EMG Christmas show Virginia Beach

I've been a part of the VB Christmas show for 5 years now -- and just finished the most recent show last weekend. This was my best year so far - partly because I've finally found a way to create some smaller art pieces that work well for Christmas gifts.

It's tricky to sell art as Christmas gifts - because of the price points - you have to be in the "gift" range.

I have to say, the EMG show is really wonderful. Denise Wynn heads up the show - and is fabulous. This particular show has high quality work - no buy/sell. There are plenty of booths with jewelry, high quality pottery, food items, photography, crafts and then some artists. It doesn't have the feel of many of the typical crafts shows I've visited - Denise does a great job filling the show with high quality, unique work.

Obviously this is not the show for selling high priced originals - although I did sell one original for $400. Mostly, the price point is between $50 - $200. In that price range I did really well. The show brings in over 17,000 people - and it's a nice crowd.

EMG also has an indoor Spring art and craft show - in March. I've participated in that one for the past three years - and have done even better there than the Christmas show.... mostly because people are ready to purchase art in the spring. It draws a smaller crowd, but they will buy for themselves rather than just looking for a gift.

I highly recommend shows with EMG - they also have one in Chantilly in early November. Since there are so many decent paying government jobs in DC - the Chantilly show is really good.

I love indoor shows - and not having to worry about weather!

Kathy

While I agree that Denise and Steve are wonderful people and are trying to get new qualified artists to put on a decent show. I have to disagree with your statement "that there is no buy/sell". There most definitely is. I know it is hard to control and prove in most cases, but it exists. I have been doing both Chantilly and VA Beach and see it proliferating the show. Edible reseedable birdhouses, Hudson River inlay, the gourd ornament people and many more that are not making their items. They are being hand made somewhere, but not by the people that are selling them......I also have seen the clientele change at both of these shows.....Like you, I have a loyal following, thank goodness for that. But I had many of my customers last year say that they would have to seriously think about coming to the show again because, they felt the quality of the show was going down. They also felt because of this it did not warrant the entrance fee of $7.00. My sales had been consistently the same at Chantilly, until this year, I was down 26%. The booth behind me was selling country crafts, some that had what some may consider cute sayings on them (I think some people here refer to it as SOS) and they were selling for $10-$20 a piece. They sold $5,000.00 of this stuff at this show and they told me they sold $5,000.00 of it in the Spring show. I did not do the Spring show in 2012, because my sales were too low in 2011 and prior years, for the expenses I incurred to do the show. I highly recommend any artist/crafter who is going to seriously think about this show, to attend it first to see if it is the right fit for you and your work. Just my two cents...........I hope it helps someone.

Replies

Alesia Coppedge December 4, 2012 at 5:50pm

While I agree that Denise and Steve are wonderful people and are trying to get new qualified artists to put on a decent show. I have to disagree with your statement "that there is no buy/sell". There most definitely is. I know it is hard to control and prove in most cases, but it exists. I have been doing both Chantilly and VA Beach and see it proliferating the show. Edible reseedable birdhouses, Hudson River inlay, the gourd ornament people and many more that are not making their items. They are being hand made somewhere, but not by the people that are selling them......I also have seen the clientele change at both of these shows.....Like you, I have a loyal following, thank goodness for that. But I had many of my customers last year say that they would have to seriously think about coming to the show again because, they felt the quality of the show was going down. They also felt because of this it did not warrant the entrance fee of $7.00. My sales had been consistently the same at Chantilly, until this year, I was down 26%. The booth behind me was selling country crafts, some that had what some may consider cute sayings on them (I think some people here refer to it as SOS) and they were selling for $10-$20 a piece. They sold $5,000.00 of this stuff at this show and they told me they sold $5,000.00 of it in the Spring show. I did not do the Spring show in 2012, because my sales were too low in 2011 and prior years, for the expenses I incurred to do the show. I highly recommend any artist/crafter who is going to seriously think about this show, to attend it first to see if it is the right fit for you and your work. Just my two cents...........I hope it helps someone.
Chris King November 30, 2012 at 10:51pm

I agree with Kathy - I enjoy working with everyone at EMG shows. I have been doing the VA spring show and Chantilly - this was my first time for the Christmas Market. My dh and I did very well. Always a pleasure to work with Denise.

Christina
Kathy Rose November 30, 2012 at 8:59am

Hi Rich,

If you do the Spring show - be sure and come by and say hi! I don't think we met at the last show. I will be there for sure.

Yes, sometimes parking is a problem with the marathon going on - however, I had a lot of people who went to the marathon who came to my booth and purchased. I find this show has helped me to develop a strong regular customer base. They come every year and buy something from me. The regular customers know all the tricks to finding parking - and somehow manage to get it done.

I have found that year after year, the show grows in attendance. So - I like the direction it's moving.

Cheers,

Kathy
Rich Terry November 30, 2012 at 6:53am

https://www.facebook.com/pages/EMG/156478821033718?ref=stream

http://www.emgshows.com/
Lida Arthaud November 29, 2012 at 11:03pm

Can you give me their website or facebook page?
Rich Terry November 29, 2012 at 6:40pm

I have not done the Christmas show but I have done the Spring show. I was kind of disappointed in the attendance and their social media presence is very poor. Last spring I spoke with Denise and her boss and they said they had been too bust to really do anything with social media. I looked at their FB page again a few weeks ago and nothing had been done with it yet.

I also did not care for the heritage area down the middle of the show which took up valuable booth real estate. Many patrons had parking issues due to the marathon being at the convention center at the same time.

I usually give most shows at least two attempts before I write them off. I am currently considering my spring options and the Spring show in VB.

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