Originally Posted by Ltvscout

AKPilot writes:

1) For years now, rocketry hobbyists have desired Estes' recognition of them as a valued customers. How does Estes, under your leadership, hope to bridge the gap between Estes as a toy company and a hobby related industry?
We already do that—I think we are the only company that lives in both worlds—and neither is fully happy with what we do—for every negative comments I hear about what you guys say—my people read this I guess—I get more from the toy guys who want me to be more toy oriented—you can’t imagine what some of the toy buyers want me to do with the line.

Originally Posted by Peartree

My wife LOVES weisswurshte (me too) but due to new food preparation codes here, it is almost impossible to get. I don't know about Barry, but the next time we're in Germany (it's been too long), we just might take you up on that.

Originally Posted by DAllen

I am a little surprised that this is proprietary. I was just trying to see what direction Estes is going. Then again I guess this displays my utter lack of knowledge of big business practices.

Sorry that I broke the rules.

Originally Posted by gpoehlein

Boy - I'd LOVE to hear some of what the toy buyers want. Having seen what can happen when marketing people get involved in the product decision making process in another industry (the role playing game industry, to be specific), I shudder with what those yoyos would want to do with rocketry!

Originally Posted by Solomoriah

RPG fan? Whaddaya play?

Originally Posted by gpoehlein

Actually, I'm a pro designer - I co-wrote Star Trek: The Role Playing Game for FASA and worked on FASA's Doctor Who RPG. I've also written for D&D, Mekton and a little known (and even littler played) game called Cyborg Commandos. I now am a partner in a small game company called MicroTactix Games, and am the designer of the Plainlabel Role Playing System, including Simply Role Playing Game and Budget Battlefield Tabletop Miniatures Game.

Don't get to play much at all now - too busy (especially with rockets). Mostly I content myself with playing the MMORPG City of Heroes right now.

Greg

Originally Posted by billspad

They're pretty good at misusing what's available now:

http://www.rocketryplanet.com/content/view/2812/31/

Originally Posted by AKPilot

The attitudes towards Barry have come from years of neglect towards the relationship. Barry has given a HUGE olive branch though at this point, which is great. Better than anything we've seen before in the hobby.


I'm curious though why the state of Colorado shut down the tours of Estes. Couldn't they open a "front area" again where people could come in, see the kits, talk to Christine ( ), and see a bit of history from older kits in display cases? I could see them not permitting tours of the motor machines, but couldn't there be a "front-end" tour? Especially if there was a partnership with Vern and Gleda!!!