Okay, I have some questions on going bigger, and hopefully better, as far as shows. Most of my shows' booth fees have been in the $60-$150 for 1-2 day shows. I did Oak Alley last spring, which turned out to be their last show and it was over $200.
I am really wanting to do a show that is about double (or triple/quadruple) what I have routinely paid. I am believing it would give us a lot of exposure. It is in Shreveport, LA so it would easily draw people from Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas, possibly even Oklahoma. Link for show, which is for arts and crafts .... www.redriverrevel.com.
This show has been around for about 40 years & runs 8 days. An artist/crafter can apply for a single booth (single artist) for:
* all 8 days, $900
* first 4 days (Sat.-Tues.), $450
* last 4 days (Wed.-Sat.), $450
I am not even considering the whole 8 days. I am considering 4 days. Dh has said that IF we apply, and that is a BIG if, we should apply for the first 4 days because it give 2 weekend days (Saturday and Sunday) for shopping. The last four days only gives Saturday.
Our distance is such that we would have to go up the day before and stay an extra night. We are about 5 hours away from this event, have no real family to stay with so a hotel would be in our plans. It would pretty much be our "vacation".
What I am asking of y'all is this .... when you want to make a step up to a much bigger show, how do you make that decision? What factors do you consider besides the obvious expenses such as booth fee, hotel, gas, food, etc.? How do you know when you are personally ready and when your business is ready for a show that costs so much more than what you've done before? How would I figure stock for such a big scale event?
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For those who are still curious, I had posted a while back that I got wait listed. The deadline for those who made the first cut has come and gone, weeks ago now. After that deadline I did check to see if I was anywhere near getting in. The person who replied was polite enough, but basically was told don't call us, we'll call you. So I am moving on. I have a one day show I can get into that would be on the Saturday I would have been in Shreveport for Red River Revel. Life goes on.
Plenty of shows out there! Good luck in the future but thanks for letting us know.
Who knows, if your show was like mine last weekend, you'd have been better off not going anyways! haha...
Thanks for the dialogue though, I was trying to find out more about this show. It seems the hardest part is knowing where to find the fine folks who love what you offer!
Oh, yeah Bobby. Trying to meet that fine balance of putting customers, $$ and our products together all in one venue!
Cindy, I wish I had some 'Pearls of Wisdom' for you but I have yet to do my first show. I just want to tell you congrats on doing well enough to even consider going bigger and if you decide to actually go for it, good luck ^_^ Please come back and let us all know how it went for you.
~Alicia
Maybe you should attend the festival as a patron this year and check it out first, talk to the artists and vendors there, get a feel for the crowd, see what they are buying and IF they are buying. Then apply for next year if it looks like your work would fit there, and you would feel more confident about doing it- Attendance at a big festival doesn't always equal sales for everyone- sometimes they're there for henna tattoos and beer. Speaking from experience...
Patty,
I posted elsewhere in a discussion titled, "Took the Plunge" that I decided to enter. Entering has been "knowing" at me for almost a year. I missed last year's deadline by a couple months. Deadline this year was Feb. 27, about the same as last year's. It is an early entry but $$ is not due till after acceptance and then it is split into 2 payments .... pending approval of course. I am nervous about getting in. I really don't think I'll cut it this year but at least I will have the experience of applying. Hopefully I can learn from either an approval or a rejection.
Just a couple of comments from fly-over country:
ASKING AFTER THE DEADLINE: Directors might not want this widely known, but if you miss the deadline--ask anyway. As the saying goes, it does not hurt to ask. I got into a big show because I was willing to be a standby and come in at the last minute.
Additionally, I have called and found that since my work is much different that everyone else's work--they found a space for me even after the deadline. Thus, if you want to go to a show, don't take NO for an answer--It doesn't hurt to ask.
If they are on ZAPP the communication with the show is locked out after the deadline. Find the show on the Internet and read about the show, find the names of the director(s) and contact them directly. Even if you don't get in, you will learn more about the leadership for the future.
GETTING THE SCOOP ON THE SHOW. The idea of going to the show as a Patron for the first year is a very good one. Another excellent method to really know the show is to find someone already accepted and volunteer to work their booth for breaks. Some will welcome you, others will be suspicious and still others will be rude that you should be so forward. Try anyway! You can never really SEE the show until you are part of it. Just explain to the artist you approach: who you are, what you are wanting to do, why you are wanting to do it, when you could do it, where you can do it and how much time and effort you can give. Are you willing to help with set-up and tear-down? How can you benefit the Artist in addition to covering breaks.
DON'T JUST READ REVIEWS (HIDDEN AGENDAS) No one on Artfair Insiders would do this, but there are times when the reviewer has a 'bone to pick' or is a 'friend of the director' or the like. Yes, read the reviews, but go farther in your research. As professional researchers know, reviews are secondary data. Primary data is the gold standard for information. So, talk directly to artists who have attended the show and ask pointed questions to get the information you need and some information you did not know you needed. If can speak directly to a reviewer, you may come away with a different understanding of the show.
As I said, just a few comments from flyover country! Enjoy!
I wanted to provide an update. I emailed the Red River Revel at an email provided for inquiries. I asked what hours arts and crafts booths were supposed to be open during the festival. I was told 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM weekdays and 11:00 AM -10;00 PM on weekends. Long hours for sure. I guess I had hoped it would end early enough each evening for us to grab a nice dinner.
The promoter provides the tents and side panels for all booths. I inquired as to whether they provide the front panel for closing up the booth at the end of the day. Here is the answer:
"As for tents are concerned: When the festival closes, a 4th curtain-like panel will cover the front of your booth. We also have 24 hour security on site to watch the artist booths."
I am not exactly sure I know what this "curtain-like panel" is. I am used to 4 panels that come with the tent and are attached with Velcro. (We have an EZ up but I am not sure which model. It was about $100+cost of the panels.) So is this curtain like panel standard for these show? I know what we have can still be broken in to if someone really wanted in. However I imagine this panel not being secured on the sides but just draped from the top. Any reassurance out there for me?
I was talking to a lady recently who has attended as someone from the community, not an artist/crafter or musician. She said that security is very good there. They even get strict with the saggy pants thing.
Another thing to consider: although the application deadline is fast approaching, no booth money is due until after exhibitors have been notified of their acceptance. That gives you more time to ferret out show info.
Juci,
Yes, I have already liked their page to get updates. I have also looked at the reviews of attendees there and most, if not all, are positive. I did find out, as you metioned, that money is not due up front except a jury fee.
I am seriously considering it but dh and I will have at least one or two more conversations about this before a final decisions are made.
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