Has anyone done the buyers market show in DC this January-Buyers market used to be THE show for me of course that was 30 years ago and it lasted for about 15 years-then it all went bad-I stopped the show for about 10 years and then tried again in Philadelphia in January I think 2007-NO SALES AN VERY FEW PEOPLE GOING BY of course I was at the very end of the show maybe that had something to do with it-I dropped out of the show for good now-can't afford to loose$4000 dollars +and not make anything. I do wearable felt and silk art-I know there is a market but am having trouble finding it. Any comments!
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I was also there, I did okay. There were not as many buyers as in the past. This year the show moved to DC, its a transition year--- . Wholesale crafts.com is doing another wholesale show in the old space in Feb, the same dates this show used to be. The Philadelphia convention center was only able to offer one exhibit hall for this time of year ( thanks to the auto show ) which is one of the reasons why the Rosen show moved. A number of exhibitors chose to do both shows when they used to only do one. That means a expense of over $7000 if you are traveling far --- even more. Can any of us make a living doing this? With the buyers split between two shows, not to mention ACC, not likely. Many exhibitors said they would only go back if there is only one show---- meaning one show has to fail. Which will it be time will tell- the Acre Philly show is this weekend followed by ACC. Right now three shows are too many-- like warring political parties splitting the vote. No one wins. The real losers are us, how many will only break even or less this year? Doing two shows to get the same amount of orders you used to get from one is not making money, its a hamster on a wheel. There was a general feel that we as the exhibitors need to make a decision which show we will do and ONLY apply to that one and end this war. I am eagerly waiting to hear what happens in the next few weeks.
I'm not going to be much help, but better than nothing. I heard directly from a buyer who buys for her museum gift shop and she said there were no buyers there and it was dead. A few days later I heard from a potter who participated and they said they had a great show. This potter is from Indiana and has very nice work. Still waiting to hear more ...