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My first blog in 2022.

This happened last November, it did not go well for most.

A little background.

This was a show produced by Howard Alan Events in conjunction with the United Arts Council.

Howard first produced the same kind of show in the same location last January,2021.

It was a first time show and it was very successful, everybody made mucho moola.

Knowing that, I was eager to try his first time Thanksgiving show at the same location.

The show is held in downtown Naples in the Design district adjacent to 5th Avenue.

The show is held on paved streets next to Route 41 and also on street with Condos behind booths.  It is a beautiful location.

It had a late Friday afternoon setup, so no getting up at 3 am.

As always, Howard does a great advertising campaign. He has strong show managers taking care of the artist's needs.

There were more than140 booths, everybody has rear storage. All the artists had fantastic work.  There were no buy sell there.

We were ready to make mucho moola come Saturday morn.

The trouble was, not many people came. Sales were spotty for most.

As always there were exceptions, people with big work making big sales. But they were a small number compared to the rest of us.

At the end of Saturday I had not even topped 1K in sales.  I was not alone.

As usual, early Sunday morn,I walked the show talking to fellow artists, getting a feel for how they had done.  Not many were happy, but we were hopeful that Sunday we could turn it around.

Alas, Sunday was just like Saturday. Slim crowd, slim sales.

Here is my take on it.

Cannot blame Howard, he did a superb job, as always, Elaine and the rest of the crew took good care of us.

But, historicaly, Thanksgiving weekend has never been good for sales.

In my 46 years of doing shows, I have tried Naples Thanksgiving weekend shows with at least four promoters.  They all ended up being stinkers.

Here is the reason.  It is too early in the season.

Most Snowbirds have not arrived yet.  The year round locals see shows there all year long.

Most do not buy much anymore.

It is as simple as that.

Come January thru March, the buyers are there, people make serious money, but not in November.

Sorry, Howard, you best let this turkey stay in the oven, stick to the January one.

Just saying.  Anybody got a comment to add, please do it.

I have a super winter spring schedule with dynamite shows like Vero, Winter Park, Mainsail, Ft. Myers, Images, Bonita Springs and Artisphere.

I will blog them all.