Vendors at shows

[ecduzitgood]

Does anyone know how much the venders pay for space to display at some of the area shows? How many people don't realize the vendors pay to display their goods? I know my mother does craft shows which I help her set up and the average cost for her 10'x15' space is from about $500-$1300 with electricity. I don't think people understand all that goes into doing these shows, alot people act as though they are being ripped off when she might make a $5-$6 profit on a $30 item that took her 30mins.+ just to assemble.

[Rocco34520]

Lots of behind the scences stuff goes on at these shows. And if you look closely you can see the time that goes into putting on a show.

[Slipknot]

I know what you mean, my Mom used to do craft shows and you're lucky if you break even at times, it's almost like a hobby. People have no clue what goes into making some crafts or ceramics. The booth costs were a lot less back then I think, but I remember carrying stuff in and out for her at many places.

[MAC]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

I know what you mean, my Mom used to do craft shows and you're lucky if you break even at times, it's almost like a hobby. People have no clue what goes into making some crafts or ceramics. The booth costs were a lot less back then I think, but I remember carrying stuff in and out for her at many places.

ceramics

[mikecc]

8x10 space at fishing shows starts around $400 double space $600 then you have to have power $80 .
a week of planing ,rooms ,gas ,food after that 2 days to get back to normal all in all cost is about $1000,

I don't miss it at all.
I can lower my prices even more than at a show and just have a sale in the shop that go thru all that again.

[ecduzitgood]

Thanks for your responses, I just didn't know if people where aware of the cost associated with trying to participate as a vendor. The additional cost of acquiring the materials or product and getting it to the show on top of the booth fee's can be overwhelming. Then of course your time standing there all day hearing "can you do better" or "will you take (x)$", sure let me give you a discount just for asking. I'm sure if I came to your work place and asked you to do the same you would. Thanks for the view from the side of a vendor MikeCC, and "2 days to get back to normal" depends on what you consider normal.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by mikecc

8x10 space at fishing shows starts around $400 double space $600 then you have to have power $80 .
a week of planing ,rooms ,gas ,food after that 2 days to get back to normal all in all cost is about $1000,

I don't miss it at all.
I can lower my prices even more than at a show and just have a sale in the shop that go thru all that again.

Same here Mike.

You can add "ponder where that reel went" that you can't seem to find after a show and can only conclude it was stolen since it didn't sell during the show. And the inevitable breakage and wear and tear on products from traveling.

Also a full store inventory to get things accurate again. Phones not being answered while we're away, web orders not being pulled and shipped, and customers who didn't know you were at a show getting pissed when they show up and the doors are locked.

Parking expenses for the whole staff. Uhaul truck. Payroll and food for extra staff. The list goes on and on. Nearly getting in a brawl every year with the oh so helpful dock workers at the Providence Convention Center. Sitting on the access ramp for hours on end before beginning the 10 hour set up of the SWE booth. The inevitable post show cold and or flu. Vendors parking small vehicles in the area set aside for those with big trucks that can't go in the parking garage taking up all the space resulting in me having to sit around in the street and nearby parking lots for hours on end waiting for one of the morons to finally show up so I can give him a piece of my mind and finally park the U-Haul. That last one really chaps my ass every year.

But I'm not bitter or anything.

Not going to miss RISAA this year. Planning to enjoy it from the other side of the fence. Maybe. Maybe I'll just go throw a fly line at some largemouths or something instead.

[Joe]

At that rate, it takes her 41 hours of labor to cover every $500 of fixed costs.
Then she has to stand there all day to sell stuff that she only got $12 an hour to put together.
She must get some kind of intrinsic satisfaction, because it's a losing proposition financially.

[Green Light]

I have done trade shows. They are alot of work. No question. But, it's always great to get out and actually talk to your customers. There is nothing like that one-on-one connection. The honest feedback is also very valuable. I do know that not all shows are created equall in terms of the overall quality and cost. After we attended trade shows, we would evaluate the success of the show and make a business decission of whether or not to attend next year's show. Success, however, is not simply measured in dollars!!!

What we learned is that presentation at a show is key! How you set up your table or both, how you interact with the customers, how you bring them to your both and table, are all key factors in making a show a success. That said, we never sent the guy who "hated" working at trade shows because such negative engergy would come accorss the table.

Both line, we approached a show as a team effort. Everyone contributed in the roles they had the most skill at and enjoyed most.

My $0.02

[Joe]

I think for a newer tackle manufacturer, or a person looking to expose or promote books, dvd's, clothing - shows are essential in establishing a brand. They're also good for tackle manufacturers who want to sell direct to the consumer.

For retail stores, they know show customers are expecting deals (rightfully so). You have to take on additional fixed costs to attend the show, and then provide discounts on top of those added fixed costs. If you can't do that, stay home.

But if you are going out of business and you want to dump your inventory, a show is a great place to do it. I think there will be some great deals at this year's shows because so many shops are on the brink and desperate for cash.

[Striperhound]

how about the shamwow guy!