Are you thinking about doing a trade show in 2010?
Before you commit to doing any trade show, its a good idea to preview the show. Many shows occur twice a year, so if you were hoping to do a trade show in 2010, there’s still time to check out the winter/spring edition of a show to decide if you want to go for it in summer/fall. Here’s a list of some upcoming shows to add to your calendar for January and February:
Accessories the Show – January 5-7, New York City
Designers & Agents – January 5-7. New York City
Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market – January 8-12, Atlanta
New York International Gift Fair – January 30-February 4, New York City
San Francisco International Gift Fair – February 6-9, San Francisco
Buyers Market of American Craft – February 12-15, Philadelphia
Pool Trade Show – February 16-18, Las Vegas
Accessories the Show – February 16-18, Las Vegas
American Craft Council Show – February 23-24, Baltimore (this is a once a year show)
These shows aren’t open to the public, so if you’d like to attend, contact the show organizer and let them know you are thinking about exhibiting in the future. They will typically give you a free pass as a guest of sales.
I’ll also be attending some of these shows (mostly to check them out, but I’ll be exhibiting at New York Gift), and I’ll share my thoughts here for those that can’t make the show. (I’m off to the city on Tuesday to check out Accessories and D&A.) I’d also love to here about your experiences visiting or exhibiting in any of these shows (or any others you think should be on the list). Feel free to comment, or send me an email at megan(at)craftMBA.com
Thank you so so much for sharing this list! I’ve been pondering participating in shows. Visiting them for a trial is a wonderful idea. I think I’ll try that this season. Thanks again and I am really enjoying your Craft MBA thoughts and ideas. The craft world really needs this!
I am interested in trade shows too, but am very intimidated by the amount of work expected to show. Could you speak about that in your experience?
Thanks!
Well, for most of these shows, you wouldn’t be selling retail, you’d only need to have examples of all the pieces you offered so people could place their wholesale orders.
Sherry – Caitlin’s got it right – you’ll only need samples of each piece – its much less inventory intensive than a retail show.
I’m working on a post that will help you decide if you’re ready to do a trade show, and I’ll definitely talk about determining if you have enough inventory (or enough designs in your line!). Look for that early this week.
Emily – let me know if you’re planning on walking any East Coast shows – maybe we can coordinate our visits!
thanks for posting this Meagan! as always, great info that you share is really appreciated ( now I hope I can actually use the info in my studio practice…it’s a new year and I’m finally flying solo)
Thanks for posting this list! I would like to do a big trade show either in 2010 or 2011, but still not sure which one to do. Contemplating POOL, it seems more modern than BMAC. I’m super inimidated about putting together a professional booth and the high $ investment to do this sort of show.
Thanks, great list!
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Got it- but what if your pieces are not exactly production? I can make similar pieces in batches, but nothing is exactly the same.
Sherry – can you create a method for organizing the pieces so that buyers can still order a specific item – say by size, color-way, and motif, with the understanding that there will be some variation due to handmade nature.
Thank you for this great list. I am just getting into wholesaling and would like to do a trade show either later this year or next. I apperciate all of the great info!
Do you have a list or a website that lists all the trade shows for 2010 (including application deadlines)?
Hey There,
I am thinking about checking out the Atlanta Gift Show that runs from March 20-22 2010 (just to get an idea of how it works and perhaps exhibit in the future). Is that show different than the one mentioned on this site and all of my other beloved design sponge-esque craft blogs? I want to make sure I check out the right one…Thanks!!!