I think the issue is the number of shows the promoter has in a given area, and whether they have many of the same artists in all their shows. When this is the case it becomes a mobile art mall and loses all immediacy for buying. For the buyer, if they don't buy this weekend, there is always next weekend or the weekend thereafter.
Both have their value for me. I do some of the huge shows (20-40k people) in S. Florida which draw throngs of people but 90% of them are just out for a stroll. I do small shows with my local art league as well and because the costs (percentage of sales and no travel expense) are much lower I do very well there also. With the large shows I look at it as a percentage thing- maybe 10% look in my booth, 10% of those might stop and really look, and 10% of those might buy so it is worth it(for me) for the great exposure!
I have to fully agree with you Kitty. In Suburban Chicago area we have that quite a lot. Then what happens is the promoter has trouble selling booth spaces and starts selling space to anyone that applies.
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Both have their value for me. I do some of the huge shows (20-40k people) in S. Florida which draw throngs of people but 90% of them are just out for a stroll. I do small shows with my local art league as well and because the costs (percentage of sales and no travel expense) are much lower I do very well there also. With the large shows I look at it as a percentage thing- maybe 10% look in my booth, 10% of those might stop and really look, and 10% of those might buy so it is worth it(for me) for the great exposure!
I have to fully agree with you Kitty. In Suburban Chicago area we have that quite a lot. Then what happens is the promoter has trouble selling booth spaces and starts selling space to anyone that applies.