The silence is deafening.
I bailed on Saturday night for two reasons: The wind was forecasted to be upwards of 25 mph by 1:00 on Sunday. I didn't want to be trapped in as I was next to and opposite from two tents with virtually no tie downs. Since I wasn't selling anything I didn't see any point to sustaining damage to what I most certainly would have left.
Hindsight being what it is, I made the right decision for me though I did get a couple of snide comments from the promoter who claimed to have no knowledge of expected wind. From what I heard from two artists who did stay there were a total of 11 tents blown over by days' end.
Frankly, the wind was the least of the problems for this event. It's the worst Saturday I've had -- well, ever. Even the awards weren't enough to compensate for the lack of sales. The few -- very few -- shoppers certainly weren't buying. I didn't speak with anyone as late as Saturday 5:00 who had made much more than booth fee.
I'd label this one a total disaster.
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Interesting. I know nothing about this show, but Jims response reminds me of another recent show, which I will not name. Anyways I had decided to pass on said show because of poor attendance and older/conservative buying crowd. This show used to do quite well but is now a minor show. I visited it just to see how things went, and the artists I talked to didn't have much positive to say about sales. But low and behold I get an emial from the show promoter saying it was their best show ever......really? C'mon, you guys (promoters) don't have to be gloom and doom when a show doesn't go well, but don't be such politicians and act like nothing is wrong and everything is great.
Could it be a case of 'The Emperor Wears No Clothes' syndrome?
Hello, I wish to personally thank all the artists who participated in our Uptown Art Expo at Beautiful Cranes Roost Park, in Altamonte Springs, FL.
This was our first year at our new location, as our festival was located at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando for the past 7 years. I decided to move the festival out of Downtown Orlando due to continued problems with artists parking (parking tickets) logistics of setting up and closing streets (affecting businesses and residents) and a security issues with homeless people. None of that is an issue at Cranes Roost Park as the facility is one of the finest urban designed parks in the Southeast and Seminole County has some of the highest household incomes within Central Florida.
Our festival was very strongly promoted on Fox 35, TV 65, Magic 107.7, WLOQ 102.5, and Orlando Sentinel & Orlando Magazine. Considerable amount of forethought and planning goes into the production of an event should has this, and unfortunately the weather forecasters screamed that it was going to rain for the four days leading up to the festival. This, in addition to a first time at our new location affected our overall attendance which resulted to lower than projected sales.
The City of Altamonte Springs estimates that we had over 11,000 guests attend the festival. Saturday we had a strong and growing attendance and we looking forward to a even stronger Sunday, it never once rained the whole weekend but on Sunday gale force winds was a challenge. Our team in addition to the parks’ staff did everything in our power to assist artists in securing their tents and masterpieces.
Lin Glore, I respected your decision to leave on Saturday night and wished you well, none of the booths in your location had an issue, it was the ones with exposure to the lake and your comment that 11 booths blew over is false. If that was the case it would have been national news.
If you live in Florida our weather can change in a “Miami Minute” and many times what is forecasted never occurs.
With all that was planned we were not going to cut and run and we hoped to make the best of it which we did. Overall we had a great festival; the feedback from our artists was very positive about the event site, your organization and set up. We have all ready met with the City of Altamonte who is very supportive and excited about the future of this festival. Just like the other great art festivals in Florida, which have a tradition of strong sales and years of track record with great artists, we are taking the steps for a successful future.
Warm Regards
Jim
www.uptownartexpo.com
I was, unfortunately, one of the artists whose tent blew over in the winds...yes, there were gale force winds and I didn't get the worst of it. Had the only negative about your show been the winds, I would have chalked it up to, "Pay your nickel, take your chances." I know what Florida weather is like, because I live here...however, the show was centered around entertainment, food and kids. The artists there took a very distant fourth place. Each and EVERY one of the booths around me complained about the very same thing. After my tent was completely blown over, and all my merchandise scattered around on the ground, I packed up to leave...as was the artist next to me. I still think this is an excellent venue for an art/craft show...but the organizers need to put a little more thought into just what kind of show they want. People were there to "stroll" around enjoying the view, the entertainment and the food. They were NOT there to enjoy or buy art in any form. If anyone tells you any different...well, they're wrong. Thank the art gods I at least made back my booth and jury fees...that includes one of the judge's awards.; so, I didn't have too much of an outlay to do this show. Unless and until the promoters decide just what they want to do with this show, I won't be applying again...well, let's face it: after this post, I won't ever be invited there again!
Jim -- I've responded to you privately. Perhaps you were not the "Jim" somebody who actually looked me in the eye and said -- and yes, I quote: "I haven't heard anything about any wind" which had been forecasted for days. Perhaps you aren't the "Jim" who drove by on the golf cart as I was packing up, asked if we were unhappy with sales or just unhappy -- and made it a point to let me know you intended to offer the space to another vendor. Perhaps it was a different "Jim". If so, please accept my most humble "I'm sorry." Being between two unweighted EZ-ups -- and across from another -- was just too much of a risk for me.
Saturday actually WAS Chamber of Commerce weather. There were plenty of attendees -- I just didn't hear of much in the way of sales being made, and though I wasn't there I have no reason not to believe the reports of Sunday.
Time show in this location. Obviously the larger attendance, the more customers you will have. But I believe that can only happen with time as it continues to grow and gain momentum. Plus I rely on my own marketing to my clients to come see me. Set up, tear down, and friendly staff were awesome and I'm not sure what more could be done to give a good venue in which for us to sell our work.
Altamonte Springs just north of Orlando, I'm glad I got into one of the Coconut Grove shows. I knew that would be a failure :-(
Uptown where? It sounds like you won't be going back ;-) BTW, any word on the tents around you w/o adequate weights or tie-downs?
Oh dear Lin, I'm sorry it was such an awful weekend. Any idea why the people just weren't there?