Show hours

Just wondering...

When you do an outdoor, multi-day event, how early do you arrive at your booth each morning, and how have you come to that decision?

I generally tend to arrive anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes early, depending on the show and my past experiences with it, and I've found that I often make a few early morning sales this way. Now, I know some promoters are strict with their rules (I did a show once - ONCE - where the promoter drove around in a golf cart shouting through her bullhorn that sales HAD to stop at a certain time at the end of the first day of a multi-day show), but if there aren't any restrictions, what time do you find yourself getting to your booth?

Much as I'd like to sleep in, I find myself wanting to get back to my booth, make sure everything is fine - even without weather issues - and, if nothing else, stroll around, visit with the other exhibitors, and check out the other work, as I'll be far too busy the rest of the day to do so. ;-)

How early do the rest of you show up?

Depends on the overnight weather. Normally I get there about 30 minutes early, enough time to straighten pictures and bring out anything that I might have tucked away. The first day of a show I may arrive earlier because I didn't finish setup the night before. Some of our local shows allow Friday night setup, but let you know they don't have as much security (if any). If there's little or no Friday night security, I arrive 2 hours early on Saturday and load in my merchandise.

If it rained or was windy during the night, then I will arrive at least an hour early. If it's an indoor show, then that doesn't matter. With predictions of rain or wind, I often take down a lot of my photos and cover them or put them back in the tubs.

Some show also serve a light breakfast, like coffee and doughnuts, and it's nice to enjoy that with the other artists.

Replies

Chris King October 12, 2011 at 10:28am

I like to arrive at least and hour early, and 2 is better. I reprimp my display, clean fingerprints off the plates then more COFFEE! Gives me a chance to go visit other vendors, since it is just about the only time I get to shop their booths - I have them put my purchases aside and pick up/ pay at the end of the day.
Karole Bowlds October 9, 2011 at 6:45pm

I do Agricultural fairs- week long events. I generally camp on site at these events. After breakfast, I would open my booth. We were not required to man the booths before noon during the week, but I always got there by 9- I made several early sales each day this way. The gates were open, but the midway didn't start til noon. I found that by being open when the gates were, my sales increased. The other exhibitors were shopping, as were the people bussed in from the nursing homes, and other care facilities for the day. It also allowed the other exhibitors and I to network, visit, shop, and check out each others various crafts. I enjoy multi day shows more- they are less hectic.
Ruth Finkenbiner July 26, 2011 at 5:12pm

We usually get there an hour early, it takes at least 30 minutes to get all the jewelry out and that way we have time to grab coffee, chat with a friend or two, etc. Some shows with difficult parking situations or where we know of a great restaurant for breakfast we arrive 2 hours early so we can enjoy breakfast together. Before we started doing shows, we loved to go out for Sunday brunch so going out to breakfast on the Sunday of a show helps us feel like we have a "normal life", whatever that is.
Alison Thomas July 26, 2011 at 4:00pm

I am pathologically early. Unless it is the first day of the show and people are setting up I am usually the first person there in the morning. I get up early during the week (4AM) and find it hard to sleep much later on the weekend. I'll get there and make sure everything is just right and then wander around to see everyone. I also like to be in my booth, all ready to go, at least an hour before the show opens. I hate to be rushed and it makes me nervous when the show starts if I am.
Dave Hinde July 25, 2011 at 3:21pm

Depends on the overnight weather. Normally I get there about 30 minutes early, enough time to straighten pictures and bring out anything that I might have tucked away. The first day of a show I may arrive earlier because I didn't finish setup the night before. Some of our local shows allow Friday night setup, but let you know they don't have as much security (if any). If there's little or no Friday night security, I arrive 2 hours early on Saturday and load in my merchandise.

If it rained or was windy during the night, then I will arrive at least an hour early. If it's an indoor show, then that doesn't matter. With predictions of rain or wind, I often take down a lot of my photos and cover them or put them back in the tubs.

Some show also serve a light breakfast, like coffee and doughnuts, and it's nice to enjoy that with the other artists.
Lynn Kvigne July 25, 2011 at 3:04pm

I'm usually there 90 minutes to 2 hours before show time. The first day of a multi-day show is always the longer (I've pushed Day 2 to only 45 minutes before show time a few times ;-)) as it takes me longer to figure out how to merchandise everything.

I've almost always had early sales. People are out walking their dogs or getting coffee and want to browse (and often buy :-)). No show I've ever done has discouraged this!
Larry Berman July 25, 2011 at 3:02pm

Depends on if it's a local show. Local shows I can get there five minutes early. Other shows I prefer to be there a few hours early to park, eat breakfast and hang out with other exhibitor friends.

What needs to be taken into account is that for a lot of us, these are our extended family and we look forward to seeing each other a few times a year and usually for me, dinner isn't as practical as time in the morning.

Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
- Chris Hoyt > Larry Berman July 26, 2011 at 7:35am
  
  I get there an hour to 90 minutes early and see my friends. Sometimes we'll get together and grouse about how the season is going and compare notes on other shows and promoters.
  
  When you're on the road and see the same exhibitors all the time, you actually become a family. And that's a pretty nice backup to have. Sometimes we need a little help setting up, or something breaks, or the truck breaks down.
  
  We did a show a few weeks ago and one of us didn't even make enough for gas to go home. We made sure she did.
  - Claudia & Sergio Olivos > Chris Hoyt September 26, 2011 at 8:41pm
    
    from two artists about to embark on this ARTventure, I find your post really encouraging! making money is a necessity.... having friends around-that's what life is all about!

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