What is the deal with these excessively long show hours? is anyone making more profits from being open for 30 hours in 3 days. It seems like once the sun goes down so does the interest in buying, then the interest in drinking begins. Plus we lose out on socializing and networking with other artists over a nice meal. It's  so uncivilized. I have never done a show scheduled for  12 hour days that resulted in more funds. I would love to hear other opinions about this.

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • I really think it depends on the show.   In my opinion, 2 day shows with long hours are sometimes more worthwhile than 3 day shows with slightly shorter hours.  I also notice a difference at summer shows vs. all other seasons.

    We have one summer show in a location that is notorious for triple digit temperatures Friday's hours were 9-9, our first sale was at 8:45 AM while we were finalizing our set up and we had great sales until about 1 PM when everyone went home  to avoid the afternoon heat, but the crowd came back around 5 PM and we had great sales until 8:15 PM when our battery ran out of power for our lights.  We were under a huge tree so at 8:15 with no lights so it was too dark for sales to continue.   So, yes, it was a 12 hour day, 80% of our sales were between 9-12 and again between 5-8PM with very few in the middle of the day but overall the sales were well worth the hours.  Can't say that about every show but there are some where it is well worth it, especially for the 2 day shows vs. 3 or 4 day shows.

  • I have to agree with a previous reply.  If the hours were known to you prior to applying, then you should abide by them ... No complaints.  Sometimes it works and other times it is a waste of time.  There is never an exact science and while you could be having a dismal "evening" after 5:30PM, a neighbor somewhwere in the canopy line is making sales (or vice versa).  There have been many times when I stayed open an extra hour past "regular" 10-5 hours at some shows just because the crowds were so good.

     

    If you really have a concern, then try to contact as many artists as you can from last year's show (you may have to GOOGLE their names if the show only lists names / media type) and ask them what their opinion was of the "night" hours.  Yet, to beat an old drum, just because it was a poor show (or great one) for some artists does not mean anything.  The artist could be a great communicator, active and personable seller. 

    •  I have wondered if any of the promoters feel that they are giving us "more" for our booth fee money- or if it is a way for them to justify asking for a higher booth fee? I would rather get it all done in the shortest time possible-of course!

      • Of course if you don't want to do the hours then don't do the show...I was just wondering about other peoples thoughts. It's always good to try different approached. I enjoy the 10 to 5 or 6pm shows and I don't find the longer shows to be a better value--but it doesn't mean I'll rule them all out. I have never done the UTah arts festival partially due to the 4 12 hour days and also from reports I've heard regarding sales and too much drinking. I just prefer a show to be about the art without all of these distractions.

         

  • I haven't had good results from most Friday shows, and have yet to do much good with extended hours. The worst example was the Riverfront show in Columbus, Ohio, where we set up on Friday morning for a 2 1/2 day show. Virtually no one sold anything on Friday evening although the show was open until 10:00 PM. I did the show twice, and each time it was a complete waste of time. I've done other shows and the same thing applies, the evening hours were a waste and the consensus was that we were the monkeys in a cage for the entertainment.

  • I can think of one time that long hours DID work:
    I did a show in mid-June up north this summer in which the host venue asked the promoter to have exhibitors stay open until 8 PM instead of the 5 PM start time agreed to contractually.   This was a high-end shopping center outside of Washington DC that featured many nice restaurants, and the show site was directly adjacent to many of them.  

    Although there was some grumbling, nearly everyone stayed.  It was a good thing: I had only $1400 in sales, but over $1000 of it was booked between 5 and 8:30. The rest of the show was dismal.

    But that worked only because of:

    * the venue (crowded restaurants in close proximity).  Folks came out, had a glass of wine or two, had a nice dinner, and bought art for their significant others (in most cases) without presenting a lot of buying objections. 

    * the time of year.  Sunset wasn't until 8:45, so artists didn't need to have lighting setups

    So I wouldn't mind having 8 PM close time under those circumstances.  Heck, I'd even string lights in my booth so it could happen other times of year. But the venue would have to be what I described above. 

     

    But in general, it doesn't seem like the Monday of a Sat/Sun/Mon show pays off. And I've done some shows that opened at 9 AM Saturday and Sunday, and especially on Sunday it was a waste of time.  I think an 11 AM start time on Sunday would be plenty early at most shows.

     

     

  • The solution is simple. if you don't like the hours, don't do the show.

    As far as I'm concerned, if the show is 3 days, the ideal hours are 10-5 on Fri, 10-5 on Sat, and 10-4 on Sunday. All the customers are gone by 3pm on Sunday anyway.

This reply was deleted.