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Hi Everyone,
I want to share with you the latest correspondence I have sent him so you can see the facts and why Tigerz11 and Roo Systems were banned from the Melbourne 4x4 show.
Here is the letter I sent Paul Morgan the show organiser.
I believe the facts speak for themselves.
Paul,
In the interests of not being loose with the truth, and keeping the industry and the public informed, the only person back-pedalling is you.
The facts are:
1. Tigerz11 and Roo Systems wanted to book space for Melbourne, and did so in time. There has never been an issue with us booking stands in previous years, yet this time we had a very different response from you.
2. Tigerz11 asked if inside space was available, but would have accepted outside space.
Christian Rolfe from the Tigerz11 marketing team initially emailed you to ask for space indoors. Your response is attached here.
Sent: Wednesday, 27 March 2013 1:58 PM
To: 'Christian Rolfe'
Subject: RE: Melbourne 4x4 Show - Tigerz11
Hi Christian,
Thanks for your email.
At this point in time I don’t have anything available, but will be in contact if something comes up.
Kind regards,
Paul Morgan
Exhibitions and Trade Fairs Pty Ltd
3. I then rang you to ask if we could book space outdoors, which you also refused.
You didn’t return my calls. After waiting several days for a response, I found this unusual so I asked Ben Sexton from Roo Systems to call you and see if he could get onto you. In your phone call with him in early April, you said that there was an issue with Roo Systems having a stand at the Melbourne show and that you were catching a taxi at the airport and couldn’t talk now but would explain it later. Not understanding why there would be an “issue” with Roo Systems stand at the show, because there never has been in previous years I then tried to call you and didn’t get hold of you.
I finally got hold of you the Friday of the same week on the phone. I asked could Tigerz and Roo have a stand outside as there was no space inside available. You told me that you would have to still see what’s available. I then said “Paul, something smells very wrong here”, what is the issue with Tigerz and Roo exhibiting at the show. You said “some influential people in the 4WD industry don’t want Tigerz11 and Roo Systems at the Melbourne 4x4 show”. I then explained that it isn’t fair not to allow us to exhibit because of pressure from other exhibitors.
Our parting words in that discussion were that if you didn’t get back to me with a reason as to why we couldn’t exhibit by close of business that day, I would discuss with the ACCC.
You told me that it was your show and you had the right to choose who does and doesn’t exhibit.
Why would you say that if you weren’t refusing us the chance to exhibit?
You then said, “I won’t be getting back to you by close of business” and hung up.
I did not hear from you again.
4. We know we could have taken legal action, or have gone to the ACCC, but decided to go to the court of public opinion
5. We noticed that yesterday morning on our forum you said you could not comment due to pending legal action, yet on the same day you were happy to comment in a libellous, misleading and untruthful manner
6. The many honourable and respected 4WD industry people deserved better than having a cloud hang over the show. They are paying you good money, expecting the crowd to come and see their products. Some would have come to see Roothy. Instead, you have banned Tigerz11 and Roo Systems, therefore, Roothy will not show.
It is unfortunate that you have chosen to take the path you have by not allowing Tigerz11 and Roo Systems to attend the show. Tigerz11 and Roo Systems just want to let all 4WDers have access to fair priced products. When we were not allowed by you to exhibit at the Melbourne 4x4 show we were forced to look for other alternatives. What message would it send to 4WDers if Tigerz11 and Roo Systems didn’t attend the Melbourne 4x4 show without giving a reason?
Your decision not to let Tigerz and Roo Systems exhibit at the show gave us no option.
Tigerz11 and Roo Systems still plan to attend as many shows as possible.
Why would we choose to only miss the Melbourne show after having stands at the Brisbane show in March and already committing to attending the 3 shows in Perth, Sydney and Adelaide later this year organised by your competitor.
We note in your email mailout yesterday that space is still unsold for the Melbourne show (approximately 20% unsold). This proves that we weren’t excluded from this show because we missed any deadlines or that there was no room left for us.
Here is an extract from the email you sent yesterday 7/5/13.
Just over 20 per cent of floor space remains for the August 23-25 event at the Melbourne Showgrounds, with the early interest and strong demand resulting in organisers adding an additional hall to the Show footprint, bringing it to over 50,000 square metres for the first time ever.
You simply chose not to let us attend.
I have been proudly involved in the 4WD Industry and with your shows for many years and you should be ashamed of your treatment of Tigerz11 and Roo Systems.
How you can hold your head high after the blatant untruths in your public response surprises me.
Your story simply does not make sense.
You know this is the truth Paul, you are the one who has to live with your conscience, my conscience is clear.
Sincerely,
Glenn Wright
Director of Marketing
Roo Systems and Tigerz11