We were up in Dayton, OH, for the one day Art on the Commons Sunday, Aug. 8. Show was from 11-5. Expected attendance 30,000 with 110 booths. It is fine arts and fine crafts, although I'd say far more fine art, and quality was good. It was held in a nice arts pavilion.
Summary:
Amenities - Booth fee was low at $160. They sent out a lot of information beforehand and when you checked in there was more info. Hospitality was the normal stuff. I had a great spot, off the pavement in the shade of a tree. People were packing in my tent to cool off. I'd love to have the space again!
Crowd - I'm big on the numbers...that's how I decide if a shows going to be worth it for me. Don't ask me why, my thinking is probably off. There definitely was not the expected 30K. My husband and I came up with maybe a little over 10K. The weather was great, but where were the people? Up until 4 pm, it was steady, but again, just not enough buyers.
Advertising - I saw no signs for the event outside of the entrance. I looked at one of the area entertainment guides and there was only a small blurb for it. I'm sure that most of their advertising was to the local arts patrons, but besides that I wasn't impressed.
Sales - I'm a photographer. Prices range from $2 notecards to $300 canvas, with a mix of prices in that range. My sales were horrible for the show. With my expenses (hotel, etc), we did not make expenses. I was next to a local clay artist and I didn't ask him about sales, but I know they were low for him. He was next to me a few weeks ago in Fort Wayne and his sales were low there too and I could tell he was in the same boat for this show. I talked to another painter and their sales were very low. I did see people leaving with items and some with even some big items but the numbers were so low for attendance, it wasn't a good mix of sales.
I'd like to hear if anyone else was there and how things went. Maybe I'm just having a hard time selling. My understanding is this show is a top 200 show. I think I'd be open to going back, but I'd love to know if the numbers they give for attendance are true or if this was just a bad year.
Comments
I didn't get into this show, but had applied since it is within driving distance of where I live outside of Cincinnati. Even with this review I will probably apply again since I am trying to stretch my customer base north a few hours like I've stretched it south
In the past I've heard this show described as a "little gem", sorry to hear it didn't turn out that way for you. I used to live in Kettering it is surely a nice community. Ha! Used to live in Ft. Wayne too and was at that show. Sorry I didn't see you and get to meet you.
The whole business consists of learning something new at every show. Keep your eyes open and see if you can spot who is doing well and how they are doing it. You can make this work.
Thanks for the review. Hope to see you at Penrod or Crocker Park (Fall). Cheers.