Show Review of the Month Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Art & Craft Festival
November 4-6, 2022; Craftsmen’s Christmas Classic Art & Craft Festival, Richmond, VA. Contact: Gilmore Shows, Carly Gilmore, 13400 Sutton Park Drive S., #1201, Jacksonville, FL 32224; Phone: 336-282-5550; Email: contact@gilmoreshows.com; Website: gilmoreshows.com; Space fees: $550 to $1,400; Space sizes: 10x8 to 30x8; 100% indoors; Exhibitors: 500; Attendance estimate: 16,000.
Compiled from FastAudit reports
Craftsmen’s Christmas Classic Art & Craft Festival in Richmond, Virginia, ranked CC9 in 2022’s 200 Best list, and all the artists who reviewed the 2022 show said they would participate in it again.
One fine craft artist reported almost $8,000 in sales and said, “Its consistently good sales and great customer base” make it worth returning to. It is one of this artist’s favorite shows.
An artist whose medium was other made $3,600 at November’s event.
Sales for one wood artist totaled $1,800. “Good crowd. Cheerful buyers,” the artist said.
Another artist whose medium was other said, “One of my top favorite shows of the year, with great folks, great crafters and audience, good sales. It’s all good! I have done it for 30 years.”
Promoter’s Self‑Review
Photos courtesy of Gilmore Shows
Carly Gilmore said turnout was incredible for Craftsmen’s Christmas Classic in Richmond, Virginia, and spending was high. “The show went smoothly, and customers were thrilled to be there and came ready to shop!” she said.
She estimated attendance at 16,000 and said they received wonderful show reports from exhibitors, with many saying they could not believe they exceeded pre-pandemic numbers. “Most artists had a great return in fall of 2021 and were not sure if the trend would continue,” Gilmore said. “Thankfully, sales numbers were still exceeding expectations in 2022.”
Gilmore said they adjusted the entrances at the event, moving to one box office location rather than two. “However, we still had two entrances; one entrance accepted advance ticket holders only,” she said. “This helped the flow of traffic and cut down on confusion and line times. We utilized new directional signs, which were very helpful.”
She said directional signage was crucial each morning when customers were lining up. “We always post signage and even have several volunteers directing traffic, but the new, larger signs were hugely helpful,” Gilmore said. “Though it wasn’t a change from previous years, having an accessible Show Office where customers and exhibitors alike can easily access show staff seems to make a positive difference.”
Her message to those considering this show in the future is, “The Richmond Christmas Classic is a large-scale, indoor-only event. Through four decades of holding events in this market, Gilmore Shows’ customer list is extensive and brings in the right crowd to translate to higher sales for participants. In an affluent market, with great hotel options, restaurants, and more, this show is one not to be missed!”
