63 Questions to Choosing the
Right Craft
Show
By Susan West
Choosing the Right Show
The best way to choose a show is to
scope
it out before committing to do it. Go to the show and observe, and ask
lots of questions. If you can't attend the show prior to
applying,
ask the promoter for names and numbers of a few of exhibitors that have
done the show before and are returning. Ask the promoter if
you can get on their mailing list. Once on the list you can request an
application and any rules or guidelines available. If you don't find
the
answers you are looking for, don't hesitate to make a call to the
promoter.
Here is a list of questions that you may want the answers to prior to
doing
a show. Don't feel like you need to know all the answers to all these
questions,
but the more informed you can be about the show, the better idea you
will
have about how it will be for you. When you do decide to do a show site
unseen, try to make observations and find answers to these questions as
you go. Many of the answers to these questions will also help you
evaluate
a show that you have done and will help you decide if it is worth doing
again next year.
General Show Questions
~What is the style of the show?
(country,
contemporary, traditional, etc.)
~What time does the show start and end?
~How early can we be there to set up?
~Is there air conditioning?
~Is the show outdoors - rain or shine?
~Do you have attendance figures?
~Is there an admission charged to the
public?
~Is there plenty of customer parking?
~Is the show held in conjunction with
another
activity, or is it solely an arts/crafts show?
~Are there food concessions?
~ Is there entertainment? What kind?
Application/Acceptance Process
~How many applications were received
last
year?
~How many of them are crafters? 2D
artists?
~Is this a juried show? First come,
first-served
show? Invitation only show?
~If this is a juried show, who views
the
applications, photos, and slides?
~Who makes up the jury?
~Is there a jury fee? How much?
~Is there an application fee? How much?
~Is there a minimum jury score
requirement/cutoff
to be accepted for the show?
~When are selections made?
~How many exhibitors from last year
are allowed
back?
~How many new applicants are accepted?
~Is there a tenure option or an option
to
return to the show next year?
~When will exhibitors be notified of
acceptance?
~Are there any cancellation penalties
or
rules?
~Is there a membership requirement?
~Are spaces filled by category?
~Is there a limit of number of vendors
per
category?
~Will you provide a list of exhibitors
for
reference?
Booth/Inventory/Crafter Questions
~How many vendors are in attendance?
~What is the size of the booth?
~Is there a variety of booth sizes?
~What is the price of the booth space?
~Is electricity available - for a fee?
~Is there a fee for parking?
~How accessible is parking?
~Is parking different for during the
show,
breakdown/set up, overnight?
~Is carpet rental available? What's
the fee?
~Is there a program advertising fee?
~Are tables and/or chairs available,
and
is there a fee for them?
~Is extra space or a double space
available?
~Are demonstrations allowed?
~Is additional space or discounts
provided
for demonstrations?
~What is the recommended price range
for
art/craft-work in this show?
~Is the crafter expected to donate a
door
prize or raffle item?
~Are there any special costume
requirements?
~What hotel/accommodations are nearby?
Policies
~What is your policy about non
handcrafted
merchandise?
~Are imports, buy/sell or commercial
merchandise
allowed?
~What is your policy for inclement
weather
if the show is outdoors?
~What kind of security is there if it
is
a two or more day show?
~Are there any insurance requirements?
Promotion/Customer Base
~How and where is the show advertised?
(The
number of customers will be directly related to this!)
~How frequently and for how long has
the
show been advertised?
~How comprehensive is the advertising
coverage?
~How many years has this show been in
existence?
~How many years has this show been in
this
location?
~How many people generally attend?
(Last
year's attendance)
~How many people do you expect to
attend
this year?
~Are promotional tools - invitations,
postcards,
flyers, etc provided to exhibitors?
~What are the demographics of the
customers?
Questions To Ask Those Who Have
Done the
Show
~What art/crafts/products are selling?
~Is attendance up to expectation?
~How is the set up - is the traffic
flow
good when crowded?
~What is the quality of the crafts in
the
show?
If you would like to leave feedback
for this
article, please email us at articles@sunshineglassworks.com
Article by:
Susan West of www.sunshineglassworks.com
Reprinted with permission from Susan
West.
Article is copyrighted and cannot be reprinted without permission from
the author.
