Joining forces would never work, insofar as I can't imagine how I would keep the bullshit out if I wasn't completely in charge. I know that sounds awful, but you guys wouldn't believe the shenanigans that can happen ("hey I'll give you $200 if you kick that other guy out of the show" "I need to be second table in, move that other guy or I'll badmouth your show" "I know you don't like ______ but he is our supplier so he's going to get top billing" "you really should let ________ into the fest, I don't know why everyone hates them, but they are the most awesome store ever" "hey my brother owns a warehouse so we're going to do the show there" "I know I reserved 5 tables but now I don't want any give me my money back"). Stuff like that. I don't have affiliations, and I don't keep the money from the fest (which I'm assuming wouldn't be a popular policy for many), so basically nobody can touch me with bribes/threats whatever, and I can run a clean 'fest. I DO get it, for some this is their means of supporting their families etc, so stakes are high, but for me, this is how I blow off a bit of steam and give back to the salt community. There's a lot of good chaps in the hobby and I want to help them out, not clean out their wallets lol.
On monday I'll call the hall and see about availability and get a date set. The woman was a bitch last year but maybe it's back to the people I previously dealt with, which were awesome. I just had to pencil it into my dayplanner for next week. If I can lock down a date I'll start the reservations for tables asap.
Sorry for what looks like a tirade. Take it with a grain of salt
