Updating this post to make it easier for the folks on AFI to find when searching!
I actually wrote two posts about OOAK ... here is the beginning of the Post Setup/Pre Show post:
Here is the beginning of the post show writeup:
If you have more questions about the show let me know, this was all I could think to write after a few days of recovery.
Comments
There is a pecking order. Returning artists get first dibs to hold their space from last year, if they want a new space they get first choice of what is left. New artists don't get their booth assignment until October and I think you can make requests but it depends on what is left.
Is there any chance of getting a better booth location? Do they give it to you if you ask? Or, the longer you show there then you are likely to get your booth choice? How does it work there?
I would say that 90% of our sales were for gifts. We sold a lot under $50. Highest priced item that sold was $125. I had things up to $400 but they were barely getting a glance. Roughly 60 transactions across 4 days.
Based on info from other artists - when they got a better booth location sales went up by 30 - 50%.
Amy, Thanks so much for all this info and photos. I've always wanted to do this show, but the expense is a serious consideration in this economy. Being a glass artist, I was glad to hear you did OK. I would have to pay for a hotel. Could you give us an idea of what price range you were selling? Were people buying gifts? Thanks!
Single booth is $2500, I think that Paul's number of $3500 includes travel and lodging
Thanks Amy. Very interesting. I can't imagine having a $3,500 booth fee.
The folks who run the show specifically said that they don't care which business model you use. Cash and Carry is the customer expectation but taking orders is fine too.
Although this is a OOAK Show, does this mean there are no 'orders' placed as is typical in the Merchandise Mart. This is a per se "Cash & Carry" show where people come in and buy on the spot. So, all you can sell is what you have?
Paul - We attended the show as customers last year and had gotten a lot of advice from several other glass artists who had been there many years. The only advice I wish they had supplied that they didn't was about booth location.
If I hadn't been able to drive home at night (I live about an hour away) this show would have gone from a little profit to none. Parking is expensive but at least I didn't have hotel fees. I am planning to go back because I see so much potential, not because we had record sales.
This year the first two days were so-so then saturday was busy and sunday ok. Plan on expenses of 3500 minimum if you drive from out of state, stay in a hotel, and pay for all your meals. I love going to Chicago and being downtown. I had several out of state customers. The rhythm of sales can dramatically fluctuate; I wasn't sure it was worth it until late on saturday.
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