What does it take to get people to turn out to a Trade-O-Ree?  If you look at the calendar included in today's issue you can see between now and the summer I list over 20 shows scattered across the country.  Covering your bases with the die hard collectors is not that hard.  What I'm trying to do with the Charlotte TOR (an idea that others might want to consider) is taking my marketing to the real Scouts and Scouters in the local council.

• Backpack, Plumb Hatchet, Canteen Collection
• 1940's BSA Sash with Pins, Medals and Badges
• New York World's Fair 1964-1965 Corps Patches
• Lot of 1980's Boy Scout Patches, Pins, Scarfs Etc.
• 1936 Handbook Twenty Third Print Rockwell Cover
• Boy Scout LS Shirt mid 1940's with Eagle Scout Badge
• 8th World Moot Mondial Australia 1990-1991 Rover Scout 

Over the next two months I'll continue to give up the 2nd Thursday or the month (yes including February 14th) to attend the remaining round tables in the council and put fliers in the hands of Pack and Troop leaders.  Our show also gives free tables to the council Scout shop and OA lodge for them to make a profit.  That in turn makes it easier for us to promote at the council office and lodge events.

• Round Table & Troop Insignia
• Camp Ken Etiwa PEC Orange Mountain Council
• Lodge 164 Tisquantum Lot Of Jacket Patch 28/125
• Short Sleeve Button Front Shirt Uniform Patches XL
• Wahissa Lodge Hickory Council Elauwit Chapter Patches 

 

The last piece of this marketing strategy is reaching out beyond the local folks that have an easy drive.  Again this year I hope to find collectors in each of the surrounding dozen+ councils that will hand out fliers at a spring OA event.  I've also got a separate email list built focused on eBay buyers in the southeastern USA that I send messages to when it's closer to time for the TOR.  It's kinda the leave no stone unturned strategy.  My philosophy is not everyone will come but at least everyone will know it's happening.

• Lodge 442 Wauna La Mon Tay Camp Staff
• 2010 National Jamboree Chenille Back Patch
• Ulster Survival Pocket Knife Can Opener Fishing
• Puerto Rico Council Concilio de CSP Wood Badge
• Cub Webelos Ball Cap & Plaid Neckerchief, Hat Pins 

I share all these points in order to suggest to everyone involved with a TOR that it's no longer the case that if you build it they will come.  With eBay and Facebook it's way to easy for collectors to get their patch fix.  So you have to make the TOR be a can't miss event.  I also think you need to try as hard as possible to draw in the regular Joe Scouter that has a mild interest in all this but hasn't drank the Kool-Aid.

• 1990 OA 75th Anniversary Square Patch
• Old North State Council 070 Greensboro
• 1975 National OA Conference (NOAC) Patch
• 2014 Cardinal Conclave Mighty Cardinal Flap
• Lodge 243 Mowogo Vigil Northeast Georgia Council
• Lodge 87 Bob White Flap 2015 NOAC Georgia Carolina