This is the second year for the OOAK show in NYC. Last year it was held at Pier 94. It seems that the low attendance and the location have caused the Merchandise Mart organization to move the show to what is a more central location. The organization owns the building in which the event will be held. The show will be on the 11th floor. How are 75-100 artists going to get their booths and inventory up and down in the elevator, especially during the week when the elevator will also be accessing the show rooms on the other floors? Now, I'm thinking about everyone trying to leave at once on Sunday night! Not a pretty picture.
Last fall's show didn't get the best of reviews:
- The quality of exhibitors' work was very uneven. I felt quite discouraged setting up on Wednesday & discovering this much hyped show had so much shlock work in it. My NYC artist friends who came to the show to see me & check if they would want to do this show in 2010 were also quite dismayed.
- I had high hopes for this OOAKNY show, put together an eye catching booth, & exhibited top quality work at reasonable price points. In spite of my best efforts, this show was a big disappointment.
- The venue was of a very shabby quality for the hype of the show, and somehow the word did not get out to the people who should have been there. NY is a world unto itself, I am glad I participated in the show so I could get an experience of the NY buyer, but am unsure, until I hear what changes will be made in the production, to commit to a second year at this show.
- It was a lovely city and a wonderful time personally but very difficult to accept more than $10,000 being spent along with a lot of logistics planned as well as personal time utilized for a return of under $2000 in sales. Being a smaller company it is really difficult to absorb this or take those sorts of risks again next year. I feel I understand and accept responsibility for taking the risk of being part of a new show and in a new market.
- I heard from some customers that they were disappointed in the exhibits and said that my work, original paintings were one of the few "one of a kind" items exhibited, which was true. There were mass produced items galore.There was the feeling that NYC OOAK was accepting any exhibitors to fill the Pier. That was very evident.
- Because of their excellent reputation in Chicago and Toronto, I expected it to be a grand show. Probably not enough advertising to the RIGHT, art savvy, potential customers, because those who did come were not fine art and fine craft buyers... in fact, their only interest was in items under $100...My corner booth cost $2,800 + $800 for electricity and during the four-day show, I made 3 sales totalling $345. I generally make a minimum of 2K per show. I am reeling from the loss.
This year the event will be held in their own building. You do the math $2500 times 75 = $187,500, times two weekends, $300,000 to $400,000. Is this organization going to be able to bring in the customers the artists need to this commercial building? There is no doubt that NYC is the place where people go to buy art -- New York can support a strong art show. Is this the one? I'd love your feedback.
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Feedback?
Disclosure: Richard and I have worked on several events together. He is a friend of mine and advertises periodically on my websites.
If you are thinking Chicago is a better show, I'd say consider it only if you have lots of very low-end fashionable work. It is an attractive venue, but there are 450 booths; the isles all look the same, so customers cannot find you again, supposing they are not too exhausted to try; what was selling when I was there were refrigerator magnets and tradtional-style Chinese paintings on a gold spray-painted background.
Maybe I am to much of a rebel , but it's worth a shot if you don't have another show that week
The answer is: It's exactly the same.
Why? Your gross profit(expenses, cost of production, etc. before taxes) is actually the same at both shows.
We've already established that expenses at the more expensive show was $3000 and your gross sales were $8000, leaving $5000. To determine profit you still have to subtract how much it costs to produce the work that was sold. With jewelers, most of the cost is in materials. With potters most of the cost is in labor although you still have clay and glaze costs and firing costs(gas or whatever) plus labor. So, if it costs you $4000 to make $8000 worth of product, your gross profit is $1000 at the "better" show. If your gross sales were $4000 and your expenses were $1000, that leaves you with $3000. At the same rate, it costs you $2000 to produce $4000 worth of product, once again, leaving you with $1000 gross profit.
Considering, that in most cases, the less expensive show is less days, has an easier setup, and has less competition giving you a greater chance of winning an award, it may be a better decision to do the smaller show.
Just a thought!!
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