Yesterday I did the Hilltop Art Fair at UCC Parker Hilltop Church, Douglas County, Colorado. I wrote a blog about this show last year so I wont repeat the basic information here which you can read by searching "Hilltop, Colorado" on this site. This year it was about the same with seven sales averaging at $84, so it was worth while to do. I normally do not do indoor shows or one day shows, but I do this one to support my church and it gives me an opportunity to get inventory out of winter storage to see what I need to do for the summer outdoor shows at Colorado resort areas. For newcomers, I think these type shows at churches and schools give you a nonthreatening environment where you can make the the basic mistakes, learn the ropes, and build your confidence. Artists at these shows are usually local and you can get information on other local events you might add to your list. At this show there were artists who only do small local events to those who travel out of state. It also gives you a time to observe other peoples set ups and displays as you build your own. In general the atmosphere at these shows is probably the friendliest you will find. Sales can be all over the map as well as quite profitable.
At the other end of the spectrum, is the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) "Elk Camp" that we did in 2002. This even was held in the convention center at the Reno Hilton Hotel. There were about 1,200 booth spaces and a 10' x 10' was $900 for the 4-day event. It was a 2-day drive for us from Franktown to Reno, and we drove US 50 across UT and NV, aka "The Loneliest Highway in the US". We probably saw more golden eagles on telephone poles than cars. We stayed and visited with Jean's twin sister in Reno, which was a significant cost savings. Set up was controlled and organized. For several blocks, cars, trucks, etc. were parked on the right hand of the street at the rear of the hotel. A guy with a radio was at the base of a ramp going up to the loading dock. When you were near the head of the line you would be called to go up by the "Dock Master" who controlled parking on the dock. We went up and it was a maze of airline cargo containers from big outfits like Remington and Colt firearms catering to the elk hunters. You unloaded and a guy directed you to you booth space where you dumped your stuff, then you got off the dock ASAP. When you do this type show pay particular attention to your sidewall height and how far they can extend toward the aisle. At this one we were able to use our outdoor 10' x 10' x 8' tent frame of conduit and connectors. If you needed electricity, union electricians were there to plug you in. You also needed documentation about the fire resistance of your booth materials (never mind all of the live ammunition there LOL). Our neighbors were outfitters (guides for horseback hunts) in NM and MT. Across the aisle was a safari outfitter from South Africa with double booth.
Take down was interesting. You had to be totally disassembled and with your stuff stacked. Then guys they hired off the street, came cay with 6' long dollies, loaded you up and took you to the loading dock where the Dock Master had allowed your vehicle to come up the ramp. Tight spaces to park among the air cargo containers again. I would not have wanted to access the ramp with a trailer. The street guys passed stuuf to me from the dollies and were were off the dock in 15 minutes. Management sent out a memo about not tipping these guys (something about the unions) but I slipped each one of them $10 because they were GOOD.
At the show itself, there were big crowds with money, but the RMEF was hitting them up for money every time they turned around for classes, lectures, meetings and demonstrations. You even had to pay $25 to participate in the silent auction. We did OK with sales but we would have only broken even if we had not stayed with relatives. The last day of the show RMEF scheduled your "interview" which was designed to sign you up for other Elk Camps. The people with the longest history with the RMEF were interviewed first and got prime real estate, and on down the line. Because this was tour first year, our time was last. The way this work is, you were expected to sign up for all of the other Elk Camps with down payments expected. I told them "no thank you" and that is the end of the story.
Except, for the safari outfit across the aisle from us. Early one morning I wandered over and looked at their literature, and learned that the costs for photo safaris were within our reach. In 2006, we spent a month in Namibia and South Africa., making Elk Camp "worthwhile".
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