I have been following the quests for info in the "Shows" section and have found many are seeking info on good shows. "How's the Veeblefetzer Festival In Marshfield, VT?" Along comes a reply saying it's really not that good. Another says it's their best show ever!

So what information does the original poster get from these replies? Nothing. But somebody will get in their van and travel 500 miles to do the show based on this.

You can look at the top 200 issue and see a "great" show, do it, and see it's half B/S! And I read the anger from the exhibitors who say they were "duped". All because s/he didn't read that the ratings are on SALES FIGURES ONLY. I've seen COUNTRY FOLK ART in the top 200!

So. I'm going to ask you guys just what makes for a good show? How much money is enough to go back? What criteria do you use to decide whether or not to return? Do you blame the promoter if the weather is bad? Do you blame the promoter if YOUR sales are not good while others are doing great? I read reviews where the exhibitors say the crowd is "not very sophisticated" and blame the promoter. Well, YOU chose that show.

What do you look for in a show and would you do a show based on a complete stranger's opinion?

Hi Chris. I too have been asking that question for 20 years or so. And the answer seems to be changing as we get older. We keep bees and sell honey and beeswax candles, ornaments and nativities. We have found that we need to find a show where the patrons are appreciative of that kind of product. Somewhat trial and error but we also try, like you do I believe, to check out a show before we decide to apply. Watch what people are buying, are they carrying packages, and talk to vendors of products in the same vein as ours. Because we are so concentrated in one area, if we see a vendor of honey/beeswax, we most likely would not do the show in the future.

Money is not the only thing for us. We are retired and do not live from our show profit. That makes our answer different than a full timer. And there are times when you do not make a profit but still consider it a success. We do a lot of shows where we demonstrate and hopefully educate. Those are usually our best ones financially and emotionally.

OK. Let us talk dollars. A weekend show (Sat & Sun), our goal is $1000. Do we do that? Not usually but sometimes. One day maybe $450. These are usually much smaller and more local, but they are also the ones you get repeat costumer throughout the year and those sales you usually do not add in to the show money. We do our State Fair. 12 days. 350-400 dollars per day but 1 set up and 1 tear down plus an air-conditioned building in August AND we have fun demonstrating and talking to visitors.

As far as promoters, I have not found one I cannot work with. Placement at a show I suppose can be a problem at times, but seems to me it is not too much. Outdoor shows are at the mercy of the weather. Nuff said.

I know this is extremely rambling, but the point is the value of a show can mean many things to each person.

Thanks for allowing me to ramble, Candlaman

Hi Chris, I recently inquired about the Mt Dora festival and I had the same thing happen, good for one person and bad for another. To me, the promoter's attitude and communication is very important but not always the main issue. My favorite show was one of my least profitable but because of artist amenities such as an evening reception, breakfast, booth sitting, etc, it was such a pleasure to do the show. Unfortunately, that promoter moved so the show will not happen this year.

I recently did a highly profitable out of town show but the promoter was horrible. They cashed my booth check and yet I didn't receive notification of acceptance (they only deposit accepted artist checks). Then the website posted all the artists....my name wasn't on there. I called and emailed the promoter for a solid two weeks. I wanted my money back. I finally got a response. "You're in". Then, the morning of the show, they send an email that booth locations have changed. The show began at 10am and everyone needed to be set up by 9am at the latest. At 8am I get a call from the promoter asking me what my problem is and why I haven't arrived. I was trying to park. It's instances like this that make me not want to come back next year. Yes, I made more than average sales but is it worth the frustration and confusion with the promoter? I am torn.

In regards to other opinions on "good" and "bad" shows, I always take into consideration the promoter b/c that is typically universal. But when it comes to sales, I don't consider opinions of those not in my general category. For instance, I am a photographer, so I can't really compare my sales to a jeweler and vice versa. On the other hand, at a recent show, a fellow photographer who was highly talented, barely covered their booth fee while I made about average. I also only apply to juried shows unless it's local. And if the show has a section of buy/sell, I don't apply unless they are clearly in a different area.

When deciding on an out of town show, I like to research the city's population and average income. With the economy the way that it is now, I tend to go for highly populated areas.

I wouldn't blame the promoter for weather or the type of crowd. This is why I research the city and area. The promoter can't change the demographics.

The only time I could possibly blame a promoter for lack of sales is if they said it was a 100,000+ attendance show and it appeared to be about 10,000. I would find that misleading and it would also be lost opportunity costs of possible customers.

I know the question of "What is a good show?" all depends on who you ask. what works well for me may not work well for someone else. I can remember being so excited the first time I topped $1200 -- that was in 2000 and the first year I went Full Time. I was doing alot of small shows - working between to make enough inventory (but hey- if you don't sell much there's not that much to replace!)

I was working myself to the point of catch 22---- couldn't try for larger-better shows because I was tied up doing small events (maybe 24 a year!!!!!!!!!). Couldn't experiment too much cause I had to make what sold. real dog chasing tail experience.

Then someone older/wiser said to me -- take 3 months off, concentrate on your work - make it better-newer-etc -- then do the "bread and butter" little shows til I got in better shows.

What a grand piece of advice that turned out to be. we hoarded every dime-- ate soup/beans for that 3 months - etc etc and spent my time creating new work. And, low and behold-- I started getting into more profitable shows. My work got better - my shows became more profitable- I scaled back the number of shows I did (about 8-10)-- and everything worked out for the best.

So what's good show for me? add all expenses-- multiply x 10 and that's my minimum yard stick of a good show---unless one is somewhere I want to travel (like Key West in Jan) --or if it's one that is just too fun to do----or if I just want to try something new---

Bear in mind shows have been my sole means of support for almost 10 years.

there are certain promoters I will not even think of participating with because I did one time and didn't like the way I was spoken to-------trust me -- it was unprovoked and unwarranted. I like to work with pleasant professionals. Anything can happen for the crowds not to show or if they do-they keep their hands in their pockets-- I was at a show when Gulf War #2 started! Who knew that would happen? but the promoter came around - told us what was happening - and that made all the difference.

What makes a good promoter? One that does what they say when they say it and is honest about crowd. One that makes me feel like we are in this together - not that I am just a booth space fee.

Good luck - set Your goals-- figure out how you can make it happen.

Debra