This is Naperville IL, a small show held at a local historic settlement, not the larger better known Naperville Riverwalk show which is in mid-September.

 

Used to be the second weekend in July, which is a prime show weekend which put it competing against the heavy hitters.

 

Anyone know how long it’s been the last weekend of June? And the reason for the change?

 

I know that changing a show weekend can be the kiss of death, as patrons are used to the old date and often don’t notice a change.

Thanks.

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  • Last year had 20 photographers and 40 jewelers, which is about half the show. Most reviewers were complimentary about the organizers but were complaining about low attendance and low sales. Not enough to convince me to try again.

    • If the organizers are nice but don't bring in the patrons, that's not good enough. 40 jewelers?! Yeesh. The only thing that made me even look at it again was the fact that's on a weekend with not that many shows.

      • From your end of it, that's 1/3 of the show being your own media. Numbers like that had me bailing out of Long Grove a few years ago about 2-3 weeks before the show. They sent the booth layout, and I started looking for names I knew and media. They had dropped from an expected 120 artists down to 90 confirmed, and counting up photographers and jewelers came to a similar stats; half the show was those two media. I decided it was cutting the pie slices too small and I bailed out forfeiting the booth fee. I figured better to lose only that instead of losing gas money, lodging, meals, and wasting an entire weekend, I also sent a forceful but professional email to the organizers expressing my displeasure at the lack of balance in the show. I recall saying some things like we weren't there to show off our work, we were there to sell it with the expectation of making a profit at it. I received a boilerplate email back saying they wished me well in my future endeavors ;-)

  • I think that show had the kiss of death years ago. The Women's Club are gracious hosts, put on a very nice rewards dinner party, but I had a horrible experience there and people just don't seem to come out when it's hot there. Newbies to the show seem to be clustered together at one corner of the show, and you have to wonder when a dozen artists around you are first timers. Things may have changed since i did the show a few years ago, but my gut says no.

    •            Yes, I think we were both there when it was close to 100 degrees...

      • If you remember that part, then you were there when I was unless that happened more than once. As I recall, there wasn't a strong ad campaign for the show. It's a shame as the local demographics were strong  and the location was nice except for those of us in the corner with full sun all day long. I still remember setting up extra tarps and poles to shade the area behind 5 or 6 tents that were back to back. I'll check on AFSB to see what they have to say about the show.

        • That's ok, Robert, I have AFSB. Reviews did not say much.

           

          Yes, the only 2 years I was there it was close to 100 degrees!

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