The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

The Talking Machine World, New York, April, 1928 75 RMA Convention and Trade Show Plans Rapidly Mature Attendance of 25,000 or 30,000 Persons Connected With the Radio Industry Expected — Leading Manufacturers to Exhibit New Lines — Elaborate Program Planned Plans are maturing for the premier radio industry event and trade conclave of 1928, the fourth annual Convention and Trade Show of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, to be held June 11-15, at the Stevens Hotel, Chicago. An attendance of 25,000 to 30,000 persons connected with or interested in radio manufacturing and merchandising is expected. During the week of June 11, coincident with the RMA Trade Show, there will be held the fourth annual RMA Convention, and also meetings of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Federated Radio Trades Association. The radio industry meetings and Trade Show will be staged simultaneously at the Hotel Stevens and the gathering of radio interests will be the greatest in the history of the industry. Problems incidental to radio manufacturing, distribution, engineering and merchandising will receive attention at many national and group meetings. Addresses will be delivered by prominent national and industry figures and extensive programs of entertainment for guests and visitors are in preparation. The last word in modern radio will be on exhibition in the Trade Show. The newest and latest in receiving sets, tubes, loud speakers, parts, cabinets, accessories, etc., will be displayed by about 300 of the leading manufacturers (all RMA members), but only for the trade. The public will not be admitted. Over 30,000 square feet of space in the Stevens Hotel, the largest in the world, has been oversubscribed by RMA members for the Trade Show. The space engaged is almost double that of the first and highly successful RMA Trade Show in 1927, which occupied 19,000 feet of space. Reservations being made insure that virtually the whole Stevens Hotel will be used by the radio gathering for the largest assemblage of radio interests ever held under one roof. The entire ballroom, foyer and exhibition hall of the Stevens Hotel will be devoted to the Trade Show, and three entire floors have been reserved by exhibitors for demonstrating purposes. Arrangements for the Trade Show are again in the hands of Major H. H. Frost, chairman of the RMA Trade Show Committee, and the exhibition is again in direct charge of G. Clayton Irwin, Jr., of Hermann & Irwin, the managers of the RMA Radio World's Fair in Madison Square Garden and the Chicago Radio Show held at the Coliseum, the annual public radio show features. Invitations to the Chicago Trade Show will be sent to 25,000 radio jobbers and retail dealers. These will go out about May 1, and if they are not received promptly inquiry should be made of the Radio Manufacturers' Show Association, 1800 Times Building, New York. For the radio throngs going to Chicago, reduced railroad rates, a fare and a half, have been granted by the Eastern and Central Passenger Associations. Trade Show travelers should request reduced fare certificates when purchasing tickets for Chicago — certificates, not receipts, should be secured from the railroads. The certificates will be exchanged at Chicago for reduced fare credentials. RMA Convention and Trade Show special trains will be run from several cities. A private section of the Twentieth Century Limited — probably two sections— will be chartered from the Atlantic Coast. One, and possibly two, special trains from the Pacific Coast, San Francisco and Los Angeles, are being arranged, and another from the South and Southwest is in prospect. At Chicago during the entire week of June 11 a continuous and elaborate program of en tertainment for the radio visitors is being completed by Henry C. Forster, of Chicago, chairman of the RMA convention program committee. The principal social event will be the annual RMA banquet, on Flag Day, Thursday, June 14. This will be staged at the Rainbo Gardens, the famous million-dollar entertainment resort. Instead of a long list of speakers at the banquet, there will be a lavish entertainment program, with celebrities of the musical and entertainment world appearing for a national chain broadcast. Rainbo Gardens also will be equipped with amplifiers within the banquet On Tuesday, March 27, members of the Victor distributing organizations in the metropolitan territory, including the Blackmail Distributing Co., Inc., C. Bruno & Son, C. H. Ditson Victrola No. 8-35 & Co., New York Talking Machine Co., all of New York City, and Collings & Co., of Newark, N. J., gathered at the Hotel Roosevelt, New York City, and heard the first demonstration in this territory of the new Orthophonic Victrola, No. 8-35. Following this gathering a series of dealer meetings were held at the Hotel Roosevelt and the Newark Athletic Club, Newark, N. J., and the new instrument was displayed and demonstrated to the retail representatives, who received it enthusiastically. The outstanding feature of the 8-35 is its appearance. The work of a prominent interior decorator, it is modern in design, has beauty of lines and it is of convenient size. The accompanying photograph gives an idea of the attractiveness of the instrument, but it must be seen to appreciate the value of the color harmony that is added by the twelve record albums. These albums are finished in six different, rich, blending color schemes with genuine leather backs and harmonize with the furnishings of any room in which the instrument is placed. The albums provide space for 144 records and the index markings are such that either a numerical or alphabetical system can be used. A new type lid allows space at sides and back for vases or other decorations. Other features incorporated in this model are an overhang top, which permits the instrument to fit flush against the wall, concealed drawers for needles, catalogs or other small articles, and turntable covered with chrome-green leather. hall, and music for diners and dancers will be furnished by Isham Jones' famous orchestra. Rainbo Gardens will be closed to the public during the RMA festivities, but all of its various entertainment features will be in full blast, including the Spanish speed game of Jai Alai. Also there will be a revue during the banquet by professional entertainers. Special entertainment features for ladies accompanying the radio visitors, such as excursions, theatres, dances, etc., also will be provided. During the RMA Annual Convention, which will be presided over by C. C. Colby, of Canton, Mass., president of the Association, there will be open sessions for the discussion of radio problems and one or two closed sessions, including election of new Association officers. There will also be many meetings of RMA committees and the RMA membership will consider the proposed patent interchange plan and adoption of a new Constitution and By-Laws designed to increase the activities and extend to a still greater degree the influence and scope of the RMA. The Victor Talking Machine Co. has prepared a great deal of literature, advertisements and suggestions to assist dealers in building sales volume on the new instrument. A four-page brochure gives a detailed description of the 8-35, stressing its outstanding features, and also contains a full-page illustration in colors of the new instrument in a home setting. A portfolio for dealer use with every talking point emphasized and with window display suggestions and a sample presentation has also been distributed. Sparton Radio Ad. Campaign a Success "Radio's Richest Season" Ad Drive, Sponsored by Sparks-Withington Co., Results in Continued Good Sales The music-radio trade, which has been watching the results of the "radio's richest season" advertising campaign now being conducted by the Sparks-Withington Co., Jackson, Mich., will be interested in the following data made public regarding the sale of Sparton instruments: Sparton newspaper advertising, starting in January, was built around the theme that "January, February, March and April are radio's richest months." The idea has been followed consistently. Weekly advertisements of usually six hundred lines were run in approximately one hundred metropolitan daily newspapers. The aim was to help extend the radio season as far as possible beyond the usual "falling off" in January. In contrast to the general tendency in radio sales at this season of the year, in March Sparton deliveries were approximately 75 per cent those of December and 60 per cent those of November. This shows a remarkable sales activity during the early Spring months. Two dealers report that their January sales were double their December sales. . One dealer reports January as his best month in two years. The idea of selling the public on the desirability of the entertainment offered well into the Spring originated with Captain William Sparks, president of the Sparks-Withington Co. The campaign was well received by Sparton distributors and dealers and the gratifying results form an excellent example of what can be accomplished with a real sales idea, backed by earnest dealer co-operation. New Victor Model Introduced to Trade of the New York Territory Victor Distributing Organizations Meet at Hotel Roosevelt, New York, for First Demonstration — Followed by Gatherings of Dealers — Enthusiasm Marks Showing