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Dave Davis, RPT</DIV> <DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG><EM>Others wrote:</EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV>From: Bob Hull <A href="mailto:hullfam5@yahoo.com">hullfam5@yahoo.com</A><BR>My flight is already booked and I am going mainly for<BR>the classes but I also learn a lot from the exhibit<BR>area and well stocked tool suppliers.  <BR><BR>If the PTG had made it known that the major usual tool<BR>and supply houses would not be present it would have<BR>possibly impacted registration numbers.  This is now<BR>going to put a damper on things.  A few years ago<BR>didn't Renner notify us that they wouldn't be present<BR>due to the holiday conflict?<BR><BR>If they did have to pay NY and Rochester sales tax it<BR>would still be better than not seeing the products at<BR>all.  <BR><BR>--- "John M. Formsma" <john@formsmapiano.com> wrote:<BR>> I just went to the Exhibits & Sponsors page on<BR>> ptg.org, and verified what<BR>> you wrote. Hmmmm, I was hoping to buy a lot of tools<BR>> there, and am now<BR>> disappointed that they won't be there. :-( <BR>> <BR>> I'm still excited about going, though.<BR>> <BR>> Maybe someone from PTG HQ has some info...I'm<BR>> curious.<BR>> <BR>> John Formsma<BR>> <BR>> -----Original Message-----<BR> On Behalf Of Greg Newell<BR>> Greetings fellow techs! I'm wondering if any of <BR>> your out there in cyberland know about the sales <BR>> tax situation from last year and the possible <BR>> resulting lack of attendance of our major <BR>> suppliers this year. I just got off the phone <BR>> with Paul Jansen and he informed me that neither <BR>> he, nor Pianotek, nor Schaff, nor Renner will be <BR>> exhibiting this year. Anyone privy to what's going<BR>> on?<BR>> If Ron Nossaman or Ron Overs weren't intending on <BR>> bringing their projects for showing I don't think <BR>> I'd bother this year. I wonder how many of you <BR>> will be going despite the lack of suppliers.<BR></DIV></div></body></html>